eHealthNT

eHealthNT implementation is a joint initiative of the Australian Government's Department of Health and Ageing and the Northern Territory Government's Department of Health and Community Services

Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions

eHealthNT has contracted the Top End Division of General Practice to develop the technology and implement the eHealthNT Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions (ETP) project. Australia's first ETP trial began in the Northern Territory in December 2006. The ETP trial, involved electronic prescribing and dispensing of medicines in a community setting.

 Technology was developed to allow prescriptions generated by a general practitioner to be sent securely in electronic form to a local pharmacist, relieving the problems suffered through misplacement of prescriptions and delays in mailing or faxing scripts. The trial was conducted between local general practitioners, Terrace Gardens Aged Care in Palmerston and the Stuart Park Pharmacy.

What is Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions?

The eHealthNT Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project is a jointly funded initiative between the Northern Territory Department of Health and Community Services and the Australian Government Department of Health & Ageing. The Top End Division of General Practice has been contracted to develop and implement a method of digitally signing and transferring electronically created prescriptions.

What is the aim of the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project?

The Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project aims to develop the capabilities for the digitally signed and encrypted transfer of electronic prescriptions throughout the Northern Territory. It is hoped future development will enable the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions to be implemented nationally.

Who is involved in the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project?

The Top End Division of General Practice held several workshops to engage those in the Northern Territory who are involved with prescribing medications including clinicians, pharmacists, Aboriginal Medical Services, residential aged care facilities, the Pharmacy Guild, the Dept of Health and Ageing, Medicare Australia, Poisons and Dangerous Drug Act regulators, privacy regulators and consumers. The outcome of these workshops enabled the development of a phased approach to the implementation of the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project. This phased approach is being developed in conjunction with pharmacy, general practice, and community sectors to ensure a smooth transition of electronic technology into the clinical environment as well as consumer acceptability.

Phase 1 involves 2 GP's, Terrace Gardens Residential Aged Care Facility and Stuart Park Pharmacy.

How does the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project work?

Phase 1 of the project involves the sending of digitally signed prescriptions and medication charts directly from the GP's Medical Director practice software to a Residential Aged Care Facility and to a Pharmacy to dispense the prescriptions. GP's using laptops can send digitally signed and encrypted electronic medication charts and prescriptions over any broadband network, including 3G Network.

All electronic prescriptions are digitally signed and encrypted using Medicare Australia issued PKI keys to ensure transfer of electronic prescriptions are safe and secure.

The Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project is unique to the Northern Territory and is the first of its kind anywhere in Australia.

What are the potential benefits of using Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions?

Enhanced primary care and quality & safety of care for all patients, particularly chronically ill patients, the aged and frail on multiple medications.

Integrated models of care, supported through linking GP's clinical information systems to Pharmacy Dispensing systems.

Safe and secure - all messages are secured using PKI encryption

When will the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project be trialled?

The phase 1 project was implemented in December 2006 and has been running successfully since then. Future phases will be rolled out in stages depending on trial outcomes following evaluation. This will ensure that stakeholder experience is constantly evaluated and taken into account for successive stages.

Phase 2 will introduce electronic prescriptions into the broader community prescribing sector where patients are provided with freedom of choice. A central prescription server will be developed for storing digitally signed and encrypted prescriptions until the patient presents at their choice of Pharmacy to have the prescription filled.

Phase 3 will see development of Advanced Medication Management in Terrace Gardens aged care facility. The aim is to move from a paper-reliant system of medication management to a paper-less, electronic system.

Phase 4 development will depend on outcomes of the previous trials, their evaluation and the successful application for additional funding to continue the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project.

What privacy implications are there for the consumer?

Technologies used in the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project comply with NeHTA standards and Medicare Australia's guidelines for privacy and security.

What legislative changes have occurred recently to support Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions?

National legislative changes occurred on 1 March 2007 to allow digitally signed and encrypted prescriptions to hold the same legal standing as physically signed prescriptions in relation to PBS claiming.

State and other Territory Governments are reviewing legislation for the purposes of dispensing digitally signed and encrypted prescriptions.

The Northern Territory's Chief Health Officer fully supports the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project and has approved the dispensing of digitally signed and encrypted prescriptions to occur for the Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions project.

For further information contact the eHealthNT Electronic Transfer of Prescriptions service:

Top End Division of General Practice
Ph: (08) 89821031
Fax: (08) 89815899
[click here to send email]
www.tedgp.asn.au