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

Secure Electronic Messaging Service

The Top End Division of General Practice has been contracted to develop the technology and implement the eHealthNT Secure Electronic Messaging Service across the Northern Territory and to cross border regions in South Australia and Western Australia. The Central Australian Division of Primary Health Care has been contracted by the Top End Division of General Practice to implement the eHealthNT Secure Electronic Messaging Service in Central Australia.

What is the Secure Electronic Messaging Service?

Secure Electronic Messaging Service provides an easy, fast and secure way of communicating between health care providers. Secure Electronic Messaging Service uses existing systems and provides both encryption and proof of delivery. This means electronic transmission of confidential patient information is now secure.

What will it cost to set-up the Secure Electronic Messaging Service?

The Secure Electronic Messaging Service is sponsored by the Northern Territory Department of Health and the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing. The Top End Division of General Practice has been contracted to develop and implement this major eHealth NT project, which is managed internally by the Health Provider e-Xchange team. The team provides assistance to general practices and health care providers to install Secure Electronic Messaging Service software and to provide support to implement and use the Secure Electronic Messaging Service. For the majority of health care providers this will be at no cost.

How is the Secure Electronic Messaging Service secured?

All electronic messages are secured using Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates, in accordance with approved NeHTA standards, to exchange electronic encrypted data. PKI digital certificates enable the secure exchange of electronic encrypted data.

What are the benefits of using the Secure Electronic Messaging Service?

Secure Electronic Messaging Service allows health care providers to send and receive secure electronic communications to other participating health care providers and NT public hospitals. Benefits include:

• Security - all messages are secured using PKI encryption
• Fast communication - email is virtually instant
• Proof of Delivery - there is an acknowledgement when the message arrives
• Integration - messages can be sent directly from within the health care provider's clinical
• Information software package. Received messages can be imported directly.
• In-depth IT advice - A Health Provider eXchange team member can offer advice with implementing security guidelines, provide assistance for GP's in accessing the Broadband for Health initiative, as well as providing recommendations in other IT areas.
• Ongoing training and support to Secure Electronic Messaging Service enabled sites.

What can be sent electronically using Secure Electronic Messaging Service?

Secure Electronic Messaging Service can be used to send and receive:

• Patient discharge summaries (ED / Inpatient)
• Referrals, GP Management Plans and Team Care Arrangements to other health care providers (GPs, Specialists, Allied Health Professionals, Aboriginal Medical Services, Non-Government Organisations etc)
• Pathology reports from Western Diagnostic Pathology and Sullivan Nicolaides Pathology
• Patient clinical information, test results, current medications
• Outpatient Dept and Radiology reports
• Automatic NT public hospital notifications (Births/Deaths/Appointments)

What clinical information software package can I use?

Health care providers can use their own clinical information software package. Clinical information software packages used by participating Secure Electronic Messaging Service health care providers include Medical Director and Genie. Secure Electronic Messaging Service software is also integrated with CareSys and clinical workstation systems used at NT public hospitals and will be integrated into Communicare and the Primary Care Information System during 2007.

What if there is no clinical information software package?

Don't worry if there is no clinical information software package available at your organisation as the Health Provider e-Xchange team can provide you with ArgusWord templates to use with Secure Electronic Messaging Service. All that is needed is a PC with an internet connection that can run Microsoft Word.

Will the installation of Secure Electronic Messaging Service affect the IT set-up?

A Health Provider e-Xchange team member will conduct an on-site pre-installation assessment to ensure a smooth installation process. You can discuss any concerns you may have at any time with IT members of the Health Provider e-Xchange team.

Which Hospitals are using Secure Electronic Messaging Service?

All NT public hospitals are enabled with Secure Electronic Messaging Service. Clinical health information messages can be exchanged between NT public hospitals, health care providers and health clinics using Secure Electronic Messaging Service. NT public hospital outbound messages include automatic notifications, discharge summaries, radiology and specialist outpatient reports.

How many health provider sites are using Secure Electronic Messaging Service?

There are over 90 health care provider sites in the NT using the Secure Electronic Messaging Service and growing. Deployment of the Secure Electronic Messaging Service software continues to expand the number of sites participating in the network.

Is there any Secure Electronic Messaging Service training and service support?

Yes! Onsite training and on going IT support is available to all participants. The Health Provider e-Xchange team will also provide assistance with the use of clinical information software packages (Medical Director / Genie).

Will patient's privacy be protected?

Yes - Secure Electronic Messaging Service complies with the highest national standards for privacy and security. Proof of delivery and PKI encryption of electronic data means information is secure and received by the intended recipient - unlike faxes and mail that can go to the wrong place.

How do I join Secure Electronic Messaging Service?

Speak to a Health Provider e-Xchange team member who can provide you with an information pack to get you started.

Where can I find more information about Secure Electronic Messaging Service?

Contact a Health Provider e-Xchange team member:
Ph: (08) 8982 1031
Fax: (08) 8981 5899
Email: sems_information@tedgp.asn.au
www.tedgp.asn.au