The document discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of electronic health records from the perspective of the Health and Disability Commissioner of New Zealand. It notes that EHRs could improve healthcare by providing access to accurate, up-to-date patient information across providers, but consistency, security, and public perception present challenges. The Commissioner's role is to protect consumers, ensure proper standards of care, and support improvements through learning rather than punishment. Careful implementation will be needed to balance these responsibilities with the benefits of integrated health information.

1. Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz
Electronic Health Records –
which direction should we take?
Tina Mitchell
Senior Legal Advisor
Health and Disability
Commissioner
Electronic Health Records
• Role of HDC and
the Code
• EHR – the pros
• EHR – the cons
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2. Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz
Cartwright Inquiry 1987-1988
• Change in public attitudes
• Statutory recognition of
patients’ rights
Dame Silvia Cartwright
Health and Disability
Commissioner Act 1994
• Individual Resolution
Resolution, not retribution
• Improvements in health care
safety and quality
Learning, not lynching
• Public protection
Watchdog role
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3. Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz
Code of Consumers’ Rights
• Respect
• Appropriate standard
of care
• Effective communication
• Information and consent
• Complaint procedures
How does the Code apply to
health information?
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4. Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz
Moving information
• Right 4(2)
• Right 4(5)
• Right 6(1)
Snapshot
Health care providers have
a responsibility to record
and communicate
information effectively
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5. Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz
Electronic health records
– the pros
• Seamless delivery of care
• Reduced errors
• The right information to the right
person at the right time
• Drawing together multiple sources
• Accurate health record travels with
the consumer
Example – patient test results
• Patient with
unusual pain
referred for
mammogram
• No results for 13
weeks
• 99/11494
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6. Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz
Example – specialist referral
• Urology patient
waited 22 months for
FSA
• Inadequate follow-up
of referral
• 04/13909
Example – discharge
summary
• Hospital discharge
summary not
completed
• GP not advised of
admission or follow-
up requirements
• 99/05684
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7. Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz
Electronic health records
– the cons
• Consistency
• Security
• Public perception
Summary
• The Code applies…
• EHR will improve on the
status quo but…
• Introduce it carefully…
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8. Health Informatics New Zealand
www.hinz.org.nz
www.hdc.org.nz
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