Medical Details/Records

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sampler

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#1855535 30-Aug-2017 22:12

xpd:

I know a lot of practices use MedTech32, but don't think they can access one another's information unless its been requested for them to share.

Medtech or not, most practices (doctors) have the ability to send (on request) appointment notes or complete history to another practice. Mr XPD may be well aware of Health link and/or RSD/GP2GP.
This would normally be done if you need to see another practice (urgent care of some style maybe) and they may ask if you want your notes from that appointment sent to your normal GP Or if you wish to change doctors your medical history can be transferred "as a whole"

While Doctors have the ability to request services from their respective DHB for a patient, there is no way of the DHB reaching into the local GP's system and accessing a given patients records.

The bulk of the online personal record management systems (MMH, Connectmed etc) are private companies who are working with the various GP's software to provide people access to their records.

Each DHB will have any info of you if you have been seen at a hospital in their area, There are ways of DHB's sharing information, but again its a request/logged etc.

While it should not be done and if it is its against the law etc, are you suggesting your worried this person might access your records to somehow gain advantage based on record notes in your dispute ?

scuwp

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#1855584 31-Aug-2017 07:16

MaxLV:

marej:

Just wondering - who actually can access your medical records. I know there is an online database now, but can any doctor anywhere in NZ access your information? Struggling with google to find the answer to this........

I'm registered with Manage My Health (MMH).

It provides me with full access to my medical records, enables me to book an appointment, request repeat prescriptions, have access to my doctors notes about me, and allows me to send/receive emails to my doctor and nursing staff.

Information about MMH here:

https://www.managemyhealth.co.nz/m/Main/Index

This^ is the problem. More and more want access to their own data more efficiently, so with that comes a trade off against privacy with added risk of all the 'add-on's'. There is also the issue of doctors "needing" access to certain medical information for an individuals own good, for example if you are involved in an emergency or a past record combined with new symptoms build a picture of a health issue that wouldn't be identified if the symptoms were viewed in isolation. I for one am happy that they have access to my medical history as long as the access is logged.

Not saying it doesn't happen but doctors have spent years and $$$ to get into the profession including having to be vetted and they also have a governing body that can kick them out at a moments notice. One of the few professions I trust.

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

MikeAqua

7785 posts

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#1855629 31-Aug-2017 08:41

I recently organised access to my GP records for medical personnel at a different DHB (not the one whose district I live in).

The DHB staff were quite clear they wouldn't access the records without my permission and my GP practice asked me to sign a release to say they could access them.

So a pleasing respect for privacy on both ends.

Mike

geocom

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#1855731 31-Aug-2017 10:08

For those of you who use manage my heath do these terms not concern you

23. ManageMyHealth™ does not actively police uploaded content but reserves the right to remove or edit any content uploaded at its sole discretion and without notice, regardless of whether or not it is, in the opinion of any third party, in breach of these Terms of Use. If a user notices any such content, please email us at help@managemyhealth.co.nz.

And given that they say they say in term 23 they do not police the uploaded content term 13 states

13. Medtech may use technology or other means to protect ManageMyHealth™, protect our customers, or stop you from breaching these Terms of Use.

Geoff E

marej

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#1855763 31-Aug-2017 10:43

I don't think this person would have gone as far as requesting records directly from GP, but I do think he would have accessed whatever he could on a national level.

Its got nothing to do with the legal matter in itself, but the legal matter has made me realise this person is really unethical and I now I want to confirm it even if its only limited stuff accessed.

MikeAqua

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#1855821 31-Aug-2017 11:16

marej:

I don't think this person would have gone as far as requesting records directly from GP, but I do think he would have accessed whatever he could on a national level.

Its got nothing to do with the legal matter in itself, but the legal matter has made me realise this person is really unethical and I now I want to confirm it even if its only limited stuff accessed.

Presumably you would be entitled to a record of who has accessed you centrally held info?

Mike

marej

186 posts

Master Geek

#1855825 31-Aug-2017 11:19

MikeAqua:

marej:

I don't think this person would have gone as far as requesting records directly from GP, but I do think he would have accessed whatever he could on a national level.

Its got nothing to do with the legal matter in itself, but the legal matter has made me realise this person is really unethical and I now I want to confirm it even if its only limited stuff accessed.

Presumably you would be entitled to a record of who has accessed you centrally held info?

Have emailed MOH......will update

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

frankv

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#1855889 31-Aug-2017 12:28

marej:

MikeAqua:

marej:

I don't think this person would have gone as far as requesting records directly from GP, but I do think he would have accessed whatever he could on a national level.

Presumably you would be entitled to a record of who has accessed you centrally held info?

Have emailed MOH......will update

MoH won't be able to help you. Almost the only "centrally held info" is names and addresses; all the clinical information they have is allergies and alerts. So MoH have no way to know who has accessed your clinical information. You would have to ask your DHB for details of who has accessed your clinical information; I believe that at least some DHBs make that information available to the patient. I don't know who your DHB is, but all of them have large amounts of information stored electronically, and logs of who has accessed that. If you have been treated at another DHB (e.g. an accident, or you've moved) then that other DHB will also have some of your clinical information (which your local DHB may not have), so you might want to contact other DHBs as well.

But DHBs won't be releasing any of your information to anyone without your express permission.

frankv

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#1855903 31-Aug-2017 12:43

I've now skimmed through this entire thread...

If you think someone has accessed your health information illegally, then the Health & Disabilities Commissioner is the place to go. The HDC can get information that you can't, and has wide powers. This is especially true for doctors and other clinicians; a doctor may only access your health information if they are treating you. All health information systems keep a log of who has accessed what and when, and the HDC can make the owner disclose that information to the HDC.

marej

186 posts

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#1855917 31-Aug-2017 13:03

Ok, I have sent of queries to adhb records and to the HDC, so hopefully I can get the process kicked off.

Geektastic

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#1856762 1-Sep-2017 15:37

MaxLV:
marej:

Just wondering - who actually can access your medical records. I know there is an online database now, but can any doctor anywhere in NZ access your information? Struggling with google to find the answer to this........

I'm registered with Manage My Health (MMH).

It provides me with full access to my medical records, enables me to book an appointment, request repeat prescriptions, have access to my doctors notes about me, and allows me to send/receive emails to my doctor and nursing staff.

Information about MMH here:

https://www.managemyhealth.co.nz/m/Main/Index

Me too.

marej

186 posts

Master Geek

#1858765 5-Sep-2017 10:38

Just an update in case anyone else find useful. The adhb have come back and said they can with proof of identity, but only on the adhb database. They cannot audit the national databse. The HDC have come back and referred me to the privacy commissioner. So still open queries with the MoH and the privacy commissioner.

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