Medical Details/Records

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marej

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Topic # 222830 30-Aug-2017 16:24

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........

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Reply # 1855368 30-Aug-2017 16:32

There is no national health database (yet) - it will be hard,

http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/ehealth/digital-health-2020/electronic-health-record

Various regions have local solutions, that have evolved upwards from local GPs practices linking together, ( and presumably give access to specialists in the same region)

AFAIK Hospitals are still pretty much in house,

I don't think you need to worry about a GP nurse in XXX being able to look up about you getting that spot on your leg removed last month...

gehenna

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Reply # 1855369 30-Aug-2017 16:35

I think access is fairly well audited too. If someone is accessing something without good reason it tends to get picked up. You read about it in the news quite a bit. Which could also give the impression there's a culture of doing it, but you'd have to think fewer and fewer would be doing it given the tendency to be caught out.

kryptonjohn

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Reply # 1855370 30-Aug-2017 16:35

http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/health-identity/national-health-index/nhi-information-health-consumers/national-health-index-questions-and-answers#accessinformation

Basically any doctor or clinic can access it, but all accesses are logged. There have been cases in NZ of hospital staff looking up records on celebrities and getting caught.

xpd

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Reply # 1855375 30-Aug-2017 16:39

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.

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marej

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Reply # 1855379 30-Aug-2017 16:43

kryptonjohn:

http://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/health-identity/national-health-index/nhi-information-health-consumers/national-health-index-questions-and-answers#accessinformation

Basically any doctor or clinic can access it, but all accesses are logged. There have been cases in NZ of hospital staff looking up records on celebrities and getting caught.

I did read this actually, but everything else was subjective. This indicates it is indeed accessible.

I also read some stories online, but it appears that the victim had raised suspicions, not via any random audit by the MOH itself.

Fred99

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Reply # 1855390 30-Aug-2017 16:46

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There's this as well which may probably be rolled out across NZ:

https://healthone.org.nz/home/about-healthone

It's very good. Some records can't be easily (or should I say "quickly) digitised, for example some nuclear medicine imaging etc. The rest of it all seems to be available on-line immediately including access to images from CT, MRI etc and path reports.

Ultimately these systems should be available for you to access your own records - though some Drs not happy about the concept, they need to get with the times. It's your information after all.

Beccara

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Reply # 1855396 30-Aug-2017 16:49

It's quite the bag of worms you've opened up. The answer is it depends on what medical data you are talking about. That link for the NHI is talking about a subset of your medical records that are stored nationally, You can see things like your answers to any national campaigns (i.e smoking/heart attack risk etc etc).

The notes from your doctor about low-level GP things like bumps and scraps stay local to the practice until a request for transfer comes in via something like GP2GP. Lab results and xrays are uploaded to ManageMyHealth and also downloaded to the practice. ACC claims and forms are sent via a number of methods and information from ACC back may be split to everyone involved like your GP and any 3rd party places like physio. Incidents at A&E are scanned and sent via a number of methods and show up at your GP as an image scan.

Is there anything specific you are interested in?

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marej

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Reply # 1855400 30-Aug-2017 16:54

Beccara:

It's quite the bag of worms you've opened up. The answer is it depends on what medical data you are talking about. That link for the NHI is talking about a subset of your medical records that are stored nationally, You can see things like your answers to any national campaigns (i.e smoking/heart attack risk etc etc).

The notes from your doctor about low-level GP things like bumps and scraps stay local to the practice until a request for transfer comes in via something like GP2GP. Lab results and xrays are uploaded to ManageMyHealth and also downloaded to the practice. ACC claims and forms are sent via a number of methods and information from ACC back may be split to everyone involved like your GP and any 3rd party places like physio. Incidents at A&E are scanned and sent via a number of methods and show up at your GP as an image scan.

Is there anything specific you are interested in?

I have taken some legal action against a doc who practices as a GP in another DHB. It got me wondering what could he find out about me......it doesnt change anything I have done even if he did access - it would be a separate issue......but rather the person has a sense of entitlement and is a bit unpredictable.

Beccara

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Reply # 1855407 30-Aug-2017 17:03

Right, so everything then :)

Just be aware if you do suspect and want to look at it you'll need to contact quite a few resources as your local GP won't have access to all the audit logs you want

Fred99

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Reply # 1855411 30-Aug-2017 17:19

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marej:

I have taken some legal action against a doc who practices as a GP in another DHB.

This might save you grief if you've got a legitimate complaint that needs to be sorted:

http://www.hdc.org.nz/

MikeAqua

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Reply # 1855415 30-Aug-2017 17:25

A lot of medical data is also 'anony-mised' (identifying information removed) and made available for research/policy analysis purposes.

It's all in the various regulations if you want to take the time to find and read them - e.g. can't sleep.

I know a guy who earns his living as consultant advising governments on how to safely and ethically use and manage health data.

Mike

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Reply # 1855510 30-Aug-2017 21:04

@marej given you have said this relates to legal action you have taken I would suggest that you consult your Lawyer

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Reply # 1855520 30-Aug-2017 21:31

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........

Any doctor can access your medical records, but they are not freely accessible, as they are stored where they are, not in the cloud.

So for example Nelson Hospital records are stored in Nelson hospital. Your GP's records are stored on your GP's computer.

But if a doctor requests your records from say Nelson Hospital or your GP, with good reason, they would be released.

Does that help?

PS that does not mean it's a free for all. If they are accessed for no good reason then it breaches the privacy code.

geocom

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Reply # 1855522 30-Aug-2017 21:36

I know this is abit off topic but seeing as someone mentions Manage My Heath.

I have concerns about this service. I have sent these concerns to Manage My Heath relating to conflicting terms and terms that call into question the security of the service 3 weeks ago to a contact that my GP gave me and their support email.

To date i have had 0 non automated responses. This is highly concerning for what i would consider a very serious issue as their own terms imply that nothing is stored securely.

Geoff E

MaxLV

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Reply # 1855532 30-Aug-2017 21:44

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

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