A single integrated electronic referral system is currently operating across Tasmania’s four major hospitals while a similar system is about to be rolled out across South Australia.
In a press release, Tasmanian Prime Minister and Minister of Health Jeremy Rockliff said the statewide system has reached a major milestone of facilitating around 10,000 electronic referrals from GPs. to public outpatient services, including specialists and private health professionals.
Meanwhile, from August this year, a similar e-referral program will be rolled out in phases across South Australia, SA Health announced. It will be rolled out initially at urban hospitals and the Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network.
SA Health’s electronic referral program will adopt standardized Clinical Priority Criteria, providing consistent and accurate guidance on the information required in a referral that determines the level of clinical need. Specialized fields, including otolaryngology, cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, neurology and vascularity, have developed CPC, which will be the first to use electronic referral systems.
Both the Tasmanian and SA electronic referral systems are using the HealthLink platform to securely message GPs and notify immediately of receipt of a referral. SA Health will also use the Salesforce platform.
WHY IT IMPORTANT
In addition to replacing fax, email, printed or scanned referrals in writing, switching to electronic referrals can improve communication between medical professionals, reduce wait times, and aid in referrals. provide reasonable care, as was the case in Tasmania.
SA Health hopes its electronic referral program will also simplify referral management so that GPs will not have to wait for a hard copy confirmation in the mail, “which often results in delays late and lots of referrals.” Its integration with GP medical record software and the use of dynamic forms is said to “ensure consistency and ease of use with reduced administrative burden for GPs already in need.” increase.” It will also have the ability to identify duplicate referrals across LHNs.
BIGGER BACKGROUND
Tasmania’s electronic referral system is part of a 10-year Digital Health Transformation program that aims to provide a fully integrated care platform across the state, enabling seamless communication. circuits and information sharing among medical professionals. It is also one of the key IT and virtual care projects in its four years. Outpatient Services Transformation Strategy.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health and Aged Care will also switch to using electronic referrals provided by HealthLink from the end of July this year.
ON PROFILE
“The work being done to standardize referrals to our hospitals and outpatient services will improve communication between our GPs and LHNs, and assist them in providing Once fully implemented, the program will connect patients to the healthcare pathway that best meets their care needs,” said SA Health Digital Health Director Bret Morris talks about rolling out their statewide e-referral program.
“It will also improve patient safety and outcomes by providing more timely care, higher quality referrals and safer transmission of patient information,” Premier Rockliff also commented. about their own electronic transit system.
