Interesting news from Japan:
The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry plans to build an Internet-based network that would allow medical institutions nationwide to share patients’ medical treatment and drug prescription records–a move that is also likely to make it easier for patients to switch hospitals or leave one to recover at home, according to ministry officials.
The network will be compiled with so-called receipt computers– PCs equipped with medical receipt-making software used by most medical institutions and pharmacies–allowing hospitals and clinics across the country to view patients’ medical records as needed. The ministry aims to make the network operational by the end of fiscal 2018.
Read more on The Japan News.
Interestingly, the report says that patient consent will be required to share information and that they will track (generate receipts) for data access to prevent wrongful usage.
Will Japan do a better job of this than the US or UK have done so far? And will they have better data security and privacy protections in place? It all remains to be seen.