EPD: Federal Council becomes state solution for patient files

The Federal Council will find a state solution for the patient file

Only a few people in Switzerland have an electronic patient record. That should change. The federal government will provide a platform.

Published today at 2:30 p.m

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Shortly:

The Federal Council is planning changes to the law for the electronic patient record (EPD).
The EPD should be opened automatically unless you explicitly say so.
So far only around 72,000 people have opened an EPD.
The technical infrastructure will be provided by the federal government in the future.

So far, the electronic patient record (EPD) has been struggling. Now the Federal Council will help the dossier achieve a breakthrough with changes to the law. The dossier should now be opened automatically – unless you object. And the federal government will provide the infrastructure. This will give the EPD the momentum it needs, Health Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider told the media.

But what exactly is the EPD? And what does the Federal Council expect from the changes? We answer the most important questions.

What is the electronic patient record used for?

The benefits are obvious, said Baume-Schneider. This is also shown by experiences in other countries. The EPD is intended to improve the safety, quality and efficiency of medical treatments. All important medical information and data about a person’s health can be stored in the dossier. The data of the patients themselves and health professionals are allowed to view. For example, the hospital knows what the family doctor did – and vice versa. This avoids duplication.

How many people already have an EPD?

Parliament had already created the basis for the electronic patient record in 2015. Its rollout began in 2021. But a larger proportion of the population still does not have an EPD. So far only around 72,000 people have opened one – that corresponds to less than one percent of the population. Baume-Schneider said she herself has an EPD. “But it wasn’t that easy.” Now the Federal Council will help the dossier achieve a breakthrough with changes to the law. He will present the message to parliament next spring and the new law is scheduled to come into force in 2028.

Federal Councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider will help the electronic patient record achieve a breakthrough.

Screenshot

How do you get an EPD?

Today, patients have to open the EPD with one of eight providers, the so-called master communities. The Swiss Post is one of the providers in several cantons. She sees this as a future business for herself. In the future, the EPD will now be created automatically without you having to explicitly apply for it. The state e-ID, which is expected to be issued from 2026, should be used to access the dossier.

Is the electronic patient record mandatory?

No, it remains voluntary. The Federal Council is proposing an opt-out model: Anyone who does not want an electronic dossier must register an objection with the canton of residence. The Federal Council had already decided this last year.

Are doctors required to enter data?

Yes. In the future, the EPD should be used compulsorily everywhere. In addition to hospitals and care facilities, outpatient service providers such as doctors, pharmacists, physiotherapists and chiropractors are now required to use the EPD and enter all data relevant to treatment. However, there should be transition periods. Today, according to the federal government, 226 hospitals (82%) and 835 nursing homes (57%) are affiliated to the EPD. Most medical practices, on the other hand, are not yet taking part: only 3,147 (18%) enter data.

Why does the Federal Council want a state solution?

Currently all eight EPD providers have their own technical infrastructure, which caused problems. The infrastructure will now be made available by the federal government as a uniform platform. During the consultation, a majority of parties and actors criticized the decentralized structure, writes the Federal Council. However, the desires for centralization differ greatly in detail. The Federal Council has now decided to declare the technical EPD infrastructure a federal task. He will procure them through a tender. The operating costs for using the technical platform should be passed on to the core communities as usage fees.

How are the plans received in politics?

The SVP opposed the revision of the law in the consultation. She is particularly bothered by the contradiction solution: she fears that those who refuse to do so could be pilloried. The focus for SP is that the safety standard is high and that the data is understandable for patients. The center demands a clear definition of competences. The green-liberal languages are in favor of a new start instead of tinkering with the current model.

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Charlotte Walser Belongs to the Federal House team of the Tamedia editorial team since 2021. The doctor of philosophy has been working as a journalist since 1995.More info@charlottewalser

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topicnews · September 27, 2024

EPD: Federal Council becomes state solution for patient files

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