10/7/2011
NEW standards for video consultations and information security have been released by the RACGP, giving GPs a framework to apply to the Medicare telehealth item numbers launched in July.
The college launched its new Standards for Video Consultations and Computer and Information Security Standards yesterday at the GP11 conference in Hobart.
In the absence of standards to abide by since the launch of the MBS items for telehealth, GPs had been advised by Medicare to simply ensure they were confident their method of delivering the service was capable of providing secure, reliable and private consultations.
RACGP Telehealth Standards Taskforce chair Dr Mike Civil said video consultations were a new form of healthcare delivery for general practices and the college standards would help GPs interpret the safety and quality issues.
“The RACGP welcomes the improved accessibility that video consultations are expected to deliver and these new standards are an example of the college’s e-health initiatives in the primary healthcare setting,” he said.
The standards provide guidelines on the process for identifying participants in video consultations, whether a video consultation is appropriate for the patient, risk management protocols and privacy and security of the consultation and data.
RACGP National Standing Committee e-health chair Dr John Bennett said the computer and information security standards would support GPs to implement good information management systems.
The new standards, along with a workbook and checklist for general practice have been designed as a self-assessment guide and meet international standards in health information security as well as the national privacy principles.
“It can be a challenge to find external security experts and technical service providers who understand the business of delivering care in the general practice environment,” Dr Bennet said.
“The standards include aspects such as governance processes, understanding the risks to information, good planning and implementing appropriate security measures. The accompanying workbook is a tool to assist the practice record the essential information needed to put in place effective computer and information security.”
NEW standards for video consultations and information security have been released by the RACGP, giving GPs a framework to apply to the Medicare telehealth item numbers launched in July.
The college launched its new Standards for Video Consultations and Computer and Information Security Standards yesterday at the GP11 conference in Hobart.
In the absence of standards to abide by since the launch of the MBS items for telehealth, GPs had been advised by Medicare to simply ensure they were confident their method of delivering the service was capable of providing secure, reliable and private consultations.
RACGP Telehealth Standards Taskforce chair Dr Mike Civil said video consultations were a new form of healthcare delivery for general practices and the college standards would help GPs interpret the safety and quality issues.
“The RACGP welcomes the improved accessibility that video consultations are expected to deliver and these new standards are an example of the college’s e-health initiatives in the primary healthcare setting,” he said.
The standards provide guidelines on the process for identifying participants in video consultations, whether a video consultation is appropriate for the patient, risk management protocols and privacy and security of the consultation and data.
RACGP National Standing Committee e-health chair Dr John Bennett said the computer and information security standards would support GPs to implement good information management systems.
The new standards, along with a workbook and checklist for general practice have been designed as a self-assessment guide and meet international standards in health information security as well as the national privacy principles.
“It can be a challenge to find external security experts and technical service providers who understand the business of delivering care in the general practice environment,” Dr Bennet said.
“The standards include aspects such as governance processes, understanding the risks to information, good planning and implementing appropriate security measures. The accompanying workbook is a tool to assist the practice record the essential information needed to put in place effective computer and information security.”
article by 7th Oct 2011 Mark O’Brien
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