Introduction
PROREC (PROmotion strategy for
European electronic health RECords) was a project of the IV
Framework Programme of the European Commission which resulted
in the establishment of a small number of national ProRec centres.
This has been followed by a further initiative called WideNet
in the V Framework Programme aimed at establishing a wider network
of national ProRec centres. This includes ProRec Ireland.
Communication
of data between health care institutions and professionals is
an essential component of modern healthcare delivery. Better integration
among the different healthcare providers is critical for achieving
the level of quality and continuity that European citizens increasingly
expect. Efficient exchange of information is the key element for
managing resources, evaluating quality, and raising cost-effectiveness.
It is commonly recognised that Information Technology is essential
to providing such data, and the use of standards-based Electronic
Health Records (EHR's) is crucial for this interoperation.
The
implementation of Standardised Electronic Health Records
is central to healthcare information systems. The EHR is the
nucleus of the relationship between the patient, the healthcare
delivery system and all its professionals. The EHR is in fact
the core of the new generation of Health Information Systems.
We must also look ahead to the time when systems and networks
are called upon to share records information with other systems
and networks.
The
most critical factor is the availability of both clinical and
administrative patient information through available, secure and
easily usable EHR's. The most critical factor is the lack of standards,
especially in the the interoperability domain. Several solutions
have been consolidated and are now available from CEN, ISO and
HL7. The technical problems are solved, or on their way to being
solved, and effort is now required in explaining and disseminating
these quite technical standards. Indeed, this is not an easy task
since the target of these standards are developers/ suppliers,
but the incentive to use them has to come from end-users and national
agencies. No isolated initiative either led by users or by public
authorities or indeed by suppliers/developers is likely to result
in a successful solution that is widely accepted. A concerted
approach involving all stakeholders is required and national ProRec
centres aim to promote and support such an approach.
HISI / ProRec Seminars (June 12th & 19th, 2008)
- Developing and Implementing the Optimum Healthcare Information and Systems Environment -
click on the icon below for more specific information on the individuals speakers and their presentations
