THE Pharmaceutical Society of Australia yesterday launched new pharmacist guidelines "to promote meaningful clinical use of the My Health Record system to enhance patient-centred care".
The PSA said the new guidelines would help increase the number of pharmacists using the digital health system which allows healthcare providers to securely share data.
Information such as allergies, medical conditions, treatments, medicines and scan reports can be accessed through the system, with benefits including reduced hospital admissions, less duplication of tests, better coordination of care & more informed treatment decisions.
PSA national president Shane Jackson said the new guidelines were a "game changer for pharmacists' contribution to enhancing medication safety".
Project working group chair and Qld pharmacist Chris Campbell said the My Health Record Integration helped to make key clinical decisions possible at the point of professional interaction, such as dispensing and medication review.
"Until now, pharmacists have been dispensing, counselling, providing advice and conducting medication reconciliation partially blindfolded," he said.
Australian Digital Health Agency ceo Tim Kelsey said PSA's strong leadership for My Health Record was much appreciated, as the agency gears up for the "opt-out" expansion of My Health Record nationally later this year.
The guidelines are available for download now at psa.org.au.
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