The next construction site for black and red pink: the electronic health file (ELGA). It can make life aware of patients and doctors and save money on the health system. However, the Court of Auditors recently criticized that Elga was still not completed ten years after the introduction and that there are therefore unnecessary double examinations.
When Elga started in public hospitals and care facilities in 2015 and also rolled out in the residents in 2018 and 2019, the state put great hope in it. The goal: digitizing various patient documents, such as findings, vaccination cards or medication ties, so that all health facilities have permanent access and can also register submissions from the past at a glance. However, the hoped for success has only been partially adjusted.
Court of Auditors sees a great potential for improvement
While many doctors protested against Elga from the start and feared both administrative extra efforts and warned of security habitings, the Court of Auditors from the autumn 2024 also criticized the project of several millions of dollars. There have been no concrete goals of what Elga should do. “Inconsistent and only difficult to read” is the Central Health Telematics Law, said it from the Hof of Auditors. The rules allowed “different interpretations”. The elaboration of a national eHealth strategy was recommended.
There was criticism of the incomplete exhibition of electronic findings. Until now there would be almost alone in hospitals, the RH criticized. However, there must be Ebefundes among all care providers, such as specialized practices, radiology institutions and laboratories. Image data and blood values can then also be sent. The Court of Auditors would also further expand the requests of EImpfpass and emedication.
CT and MRI studies must be assigned electronically
The Health Insurance Fund (ÖGK) wants to check agreements for CT and MRI investigations using a central, electronic assignment. In this way, questions must not only be medically checked, but examinations must also be carried out close to the place of residence. Cancer patients must come to appointments faster. In addition to savings, it is about more efficiency that is urgently necessary in the health system and must (also) be achieved with the help of digitization.
With the accompanying tools, Elga could automate appointment, documentation and patient communication. This includes transcription, translation of species discussions for patients with foreign language and hours of digital consultation. The goal: exemption for doctors and more efficiency.
Data networks are missing
In addition to the not yet complete data acquisition, there is currently a problem with access to existing data and also when communicating between different actors. This is exactly where the communication company Vodia wants to start and create added value for both doctors and patients. “Our VoIP communication solution can be used directly for care providers or integrated in ELGA. Also to build his own communication platform for the Austrian health market is conceivable,” says Christian Stredicke, CEO from Vodia.
Although daily work can become more efficient for doctors and administrative staff, for example through smart call control and speech assistants, patients must also get their destination faster. Emergency situations or treatment data, for example, can be booked more easily, at the same time sick leave and the recipe for medication or the demand of laboratory findings can be made via the vodia solution. Vodia is currently in informal discussions with the IT -Service of the Social Insurance (ITSV) to investigate the options and potential of cooperation with Elga.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
