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MediConnect: A medication records trialMediConnect: A medication records trial
The Australian Government has begun testing MediConnect: a new computerised system that will make it easier for you and your health professionals to get accurate information about your medicines quickly and easily. Initially, the system is being tested in Ballarat and Launceston.
Why the new system?
At present, the details of your medicines can be in several places — with different doctors, different pharmacists and different hospitals — which makes it difficult for anyone to know the whole picture. Even if you keep a record of your medicines, they may not always be complete and easy to get hold of.
MediConnect will give your health professionals access to a single,
more complete record of your medicines.
MediConnect will save you having to remember and recall all your medication details when you visit a new doctor, pharmacist or hospital, or in an emergency. It will give your health professionals a single, more complete record of your medicines, so they can identify medicine-related problems more easily and choose the most appropriate medicines for you. In doing so, it is hoped that the incidence of adverse drug events and medication-related hospital admissions will decrease. Your record can also be used to give your GP details of any medicines you were prescribed by another doctor or when in hospital.
Your choice
MediConnect is a voluntary system for everyone: consumers, doctors, pharmacists and hospitals. All participants can join or withdraw at any time, though moving in and out of the system will affect the completeness of your record.
Your MediConnect record can be accessed by the doctors, pharmacists, and authorised hospital staff treating you — but only with your consent. You can also obtain a copy of your own record.
What is stored?
Your MediConnect record will contain your personal details: name, address, date of birth and Medicare or Department of Veterans’ Affairs number. It may also contain your medication information, such as medicines being taken (including over-the-counter and complementary medicines), reasons for prescribing the medicines, and known allergies and adverse reactions to medicines. The medicines information is included only if you consent, and you can specify what information you do and do not want included in your record.
If testing of MediConnect is successful, it is hoped that it will be introduced throughout Australia.
MedicinesTalk is a free quarterly newsletter for consumers written by consumers about using medicines wisely. Subscribe to the hard copy version using our online ordering system, or write to MedicinesTalk, National Prescribing Service Limited, PO Box 1147, Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012.
Date published: 2003-12-01 00:00:00
Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.
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