Exchanging patient data

The exchange of data about their health is essential for the proper provision of care to patients. Fortunately, exchanging data within one and the same institution is fairly easy these days. Exchange between care institutions is a completely different story. The set-up of a national Electronic Patient System (EPS) did not succeed. In practice, we now see all kinds of exchanges.

The ordinary letter and fax are still often used in healthcare. Sending information by e-mail was initially seen as an easy alternative, but is not very secure. The secure e-mail replaced this; safer, but also more cumbersome.

In many regions, however, there are initiatives to link systems, possibly via switch points. Because different IT systems are used, this often causes problems.

Sometimes we see an exchange of GP practices with private clinics. Where information can be exchanged digitally, customers and employees of private clinics are very satisfied (3). Employees of the general practices see benefits, but have more difficulty with it (1). Because fewer letters are sent back and forth, this is also slightly better for the environment (1).