Czech Republic registers 2m for EHR

The IZIP electronic health record programme in the Czech Republic has hit its target of registering 2m users by the end of the summer 2010.

More than a fifth of the country’s population is now using the eZK (electronic health record) that allows patients to access their own health information – including information on visits, results and prescribed drugs – via a web based electronic health record.

The records are provided free to those insured by the VZP, the largest state owned health insurer in the Czech Republic. They also used by more than 15,000 practitioners to share information with each other, when given consent.

Head of IZIP, the private company that developed the records, Ji?í Pašek, said: "During this year the eZK service has seen a very dynamic development.

“Compared to late 2009, the electronic health records have 60% more users. We continued working on increasing the percentage of health workers involved – a third of them are now involved in the system and more than half of national hospitals make use of it."

The system has been in place for seven years, but only gained momentum in May, when the VZP made it possible for citizens to register via a website to receive records access codes in the post.

"There are several ways of joining IZIP, but with the new online registration system we expect a further dramatic increase in the number of users," Pašek added.

According to IZIP, the data stored on the records is accessible 24 hours a day stored in two separate places with health data going on one server and contact information on another to heighten security.

As well as rolling out the record further, there are plans to incorporate e-prescribing and emergency service support in the near future.

Link: IZIP