The electronic patient file (EPR) will be available to all SHI members from January 1, 2021, within the framework of the German Appointment Service and Care Act (TSVG), although it is not mandatory. After downloading the app and a two-factor authentication of the respective health insurance company, the mobile health book will become the lifelong companion of the patient, even in an emergency, because important data records such as laboratory findings, X-rays, vaccinations, hospital discharge letters, medication, and emergency plans can be stored, which the patient or a trusted doctor can view at any time if the person concerned gives his or her consent. In this way, double examinations can be avoided in the future. All documents, including personal information from fitness trackers and pain diaries, for example, are then stored in encrypted form in a so-called ePA file system, which, according to the BMG, enjoys „maximum protection“. Not everyone has to download the file to their smartphone or tablet using an app; for emergency data, reading the electronic health card (eGK) of the health insurance company is sufficient to obtain a relatively brief overview. The ePA and the eGK are not related but are fed separately with individual health data. The health insurance company can also enter documents of its insured, but cannot read them. Documents can only be deleted by the insured person himself, including the release of the data to various healthcare professionals. The personal medical database makes it easier for patients to exchange documents and important information between their doctors, pharmacies, and clinics. Old documents can also be viewed at any time. It is also possible to sort new and old documents according to the source, thus facilitating the search.
Source: Apotheken Umschau