As the Electronic Patient Record (EPR) becomes more widespread in Switzerland, you might be wondering whether you should get one. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how it works, its benefits, limitations, and how to open one.
What Is the EPR?
The main goal of the EPR is to gather your medical documents and data in one place, accessible to you and certain healthcare professionals—with your consent.
This solution is governed by the Federal Act on the Electronic Patient Record (EPRA), passed in 2015 and implemented in 2017. Under this law, every patient in Switzerland has the right to an electronic record that includes elements of their medical history.
Unlike traditional paper records, which are often scattered across various doctors’ offices and hospitals, the EPR is designed to centralize your health information. The data is stored with certified service providers who meet strict security and confidentiality standards (data encryption, access control, etc.).
The EPR includes information such as:
- Hospital discharge reports after surgery or consultation
- Home care reports
- Known allergy information
- Radiology results
- Emergency contact list
- Advance directives
- Organ donor card
- Current medication list (if in PDF format)
Benefits and limitations of the EPR
While the EPR can significantly improve your healthcare experience, it’s worth being aware of its potential limitations.
Benefits
- Data centralization: The EPR consolidates important medical documents in one place, giving you a clear overview of your health. It also enables seamless sharing of past test results between professionals, avoiding duplicate procedures.
- Improved medical coordination: Healthcare professionals with authorized access can view your complete record and make better-informed decisions based on your full medical history.
- Time-saving: No more running around to collect reports or hand-deliver paper documents—everything is accessible online.
- Control over your data: You decide which healthcare professionals can access specific parts of your medical information.
Limitations
- Gradual adoption: Not all healthcare providers are connected to the EPR yet, but the main ones — such as hospitals and clinics — already are. Don’t hesitate to ask your healthcare professional if they participate.
- Technical complexity: Setting up and managing an EPR requires navigating online procedures. Don’t hesitate to reach out for expert assistance to help you with your EPR.
Is the EPR secure?
Your health information is considered highly sensitive, so the EPR in Switzerland must comply with strict security standards outlined by the EPRA.
Security measures
- Encryption: Data is encrypted during storage and transmission.
- Access control: Both you and authorized healthcare professionals must securely identify yourselves to access the record.
- Traceability: All access and modifications are logged, allowing you to see who has viewed or updated your documents.
- Certified providers: Only providers meeting over 400 technical and organizational certification requirements can offer EPR services.
Potential risks
- Hacking: Like any IT system, the risk of cyberattacks can’t be entirely eliminated. However, the EPR’s high security standards minimize the chances of data breaches.
- Unintended sharing: It’s crucial to configure your access preferences carefully and regularly review which professionals can view your record.
How to open an electronic patient record
Want to create an EPR? Here’s how:
- Choose a certified provider
- Register online
- Verify your identity
- Activate your account
- Set up access permissions
- Done! You’re all set!
Is the EPR the right for you?
The Electronic Patient Record isn’t mandatory. Here’s how to decide if it’s a good fit for you:
Situations where the EPR can be particularly useful
- Simplifying your healthcare journey: With the EPR, you and your healthcare providers have all the necessary information a few clicks away.
- Chronic conditions: If you see multiple specialists or require long-term treatment, an EPR can facilitate better coordination between healthcare professionals.
- Pregnancy or pediatric care: The EPR provides an up-to-date, comprehensive view of your health for gynecologists, midwives, pediatricians, and others.
- Emergency care: In case of an accident or serious medical issue, authorized professionals can quickly access your medical history, allergies, and current treatments for prompt and effective care.
- Geographic mobility: If you move frequently, travel, or see providers in multiple regions, your data remains centralized and accessible.
A tool for the future
The EPR has grown in popularity, with usage tripling over the past year! It’s a tool that can streamline your medical care and enhance collaboration between healthcare providers. So don’t hesitate to book an appointment with a professional to help you create your EPR!
