Electronic patient record: BMG hopes for early launch and announces plans

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The electronic patient file could soon be launched throughout Germany. "We are currently evaluating the test phase and will soon present the exact rollout plan," explained a spokesperson at the Federal Press Conference. "We are still confident that we will be able to keep to the announced schedule and start the rollout at the beginning of the second quarter", said the spokesperson.

Security should take precedence

An evaluation by the Federal Office for Information Security is also to follow. It is clear that the ePA will only be launched nationwide "once the security updates have been installed". Security gaps in the electronic patient file have been known since August 2024. Whether the systems are now secure must be confirmed by the BSI. The BMG did not provide any information on the interim status, but would comment on this shortly.

"Although 90 percent of the 230 test practices now have the necessary ePA module, they also need time to check whether the ePA actually works smoothly in everyday practice," said the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in response to an inquiry. Before a nationwide rollout, the tests in the practices must be "successfully completed". The KBV believes that a "step-by-step approach" is the right way forward. "Once the security gaps have been closed and it is certain that the technology is running without problems in the practices, the ePA should initially be made available to doctors on a voluntary basis. In addition, sufficient time is needed for manufacturers to equip practices with the module," explained a press spokesperson.

Problems in test practices

Only recently, BMG department head Michael Weller announced the rollout of the electronic patient file for April 15, as reported by the Ärztenachrichtendienst (Änd). In the past, there has been talk of difficulties in uploading documents, criticism of the lack of interoperability between the file systems and reports of performance problems in the test practices in Hamburg, Franconia and North Rhine-Westphalia.

According to Änd, the German Hospital Association (DKG) also pointed out technical difficulties with the ePA. For example, managing access rights in different systems was more difficult than expected. In the past, the DKG had already pointed out uncertainties regarding the right of objection, the handling of privately insured patients and difficulties with regard to information obligations. According to information from Änd, hospitals will have a longer transition period to implement the ePA.

Pharmacies call for further tests under real conditions

Around ten days ago, pharmacies called for further tests "under real care scenarios and additional security measures" for the ePA. "In the current pilot phase, however, outstanding technical problems still need to be solved. We are also calling for additional data protection measures to be taken for our patients in order to close any remaining security gaps. We would like to continue constructive discussions with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that the nationwide rollout of the ePA is successful," said Thomas Preis, President of ABDA – Bundesvereinigung Deutscher Apothekerverbände. In the model regions, 80 pharmacies are also testing the ePA.

Mixed feedback

"The pilot pharmacies are giving us mixed feedback. Some teams are already making intensive use of the electronic medication list, making it easier to coordinate between the pharmacy and doctor's surgery in the event of queries about prescribed medication. [...] Other pharmacies, on the other hand, can only test and use the medication list to a limited extent because the necessary software has not yet been updated. We take the feedback very seriously and are working on solutions together with Gematik," says Claudia Korf, Managing Director of Economics at the German Pharmacists' Association.

At the beginning of March, the statutory health insurance physicians were still saying that the ePA tests were stagnating in the "warm-up phase" and that only a few were able to work with the ePA due to serious errors, but that the electronic medication list was a ray of hope. However, this is not a reliable basis for a rollout in April. For this reason, the statutory health insurance physicians have repeatedly called for a "significant" extension of the test phase.

(mack)