My Health Record usage surges in FY20

Use of the My Health Record digital health system grew 300% among hospitals amid the summers’s natural disasters followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Australian Digital Health Agency’s (ADHA) annual report.

Between July 2019 and June 2020, public hospitals uploaded 322,000 documents viewed by others — an increase of more than 300%. Hospitals also viewed 271,000 documents uploaded by others, an increase of nearly 300%.

Meanwhile, general practitioners uploaded 187,000 documents viewed by others — up 165% — and viewed 416,000 documents uploaded by others — an increase of more than 250%.

This led to a total increase in the number of health documents in the My Health Record system from 1.3 billion to 2.09 billion. Clinical documents uploaded by hospitals, pathologists or radiologists have risen from 23 million to 75 million, and medicine documents from pharmacies and GPs grew from 56 million to 143 million.

Over the period, the total number of My Health Records in Australia increased by 230,000, from 22.55 million to 22.78 million. The number of records with actual data in them nearly doubled to 19.41 million.

ADHA CEO Amanda Cattermole said the events of the last 12 months have demonstrated the need for accessible patient medical information at any time.

“Over the last 12 months it’s been great to see the increases in clinically helpful data in the system and the sharing and viewing by health professionals. My Health Record provides the repository for consumers’ health data and a great way for them to safely and securely engage with their healthcare providers,” she said.

“I encourage people to log into their My Health Record and ensure their information including allergies, medicines, immunisations and any pathology reports has been uploaded. This will give you peace of mind, knowing that in an emergency situation, information like your medications and allergies are rapidly available to medical staff.”

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