Electronic patient file: Basel-Stadt tries again

Since April 11, 2023, residents of the canton of Basel-Stadt have once again had the opportunity to open an electronic patient record (EPR). The canton already played a pioneering role in 2018 with the myEPD patient dossier. This attempt failed miserably.

The Federal Act on the Electronic Patient Record came into force in April 2017. Since 2020, all Swiss hospitals, nursing homes and maternity clinics have been obliged to offer the electronic patient record (EPR). The EPR is intended not only to increase the efficiency, quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare, but also to help avoid unnecessary examinations and treatments.

Electronic patient dossier: first introductionof myEPD in Basel

The EPR, which was first introduced in 2018, not only enabled patients to store and manage their data digitally, the information was also available to healthcare facilities. This was intended to enable a better quality, safer and more efficient treatment process, in which patients had the right to determine who should have access to the dossier at any time. They could also decide which information they wanted to disclose and which they wanted to conceal. The patient dossier for Northwestern Switzerland was called myEPD, and opening it was voluntary and free of charge.

An open treatment case at the University Hospital Basel was a mandatory prerequisite for opening one’s own patient dossier. Beforehand, patients had to obtain comprehensive information on an online portal and print out and sign the declaration of consent available there. To open the EPR, the signed declaration of consent, a valid ID or passport and the health insurance card had to be brought along.

The canton has been trying again since April 11, 2023

A new feature since April 11 is that the EPD can no longer be opened at the university hospital, but at a location opened by the Basel-Stadt Department of Health (GD) at the GD headquarters. The new EPD can contain treatment-related information from healthcare professionals such as medication lists, hospital reports, findings, care reports, vaccination certificates, allergy information and X-ray images. The central storage of important health information enables healthcare professionals to network and improve the quality of treatment.

Patients can also add documents. Another important point is that patients can decide for themselves who has access rights to their own EPR. Opening an EPR is voluntary and free of charge for the public. Residents of the city of Basel are guided through the opening process by trained staff. The EPR opening office in the Department of Health is temporary until EPRs can also be opened from home.

A SwissID is important

A personal appointment and a personally verified electronic identity (SwissID) are required to open an EPD. The SwissID is comparable to digital access in e-banking and acts as a digital ID card. The SwissID must currently be created at home in advance and then verified at the booked appointment at the Department of Health. In addition to the SwissID and the printed application form, a valid ID/passport and the health insurance card with an AHV number are required.

How digital are the seven EPD providers?

The seven providers of the electronic patient dossier have one thing in common: you have to appear in person to open the dossier. Digital completion is therefore not “yet” possible. In addition, of the seven EPR providers eSANITA, emedo, abilis, +ehti.ch, mon DOSSIER SANTÉ, xsana and cara, only abilis has its own app that enables access to the EPR via smartphone. Scanning documents for uploading to the EPR and sharing documents are also possible.

The EPR is voluntary and the number of users is still very low. According to Statista, the number fell from eleven percent in 2019 to seven percent in 2022. In order to increase the number of users, it would be desirable to be able to open the EPR at the GP or via the internet, including an app.

Binci Heeb

Read also: Electronic patient dossier: what is the current situation?