The RACGP has developed a range of practice policy templates for general practices to adapt to their individual practice needs when registering and complying with the requirements for the eHealth Practice Incentive Program (ePIP).
The newly released practice policy templates cover secure messaging delivery, clinical coding terminologies and the electronic transfer of prescriptions – three components of the ePIP eligibility criteria.
Of the five ePIP requirements, the first four are due 1 February 2013, with the fifth requirement taking effect from 1 May 2013.
ePIP requirements:
- Integrating Healthcare Identifiers into electronic practice records
- Secure messaging capability*
- Data records and clinical coding*
- Electronic transfer of prescriptions**
- Personally Controlled Electronic Health Record (PCEHR) System***
Dr Liz Marles, RACGP President, said to-date the College had developed three user-friendly templates focusing on assisting practices in meeting requirements 2, 3 and 4, all due to be met by 1 February 2013.
“The College is also in the process of developing a practice policy template for ePIP requirement 5 – PCEHR System – for practices to meet the 1 May 2013 ePIP deadline,” said Dr Marles.
The College advises practices to utilise the templates that have just been released, but mark them for review by the practice no later than June 2013, when the second edition and final CISS is released.
Practices should note that the RACGP is currently undertaking a review of the RACGP Computer and information security standards (CISS) and workbook, with a planned release in June 2013. This review will include additional information to support GPs and their practice teams develop policies that relate to participation with the PCEHR and ePIP.
Until the release of the second edition of CISS, the current edition of the CISS (2011) is still best practice in providing guidance in information and security protection.
“The College has made it a priority to provide practical support to our members in this time of national health reform in information technology. In addition to the practice policy templates, an ePIP eligibility checklist to be read in conjunction with the ePIP Incentive Guidelines is available on our website,” Dr Marles concluded.
To access and download the practice policy templates, visit www.racgp.org.au/your-practice/e-health/ehealthrecords/epip/.
* practice policy required by 1 February 2013 to meet ePIP eligibility criteria
** practice policy encouraged by 1 February 2013 to meet ePIP eligibility criteria
*** practice policy required by 1 May 2013 to meet ePIP eligibility criteria