Electronic medical records – ISO guidelines protect privacy
The security of electronic health records will be enhanced by the publication of two ISO documents that provide guidelines for archiving patient information. The two publications include a technical specification outlining basic principles and a complementary report.
'The growing use of information technology in healthcare delivery is improving the quality of the services,' says Pekka Ruotsalainen, Project Leader for both documents, 'but it's also exacerbating issues such as confidentiality, integrity, availability, and accountability.'
Like its paper counterpart, electronic data can be lost (for example, media such as CDs break or are misplaced, or files are accidentally deleted). And as technology advances, it may not be possible to read and understand information stored in old formats and media. Concerns about patients' records also include the possibility of unlawful usurping or copying of data.
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[more]Pharmacy services Standard published
A newly published New Zealand Standard is considered the foundation for describing good practice and fostering continuous improvement in the quality of pharmacy services. Published on 1 April 2010, Health and disability services Standards – Pharmacy services Standard NZS 8134.7:2010 covers community and hospital-based pharmacy services, as well as clinical pharmacy services not provided from a pharmacy.
NZS 8134.7 contains sections on consumer rights, organisational management, continuum of service delivery, safe and appropriate environment, and compounding and dispensing.
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[more]Safer use of medical devices symbols – new international Standard
With the globalisation of trade, symbols are frequently used to convey information that is essential for the safe and proper use of medical devices. A new ISO Standard proposes a methodology for the development and presentation of symbols related to medical devices which can be understood independently of language.
Medical devices – Symbols to be used with medical device labels, labelling, and information to be supplied – Part 2: Symbol development, selection and validation ISO 15223-2:2010 includes methods for validating those candidate symbols being proposed for inclusion in a revision of Medical devices – Symbols to be used with medical device labels, labelling and information to be supplied – Part 1: General requirements ISO 15223-1:2007.
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[more]NEW PUBLICATION
NZS 8134.7:2010 Health and disability services Standards – Pharmacy services Standard
The Pharmacy services Standard defines the quality and safety requirements for the provision of community and hospital-based pharmacy services and clinical pharmacy services not provided from a pharmacy. The Standard allows for a closer alignment with the wider health sector and forms part of the wider NZS 8134:2008 Health and disability services Standards suite of documents by aligning with the core Standards.
→ Buy this Standard
(Note – prices subject to change from 1 May 2010)