Austria Patient portal

What is ELGA?

ELGA stands for “elektronische Gesundheitsakte” (electronic health records). ELGA is an information system that simplifies the process of accessing your health records for you and your doctors, as well as other health care professionals at hospitals, care facilities and pharmacies. Health data such as a patient’s test results are generated by a variety of health institutions. ELGA networks all of them and makes them available digitally by means of a link.

What is ELGA for?

ELGA makes it easier for you to manage your most important health data. Using ELGA, you and your doctor can access your records from any location, whenever you want – simply and securely. The aim is to supplement medical treatments and consultation with improved information flows, particularly when several health service providers are working together.

What is e-medication?

e-medication is an ELGA function. Medications prescribed by physicians and dispensed in the pharmacy are stored as a so-called e-medication list for one year. Via the ELGA portal at www.gesundheit.gv.at you can see your e-medication list yourself.

What is the timeline for ELGA?

The implementation started in December 2015 in public hospitals and care facilities in Vienna and Styria. The introduction of ELGA in the hospitals is almost complete. Half the population of Austria already has ELGA contact. More than 160 facilities, such as hospitals, are already successfully working with ELGA throughout Austria, with more than 14 million e-records already available via ELGA. ELGA will gradually be available in the established area. The rollout of the ELGA “e-medication” function in pharmacies and MDs has now started with Vorarlberg; from March 2018, the other federal states, starting with Styria, will follow step by step.

what are the advantages of ELGA?

ELGA saves time, provides a better overview and avoids unnecessary multiple examinations. You can view, print or save your ELGA test results and e-medication overview – whenever you want and wherever you are. Thanks to ELGA, the doctor treating you, and hospitals and care institutions will have rapid access to important diagnostic and therapeutic information. It also enables your pharmacy to see your e-medication record for a period of two hours. The ELGA digital health record system makes a valuable contribution to improved patient safety and security.

what is the start time for ELGA?

Public hospitals in Styria and Vienna initiated the phased introduction of ELGA in December 2015. Additional hospitals in the remaining Austrian provinces started joining the project soon after. Doctor’s surgeries affiliated with Austrian health insurance schemes as well as pharmacies are set to follow next.

How can I access my ELGA records?

You can access your personal ELGA records online via the ELGA portal at www.gesundheit.gv.at by registering using your Handy Signatur digital signature or Bürgerkarte electronic identification card. This electronic ID enables the system to verify your identity. For more information on digital signatures and electronic identification cards, as well as registration and activation, visit www.buergerkarte.at.

what do my ELGA records show?

Similarly to the phased introduction of ELGA, your personal ELGA records will grow gradually. To start with, it will display discharge notifications, as well as laboratory and radiological results provided by hospitals already working with ELGA. As soon as ELGA health data are generated for you, you will be able to view them yourself online via the ELGA portal. You will not be able to consult earlier records via ELGA. The system also shows who has accessed your ELGA health records, and when.

How secure is ELGA?

The highest security standards are in place to safeguard the integrity of your ELGA health data. Communications throughout the entire ELGA system are managed via separate health networks and all data are encrypted. In addition, any misuse of ELGA health data will result in severe penalties.

Who has access?

Your ELGA health records are available to health institutions participating in the ELGA system only if you are currently receiving treatment or health care from them. Doctors working for state institutions such as government offices, or for insurance companies or company medical services cannot access your ELGA health records.

Do I have to participate in ELGA?

As a modern and secure infrastructure service, ELGA is available to everyone who has access to the Austrian health care system. Anyone who would like to opt out can do so either via the ELGA portal or by deregistering in writing via the ELGA opt-out service. Deregistration can also apply to specific ELGA records such as e-medication or e-results and can be reversed at any time.

Source: www.elga.gv.at