E-Health Challenge in Pathology Jenny Sikorski
Chief Executive Officer
NCOPP
25 March 2014
Know Pathology Know Healthcare
Australian Pathology
50 million MBS pathology tests in last 12 months
100% Cancer Diagnoses
70% Clinical Diagnoses
3% Overall Heath Budget
Pathology is an essential clinical
information service
• NCOPP provides representation,
advocacy & support • State Government owned &
operated pathology services
• 20 members nationally
NCOPP
eHealth & the PCEHR
What eHealth means to Pathology • Information shared electronically in a timely & secure manner across different geographic
locations & different parts of the health sector
• Pathologists & medical scientists can be connected & recognised an essential player in a multidisciplinary health care team
• E-requests reduce errors & simply specimen collection processes
• Reduces duplication
• E-reporting minimises input time & errors
• Access to clinical knowledge & evidence
Improved diagnoses &
patient management
State IT Challenges
LIS
Legacy Systems Limited
Market Support
Integration Issues
Lack of Interfacing
New Hospitals
E - Requesting
E - Reporting
Implementation
PCEHR Clinical Workflow
Communication
Privacy
Standards
National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Council (NPAAC)
Key Concern Source: Urbis, Survey of Pathology Workforce, March 2011
Workforce
Source: Medical Laboratory Scientist 2006 Censes (ANZSCO Code 2346) Health Workforce Australia
Skills Mix: Medical Scientists
Rationalisation of resources
Functional restructures (sub-specialty) & skill mix
Lack of career pathway
Insufficient incentives to extend qualifications
Low level of recognition & remuneration
Increase in laboratory workload & rostering
Consolidation & technology
Workforce Challenges
www.knowpathology.com.au
E-Health Challenge in Pathology
Jenny Sikorski
Chief Executive Officer
NCOPP
Thank you
