Norwegian EPJ (electronic patient journal) nearing completion:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Standardisation of the Norwegian electronic patient journal (EPJ) is to be completed by the end of June, says the competence centre for IT in the health service (KITH). Its aim is to provide a unified platform for journals in hospitals, primary care and other healthcare institutions in accordance with the law. The KITH is intending that all available patient journals will be prepared for the conversion to an electronic system in 2002. It also envisages that within a period of 3-5 years, all of Norway's hospitals will be employing an EPJ system. At present, 90% of primary care doctors employ an EPJ, but the hospital system is far behind. Work on the journal has been ongoing since 1998 and has been part of the department of health's plans to develop IT in the health system. It has the backing of the Norwegian doctors' association.