Abstract
Moore’s law states that the size or price for a given amount of computing power halves about every two years. While this explains the reason your mobile phone is getting faster and cheaper, there are further implications. One is that, similar to ‘the magic of compound interest’, the trends are exponential, advancing ever faster. There are many reasons for this, but one of them is that information and communications technology (ICT) is information based; advances build one upon another, with little to impede growth. This trend is infectious; more and more fields are becoming information based, for example biotechnology and nanotechnology. More importantly to health information managers (HIMs), healthcare also is becoming information based. Kurzweil (2001) argues that this exponential growth rate is characteristic of all information-based sciences.

Abstract
The unimpeded functioning of hospital Health Information Services (HIS) is essential for patient care, clinical governance, organisational performance measurement, funding and research. In an investigation of hospital Health Information Services’ preparedness for internal disasters, all hospitals in the state of Victoria with the following characteristics were surveyed: they have a Health Information Service/ Department; there is a Manager of the Health Information Service/Department; and their inpatient capacity is greater than 80 beds. Fifty percent of the respondents have experienced an internal disaster within the past decade, the majority affecting the Health Information Service. The most commonly occurring internal disasters were computer system failure and floods. Two-thirds of the hospitals have internal disaster plans; the most frequently occurring scenarios provided for are computer system failure, power failure and fire. More large hospitals have established back-up systems than medium- and small-size hospitals. Fifty-three percent of hospitals have a recovery plan for internal disasters. Hospitals typically self-rate as having a ‘medium’ level of internal disaster preparedness. Overall, large hospitals are better prepared for internal disasters than medium and small hospitals, and preparation for disruption of computer systems and medical record services is relatively high on their agendas.

Abstract
Implementation of an electronic medical record (EMR) system increases 
efficiency of health services, quality of care and patient satisfaction. Successful implementation depends on many factors, one of which is how users respond to the new system. We studied medical receptionists’ appraisal of the newly implemented EMR system in primary healthcare centres in Kuwait. Four hundred receptionists were selected randomly from different healthcare centres and asked to complete a user interaction satisfaction questionnaire relating to their experience of the new system. The response rate was 80.5%. A large majority of the respondents considered the system to be flexible (83%), easy (89%), and satisfying (81%). However, more than one third of the respondents (36%) found the system inadequate. Bivariate and multivariate analyses found age, typing ability, ease of data entry and computer error as significant correlates with overall user response. These findings relating to users’ reactions to various aspects of the EMR should assist policymakers to recognise the causes of dissatisfaction with the EMR among medical receptionists at health centre clinics that may adversely affect its successful implementation and regular use, as well as the quality of care provided by the clinics. In addition, the findings provide information to assist the development of guidelines for future implementation of the EMR system at the secondary healthcare level.

Summary
Across Australia there is a groundswell of support for a better more connected healthcare system. More than 80 per cent of Australians are in favour of electronic health records and the sector is increasingly aware of the safety and quality benefits that e-health can deliver. On behalf of the governments of Australia, the National E-Health Transition Authority (NEHTA) is developing a national e-health infrastructure that will underpin the success of a connected healthcare system. This involves a body of work that includes clinical terminologies, unique healthcare identification and the development and recommendation of standards for the safe transmission and access of healthcare information. Read an update of NEHTA’s work and progress in 2008.

Summary
The issue of doctor-patient confidentiality in situations where the doctor can reasonably foresee that third parties associated with the patient could be put at risk by the patient’s medical status is a continuing conundrum. In a case heard in the New South Wales Supreme Court in 1999, BT v Oei (1999) NSWSC 1082, the court held that a medical practitioner owed a duty of care to the sexual partner/s of a patient. Where there were signs/symptoms consistent with a diagnosis of HIV infection, the doctor had a duty to strongly advise the patient to be tested. Where the patient’s results were positive, the doctor could not inform the partner/s directly; however, there was an obligation to counsel the patient to inform their partner/s of their HIV status, and to instruct the patient regarding the patient’s own statutory responsibility to inform partner/s before engaging in sexual intercourse with them. A second case revolving around the issue of risk to third parties is the case of PD v Dr Nicholas Harvey & 1 Ors (2003) NSWSC 487, heard in the Supreme Court of NSW in 2003. The facts and the law discussed in this report are drawn from and summarised from the judgment of Cripps AJ.

Summary
An innovative study to collect comprehensive cancer data is underway in the Barwon South Western region of Victoria. The Evaluation of Cancer Outcomes (ECO) Trial involves the collection of a nationally developed and agreed set of clinical cancer data items across the region. Cancer is the leading cause of death in Australia and cancer surveillance relies heavily on accurate incidence and mortality data collection. The Victorian Government and Victorian Department of Human Services recently identified a lack of useful data surrounding patients diagnosed with cancer, their treatment, clinical course and outcomes. This article discusses the need for an improved and extended cancer data collection model and highlights the importance of timely population data on processes and outcomes of cancer.

Summary
The primary objective of the Australia Post eLetter project1 was to determine the feasibility of using the eLetter service with the Patient Administration System Appointment Scheduling Module to provide a fully automated mailing function that would eliminate the need for manual processing of mail delivery. Issues with timely delivery of letters throughout all outpatient sites at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) have been identified as being mainly due to limited human resources being available to perform mailing duties and the like. This new desktop service enables staff to transmit data electronically in conjunction with the appointment software for large quantity mail postings to Australia Post via a secure line. Australia Post then validates the address, appends a barcode, prints the letter, envelopes it and inserts it into the mail distribution network in the state of the recipient. This article depicts the process that has eliminated the manual processing of a letter via the traditional Microsoft application, Wordmate, a system at RHH that was always difficult to use. With the introduction of eLetter, the RHH’s Specialist Clinics have significantly improved the timeliness and quality of communication with patients as well as reducing administration tasks for staff.

Abstract 
Information technology advances in healthcare provide many and varied opportunities for the Health Information Manager. Here is one example involving a Melbourne-based research project and an innovative approach to patient information delivery. The research project area of study is multimedia content delivery in the following applications: as an adjunct to the surgical informed consent process, patient information or instruction presentation and clinical education. The objective is to develop evidence-based, effective and accessible information and knowledge resources for patients and health care providers.

© 2009 Health Information Management Association of Australia Limited