MediSecure hack exposes data of 13 million Australians
The medical records of approximately 12.9 million Australians were recently stolen in the MediSecure hack.
This according to the beleaguered provider of electronic prescriptions, which recently went into receivership after a “large-scale” ransomware attack on its system on May 16.
MediSecure said in an update that the affected individuals are those who used the service between March 2019 and November 2023. However, the company could not identify specific individuals due to the “complexity of the dataset” that was compromised.
The hack exposed individual medical identification information, Medicare card numbers and prescription medications and instructions for use, it said.
Diabetes service added to VVED
The Victorian Virtual Emergency Department (VVED) has introduced a new service specifically aimed at people with diabetes.
VVED Diabetes, launched in collaboration with the Australian Centre for Accelerating Diabetes Innovations, offers free video consultations to patients with non-life-threatening complications.
Following this launch, Ambulance Victoria emergency responders will work with the new clinic to test the ketone levels of people with diabetes.
Earlier this year, the VVED announced that it plans to to double capacity to accommodate more than 1,000 people per day, supported by more than $150 million in funding from the state government.
Magentus introduces e-prescribing on Charm
Magentus recently added an e-prescribing functionality to its oncology information management system.
PAccording to a press release, prescribers can now create e-prescriptions through the Charm Oncology IMS, after Magentus achieved e-prescribing compliance determined by the Australian Digital Health Agency.
“We are proud to be Australia’s first and only oncology information management system with approved EP“Prescribing functionality and conformance,” said Margot Mason, Magentus Charm product lead, in a statement.
Qld pharmacy pilot kicks off with MedAdvisor software training
The Australasian College of Pharmacy and MedAdvisor have begun training pharmacists to participate in the pilot program, expanding their footprint in Queensland.
Based on a press release, participants will be trained in using the MedAdvisor platform to manage user accounts, enter patient medication details, message clinicians, use the Queensland Scope of Practice forms when prescribing and set availability for bookings.
Last year, MedAdvisor won the tender to deliver an enhanced version of its PlusOne pharmacy platform for the Queensland Community Pharmacy Scope of Practice Pilot. The platform includes a patient portal, clinical information system, prescribing functionality, secure communications and data analytics.
Roper Gulf seniors gain access to virtual paramedic care
The Roper Gulf Regional Council, a local government in the Northern Territory, has started offering 24-hour access to virtual paramedic services in its aged care facilities.
The services are provided by a multidisciplinary team of paramedics from iAgeHealth from McLean Care.
According to a press release, the service will initially focus on providing in-home occupational therapy services, including modification assessments, physical therapy assessments and treatment plans. Dietary meal planning, assessment and monitoring will also be provided.
Next up is Roper Gulf said it will be an extensionAccess to more iAgeHealth care providers, such as speech therapists and exercise physiologists.
GoodSAM comes to Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government is partnering with the developers of GoodSAM, a free mobile app for emergency alerts and control rooms based in the UK, to support emergency services.
The GoodSAM app alerts emergency services with registered defibrillators to people having a heart attack within a radius of a thousand meters.
Tasmania follows New South Wales in adoptionGoodSAM to promote community emergency response. In 2022, NSW Ambulance has signed a four-year partnership to integrate the app with the ambulance service and a public register to map nearby defibrillators.