Preparations for implementation of the Electronic Data Exchange in Health Care Act are still in full swing even one year after its introduction. VWS offers implementation support and a self-scan to help healthcare institutions be ready on time.
"Don't wait and start looking into Wegiz now," VWS policy advisor Ulco de Boer told the healthcare field last year. That call still stands. The framework law for electronic data exchange in healthcare went into effect on July 1 last year. The various data exchanges will be phased in over the next few years.
De Boer is part of team Wegiz from the Information Policy Directorate. Colleague Marley Werleman works from the Directorate of Long-Term Care as project leader for eTransfer. De Boer: "For five prioritized data exchanges, General Measures of Administration (AMvB) have entered into force or are being prepared in order to arrive at the statutory obligation. The implementation of those data exchanges is now in full swing."
State of affairs
The first data exchange realized is "Sending of prescription by GP to handler. The AMvB took effect on January 1, 2024. On July 1, 2024, GPs must also make that message available to PBMs.
"The field is busy realizing all the components needed to comply with Wegiz," De Boer says. "Think of the interpretation of quality standards, information standards and NEN standards. Although all parties see the need for electronic data exchange, they also notice that in practice it is quite a complicated story. We are therefore pioneering together."
Exchange testing
In order to ensure that everyone is ready for national electronic data exchange, healthcare organizations and ICT suppliers conduct tests. De Boer: "Those tests take place, for example, between different infrastructures. For example, elderly care uses a different infrastructure than hospitals. Suppliers organize connectathons and test with each other whether they can actually exchange data. Werleman adds: "That testing happens at different levels. Also cross-sectorally and regionally within partnerships."
Additional technical agreements
In the technical elaboration, ICT suppliers often still encounter obstacles. Developed NEN norms and information standards alone prove insufficient to exchange data. Additional technical agreements are needed. Suppliers are taking up the gauntlet by making their own technical agreements. De Boer: "Not ideal, that not everything is ready in advance, but as I often say: we build a bridge while walking over it. That is also apparent here."
Electronic nursing transfer
eTransfer is one of the prioritized data exchanges that is being worked hard on. It involves nursing transfer between hospitals and nursing homes. Werleman: "The ultimate goal is that we can exchange standardized and electronic data from source to source. We have started testing a minimum eTransfer. You then look at what is minimally needed to get from a working to a workable solution. We keep building it out."
The eTransfer AMvB is scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1, 2027. "That sounds far away, but we know that providers and healthcare organizations really need that time," he said.
Scale-up plan
Healthcare organizations and partnerships involved in testing are among the forerunners. "These are the enthusiasts who are collaborating on solutions for implementation," says Werleman. "The biggest task for us, of course, lies with the organizations that still know little about it. That is why we are working on a scale-up plan."
For all healthcare organizations, both policy advisers say it is high time to prepare. "You have to start looking into it now what it means for your organization, the collaborations and contacts with ICT suppliers," says De Boer. "VWS offers practical tools for that, including the self-scan."
Self-scans
With the eOverdracht implementation program, VWS has project leaders and implementation tools available. These help organizations prepare for the Wegiz. Werleman: "Together with Nictiz, for example, we have developed an accessible self-scan. This allows you to test where your organization stands on the five layers of interoperability. The scan also benchmarks with other organizations and provides advice on what your next step should be."
She thinks the beauty of the self-scan is that you can run it more often in the process. That way you can measure the effect of actions initiated. "Think of it as a kind of thermometer," she says.
Chief Nursing Information Officer
"Because the self-scan covers the five layers of the Nictiz model, you can involve employees from various layers," Werleman continued. "From administrators to nurses."
For the implementation of eTransfer, she especially invites Chief Nursing Information Officers (CNIOs) to participate. The number of CNIOs is increasing and, according to Werleman, they are uniquely capable of fulfilling the bridging function between the shop floor, administrators and ICT staff.
Major advantages
Currently, the eTransfer self-scan is available. A self-scan basic healthcare data set (BgZ) will also follow shortly. VWS recommends making use of the available support in particular. "On Samenwerkenaaneoverdracht.nl and Gegevensuitwisselingindezorg.nl there is all the information," Werleman advises. "You can use the self-scan or contact our program office for implementation support."
Collaborative
De Boer also invites organizations to join the group of frontrunners. This can be done, for example, within a partnership in your region. "And for anyone who works in the sector: get involved. It's not too late to start. Now it is still new and sometimes difficult, but for subsequent data exchanges it will become easier and easier. Remember that soon you yourself will be responsible for complying with Wegiz."
The rewards for all the effort are promising. Less retyping, reduced administrative burden, timely information, readable information, less duplication and reuse of information. "These are the major benefits of standardized electronic data exchange that we envision," Werleman concludes.
Ulco de Boer and Marley Werleman are hosting a session on Wegiz and preparations during Zorg & ict on April 9 at 10:45 a.m. in theater 4. Register below for Zorg & ict for free to attend the session.
