Best practice guideline for the recording, transfer and access of allergy information in electronic health records

The best practice guideline for the accurate recording, transfer and access of allergy information in electronic health records (EHRs) provides a framework for managing patient allergy information across Australia’s healthcare system.

The guideline builds on Australian legislation such as the National Health Act, My Health Records Act and the Healthcare Identifiers Act. There may be additional state and territory requirements, and it is important that healthcare organisations are kept up to date with these.

It also supports national digital health initiatives, including the Digital Health Blueprint and Action Plan, the National Digital Health Strategy, the National Allied Health Digital Uplift Plan, the National Healthcare Interoperability Plan, the National Clinical Terminology Service, Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource^® (FHIR) standards and My Health Record.

In addition, the guideline supports compliance with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care’s National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards, the Acute Anaphylaxis Clinical Care Standard and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency’s expectations for maintaining clear, accurate and accessible clinical records.

The best practice guideline provides a foundation for safer, more connected and interoperable healthcare across Australia.