From July 15, the eHealth mobile app will pilot two new options to facilitate secure access to electronic health records at designated medical institutions outside Hong Kong.

Using the new Cross-boundary Health Record option, elderly Hong Kong patients using Elderly Health Care Vouchers at the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital will be able to show their detailed online medical records for the past three years to doctors at the hospital, the Health Bureau announced on Thursday.

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The records are stored on the eHealth app, a one-stop online medical platform launched by the Hong Kong government. Patients using this option will need to apply for access to their records at least three days before meeting their doctor.

After their application has been verified by the system, the applicant will receive a QR code linking to their health records and another QR code containing the password on their app.

Starting from mid-July, healthcare professionals at the HKU-SZH will be able to browse patients’ comprehensive and detailed medical records, including details of any diagnostic and medical procedures as well as clinical summaries, which will assist them in making their diagnosis

Healthcare professionals at the HKU-SZH will then be able to access the health records of the patient by scanning the two QR codes.

Family members of the elderly patient can also submit an application for the health records on behalf of the patient using the same option in the eHealth app.

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Launched in 2016, the eHealth app is a comprehensive platform available to Hong Kong residents to enable them to check their medical records and obtain medical information. Over 6 million Hong Kong residents have registered to use the platform.

Currently, users can access important information about their medications, allergies and adverse drug reactions, appointments, and investigation records using the app.

Starting from mid-July, healthcare professionals at the HKU-SZH will be able to browse patients’ comprehensive and detailed medical records, including details of any diagnostic and medical procedures as well as clinical summaries, which will assist them in making their diagnosis.

A second new option in the eHealth app — Personal Folder — allows users to store medical records obtained from different sources in the app, including those obtained from overseas medical institutions.

This function is expected to provide greater convenience for medical institutions that need to access a patients’ medical records, ensuring efficient follow-up care.

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Subject to the feedback gathered during the pilot period, the Hong Kong government will take steps to streamline the workflow and enhance users’ experience of using the two new options.

It may also consider expanding the pilot arrangements to other medical institutions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area under the Elderly Health Care Vouchers Scheme.

Currently, eligible persons can spend HK$2,000 ($256)-worth of healthcare vouchers annually at nine medical institutions in the Greater Bay Area.

To facilitate public engagement with and utilization of the eHealth app, the Health Bureau has established a support station at the HKU-SZH, offering assistance to the public in registering and familiarizing themselves with the app.

Wu Xinyu contributed to the story