Chaos at Qld hospitals as computer system crashes

Doctors were forced to access information through paper records after the Queensland Health computer system with digital patient records crashed.

It was believed the Integrated Electronic Medical record was down since 8am. It was understood the system issue was within Queensland Health and not the Queensland Ambulance Service.

Among the 16 hospitals listed as “current iemr sites” were the Princess Alexandra, Queensland Children’s, Logan, Ipswich, Sunshine Coast, Townsville and Gold Coast hospitals.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service chief executive Kieran Keyes said there were some log-in issues.

“The system is used statewide to digitally document clinical care delivered to patients,” he said. “The community can be assured we have well-practised alternative paper-based processes in place and there is no impact on patient care being delivered.”

Queensland Health confirmed the digital patient record system was experiencing “issues” at some hospitals, but did not specify the extent of the malfunction. “The integrated electronic Medical Record system used in some Queensland hospitals to enable healthcare workers to digitally document clinical care is currently experiencing log-in issues for some users,” the spokesman said.

“Users logged on prior to the issue commencing at about 8am this morning are able to continue using the iemr system and can change users, allowing them to also log in using a supportive function within the active session.

“Where healthcare workers cannot log in, well-practised alternative paper-based processes are in place and all clinical services continue to be available to the public.”

Queensland Health said it was “working closely” with the vendor to address the issue. Patient privacy and confidentiality procedures were unaffected. It’s the latest bungle linked to the rollout of the $1.2bn iemr program, which was first planned to be fully implemented by March 2021.

In June 2014 the state government put the iemr at the heart of its ehealth strategy to digitise public hospitals.

Troubled software prompted the system to be delayed in 2019.