(de-news.net) – Patients, medical doctors, and clinics throughout Germany will be able to use electronic patient records starting at the end of the month. This follows a test phase. As Federal Health Minister Lauterbach wrote to the agency responsible for technical implementation, the security measures necessary for a nationwide rollout have been implemented.

Electronic patient records will be mandatory in doctor’s offices and hospitals starting in October. Experts had previously expressed concerns about data protection. Diagnoses, doctor’s letters, and medications are stored in the records. However, patients can opt out of their use at any time.