SERBIA Trends and Developments Contributed by: Bisera Andrijašević, BDK Advokati
as well as the import of biological samples for clinical trial testing, are also processed. Addi- tionally, quality control documentation submis- sions for medicines and requests for the sus- pension of procedures are managed through RIMS. The system is centralising and streamlin- ing these processes to enhance efficiency and transparency. Furthermore, the Health Documentation and Records Act, adopted in 2023, introduced the electronic medical record (e-File), which is a unique and centralised registry of data and documents from mandatory medical documen- tation of patients. This system should enable the efficient tracking of patients’ medical history and treatment across health centres, hospitals, and both public and private practices. The e-File is planned to be used in the provision of healthcare services, the exercise of rights under mandatory health insurance, as well as for analytics, report- ing, healthcare planning and scientific research purposes. Access to the data will be granted to the patient’s chosen physician, specialist, emer- gency medical services, medical commission, or any doctor to whom the patient grants access. This should streamline the patient’s journey through the healthcare system, prevent unnec- essary repetition of tests, and reduce the need for referrals back to primary care doctors. How- ever, the e-File system has not yet been imple- mented, and full implementation was expected to begin as of January 2025.
The creation of the Republic Integrated Health Information System is ongoing, which will unify data on all healthcare resources and provide electronic services for healthcare institutions and patients. By integrating digital records, automat- ing administrative processes, and enabling real- time data access for healthcare professionals, this system has the potential to improve treat- ment efficiency and resource allocation. How- ever, for full effectiveness, the system must be regularly updated, interoperable across institu- tions, and supported by comprehensive training for medical staff.
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