It is vital for high-quality care that health care professionals have access to up-to-date health data on their patients, even if they are from abroad. The Patient Summary is a tool for professionals to gain quick and secure access to patient data entered in other European countries.
At the moment, Finnish Patient Summaries can only be sent to Estonian health care services. However, more countries will be added this year. It is estimated that Patient Summaries will be accessible in Finland as of early 2025.
The exchange of patient data across European borders improves continuity of care and patient safety.
What information is included in a Patient Summary?
A Patient Summary shows a limited compilation of clinical data previously recorded for the patient in health care services in another country. The Patient Summary contains the following information about the patient’s health and medical history:
- diagnoses
- medication information
- risk information (allergies, drug allergies, implants)
- procedures performed.
An example of a European Patient Summary accessible by health care professionals (pdf).
The patient’s consent is required to send a Patient Summary
Finnish patient data can only be disclosed to health care services in another EU member state if the patient has sought treatment in that country and has previously given their consent in MyKanta to the international disclosure of their data. The local health care professional caring for the patient must also inform the patient that their data are being accessed.
- Citizen’s pages: sending Patient Summaries abroad.
The Kanta Services are Finland’s contact point in the disclosure of patient data to health care organisations in other EU member states. Health care professionals abroad do not and will not have direct access to Finnish patient data.
The transfer of patient data to Finland will be enabled in the near future
In 2025, it will become possible for Patient Summaries to be sent from abroad to Finnish health care services via the Kanta Services. The data received will be accessible by health care professionals, translated into Finnish. Patient Summaries make it easier to care for patients who have immigrated to or are visiting Finland from elsewhere in Europe. Healthcare organisations decides on the implementation date of the summary.
Patient Summaries from Finland will become available in other European countries step by step, according to each country’s respective timetables. The European Commission aims for Patient Summaries to be available in most EU Member States by 2026 at the latest. Another long-term goal is for countries to be able to exchange medical images and laboratory results, etc.
