Health authorities in Germany and Austria enhance patient data security

Regional health authorities in Germany and Austria are implementing new measures to enhance the security of patient data and digital communication.

In Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, over 160 medical practices participated in training sessions focused on data protection compliance. The initiative, ‘Mit Sicherheit gut behandelt’, addresses modern challenges such as the use of third-party AI tools, voice assistants, cloud services, and the legal requirements for patient information rights and data anonymization.

In Tyrol, Austria, the state has launched DaMe (Datennetz der Medizin), a secure digital communication infrastructure. This system replaces the legally prohibited use of fax machines for transmitting sensitive health data between doctors and authorities. DaMe provides a highly secure network similar to email, allowing for the efficient exchange of medical findings and information while reducing bureaucratic hurdles.