Excessive and inappropriate usage of to-be launched electronic health records would cost heavy penalties, said Health Minister Nicola Rixon.

For an individual, the cost would be $13,200 and big magnets would have to have $66,000, if they illegally tried to access the medical record of a patient. The new system is made to improve the medical system and to bring positive changes in which more lives could be saved as it has that potential, henceforth Nixon would not allow any unnecessary usage of the electronic health record.

Incidents in the past have taken place where patients’ medical records were illegally used for corporate purposes or for personal benefit. And, in order to give assurance to people and to increase their confidence in the system, the technology is backed by several factors like strict fines, legislation rules, guidelines and tight security. Nicola said all these factors and more would keep patients and their family to have trust in the system. All this got publicized when she presented a draft of the laws pertaining to the electronic health record.

There are some laws for public as well as in which they would be able to set their privacy settings and could also access medical notes, but would not be allowed to make them as that power is reserve for doctors alone.