NMC approves digital authentication of electronic medical records, diagnostic reports

In a major push for digital healthcare practices in India, the National Medical Commission (NMC) has enabled Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) to remotely review and digitally authenticate electronic medical records, including diagnostic reports and other clinical documents.

The NMC’s advisory comes at a time when the rapid advancement of digital healthcare technologies, including Hospital Information Systems (HIS), Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Electronic Health Records (EHR), Laboratory Information Systems (LIS), Radiology Information Systems (RIS), Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS), telemedicine platforms and other digital health solutions, is significantly transforming the manner in which healthcare services are delivered across the country. These technologies enable RMPs to remotely review, interpret and authenticate clinical information while ensuring timely and efficient healthcare delivery. The NMC’s move could have an important impact on speeding up access to specialist review, particularly for patients in smaller towns and locations where specialist availability is limited.

"This is a progressive and much-needed step for healthcare in India. NATHEALTH (Healthcare Federation of India) has consistently advocated for remote authentication of medical records and had recommended it to the government, and we are glad to see it recognised,” Sangita Reddy, President, NATHEALTH and Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, said. “When a patient's report no longer has to wait for a doctor to be physically present at the facility, care becomes faster and more accessible. It strengthens digital health in the country, while keeping clinical judgement, accountability and patient safety at the core,” she added.

The advisory, issued by the National Medical Commission’s Ethics & Medical Registration Board on October 13, says the move is meant to promote uniform implementation of the existing legal framework, remove ambiguity relating to the remote authentication of medical records through digital/electronic signatures, ensure patient safety, preserve professional accountability and facilitate the responsible adoption of digital healthcare technologies.

Remote authentication can be undertaken only after the concerned RMP has reviewed the relevant clinical information, records, investigations and other material reasonably necessary to form a professional opinion, and has exercised independent professional judgment in determining whether the report, interpretation, summary or other clinical document is appropriate for authentication. Where the available information is inadequate to form such a professional opinion, the RMP should refrain from authentication until such further information, examination, verification or review as may be professionally required has been undertaken, the advisory says.