To better serve patients, six Eastern Ontario health partners implement new digital health information system
Working together in our digital age so that personal interaction will continue to be the foundation for compassionate, excellent care
MEDIA RELEASE
HAWKESBURY – May 29, 2019 – The Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) in collaboration with five other regional health partners, including and The Ottawa Hospital, will begin to use the Epic Health Information Network on June 1, 2019, bringing patient-centred care to the digital age. As part of a health information system, each health partner will have real-time access to patient medical information, allowing health-care providers to make timely, informed decisions based on the most comprehensive, and connected information.
“The new Health Information System (HIS) allows us to transition from a collection of interfaced systems to a single fully integrated regional system. It will bring instant access to vital health information to the fingertips of those who need it, when they need it,” said Marcel Leclair, HGH Vice-President Finance and Corporate Services and Executive Sponsor of the project. “The new system will reduce or eliminate several irritants for patients, such as repeating their medical history to multiple care providers; the inaccessibility of test results; the anxiety of long waits for results and the unnecessary duplication of medical exams. This is crucial for patients and their families in Prescott-Russell who play a key role in their own health care plan.”
“HIS is an integrated system that focuses on the patient, rather than departments, offices or institutions. All medical information pertaining to one patient will be shared by the care team and accessible through an electronic medical record in a secure, private environment,” said Dr. Julie Maranda, HGH Chief of Staff and Interim Vice-President of Patient Care. “HIS focuses on patient safety enabling us to tap into local, regional and worldwide health care data and best practices thereby allowing physicians and health care providers make better-informed decisions.”
During the first few weeks, while staff at the hospital become accustomed to the new system, it is anticipated that some processes may take longer than normal. To minimize potential delays, the hospital is adding extra staff in certain areas. Patients can be assured that they will continue to receive the best care possible.
As part of the new digital health network, patients will have greater access to their own information through a secure, online portal called MyChart. With MyChart, patients can see their own health record and other important information, right at their fingertips. This will allow them to collaborate with their care teams, better manage their own care and be more in control of their health information.
Launching Epic supports the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care’s mandate to have a more integrated health-care system that improves patient outcomes.
The six regional health partners include: Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital Academic Family Health Team, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Renfrew Victoria Hospital, and St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry’s Bay. New partners may come on board as early as January 2020.
These six partners join hospitals and health-care providers across Epic’s global network, connecting them to the knowledge, research and best practices of physicians and clinicians from other hospitals in that network, which includes CHEO in Ottawa, SickKids and Mackenzie Health in the Greater Toronto Area, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and others like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.
Media Contact:
Gisèle Larocque
Vice-President, Human Resources and Community Relations
Hawkesbury and District General Hospital
Ghlarocque@hgh.ca
613-632-1111 ext. 21200
About HGH
HGH is becoming a full-service regional community hospital with 100 beds. We offer a range of services including medical imaging, and access to specialists in respiratory therapy, cardiology, gynecology, orthopedics and chemotherapy.
HGH is focused on providing compassionate care, closer-to-home, for patients living in Prescott-Russell. We have satellite services available in Clarence-Rockland and Casselman. We have 745 employees, 140 physicians and 115 volunteers with an annual operating budget of $80 million.
HGH has received the highest rating from Accreditation Canada, Accredited with Exemplary Standing, reflecting our commitment to provide quality care, enhance patient safety and reduce risks. This achievement helps us ensure that the right care is provided to the right person, at the right time, in the right place and by the right provider.
HGH is proud of its affiliation with the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa as a medical teaching site. Combined with our partnership with The Ottawa Hospital, the region’s main tertiary hospital, the Epic project and our accreditation level, all these elements have positive impacts that allow us to attract more physicians and health care professionals, in addition to preparing for inter-regional integration of the health system.