Primary Health Care Information Management program
eResults Review Report by Deloitte Inc.
News Release
- Upgrade Fixes Errors in Electronic Medical Records (September 23, 2007)
- Mise à niveau pour corriger les erreurs dans les dossiers médicaux électroniques (September 23, 2007)
Background
Through its Primary Health Care Information Management (PHIM) program, the Department of Health worked with District Health Authorities to implement the first province-wide Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system to improve the quality of care and access to treatment Nova Scotians receive.
As part of government's commitment to innovation and technology, $4 million was invested from the Primary Health Care Transition Fund to develop and implement electronic medical records. For generations, physicians and other health care providers have kept patient information using a paper file.
Now, with this new system, clinic charts are located on a computer instead of in a paper file. Electronic medical records are software tools that allow health care providers to easily look through their patients' medical history. This improves the quality and safety of patient care and allows providers and patients to make safer, faster and better treatment decisions.
In consultation with stakeholders from across the province, Nightingale Informatix's myNightingale web-based electronic patient record was selected for clinics that have access to high-speed Internet services.
One of the most sought after elements of electronic medical records is the ability to link with external sources such as acute care facilities and hospital information systems. This allows health care providers to review electronic lab and diagnostic imaging results within electronic medical records.
Since implementing this function in August 2006, we have delivered nearly 300,000 electronic results. We know that 99.97% of these results were successfully delivered.
Nova Scotia is the first province to develop province wide electronic delivery of lab and diagnostic imaging results for its provincially approved electronic medical records. The province has been nominated as a finalist for a Government Technology Exhibition and Conference Distinction Award for this achievement.
Enrollment in the PHIM program has been steady since it was launched in October 2005. Currently there are 88 clinics and 801 users registered, representing 32% of the province's primary health care physicians.
Clinics first started receiving electronic delivery of lab and diagnostic imaging results in August 2006. Today, 32 of these clinics are already receiving these results electronically.
Questions & Answers
Q: What is an Electronic Medical Record?
A: For generations, family doctors and other health care providers have charted patient information manually in paper charts. The Electronic Medical Record system allows family doctors and other health care providers to chart patient health information using a computer. This software tool allows health care providers to link to other health care professions. It lets these health care providers see and update health information such as a patient's allergies, prescriptions, and lab tests.
Q: What are the benefits of an Electronic Medical Record system?
A: Electronic medical records improve the quality and safety of patient care by:
- making health information easily available when patients visit their family doctor or health care provider;
- improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records and reducing the number of medical errors;
- sharing health information among health care providers;
- reducing the duplication of tests and lab work;
- giving health care providers a common understanding of your health conditions preventing prescription drug interactions;
- Giving family doctors instant access to lab and diagnostic imaging tests results.
Electronic medical records systems will allow patients across the province to make safer, faster and better treatment decisions.
Q: Is patient information secure and private?
A: Yes. Privacy and security are integral to the electronic medical records system. Health care providers need special authorization to access the electronic medical record system. We are committed to protecting the privacy and confidential of information for all Nova Scotians. All information will be kept confidential and secure.
Q: Does this system benefit health care providers?
A: Electronic medical records improve patient care as a result of providers having more complete and up-to-date information at the point of care. It gives health care providers access to consistent patient information along with online decision support/reference tools. It helps reduce medical errors and decreases adverse drug reactions.
Q: I heard some eResults weren't being sent. What should I do?
A: It is not necessary for patients to call their doctors. Doctors have all test results. They are reviewing this information and will contact patients if needed. All other questions can go to the Department of Health at 1-800-387-6665.