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A paperless record for the future

A paperless record for the future

 

Karl Duell and Jeannie BorgWaypoint is on the verge of what is likely the biggest development in technology in our hospital’s history – the implementation of a full electronic health record.

Our electronic health record journey began a number of years ago with phase one of the project. The electronic admissions, discharge and transfer module was completed in 2013 before the move into the Atrium Building. The major work was then put on hold while our patients and staff settled into their new surroundings.

In 2014, we began exploring the opportunity to partner with Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby on a shared electronic health record system. It was a move we believed was an effective and efficient use of resources and aligned with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s e-health strategy.

Ontario Shores had implemented an electronic health record system in 2010, and in 2014 was awarded the prestigious HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7 award for having a completely paperless health information system. They were the first hospital in Canada and the first mental health hospital in the world to receive this recognition, so clearly their achievements would be a tremendous benefit to us. The shared system also made sense as we had a common understanding, a shared history and values, and would provide potential for research to improve patient care. Waypoint is contributing to the partnership by hosting a data centre to house Ontario Shores’ computer, server and networking systems.

More than two years ago our hospitals set to work on a collaborative project structure. Waypoint’s pharmacy went live last November, and went through an upgrade this November to the latest and greatest electronic health record version of MEDITECH.

Training is already underway for super-users, a group of staff who volunteered to become experts on the system so they can help train their peers and provide support once we go live. 

Implementation is taking a phased approach beginning in February 2017 and continuing until all inpatient and outpatient programs are using the electronic health record. This process is expected to take until May 2017.

The electronic health record will ensure our health care professionals have the most up-to-date and accurate information, all in one place, when they care for your loved one. The new system will improve communication among doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and the rest of the care team, helping them to deliver even safer care.

Our vision for this project is to use today’s technology to improve quality and safety for patients and staff through a collaborative and interactive experience. Waypoint has made a significant investment in this project, paid for in part by our donors, which will ultimately boost patient care at our hospital.