E-health is a "term that now seems to serve as a general buzzword to characterize not only Internet medicine; but virtually everything related to computers and medicine," according to the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
"Once IT starts helping with patient outcomes, you have e-health," says Tamara Shewciw, senior manager, Information Technology at the Group Health Centre, who is involved with several collaborative e-health projects throughout the province.
One of the many e-health strategies includes the Northern Ontario e-Health Information and Communication Technology and Planning Project http://one-health.ca/portal introduced last year.
It can eventually dramatically affect the provision of health services and linkages between providers and services.
The project is working to align more than 250 organizations including: mental health, addiction, long-term care, primary/specialist medical care, public health, children's rehabilitation, private laboratory/diagnostic sectors, pharmacies, community support services and patient self-management with Ontario's broader e-health vision and strategy.
It hasn't been a simple process. Project manager Laura Boston is working with a 30-member steering committee, Local Health Integration Network reps, as well as a consulting firm.
According to Shewciw, the committee is also working on a directory of services database and website Community Care Access Centres.
The electronic directory will feature a list of services in aboriginal, English and French.
Additional provincial e-health programs include the development of a 'portal' strategy.
Shewciw explains: "It shouldn't matter whether you're in Toronto or the Sault, you should be able to be mobile throughout the province and have access to your health information. This strategy includes patients, providers and stewardship portals."
GHC is part of a Pan Northern Ontario Picture Archiving Communication System initiative involving five major 'hub' hospitals including the Sault Area Hospital. PACS are computers or networks dedicated to the storage, retrieval, distribution and presentation of images. It allows practitioners at various locations to share the same information simultaneously. Patients will no longer be required to carry X-ray films to their appointments.
Shewciw also describes the Ontario Telehealth Network as an electronic method of enhancing access to care for people across the North by reducing the barriers of time and distance. The hardship of travel for patients and their families is removed.
GHC, Canada Health Infoway and the Ontario Pharmacists' Association EMRxtra Pilot Project, a $3.5-million program, is working to expand the continuum of care to local pharmacists in a secure and confidential manner through electronic systems.
Twenty-three local pharmacies and 50 pharmacists are participating in the project with GHC vascular and congestive heart failure patients.
GHC and the hospital are working on integrating the electronic patient records that are used at GHC and the SAH.
"All kinds of things are coming together right across the North," Shewciw explains.
"Right here in Sault Ste. Marie, GHC is collaborating with pharmacists, physicians, public health and the hospital. We're miles ahead with respect to collaboration and e-health."
"It just seems to be the northern way, which is good news for health care in the north," Shewciw adds.
Visit: www.health.gov.on.ca to read more about Ontario's e-Health Program and learn about the EMRxtra project at: www.ghc.on.ca
MaryLou Bernardo is a Communications Coordinator with the Group Health Centre Patient Relations and Communications Department. She can be e-mailed at: www.ghc.on.ca
Quelle/Source: The Sault Star, 09.08.2007
