"Electronic medical records are modernizing the way health care in British Columbia is being delivered," said Abbott. "We are working to make advances in technology benefit patients and help physicians - such as the doctors in Summerland - ensure that their patients are as healthy as possible."
Electronic medical record systems are customized computer software and hardware that give physicians secure online access to records in their offices and, over time, will link to online lab results, diagnostic procedures like X-rays, CT and MRI scans, medication histories and electronic prescriptions through the Province's eHealth program.
"Getting health records online will help patients get faster, safer and better care," said Thorpe. "I am proud to see physicians in the Okanagan leading the way to a future of better health care."
"We live in an electronic world surrounded by incredible advances in technology that have the ability to modernize health care, but physician's offices have not kept pace," said Dr. Alistair Bannerman from Rosedale Medical Associates. "I can use electronic medical records to provide care that is better co-ordinated, better managed, and more efficient.
Electronic records are much more secure than the current practice of storing thousands of paper files."
The Summerland physicians who are joining the Province's electronic medical record program are also among the first physicians in British Columbia to use government-approved electronic medical records systems on a highly secure physician-only network.
TELUS provides secure network support to connect to their electronic medical record.
All patient information will be protected by privacy measures that are among the strongest in Canada. The personal health information in the electronic medical record will comply with the Personal Information Privacy Act that governs the use of information in physicians' offices.
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Quelle/Source: Manufacturing Business Technology, 21.07.2008
