Working together in our digital age so that personal interaction will continue to be the foundation for compassionate, excellent care
May 29, 2019 – Six regional health partners, including Renfrew Victoria Hospital and St. Francis Memorial Hospital, will begin to use the Epic Health Information Network on June 1, 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. As a result of this new health information system, patients and providers can look forward to improved collaboration among partners to continue to deliver compassionate, excellent care.
“Too often, patients use precious time explaining and re-explaining their story as they navigate through our health system. When patients arrive at RVH or SFMH enroute to The Ottawa Hospital or the Ottawa Heart Institute, their care team will be better connected to their health story and ready to provide the compassionate care that every patient deserves,” said Randy Penney, President and CEO, RVH and SFMH. “A health information system is important because patients are partners in their own health care, and this digital health network will allow for greater collaboration not only between the hospital partners, but with patients and families as well.”
“The new digital health network means we can provide more seamless care, furthering our mission to provide the best health care experience possible for patients and their families,” added Dr. Steve Radke, Chief of Medical Staff, RVH. “Health partners working together will ensure that we can continue to improve patient safety, quality and care across our region and beyond.”
As part of the new digital health network, patients will have greater access to their own information called MyChart. MyChart is a secure, online portal where patients can see their own health records 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.
During the first few weeks, while staff at the hospital become accustomed to the new system, some processes may take longer than normal. Patients can be assured that they will continue to receive the best care possible, as the hospital is adding extra staff in certain areas to minimize any potential delays.
The current health partners are The Ottawa Hospital, The Ottawa Hospital Academic Family Health Team, the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Hawkesbury and District General Hospital, Renfrew Victoria Hospital, and St. Francis Memorial Hospital in Barry’s Bay. New partners may come on board as early as January 2020, and the system is designed to improve collaboration between all health partners in our region and beyond.
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.
On June 1, these 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 GTA, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, and others like the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and Johns Hopkins University in Maryland.
