NLIS 37
March 21, 2002
(Health and Community Services)

 

BACKGROUNDER

Picture Archiving Communications System (PACS)
A Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) involves computerized management and distribution of diagnostic images such as x-rays, CT, and MRI.

These diagnostic images are incorporated into PACS in one of two primary ways:

  • digital-ready diagnostic imaging equipment directly creates a digital image; or,
  • images are produced in the traditional manner and converted to a digital format by scanning. For example, conventional x-ray equipment produces pictures which are later scanned into digital format and incorporated in the PACS.

The images are easier to handle in digital format and can be moved almost instantly between sites, unlike film. The technology will improve access to diagnostic imaging services in rural areas by sending the images electronically to sites where a radiologist is present; this is especially key in urgent care situations. Part of this project also involves the ability to send images electronically to Halifax when residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are referred there for procedures. Other benefits include faster image retrieval and reduced storage space requirements.

  • The Central East region has had a PACS since 1999. The provincial government is implementing PACS technology in four additional boards:
    • Peninsulas Health Care Corporation, funding allocation of $1.9 million
    • Dr. G. B. Cross Memorial Hospital, Clarenville
    • Bonavista Peninsula Community Health Centre, Bonavista
    • Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre, Salt Pond
  • Central West Health Corporation, funding allocation of $1.8 million
    • Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre, Grand Falls-Windsor
    • Baie Verte Peninsula Health Centre, Baie Verte
    • Green Bay Health Care Centre, Springdale
    • Connaigre Peninsula Health Centre, Harbour Breton
    • St. Albans Clinic, St. Albans
  • Avalon Health Care Institutions Board, funding allocation of $1.4 million
    • Carbonear General Hospital, Carbonear
    • Placentia Health Care Centre, Placentia
  • Health Care Corporation of St. John�s, funding allocation of $1.5 million
    • Janeway Children�s Health Centre, St. John�s

Funding for this project is through a partnership between the federal and provincial governments through Health Canada�s Canadian Health Infostructure Partnership Program (CHIPP). Combined, the provincial and federal governments are contributing $4.2 million for 2001-2002 and $1.2 million for 2002-2003, through a 50/50 cost-shared program. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has contributed an extra $1.5 million for 2001-2002 to enhance the CHIPP investments to ensure that maximum operating efficiencies can be achieved.

The following vignette demonstrates a real-life example of teleradiology in action and the benefit it can provide. The Central East Health Care Institutions Board used teleradiology at the James Paton Memorial Hospital, Fogo Island Hospital, Twillingate Hospital and Brookfield Hospitals.

Mrs. Campbell is a 71 year old lady living in Fogo Island, Newfoundland. She has taken a fall in December 1999 and her injuries are undetermined. Dr. Brown is treating Mrs. Campbell in the Fogo Island Hospital and is uncertain whether or not to send Mrs. Campbell to James Paton Memorial Hospital in Gander for an orthopedic consult.

The ferry ride between Fogo Island and Gander is not trivial. In the summer it is a minimum 40-minute trip and in the winter with icy waters it can take several hours. If Mrs. Campbell does travel to Gander this day there is just one more ferry departure, therefore she would need to stay overnight in Gander.

With the uncertainty regarding how best to treat Mrs. Campbell and not wanting to subject her to a ferry trip to Gander needlessly, Dr. Brown relies on recently implemented PACS technology.

X-ray images are taken of Mrs. Campbell. The films are then scanned by a film digitizer to put them in a digital format and are sent electronically via telecommunications network, to the James Paton Hospital. Via this teleradiology application, an orthopedic surgeon and radiologist at James Paton Hospital examine Mrs. Campbell�s x-rays, which they have received digitally.

They determine that Mrs. Campbell has broken her shoulder. Mrs. Campbell is scheduled for surgery the next day at James Paton Memorial Hospital, and takes the ferry over in the morning.1

1 The names of the patient and doctor have been changed.

Children in Need Project
An interdepartmental initiative, this project is an information system that enables information sharing to support the Model for the Coordination of Services to Children and Youth. Funded by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the federal government, through its Canadian Health Infostructure Partnership Program (CHIPP), $457,000 is being spent in 2001-2002 and $317,200 in 2002-2003 through a 50/50 cost-shared program.

The authorized electronic sharing of information will facilitate the coordination of services to "at risk" children by various professional groups often employed by different departments (i.e., Health and Community Services, Justice, Education, Human Resources and Employment). Currently, profiles for children, Individual Support Services Plan (ISSP), are stored on the Client and Referral Management System (CRMS). The Children in Need project enhances functionality of the system and provides online access to service providers (i.e., nurses, teachers, social workers, law enforcement officers) and children and their families.

Canadian Health Infostructure Partnership Program (CHIPP)
CHIPP is an $80 million federal/provincial 50/50 cost-shared program to support the implementation of information and communications technology. The federal funding contribution for Newfoundland and Labrador through the CHIPP is $3.3 million.

CHIPP funding to the Department of Health and Community Services resulted from an application submitted in partnership with the other Atlantic Provinces through the Health Infostructure Atlantic (HIA) organization, a group which fosters cooperation and sharing among the Atlantic Provinces in health information and communications technology.

The federal funding contribution per province is as follows:

  • Newfoundland and Labrador - $3.3 million
  • New Brunswick - $1.8 million
  • Nova Scotia - $3.9 million
  • Prince Edward Island - $2.9 million

Client and Referral Management System (CRMS)
The Client and Referral Management System is a case management system used by the health and community services boards throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. It helps service providers track and manage information about their clients and the programs and services delivered to these clients. Government is spending $200,000 on further enhancements to this system for 2002-2003.

Client Payment Enhancement
The Department of Health and Community Services, the four regional health and community services boards and the two integrated boards are partnering with the Department of Human Resources and Employment to build a new component of the Client and Referral Management System, the Client Payment Enhancement. This new system will help manage direct payments to clients as well as to third parties on behalf of clients. These payments are made through the following programs: Home Support; Special Assistance; Child, Youth and Family Services; Community Youth Corrections; and Family and Rehabilitative Services.

The new system will replace several existing separate payment systems currently in use and will improve the ability of boards to manage payments, thus enhancing services to clients and third parties. The Department of Health and Community Services is spending $400,000 on this project for 2002-2003.

Media contact: Carmel Turpin, Communications, (709) 729-1377.

2002 03 21                           3:10 p.m.


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