Health and Community Services
January 17, 2014
Electronic Health Record Enhances Safety, Quality and Access for Families
Province Launches New Component of Electronic Health Record
The development of the provincial electronic health record, HEALTHe NL, continues to progress with the addition of the HEALTHe NL Viewer. The viewer is a portal that provides authorized health care professionals with a single point of access to view patient information at the place of care. This latest milestone was announced today at the Central Newfoundland Regional Health Centre in Grand Falls-Windsor.
“Providing our health care professionals with improved access to more comprehensive clinical information supports patient care. This focus has led to our province being positioned to be among the first three provinces to establish an electronic health record that captures health information from multiple sources. Approximately $18 million has been allocated in 2013-14 towards the ongoing development of the province’s electronic health record. We will continue to work with our partners to implement electronic health systems that enhance patient safety and improve quality of care for all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.”
- The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Health and Community Services
The HEALTHe NL Viewer is the next milestone in provincial electronic health record development. Today, the viewer provides health care professionals with access to medication profiles available through the Pharmacy Network. Over time, the Viewer will include other relevant clinical information including lab results, diagnostic images and select clinical records. Like other components of HEALTHe NL, the viewer provides health care professionals with more comprehensive patient information when and where it is needed.
“The HEALTHe NL Viewer makes the medication profiles available in the Pharmacy Network from community pharmacies accessible to clinicians across the health care system, including at hospitals, long-term care facilities, community clinics and family practices. This enhanced access to quality health information, supports timely and more informed health care decision-making and delivery.”
- Mike Barron, President and CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information
Developing HEALTHe NL is a collaborative initiative between the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information and Canada Health Infoway, along with many supporting stakeholders.
“This continued progress in Newfoundland and Labrador’s electronic health record reflects our vision of healthier Canadians through innovative digital health solutions. Infoway’s investments in digital health solutions in Newfoundland and Labrador will help deliver better quality and access to care for patients across the province.”
- Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting important social programs, strong communities and the health and well-being of children, families and seniors.
QUICK FACTS
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Scott Barfoot Director of Communications Department of Health and Community Services 709-729-1377, 690-6290 scottbarfoot@gov.nl.ca |
Colleen Ryan Director of Communications Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information 709-631-0995 colleen.ryan@nlchi.nl.ca |
Dan Strasbourg Director, Media Relations Canada Health Infoway 416-595-3424 dstrasbourg@infoway-inforoute.ca |
2014 01 17 1:15 p.m.