The IWK Health Centre in Halifax is set to pioneer a significant shift in Nova Scotia’s healthcare system at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday. This marks the launch of a new electronic medical record system aimed at enhancing patient care quality, efficiency, and provider workflow. Dr. Krista Jangaard, the IWK’s president and CEO, expressed that this transition comes after extensive preparation and effort.
The implementation of this new system follows a $365-million contract signed by the Nova Scotia government with Oracle Cerner Canada three years ago. The system is designed to unify electronic records across all healthcare sites, ensuring seamless patient information access for caregivers.
While there have been delays in reaching this milestone, the rollout is now imminent at the IWK. Training for staff commenced last fall, with nearly all doctors and nurse practitioners completing their training. The remaining staff, barring those on leave or not scheduled for the next three weeks, are also being prepared for the transition.
The new system, known as One Person One Record, promises unprecedented connectivity within the province’s healthcare network. It will create a unified digital record for each patient, eliminating the need for repeated history recounts and facilitating quicker access to medical information. As more sites join the network in the coming year, the benefits of this integrated system will become even more apparent.
Dr. Jangaard emphasized that the primary goal is to ensure a seamless continuum of care, transcending geographical and provider boundaries. This transformation is expected to revolutionize patient care delivery in Nova Scotia.