Waterloo Region hospitals are moving towards a fully digital patient care system. The Waterloo Regional Health Network (WRHN) and Cambridge Memorial Hospital (CMH) are working to synchronize patient records, eliminating reliance on traditional methods like fax machines and paper charts.
Streamlining Patient Care
CMH President and CEO, Patrick Gaskin, announced that Cambridge Memorial Hospital has purchased the same computer system currently used by the WRHN. This move is intended to create a seamless flow of information between hospitals in Waterloo Region. According to Gaskin, fully digital patient care across all sites is anticipated by 2026.
Currently, coordinating patient care between hospitals involves a multi-step process of phone calls, physical documents, and fax transmissions. The new system aims to simplify this process, allowing tests and procedures to be ordered and handled entirely online. Gaskin described the anticipated change as moving from a system of “phone calls, a fax machine, a paper chart” to one of “click click click” ordering.
Optimizing Clinical Care
Gaskin stated that this digital integration will optimize how clinical care is delivered across all hospital sites within the region. He believes the change will allow for more efficient and coordinated treatment. Ron Gagnon, President and CEO of WRHN, joined Gaskin in discussing the new digital sharing initiative at the All Councils meeting in Elmira on Friday.
Installation of the new computer system at CMH is expected to take approximately 12 months to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the new system expected to be fully operational?
The goal is to have fully digital patient care between all hospitals in Waterloo Region by 2026.
What methods are currently used to share patient information between hospitals?
Currently, sharing patient information involves phone calls, paper documents, records, and faxing.
When did Cambridge Memorial Hospital begin the project to implement the new system?
CMH launched the project in November this year.
How might this shift to digital records impact the experience of patients receiving care across multiple facilities in Waterloo Region?
