Several more Primary Health care sites across Sun Country Health Region are experiencing the benefits of electronic recording technology this year. An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) securely stores and retrieves medical information, enabling health care providers to have quicker, safer access to their patients' personal health information.
In 2010, the Region's first primary health care site in Rural West (Bengough, Radville, Pangman) implemented an EMR using Med Access. The Coronach Primary Health site became the second to go live in November 2012.
Most recently, the communities of Weyburn, Carlyle, and Carnduff began to experience the many benefits of the new technology. Plans for further implementation for PHC sites in Lampman, Midale and Kipling are in process.
"An electronic medical record saves time for both patient and clinician because all patient information is available electronically in a secure environment. This also enables all patient information to be shared on one electronic chart by the various providers who are involved in the patient's care," said Wanda Miller, Sun Country Health Region's Director of Primary Health Care.
Miller added the partnership and collaboration that is required to plan and implement the EMR in our regional sites.
"This has been a long-awaited implementation for many of our sites - some of which have been established since 2007. This could not have happened without great efforts from our Primary Health Care staff, doctors, nurse practitioners, SCHR Information Systems and a supportive team from eHealth Saskatchewan. They all worked very hard to implement the EMR."
The Region has worked with each site and the users to prepare for the implementation of an EMR through staff surveys, implementation meetings, and training sessions. The successful launch of the EMR in each site has been due to the dedicated involvement of many staff along the way. This is a team effort.
Personal health information used in the EMR remains confidential and SCHR's team of health care providers take great care to protect it. Information is kept in strict confidence and is used or disclosed only as authorized by the patient or required by law. Privacy requirements outlined in The Health Information Protection Act (HIPA) apply to the EMR.
The EMR stores only the minimum amount of personal health information required to plan, manage, and provide services. Personal health information is shared with health care providers only if they are involved in a patient/client/resident's care and are authorized to view such information.
