A doctor at Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare will soon be able to seamlessly access an x-ray for a patient even though that person was initially treated at Erie Shores Healthcare.
Likewise, a patient in Wallaceburg referred to a doctor at Windsor Regional Hospital will no longer have to rehash their medical history. The doctor will already know what medications that person has been prescribed before they arrive for their appointment.
As of November 1, a new hospital information system, expected to cost $95.8 million, will go live at Erie Shores Healthcare, Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare, and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
CEO CKHA Lori Marshall. June 27, 2017. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Cowan Blackburn News Chatham-Kent)
The cost at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is $23.1-million. CEO Lori Marshall told BlackburnNews.com the expense will be spread out over several years.
"When balanced against the savings from unnecessary redundancy, both in terms of clinical processes and inconveniences for our patients -- the return on investment will be significant," she wrote.
The cost is lower for Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare since it is a post-acute care hospital and has a smaller budget than the facility in Chatham. However, at $11.5 million, CEO Janice Kaffer still called it "one of the bigger cheques I've had to cut as CEO."
BlackburnNews.com asked for a total for implementation at Erie Shores Healthcare. Communications Director Arms Boumanlag responded the costs are not insignificant, "however, it is not straightforward to break down a specific price because of the complexity of launching a new system."
It also expects to find some savings by replacing an obsolete system.
Erie Shores Healthcare has been raising money to cover the $7.95 million price tag since January through its Care Happens Here campaign.
Windsor Regional Hospital will join the system in the spring.
Communications Manager Steve Erwin said the $53.3 million cost will be spread out over many years.
"The higher figure reflects the size of our organization, more than 4,000 employees and 700 beds, easily the largest of the hospitals participating in this project," said Erwin. "It is also why we have the later date for implementation, April 1."
The system, introduced at Windsor Regional Hospital last year by e-VOLVE at TransForm Shared Service Organization, will do more than simply replace an out-of-date communications system. It will electronically transmit a patient's regional medical record instantaneously reducing delays in care and the risk of medical errors.
"Patients can expect their information to be collected in a new and upgraded computer system," read a release from Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare Wednesday. "In addition, medications will be confirmed electronically using workstations on wheels, and finally, their information will be shared instantly and securely between members of the care team."
"As Hotel-Dieu Grace Healthcare goes live with the new system, the hospital is asking for patience and understanding from clients and patients," said Dr. Andrea Steen, the chief of staff at HDGH. "Although individuals have been trained on the system, the process is new, and so understanding from our patients and their families will be appreciated."
