Rollout of electronic medical record system in P.E.I. delayed again
The implementation of an Island-wide digital medical report system in P.E.I. has hit one other snag.
The province says it’s pausing the rollout as it really works with distributors to deal with points introduced up by physicians utilizing the system.
The system permits physicians to share data equivalent to diagnostic pictures, prescription historical past and different clinician notes with different well being professionals.
The province promised on the tail finish of 2019 it could be absolutely carried out inside a 12 months, however there have been quite a few delays since then. About 100 physicians nonetheless have to be related to the system.
No timeline
Dr. Michael Gardam, Well being P.E.I.’s CEO, mentioned the pause has been for “a few weeks.” The province mentioned there’s no timeline for a way lengthy it can final.
“It is crucial that we’re receptive to the suggestions than we get from the docs,” Gardam mentioned.
“There are some issues that have to be fastened. So relatively than … persevering with to roll out one thing that wants some tweaks, we’ll pause for a second, repair these issues after which begin shifting once more.”
Gardam mentioned the problems revolve round “usability.” The Medical Society of P.E.I. mentioned it needs to see enhancements to make it simpler to search out and share content material and to allow clinics to customise the instrument.
There are 118 physicians and 43 clinics within the province related to the system. It has been in place at Island hospitals for over a decade.
‘I feel it is a failure to Islanders’
CBC Information requested the Division of Well being for an replace on the value tag, however did not hear again. Nonetheless, in 2009, the auditor common’s workplace pegged the price at $33 million, and extra has been spent since then.
P.E.I.’s Official Opposition mentioned the problems ought to have been recognized earlier on — and that the delays may influence the province’s efforts to draw extra health-care professionals.
“I feel it is a failure to Islanders and it is a failure to our Island physicians, particularly with regards to recruitment,” mentioned Michele Beaton, the Inexperienced Occasion’s Well being critic.
“We all know that that is one thing that’s invaluable to recruit physicians to return to P.E.I.”
