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A new provincewide electronic health information system went live across Newfoundland and Labrador 6:30 a.m. NT on Saturday — and it’s expected to cause some slowdowns across the health-care system, says the province’s health authority.
CorCare is expected to provide health-care professionals and patients with a single shared digital health record, and support safer care for patients, smoother transitions between services and better continuity across hospitals, clinics, continuing care and community care.
In a media release on Saturday morning, Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services (NLHS) said patients will benefit from improved access to their personal health information through MyHealthNL, be able to view NLHS appointments, test results, waitlists, care plans and clinic notes.
NLHS said no appointments will be cancelled because of launch, and inpatient services, urgent and emergent services, medical imaging and non-elective hospital services will continue as usual, along with emergency departments throughout the province.
“This phased approach creates time within the day for anticipated slowdowns as physicians and staff learn new ways of working, followed by a planned recovery period,” reads the NLHS media release, adding “extensive supports are in place to help health care staff during the transition. “
CorCare replaces outdated systems like Meditech, NLHS said. The system is based on the Epic software platform, which has already been used in many parts of Canada and the United States.
Previous concerns
Last month, doctors across the province raised their concerns about the new system, and said it threatens to harm patients and push some physicians to retire or leave the province.
Over 250 physicians signed a petition calling for NLHS to stagger the rollout of the system
Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, a dermatologist in St. John’s, signed the petition and a letter to the province’s health authority. (Mark Quinn/ CBC)
The health authority responded by changing some aspects of the system’s agreement, to make it no longer mandatory for all physicians. There are also now systems in place to deal with paper requisitions if community-based doctors want to stick with that method.
Meanwhile, some rural doctors were also hoping for an extension on the launch of the system, to allow them time to learn it.
Dr. Cynthia Slade, president of the Newfoundland and Labrador Medical Association (NLMA), asked the health authority for a break for physicians who work in rural emergency departments while running their own family clinics.
Slade said those doctors should be given two to three months to get used to the system.
The health authority responded in a media release on Friday, saying there may be delays for some specialty clinics and elective surgeries due to the rollout, but no appointments will be cancelled.
Emergency and in-patient treatment, imaging and non-elective surgeries “will continue operating as usual.”
“System experts will be available in-person at rural health sites throughout the province to provide physicians and health-care professionals with learning and system navigation support, including orders, referrals, documentation, how‑to guidance, efficiency tips, and more,” NLHS wrote.
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