Provincial release:<\/p>\n
Nova Scotians can now access a\u00a0summary\u00a0of their medical information through YourHealthNS.<\/p>\n
A new function on the app allows users to create and share a summarized version of their medical records with a healthcare advisor or another person they trust. This secure\u00a0summary\u00a0could include allergies and intolerances, medical conditions, diagnostic imaging, immunizations, lab tests, medications and hospital visits and stays.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0summary\u00a0is generated from the secure provincial electronic health record. This is the same record that provides Nova Scotians access to view their health information through YourHealthNS.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe more information a provider has about a patient\u2019s health history, the faster they can assess and recommend treatment, especially in an emergency when every moment counts,\u201d said Michelle Thompson, Minister of Health and Wellness. \u201cWe can\u2019t predict when and where we may need care, but we can be prepared. This allows any Nova Scotian to share a\u00a0summary\u00a0of their medical history with any provider, anywhere, in minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The\u00a0summary\u00a0includes health data from hospitals, primary care, pharmacy and virtual care. The information is private and secure and can only be accessed by the user.<\/p>\n
To share a\u00a0summary\u00a0of their medical history, patients must log in to YourHealthNS and generate a unique secure link that can be sent by email or text. Patients must create and share a PIN with the recipient to unlock the\u00a0summary; patients can also generate a QR code on their phone to share with a healthcare provider in person.<\/p>\n
Patient summaries expire 24 hours after they are created, but patients can recall and delete them at any time. Patients are encouraged to speak with their intended recipient about whether they would like to view their\u00a0summary\u00a0and how.<\/p>\n
Nova Scotia\u2019s patient\u00a0summary\u00a0is the most comprehensive medical information\u00a0summary\u00a0available virtually in Canada and meets international standards.<\/p>\n
It is part of an Atlantic Canadian initiative to standardize patient summaries that are aligned on look, format and information presented.<\/p>\n
Quotes:
\u201cPatient\u00a0summary\u00a0expands on our commitment to empower Nova Scotians to be in control of their healthcare journey. This snapshot allows YourHealthNS users to not only access their own data but share it with folks involved in their care, to ultimately see them get the best care possible.\u201d\u00a0
\u2014\u00a0Scott McKenna, Chief Information Officer, Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health<\/p>\n
Quick Facts:
\u2013 the\u00a0summary\u00a0does not capture a patient\u2019s complete medical history as not all historical health information is available
\u2013 since records were made available through YourHealthNS in January 2024 , there have been more than 1.2 million logins by Nova Scotians accessing their healthcare data
\u2013 providing Nova Scotians access to their electronic health records to better manage their healthcare is part of a larger digital health transformation that includes YourHealthNS, virtual care, e-referrals, the Care Coordination Centre, the Oncology Transformation Project and the One Person One Record clinical information system<\/p>\n