IWK Children’s Hospital Launches New Health System This Weekend

UPDATE: The IWK Health Centre in Halifax is set to launch the revolutionary clinical information system, One Person One Record, this Saturday, October 7, 2023. This major upgrade is poised to transform healthcare delivery across Nova Scotia, impacting over 26,000 healthcare professionals statewide.

This cutting-edge system, developed under a $365 million contract with Oracle Health Canada, will integrate health information from various Nova Scotia Health and IWK sites for the first time. This change is aimed at enhancing communication and coordination among healthcare providers, ultimately improving patient care.

Health Minister Michelle Thompson emphasized the importance of this initiative:

“One Person One Record is an important step to transform how our healthcare system communicates, shares information and delivers better care to Nova Scotians.”

The system will streamline processes, reduce errors, and minimize the need for duplicate tests, which is critical for timely decision-making in patient care.

As the launch approaches, temporary staffing adjustments will be made to ensure a smooth transition, with comprehensive training and support provided to all involved. President and CEO of IWK Health, Dr. Krista Jangaard, expressed gratitude for the dedication of staff and highlighted the system’s potential to enhance safety and efficiency:

“I am deeply grateful for the hard work of our staff and physicians as we prepared for this moment.”

However, patients and families should be prepared for potentially longer wait times during this transition period, although emergency and urgent care services will remain operational. Following this weekend’s launch, the Central Zone of Nova Scotia Health will begin implementing the system in May 2026.

This major advancement represents a significant milestone in the evolution of healthcare in Nova Scotia, marking a new era of integrated patient information management. Stay tuned for further updates as the IWK Health Centre embarks on this transformative journey.

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