May 27, 2009 (Whitehorse, YK) – Health and Social Services Minister Glenn Hart today announced a telehomecare project to improve the delivery of services to homecare clients.
Departmental homecare staff will now be using a mobile data system, that they can bring into their clients’ homes and access up-to-date electronic homecare records.
“This new data system will make homecare visits more effective and efficient by allowing our staff to involve clients in their care planning and eliminating the need to re-enter information when staff get back to the office,” said Hart.
During a visit to a client’s home, staff will be able to input client assessment data real-time, improving the accuracy and completeness of the data, and eliminating the need to re-enter data captured on paper. In addition, client care plans can be developed and updated while working together with the client in their home.
The protection and security of client data was of critical importance to the telehomecare project and was a key criteria used in selecting the system. The system chosen uses state-of-the-art encryption that protects all data stored on the mobile device from any unauthorized person attempting to access the system.
“Infoway is proud to invest in Yukon’s telehomecare project which will bring essential patient information to the point of care,” said Richard Alvarez, president and CEO, Canada Health Infoway. “This project will support homecare providers with the tools they need to better engage their clients in their care planning and to maximize their time with clients to enable better health outcomes.”
The mobile data system project is budgeted at $550,000. Canada Health Infoway is providing $500,000 towards the project, with the remaining $50,000 being funded by Yukon Health and Social Services.
Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Infoway jointly invests with every province and territory to accelerate the development and adoption of electronic health record projects in Canada. Fully respecting patient confidentiality, these secure systems will provide clinicians and patients with the information they need to better support safe care decisions and manage their own health. Accessing this vital information quickly will help foster a more modern and sustainable health care system for all Canadians.
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For more information:
Dan Strasbourg
Canada Health Infoway
416-595-3424
dstrasbourg@infoway-inforoute.ca