New health information technology system to help support quality cancer care

(Hamilton, ON) – Authorized clinicians at cancer care facilities located throughout the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network (HNHB LHIN) will be among the first in Ontario to have access to new decision-making tools and a common electronic patient record, which will allow them to provide safer and more reliable patient care, announced Dr. Bill Evans, President and CEO of the Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre.

“What we’re building together will result in significant quality improvements in cancer care across our region, for patients, and for the care teams,” said Dr. Evans. “Canada Health Infoway’s support is vital, and it will help us ensure the system is implemented quickly and effectively.”

The new system will also help make cancer treatment more efficient by reducing the need for patients to recall and repeat their medical histories and duplicate testing. 

Canada Health Infoway, the federally-funded organization investing in health IT systems across Canada, is investing $4.3 million in the project. 

“Today’s announcement exemplifies the potential of health IT systems to support improved care and more efficient use of resources,” said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO, Canada Health Infoway. “This is about clinicians from various facilities coming together virtually to collaborate on care that is centered around individual patients.” 

The funding will help purchase the software and hardware required to set up for the system’s deployment across the participating sites.  It will also help with the implementation effort, including change management, data conversion, interface development, project management and training.

“I believe patients want to know that all of their information is available to their health care team no matter where in our region they are receiving care,” says Dr. Janice Giesbrecht, Medical Director of Oncology, Niagara Health System (NHS).  “This is an important step in preparing for the opening of the new Walker Family Cancer Centre (WFCC). It will enable us to deliver an integrated radiation treatment program at both the Juravinski Cancer Centre and the new WFCC.”

The following organizations are involved in the Project:

“This investment is critical to support the purchase of the software and hardware needed to deploy the system across the participating sites,” says Gerry Hogue, Vice President and General Manager, Elekta.  “Integrating an oncology information system such as MOSAIQ consolidates the patients’ record and their treatment management in a single system, which can help improve the overall patient experience through enhanced efficiency.”

About Canada Health Infoway

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 information and communications technology 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:

Haley Armstrong
Director, Communications and Public Relations
Canada Health Infoway
519-939-9549
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Heather Pullen

Manager, Public Relations
Hamilton Health Sciences
Tel.: (905) 521-2100, ext. 75387
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