NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release 2008HEALTH0074-001119 July 21, 2008	Ministry of Health Services
PATIENTS, DOCTORS BENEFIT FROM ONLINE MEDICAL RECORDS

 

PENTICTON – Doctors in Penticton are among the first in British Columbia to receive computer hardware and software as part of the Province’s electronic medical record project, which is rolling out across B.C.

 

            “Doctors in the Okanagan are pioneering a new age in health care,” said Health Services Minister George Abbott, who was given a demonstration by local doctors. “Electronic medical records will move information faster to physicians, reducing duplicate tests improving patient privacy and confidentiality and safety.”

 

Abbott was joined by Penticton-Okanagan Valley MLA Bill Barisoff to see the new technology that is being used by Drs. J & L Harries Medical Services Inc. on Ellis Street.

 

Electronic medical records are customized computer software and hardware that give physicians secure online access to records in their offices and, over time, link to online lab results, diagnostic procedures like X-rays, CT and MRI scans, medication histories and electronic prescriptions through the Province’s eHealth program.

 

“Giving doctors access to online records will cut delays and help patients get faster, safer and better care,” said Barisoff. “Physicians in our community are pioneering real improvements for patients right now in their offices.”

 

“Electronic medical records assist physicians in providing better care to their patients,” said Dr. Jeff Harries. “Electronic medical records allow physicians to do things that they are unable to do using paper charts. For example, instantly seeing test results when they are available rather than relying on mail or a local courier, tracking the best therapeutic options and checking drug-to-drug interactions or recalls to ensure patients are as healthy as possible.”

 

Dr. Harries and colleagues are among the first physicians in British Columbia to use government-approved electronic medical records systems on a highly secure physician-only network.

 

TELUS provides secure network support to connect to their electronic medical record.

 

 

All patient information will be protected by privacy measures that are among the strongest in Canada. The personal health information in the electronic medical record will comply with the Personal Information Privacy Act that governs the use of information in physicians’ offices.

 

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1 backgrounder(s) attached.
Media contact:	David Karn Senior Public Affairs Officer Ministry of Health Services 250 213-3760 (cell) 250 952-1887 (media line)
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