An electronic health record system is being planned for Alberta. This will connect Alberta’s 97 hospitals, its primary care networks of family physicians, and the province’s Netcare system together. In addition to cost-saving benefits, a single health information system will allow medical specialists and emergency rooms to determine important information, including what medications an individual is taking and what diagnostic tests have already been done. Albertans themselves will also be able to log in and view their health information. As one member of Pts4Chg wrote, “Linking Healthcare with Primary care with patient! Feeling in the loop.”
Although this initiative will cost hundreds of millions of dollars, according to Carl Amrhein, deputy health minister, “I’d say it’s critical.” Click here to read the full report.