EDCO Amplifies Electronic Access at The Ottawa Hospital Sep 21st, 2009

EDCO announces a partnership to amplify electronic access to patient records at The Ottawa Hospital. The partnership includes the implementation of Solarity™ technology to quickly digitize paper records along with the installation of EDCO’s electronic health record system, Solcom.

The relationship stemmed from an RFP seeking a qualified solution to improve access to clinical information residing on paper and reduce operating costs. EDCO Group, Inc. provided the proven resources to accomplish these goals in an aggressive timeline.

The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) has an existing EMR to handle the already-electronic patient information, but ongoing paper records create a hybrid environment for accessing complete records. Previously, when a clinician traveled between campuses, paper charts were signed out and transported between clinics, departments and campuses. Improving accessibility to patient information would have a positive impact on clinical decision-making and departmental efficiency. Therefore, TOH made it a key strategy to implement a solution to capture, transmit and view paper documents electronically.

Documents scanned and indexed with Solarity will integrate into the hospital’s existing Oacis EMR (by Emergis) and create a comprehensive point of access for clinicians. “Solarity allows us to accurately index charts without barcoding – helping hospitals reach true electronic status quicker,” comments Rob Bentley, Canadian Business Manager for EDCO. “Scanning efficiency is a critical aspect of getting records into the EMR,” adds Bentley.

Solcom™ will store and route documents electronically, while working in concert with current health information systems. Workflow technology within Solcom will automate once-manual duties, such as chart analysis and deficiency completion. “We look forward to the efficiency that EDCO can bring to our health records processes and significant impact that we will have on the quality of patient care as clinicians access clinical information at the point of care,” says Connie Colasante, Professional Services VP for TOH.

Installation is underway with a Phase-One completion aimed for November, 2009. Upon implementation, medical staff will have prompt access to patient information and the Health Records Department will be able to eliminate paper-based retrieval.

About The Ottawa Hospital

The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) is a 1,000-bed, five-campus hospital with several remote patient care facilities and remote office buildings. The Ottawa Hospital is a leading academic health sciences centre in Canada. Together with its partners, TOH is nationally recognized for outstanding patient care, education and research. Services are concentrated on three main campuses: the Civic, General and Riverside. Visit www.ottawahospital.on.ca for more information.

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