During the past summer, Mackenzie Health introduced a groundbreaking electronic medical record (EMR), revolutionizing the delivery of care in the community. Developed in partnership with Epic, this comprehensive EMR marks the first full-suite Epic installation in Canada. The state-of-the-art system allows the care team to dedicate more time to patients, equips physicians with the necessary information for quicker healthcare decisions, and empowers patients with seamless access to their health records.
Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, emphasizes Mackenzie Health’s vision to create a world-class health experience for patients and families. The implementation of the new EMR aligns with this vision, influencing patient care at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, and at the broader health system level.
The benefits of the new EMR extend to patients, streamlining the registration process for faster and more efficient service. Similar to airport check-ins, patients with scheduled appointments at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital can input their health card number on a Self-Serve Registration Kiosk. They can then follow on-screen instructions, receive an armband from a Patient Assistance representative, and proceed to their appointment.
For patients using E Check-In through the enhanced MyChart, registration is even quicker. MyChart allows patients to register up to seven days before their appointment, receiving a barcode that they can scan upon arrival at the hospital. MyChart is also available as a mobile app for a user-friendly experience.
Within MyChart, patients gain access to their personal health information, appointment details, and, in select areas, the ability to communicate with their care provider through written messages. The integration of health records ensures that the entire care team shares the same information, reducing redundant questioning or duplicate tests, ultimately optimizing patient care.
The introduction of our new electronic medical record stands as one of the most transformative projects in Mackenzie Health’s history, propelling us to the forefront of care delivery,” stated Dr. Steven Jackson, Chief of Staff at Mackenzie Health. The collaborative effort of staff, physicians, and volunteers over the past two years has culminated in the successful implementation of the end-to-end Epic system, making Mackenzie Health the pioneering hospital in Canada to achieve this milestone.
Equipped with bedside computers, nurses and physicians now have real-time access to integrated clinical information, enabling them to document care instantly and send orders directly to the lab and pharmacy. The new EMR enhances medication safety through closed-loop medication administration and barcode validation at the patient’s bedside, reducing the likelihood of errors. Additional benefits for staff, physicians, and clinicians include:
- Increased opportunity to provide direct care and spend more time with patients.
- Clinical and best-practice alerts to aid clinicians in decision-making.
- Online education tools and resource manuals.
- Support for excellent patient care with bedside nursing/patient discussions and documentation.
Epic, the software developer for the system, is globally recognized for its leadership in medical records and information technology. Having implemented its systems in thousands of hospitals worldwide, Epic is set to introduce them in several Canadian hospitals in the coming years.
Judy Faulkner, CEO of Epic, commended Mackenzie Health as Epic’s first enterprise community member in Canada. She emphasized the commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate, and timely care, enabling Mackenzie Health to expand its patient-centered and community-based medicine for York Region and beyond. The partnership aims to contribute to the shared goal of improving people’s health and well-being.
The journey to the new EMR spanned two years, involving software build, consultation, testing, and education. Two weeks before the launch, over 100 Mackenzie Health staff transitioned more than 15,000 scheduled appointments to the new Epic EMR, covering various medical procedures and imaging tests. Additionally, 1,500 surgeries and ambulatory procedures were seamlessly converted, streamlining provincial wait times and procedure schedules for physician offices.
A multidisciplinary team worked tirelessly in the preparation phase, ensuring that all admitted patients were captured within Epic on July 7, facilitating continued high-quality care during the EMR launch on July 8. A technical Command Centre and an Operations Support Centre, staffed 24/7 by over 90 personnel, provided crucial support to staff, physicians, and volunteers during the transition.
