Canada Starts a Program to Explain Electronic Health Records to Its Population

I just came upon this release from Canada Health Infoway.

The site is found here

Electronic Health Records – Infoway Special Report in The Globe and Mail

"If Canadians want to realize the benefits of electronic health records, it's up to the public to demand them." - Richard Alvarez, CEO, Canada Health Infoway

Read new articles and learn more about how information technology is improving health care for Canadians today…

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In downtown Toronto, an elderly man finds his way to an emergency ward late in the evening.

Doctors' offices and patients see benefits

When a drug is recalled, informing patients quickly is vital.

Technology overcomes geography

For the many Canadians who live outside of the major urban centres, accessing critical health care often involves the emotional and financial trauma of leaving family and home behind...

Better management, accountability improves access for patients

Grace De Jong's breast cancer was successfully treated by lumpectomy in 1999, but recently she began experiencing new symptoms.

SARS outbreak illustrates impediments of antiquated system

Forty-four people would die of SARS in Canada in 2003; a total of 442 probable and suspected cases would occur.

Online patient portal opens new doors

Experts say self-management combined with early intervention of health care teams can delay the progression of kidney disease in the pre-dialysis stage.

Kiosks a boon to triage nurses, ER patients

While many Canadians are familiar with using electronic kiosks to check in at airlines or do their banking – a ground-breaking project starting this month on both campuses of the Scarborough Hospital will use the idea in their emergency departments.

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This seems to me like a sensible and worthwhile step to take and should be commended.

Just where the powers that be in Australia are up to in all this doesn't even bear thinking about. Heavens I hope that changes soon! Their problem is, of course, that they have few real successes to talk about!

David.