Diagnostic imaging

Norfolk General Hospital joins SWODIN

SIMCOE, Ont. – Norfolk General Hospital has connected to the Southwestern Ontario Diagnostic Imaging Network (SWODIN), the largest diagnostic imaging repository (DI-r) in use in Ontario to date.

The network is one of four across the province that enables participating healthcare facilities to electronically store, retrieve and share patient diagnostic health information such as X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs. Annually, the Southwestern Ontario Diagnostic Imaging Network will manage more than 3 million exams.

“Norfolk General Hospital’s ability to share images with other healthcare facilities will be of enormous benefit to the patients we serve,” said William Lewis, President & CEO, Norfolk General Hospital. “The repository will facilitate discussion with Specialist Consultants and assist in determining whether or not it is necessary to transfer the patient to a regional centre.”

Norfolk General Hospital joins a growing list of healthcare facilities in the HNHB LHIN to connect to SWODIN. To date, five healthcare systems representing 29 hospitals are sharing their diagnostic images via the repository.

Mohawk Shared Services Inc. (MSS) has established a Diagnostic Imaging Division and will work with the participating organizations in Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant (HNHB) & Waterloo Wellington (WW) Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) to connect them to the SWODIN DI-r over the next 18 months.

Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) has provided $37 million and eHealth Ontario has provided $26 million in funding to support the transfer of diagnostic images and reports between the healthcare organizations in Southwestern Ontario.

The project is part of the Ontario government’s ehealth agenda and Infoway’s vision for a pan-Canadian electronic health record system. “We are proud to provide the network and be a funding partner of an initiative which advances healthcare delivery and benefits Ontarians,” said Greg Reed, President and CEO, eHealth Ontario. “This project illustrates how collaboration within the healthcare system can improve patient care.”

“With Norfolk General Hospital now connected to SWODIN, patients in Norfolk County will benefit from more modern, efficient healthcare resulting from investments in electronic health record systems,” said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway. “The ability to share important health information, like diagnostic images and reports, is key to a more efficient healthcare system with shorter wait times.”

Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. Infoway jointly invests with every province and territory to accelerate the development and adoption of electronic health record projects in Canada.

MSS began in 1972 as a central laundry for hospitals in southern Ontario. Today, in addition to Linen and DI-r divisions, services are also provided throughout Ontario via Supply Chain and Hurst Place Employee Assistance divisions. The vision of MSS is to excel as a shared services organization by delivering services that support healthcare and our communities.

Posted June 17, 2010