Holland Bloorview launches e-record sharing initiative

TORONTO and OTTAWA – In partnership with The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital has launched one of the first electronic health record (EHR) integrations that enables the sharing of patient information between pediatric hospitals using the Epic and Meditech health information systems.

The system allows Holland Bloorview’s Meditech EHR system to share information with the Epic EHR system used by both SickKids and CHEO. This will significantly simplify and enhance clinicians’ interactions with families and help smooth out client transitions between hospitals.

The first phase of the project launched in September 2022 and allows Holland Bloorview to send patient information to both SickKids and CHEO upon discharge. Since the launch, 804 patient records have been shared. Data points include allergies, diagnoses, vital signs, lab results and diagnostic imaging reports.

“The new interface eliminates the need to formally request sharing of patient files for shared clients/patients, thereby saving time and enhancing patient and family experience through efficiency and enhanced communication across multiple institutions,” said Pakizah Kozak (pictured), chief information officer at Holland Bloorview.

“This innovation enhances and improves client and patient safety, quality of care and communication between hospitals, while ensuring the health information of our shared patients is kept private, secure and is only accessed by those providing care. It is a win-win-win for clients, patients, families and healthcare providers,” said Karen Macaulay, chief information officer at CHEO.

The second phase of the project, launching in late 2022 will allow Holland Bloorview to receive patient information from SickKids and CHEO.

“This is an important clinical and technological milestone for our three hospitals,” said Dr. Karim Jessa, chief medical information officer at SickKids. “We are immensely proud of our teams for their leadership, innovation and tenacity to drive this project forward.”