Miramichi hospital eliminates paper in medical imaging

MIRAMICHI, N.B. – Horizon Health Network’s Miramichi Regional Hospital (MRH) has successfully completed a first-in-New Brunswick pilot project that is eliminating paper usage, increasing workflow and improving quality of care for patients.

The hospital’s Medical Imaging Department has eliminated all paper-based imaging requisitions, worksheets and consent forms. Imaging orders and related documentation are now captured, routed and stored electronically within a secure digital environment.

“Going paperless is more than a technology upgrade. It’s a reimagining of how we deliver care,” said Ryan Duggan (pictured), director of medical imaging for the Miramichi area. “Our imaging technologists, clerical team members and radiologists have embraced this change with enthusiasm and professionalism. Together, they’ve shown how this innovation can make care safer, faster and more connected for our patients.”

Horizon is using software developed by Process Fusion, a Canadian-based cloud solutions provider that focuses on automating processes. Work began in September 2024 with designing workflows and scanning existing paperwork into the system.

The pilot project went live in July, with more than 30,000 digital requests processed by the system to date. Moving to a digital system will save the pilot site around 250,000 sheets of paper per year.

For staff on the front lines, who used to handle hundreds of paper requisitions each week, moving to a fully paperless workflow has made a big difference for them.

“Now, everything is at our fingertips,” said Pam Keating, medical radiation technologist at MRH. “It’s faster and there’s less chance of something being misplaced. We get to focus more on our patients.”

The initiative is expected to expand to other departments across Horizon following the success of the Miramichi pilot.

“Projects like this are one of the ways we are transforming health care through innovation,” said Jeff Carter, Horizon’s VP professional services. “We are proud of the team at the Miramichi Regional Hospital for their work to reimagine healthcare delivery.”

The announcement came during Medical Radiation Technologist Week, which ran from Nov. 2 to 8.