Editor's note: Mr. Frick writes in response to the BayToday article North Bay hospital one of 23 going digital.
-----
To the editor:
As a recent client of our health system, I was subject to the expected delays as ER staff adjusted to the new "ONE Record " medical record system.
I became aware of this new system that covers 23 medical systems across Northeastern Ontario allowing sharing and exchange of data across all facilities in the region from a CBC news item.
Five years to implement, bringing all from paper only to current record standards. Great progress I thought only to discover that it is not compatible with the systems in Southern Ontario ! What this means in real terms:
1. A neurosurgeon in Toronto can't directly read the test data and records from a Temiskaming Shores patient without help.
2. The rotating/visiting surgeons who fill in some northern vacancies will deal with a different system.
3. Agency nurses [we have our share up here] are similarly compromised.
4. Software upgrades/enhancements/bug fixes will be beta tested on a smaller set testers.
5. Advances to the bigger South Ontario system will be ahead of ours and we will always be 1 step behind.
I have the utmost respect and gratitude for our healthcare professionals. Who would think that 'going our own way' is the best thing for us?
William Frick
Temiskaming Shores
