Like many hospitals, Quinte Health Care (Belleville, Ontario) was searching for a solution which could transmit data from the hospital's information system to physicians at its affiliated family health facilities. Knowing it would result in streamlined health care processes and improved patient care, Quinte Health Care also wanted to ensure the solution would minimize future costs as additional physician offices adopt EMRs and receive hospital test results.

After many years of dealing with paper test results and records, phone calls, and faxes, Quinte Health Care landed the opportunity to participate in a Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) initiative funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). "The hospital was awarded the funding we needed to select a technology solution that would enable Quinte Health Care's MEDITECH Health Care Information System to send results directly into the EMR at Prince Edward Family Health Team (PEFHT)," states Information Management (I.M.) Director, J.R. Dick. "We found the solution we were looking for in Data Express."

Data Express would electronically send data to family health facilities, beginning with PEFHT, where physicians would access the data through their own EMR solution. Besides providing streamlined, cost-effective data transmission between MEDITECH facilities and physician practices, Data Express is one important step hospitals can take in their journey to demonstrate interoperability. "This is a first for Quinte Health Care, and we are very proud to offer a model for the rest of the province," states Dick.

Trust and Confidence Key to Vendor Selection
A longtime MEDITECH customer, Quinte Health Care was excited about choosing Forward Advantage's Data Express solution. "Forward Advantage's strong relationship with MEDITECH was a key factor in our decision," says Dick.

A successful implementation confirmed Quinte Health Care had made the right vendor decision. "The system was up and running quickly and smoothly," Dick explains. "We had to work within a tight timeline, based on the funding we received, but we got the job done thanks to having the right solution and the right staff." Working along side the Quinte team, Forward Advantage and MEDITECH implemented the system in less than 60 days—from decision (including contracts) to LIVE.

The very talented Quinte team included I.M. Interface Specialist and Project Leader, Ron Baugh, who played a large role in ensuring the project's success. His responsibilities included representing the needs of the hospital as well as the Prince Edward Family Health Team, while working directly with the computer system vendors. According to Baugh, "It was a great opportunity to work on this type of project from start to finish, as well as deal with a diverse group of participants. It was especially rewarding to be able to work in PEFHT while logged onto our hospital system and watch the data results flow to PEFHT's EMR."

According to Baugh, PEFHT is currently receiving radiology and departmental information, including patient histories and physicals, discharge summaries, consultation notes, and emergency department reports. But it won't stop there, as the family health facilities and Quinte Health Care wish to continue expanding this project. Dick explains, "Originally, the funding for this aspect of the project did not include laboratory results, but Quinte Health Care is positioned to move ahead with Forward Advantage in concert with eHealth when the time is right."

Physicians Excited about Electronic Solution
The physicians at PEFHT are also pleased with their new Data Express solution. PEFHT physician Dr. Greg Higgins says, "After going LIVE, the response from both providers and staff members has been overwhelmingly positive."

Dr. Higgins adds one such benefit has been a major reduction in the use of paper. "I would estimate the amount of paper coming into my office has been reduced by about 60 percent. This has significantly reduced the workload on my staff who previously had to scan all this paper into the system and insert it into the correct location within the patient's chart, then shred the paper reports. We are now receiving reports from MEDITECH in near real time which are then automatically inserted into the correct location within the patient's chart."

Previously, if Dr. Higgins ordered a test on another provider's patient—in the Emergency Department, for example—the test required follow-up and he would have to call the provider to ensure the provider was looking after it. "Now I can glance at the chart and see that the provider is looking after it. Any follow-up on received reports is appended to the document and can easily be reviewed by any team member," says Dr. Higgins.

This major step toward interoperability among health care facilities has been positive on so many fronts, Dr. Higgins states, "This is a splendid example of provider offices and the hospital working together to improve patient care."