We appreciate your patience as our teams become familiar with our new Hospital Information System.
Please note that Emergency Department wait time clocks are temporarily offline for a minimum of two weeks to allow for integration into the new system. To support patients during this time, we will have volunteers in our EDs to assist with any questions and provide guidance, allowing our staff and physicians to remain focused on patient care.
Niagara Health and Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre have launched a new Hospital Information System (HIS) designed to improve how we deliver care.
The new system connects patients and healthcare providers with easy-to-access electronic health records that help increase the accuracy and efficiency of care, reduce duplication and errors, and improve health outcomes.
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Is my health information secured in the new system?
Your privacy is our top priority. Our new system continues to protect your personal health information and you have the option to opt out of sharing some details.
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What is a hospital information system?
A hospital information system is state-of-the-art technology that will support Niagara Health’s delivery of modern, world-class healthcare services. It will help us to replace paper-based records and outdated electronic processes with more modern, connected and accessible electronic health records.
The system will enable better management of data, improved patient safety, faster access to information, enhanced quality and consistency of patient care, and more.
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What platform was used to build the new system?
Niagara Health signed a 10-year agreement with Oracle Cerner to build the modern hospital information system that serves all five Niagara Health hospital sites and the Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.
The new system includes digital solutions to manage information for inpatient and outpatient services, including acute care, surgical care, emergency and urgent care, complex care, mental health, cancer care and rehab. Niagara Health has implemented Cerner technology, using the Cerner Canadian Reference Model, which is based on Canadian best practices and interoperability standards.
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Why does it matter to healthcare providers?
Providing healthcare professionals with easy access to a patient’s medical record means they are able to quickly retrieve information about a patient’s condition, allergies, medications, past visits and more. There isn't time lost searching for paper charts, writing paper orders or deciphering handwriting. This means more meaningful time with patients instead of having to spend time asking questions the patient has already answered or ordering repeat diagnostic tests because they can’t access the results.
All care providers have secure access to patient health records and also receive alerts and clinical direction to support efficiency and optimize decision-making where it is appropriate. The intuitive solutions that support the new system help to enhance user efficiency, productivity and satisfaction. Most importantly, the system was built by clinicians and has been customized to meet their specific needs and workflows used at Niagara Health.
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Why does it matter to patients?
The hospital information system empowers patients to be more involved in their care. They are able to access their own electronic health records and, in some cases, communicate with their healthcare providers through secure messaging.
Patients can book or change appointments virtually, register or check in for their appointments, view clinical information, update their personal information, access reliable and trustworthy resources, and much more.
Extraordinary Caring. Every Person. Every Time.
