Health Records
Over the past two years, the Health Records Department has worked diligently to consolidate all the hospital health records to the 7th Avenue site. This has involved the merging of patient charts and the establishment of a standardized patient record system for the hospital. This new system provides caregivers with one central point of documentation. Long term goals are to strive for a “paperless” health record for all caregivers. The computerized patient care system has and will continue to improve the turnaround time for reports to the northern communities and private physician offices.
In November 2004, Ontario’s privacy legislation the “Personal Health Information Protection Act” came into effect. The staff of the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre are committed to protecting any and all personal information we maybe privy too. Our Privacy Officer continues to keep staff up-to-date on the new legislation; and in conjunction with hospital staff, has been developing new policies and procedures regarding patient privacy and to ensure that only authorized individuals have access to personal and health information. For further information on our privacy practices feel free to contact our Coordinator of Health Information & Privacy - Sonya Fewer @ (807) 737-6551, FAX (807) 737-6267.
In addition, the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre is participating in a provincial electronic Health Record initiative which will provide links to all the hospitals in Northwestern Ontario. It is anticipated that initial steps will take place during the summer of 2005 with linkages established with physician clinics at a later date and then community based services in subsequent years. This will ultimately improve patient services through the timely access to information.
For more information, call Sonya Fewer (807) 737-6551.