Digital technologies: for your consideration

 

Change is always difficult, especially when adopting new technologies into our already busy and overwhelming schedules. Those of us who were able to make the switch have found that  the improved accuracy and efficiency is  worth it, after surviving the initial  learning curve.

OCEAN e-referral

The OCEAN e-Referral Network allows healthcare providers to securely send electronic referrals directly from the  patient’s EMR in real time while keeping patients informed. Ontario Health is covering the costs of the license for Ocean e-referral with consequent wide adoption. UHN, as well as many other institutions, expect to have OCEAN available by the end of 2022. Ordering radiology tests will also be also available on OCEAN. Support to integrate this tool into your EMR is available via the Connected Care Team at UHN.

Facts About OCEAN eReferral

Clinicians that accept eReferrals are easy to find​ in a map based directory

Available at NO cost to clinicians​

  • Ocean eReferral licences and implementation support is funded by the Ministry of Health at no cost to you, the provider. The Toronto Regional Deployment Team is trained on Ocean eReferral to provide support for implementation, training, adoption, and sustained use.

Multiple EMR Integration options​

  • Three of the most common EMRs (Telus PS Suite, Accuro and OSCAR) are integrated with the Ocean eReferral platform. This integration enables clinicians to access Ocean through single-sign on, send referral quickly and receive updates within their EMR, and automatically populate patient information from their EMR within the eReferral form.

To get started, contact the Toronto Region eReferral deployment team at Stephanie.Ong@uhn.ca​.

Prescribe-IT: electronic prescribing finally replacing the fax for Rx

Allows for efficient communication with pharmacy, directly from the EMR. No cost to MDs: Click here to learn more about PrescribeIT® » 

Secure email (PHIPA approved)

There are two different types:

1. Provider to patient

Benefits: Provider initiated so less challenging in managing office practice. Email function within the EMR for accurate record of patient communication. This is required in order to apply for on-line booking funding.

2. Provider to provider

Easy communication with directory of e-mails . Quick information about a shared patient or a medical question. Previously through ONEMAIL, now ONELINKCONNECT (administered by Computacenter, formerly Teramach). Note: We will polling our members to see if there is sufficient interest for our Network to negotiate a preferential rate for this service.

On-line appointment booking

You may be aware, that in the recent Ontario Medical Association Physician Service Agreement with the Ontario Ministry of Health, a commitment was made for primary care practices to offer on-line booking for their patients. With this in mind, Ontario Health has made funding available to family practices to secure this service.

 Here’s what you need to know:

  • To qualify your practice has already established secure email communication with your patients and either have, or are in the process of establishing, a website

  • Funding will cover a practice facilitator to enable the installation of this program into your EMR, the licensing fee for one year and some funds to cover your administrative costs

  • The program will be offered on a first come, first served basis balancing requests from small practices, CHCs and family health teams

  • We are aiming to submit on May 24th for the first round of funding but there will be further opportunities throughout the year to sign up

  • Finally, you can use this service as you see fit, not to manage your full appointment scheduling – for example, select appointments just for childhood immunization or for pap smears

 Please let Karen Burke know as soon as possible if your practice is interested: karen.burke@uhn.ca. The deadline for this round will be on May 19.