A new online portal launched by four area hospitals will give patients access to their medical information, test results, medication history, and scheduled appointments.
The My Health Care patient portal was a joint effort between Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, Georgian Bay General Hospital in Midland, Headwaters Health Care in Orangeville, and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie.
“No matter where you receive care across our four hospitals, your information will be added to a secure, electronic file that allows your care team to have immediate access to vital information while providing you with access to your own health information,” said Dave Brewin, regional chief information officer, in a news release.
Accessible from any device that connects to the internet, the system will allow patients the discretion to share their information with family members and caregivers.
Stacey LePage, a member of the patient, family and caregiver portal working group, said the ability to access personal care information at any time makes her healthcare journey more accessible.
"I feel empowered having the tools to be an active participant in my care," she said in a news release.
She is re-entering treatment and said it will be helpful to view and review notes and her prognosis from home where she can process the information at her own pace.
According to a news release sent jointly by the four hospitals, the portal contains health information obtained from the Collingwood, Barrie, Midland and Orangeville hospitals as of April 1, 2022. Information, once signed by a doctor will be available immediately and test results will take about 14 days to appear on the portal.
The portal was made possible in part because all four hospitals also underwent a health information system (MEDITECH Expanse) change in September 2021, which created one shared electronic medical record for the four hospitals.
“COVID-19 has placed technology under a microscope, magnifying the need to ensure modern technology systems are in place,” said Brewin. “Implementing MEDITECH Expanse allowed our hospitals to move to a one patient, one record approach – a big win for the communities we collectively serve.”
For access to the portal, patients can provide an email address to the hospital when they register for an appointment or procedure. Alternatively, patients can email [email protected] to view their health information. The information will only include what has occurred through the four hospitals and only from April 1, 2022 onward.
