Frank Vassallo jumps into new role as CEO of the KDH

Frank Vassallo, the new CEO of the Kemptville District Hospital, doesn’t waste time. His feet hit the ground running when he entered his new role on Oct. 5.

Planning discussions are already underway for a new strategic plan at the KDH.

“Most organizations do one every two to three years,” Vassallo explained. The last KDH Strategic Plan was for 2012-2015.

“We need to really map out an effective community engagement process,” said Vassallo.

He explained the KDH will be tapping into the community’s objectives and needs.

“What they feel are priority initiatives,” said Vassallo. “To deliver effective health services.”

Read more at http://www.insideottawavalley.com/news-story/6059102-frank-vassallo-jumps-into-new-role-as-ceo-of-the-kdh/

Dubai’s Canadian Specialist Hospital wins top rating for move towards electronic medical records

Dubai’s Canadian Specialist Hospital wins top rating for move towards electronic medical records

Canadian Specialist Hospital (CSH), one of the leading private sector hospitals in the UAE, has won the topmost rating from Dubai Health Authority (DHA) for progress made in electronic documentation in line with international best practices in integrating information technology for improved patient care.

The DHA evaluation of the level of electronic documentation of medical records in hospitals was based on the internationally accepted Electronic Medical Record Adoption Model (EMRAM). The evaluation process also coincides with Dubai’s ‘Smart City’ initiative, aimed to transform the city into one of the smartest in the world by providing seamless access to various services and utilities across high speed wireless internet.

Electronic Medical Records (EMR) enable hospitals and clinicians to maintain and track data over digital devices to identify and monitor patients for preventive visits, screening and timely intervention. With the paperless system, authorised persons can update data using the Hospital Management System (HIS) anywhere in the hospital so that for doctors, nurses and care-givers have quick and easy access to real-time patient information.

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Privacy breaches at Rouge Valley hospital may have affected Ajax-Pickering patients

Privacy breaches at Rouge Valley hospital may have affected Ajax-Pickering patients

Ontario’s privacy commissioner has found the Rouge Valley Health System failed to protect patient health information following a review of two separate privacy breaches, which may have affected patients at both Centenary and Ajax-Pickering hospitals.

http://m.durhamregion.com/news-story/5211578-privacy-breaches-at-rouge-valley-hospital-may-have-affected-ajax-pickering-patients/

Google Health Canda? Your Health Records and EMR

I always wondered what would happen if Google Health decided to launch in Canada. Would there be an effect on the Canadian Healthcare system? Or would PIPEDA (Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act) get in the way?

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About a year ago Google announced that it would launch a service to allow users to store their own health records on a secure website. There was a lot of discussion about what it would look like but the wait is over. A free public “beta test” version of Google Heath is now operational at google.com/health.

The service allows users to create an online profile that includes information about any medical conditions, test results, procedures, immunizations and medications. You’re also asked to enter in your height, weight, blood type and race. With this information, the service, in theory, could offer you tailored medical information as well as serving as a central hub storing your medical records.

Eventually the goal is for users to be able to import their health information from the secure websites of care providers. To that end, Google already has arrangements with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and the Cleveland Clinic as well the online pharmacies from Longs Drugs, Walgreens, RXAmerica and Medco. A relationship with Quest Diagnostics allows users of its services to import their lab tests. Google also has a link to the American Heart Association’s heart attack risk assessment site so that you can get your customized risk assessment without having to retype your height, weight, cholesterol and other into the Heart Association’s site.

One nice feature is the drug interaction alert that lets you know about potential conflicts between drugs you take. Of course, you have to remember to enter all your drugs for that to work.

Because none of my providers are among Google’s initial partners, I had to enter all the information myself. Fortunately, it was easy to find because the health clinic I use most of the time has its own online service that stores this information. I’m pretty happy with what my provider offers but it’s an island of information. If, for example, I were to have a blood test done elsewhere, that information would not be on my provider’s site nor is there a way I could even type it in. Google is trying to solve that problem by creating a health record keeping system that is controlled by the user, not the health care provider. This is especially important for those of us who don’t belong to a health maintenance organization (HMO) because we might visit different physicians who are not affiliated with each other.

Clearly privacy is the number one concern when it comes to any online medical information service. Google’s health privacy policy states that “You control who can access your personal health information. By default, you are the only user who can view and edit your information.” You can, however choose to share your information with others. The company also promises not to “sell, rent, or share your information” and will let you delete your account or any information in it at any time.

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