What is eHealth?
e-Health is the practical application of information and communications technologies in the delivery of health care.
Health care runs on information. Information about patients. Information about the latest treatments. Information about where needed care is available. Like never before, modern technologies offer the opportunity to ensure this vital health information is available when and where it is needed. The promise of e-Health’s improved information management is reduced wait times, increased patient involvement, fewer errors, better access to services and a more efficient health system.
eHealth Leadership in the Province
e-Health is the foundation of a modern, integrated, accessible and sustainable health care system. To succeed, an unprecedented degree of leadership and cooperation is needed by Ontario’s various health care providers and organizations. Listed below are some key players working together in providing e-Health leadership in the province, each with its own role, responsibility and contribution.
Hospitals
Ontario’s hospitals are front line leaders and pioneers in the integration of information technology into the delivery of patient care. Drawing on their intimate experience of how care is delivered, hospitals make strategic investments in the people and applications that will enhance the efficient delivery, quality and access to health care services within their institutions. As large health service providers in their communities, hospitals are important partners in improving the integration of local health services through better communication and information sharing.
eHealth Ontario
eHealth Ontario, a new organization, will lead the province in harnessing information technology and innovation to improve patient care, safety and access in support of the government’s health strategy. They will provide a single, harmonized, coherent province-wide eHealth Strategy and align it through a single point of accountability. Their work will enable and fulfill the government’s strategic healthcare priorities. READ MORE
Canada Health Infoway
Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) works in collaboration with health ministries, regional authorities, other health care organizations and information system vendors to accelerate the implementation of electronic health information systems in Canada. As a strategic investor, Infoway works collaboratively with jurisdictional partners to develop and share the long-term health infostructure vision for Canada, and facilitate national collaboration to ensure that public and private sector stakeholders jointly plan, share best practices and continually improve the deployment of the pan-Canadian health infostructure. READ MORE
Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs)
LHINs, responsible for the delivery of health system integration initiatives at a regional level in Ontario, have identified e-Health as a fundamental enabler to integration. The 14 LHINs are working in collaborative partnership with providers and the e-Health Program to move the e-Health agenda forward. READ MORE
Cancer Care Ontario
As the provincial government’s chief cancer advisor, Cancer Care Ontario directs over $500-million in public funding for cancer prevention, detection and care. CCO plays an e-Health role in providing supportive information technology solutions for the delivery of cancer care across the province. READ MORE
OntarioMD
OntarioMD supports physician adoption of information technology (IT) by connecting Ontario physicians to valuable products and services, and each other, with the primary goal to help physicians implement efficiencies in their practice and deliver improved patient care by leveraging the value of IT. READ MORE
Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres (OACCAC)
The OACCAC represents Ontario’s 14 Community Care Access Centres, providing a technology backbone and helping to facilitate their adoption of e-Health tools to support better client care and integration with other providers. READ MORE
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO)
The RNAO Nursing and e-Health Project facilitates the nursing profession’s involvement in the Ontario e-Health agenda and support nurses to take a leadership role in the adoption of communication and information systems in all health-care settings. READ MORE