Communications

Ontario Hospitals On Leading Edge Of Transforming Healthcare


Ontario Hospital Association
200 Front Street West, Suite 2800
Toronto, Ontario, M5V 3L1
Tel: (416) 205-1345 Fax: (416) 205-1360
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Tuesday, August 24, 2004

TORONTO – Better integration and improving access to health care using communications and information technology are key priorities for the Ontario Hospital eHealth Council in 2004/05, the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) announced today.

"Technology can play a huge role in improving integration and increasing access to health services," said Tom Closson, Chair of the Ontario Hospital eHealth Council and President and CEO of the University Health Network. "We’re excited about our work at the Hospital eHealth Council because we can play an important role in helping transform Ontario’s healthcare system."

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care recently renewed its funding support for the Ontario Hospital eHealth Council, allocating just under a million dollars for initiatives in 2004/05. While many projects are planned for the time ahead, some of the most significant include:

  • Helping Create a Unique Patient Identification: Helping to create a unique identification number for every Ontario patient to seamlessly improve access to health services, improve patient safety and save money;
  • Integrating Health Care: Creating an annual information and communications technology assessment tool to identify gaps and system needs to improve health system integration, especially regionally and locally;
  • Seamless Communication of Information: Preventing unnecessary cost increases by ensuring that hospitals are able to share clinical and technical information using compatible technology and consistent standards.

"Ontario hospitals are leaders in promoting and advancing change," added Sam Marafioti, Vice Chair of the Ontario Hospital eHealth Council and Vice President, eHealth and Chief Technology Officer, Sunnybrook and Women's College Health Sciences Centre. "Our work is breaking new ground and has tremendous potential when it comes to improving access to care."

The Hospital eHealth Council was established to provide hospital industry leadership in eHealth and support the implementation of eHealth solutions which can improve health outcomes and the management and delivery of care across the entire health system. The Ontario Hospital Association and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care jointly fund the Council.
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For further information:
OHA Public Affairs
416-205-1348