Canada Health Infoway
Canada Health Infoway is an independent, federally funded, not-for-profit organization tasked with accelerating the adoption of digital health solutions, such as electronic health records, across Canada. As a strategic investor, Infoway works with the Canadian provinces and territories to co-fund the implementation of electronic medical records and other digital health projects. Infoway’s members are Canada's 14 federal, provincial and territorial Deputy Ministers of Health.
The use of digital health solutions is intended to improve access to care for Canadians, improve the efficiency of individual health care providers and make the health care system as a whole more efficient.
Currently, 74 per cent of physicians in Canada have electronic medical records.[1]
Projects
Since 2001, Infoway has approved projects in the following targeted program areas:
- Diagnostic Imaging Systems
- Drug Information Systems
- Innovation and Adoption
- Interoperable EHR
- Laboratory Information Systems
- Patient Access to Quality Care
- Public Health Surveillance
- Registries
- Telehealth
Goals
The goal of Canada Health Infoway is to improve health care and the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health solutions across Canada. Infoway has helped fund several types of digital health solutions, such as laboratory information systems, diagnostic imaging systems, drug information systems, registries and interoperable electronic health records.
It has been reported that electronic medical records saved $1.3 billion over six years, improved chronic disease management and improved communications amongst care providers.[2]
In 2015, Canada’s clinical interoperability action plan was launched and Canada Health Infoway is working in collaboration with the health care community to drive clinical interoperability in three priority areas: medication management, communicable disease management and the co-ordination of care. Another goal of Canada Health Infoway is to help drive the development of consumer health solutions such as e-visits and e-booking through demonstration projects and innovation challenges.
Auditor General report
A 2009 report by the Auditor General of Canada found that Canada Health Infoway showed "due regard" for taxpayers' money in its financial management. Canada Health Infoway accepted all recommendations listed in the report.
See also
- Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada
- European Institute for Health Records
- National Resource Center for Health Information Technology (USA)
- ISO TC 215
- RTSS
- Canadian EMR