First Nation health care organizations begin a technological journey with Electronic Medical Records.

WIKWEMIKONG UNCEDED TERRITORY (March 7, 2017)—Giiwednong Health Link is pleased to announce the implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) on the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory.  The milestone EMR “Go Live” event celebrated the successful partnership established between Giiwednong Health Link, TELUS Health, Health Canada, and the Wikwemikong community.  The launch of the EMR is the result of significant planning and vision to achieve “optimal health care” in our First Nation communities as noted by Roger Beaudin, President for Giiwednong Health Link.

The EMR “Go Live” launch event highlighted Wikwemikong Nahndahweh Tchigehgamig Health Centre as the first of fourteen Giiwednong Health Link member First Nations to implement the TELUS Health EMR solution.  Michael McGregor, the Digital Health Program Manager for Giiwednong Health Link, explained that the healthcare staff were actually now on the new EMR solution as the EMR launch was being celebrated and that this day marked the beginning of improved access to health information that will lead to better healthcare.

TELUS Health, Canada’s largest health IT company, is the developer of the newly implemented EMR solution – called Practice Solutions (PS Suite).   PS Suite is a powerful and intuitive EMR that has been designed to optimize patient care, productivity, and administrative capability. TELUS Health’s Dave Rama, who was in attendance at the event, remarked that the comprehensive functionality of PS Suite is an excellent fit for First Nation communities with features that enable holistic and cohesive patient care by connecting all members of the healthcare team.

The Chief of the Wikwemikong Unceded Territory, Ogimaa Duke Peltier, applauded the efforts of all involved.  Ogimaa Peltier added that the health centre will now operate with the “data that is necessary to have a fully encompassing health delivery system, available at the fingertips of each practitioner. This will assist professionals and help attain health and wellness for all our members”.

A congratulatory letter from Health Canada was sent to the event from Keith Conn, Regional Executive of the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch – Ontario Region.  “This work shows leadership and a dedication to increasing access to quality health care for First Nations in Ontario.”

The event concluded with all of the EMR partners being honoured by a “travelling song” sung by the High Eagle singers…a fitting gesture given that the partners have now embarked together on a collective technological journey with Electronic Medical Records.

Giiwednong Health Link’s First Nation partners are all 14 First Nations on Manitoulin Island and the North Shore region.  For more information, you may contact Michael McGregor, Digital Health Program Manager, by email at  michael@giiwednonghealth.ca or by phone at (705) 920-2900.