REGINA – Most of Saskatchewan’s medical records have gone electronic, but there are still many doctors and clinics who aren’t using the eHealth system. About 20 per cent of physicians – mostly the old guard – aren’t using it, according to the province.
The end goal is to have all health records, such as prescriptions, x-rays and immunizations accessible by care providers like family doctors.
Doctors who are using the system say universal access to a patient’s history can be lifesaving.
“To be able to find one single medication error or one single side effect that can be avoided because somebody has put it in that system is amazing,” said Dr. Didi Emokpare, a family physician in Regina.
In June 2014, the provincial auditor gave eHealth a failing grade, saying more than $500 million had been spent and there was not enough to show for it.
Saskatchewan Health Minister Dustin Duncan said Tuesday much of that cost has been on the operational side.
“There’s building the actual components of the (electronic health record), then there’s the actual day-to-day operations to make sure those systems work from 1997 to today,” Duncan said.
There are still several clinics and labs who haven’t signed on – and without everyone in the province online, Saskatchewan NDP health critic Danielle Chartier believes it isn’t a true electronic health system.
“It’s not a bad announcement, but the government shouldn’t be patting itself on the back for getting the job half done,” Chartier said.
Under development is a plan for patients themselves to access their history. Right now, eHealth is limited to care providers who can see every record in the province.
“If (an individual) was accessing it, you would only be able to access your own record,” said Susan Antosh, eHealth CEO.
“The security is not set up that way.”
While the ‘core components’ of eHealth may be complete, the province said the entire system is still far from paperless.
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