B.C. Emergency Health Services scraps $2.8 million electronic patient care record system

WATCH ABOVE: Another expensive computer system is being dumped by the government before it’s even in use. Randene Neill has the story.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is raising the alarm after, it says, B.C. Emergency Health Services has scrapped a multi-million dollar electronic record system.

CTF claims it received information from whistleblowers suggesting that B.C. Emergency Health Services, which is responsible for the B.C. Ambulance Service, has dumped its $2.8 million Electronic Patient Care Record (ePCR) system before it went into use.

CTF says paramedics currently write out patient details on paper.

When done in poor weather, the papers can become wet and messy, potentially putting patients at risk with unclear information, necessitating an electronic solution.

CTF claims Panasonic got the contract to provide more than 400 Toughbook H2 devices, while Interdev Technologies Inc. was contracted for its iMEDIC EMS software.

It was allegedly promised the ePCR system would improve patient care, privacy, accuracy and operational efficiency.

The system was supposed to be operational by June 2013.

But, executive director corporate information with B.C. Emergency Health Services Karen Whitson told Global News that after a rigorous contract procurement process, they determined that the company was not able to deliver on the contract.

“We have now terminated the contract and are trying to recover the cost from the vendor,” said Whitson.

Whitson says their next step will possibly be legal action.

She would not comment on how much the system cost or name the vendors.

Interdev Technologies Inc issued the following statement to Global News:

Interdev has an unblemished record of successful ePCR deployments for 40 regional governments.  Interdev’s technology generates over 1 million ePCR’s annually and supports over 6000 paramedics in ePCR documentation.

Interdev provides the highest level of service to all its clients.

Interdev stands by its technology and its work.

We are hopeful that any issues can be resolved to everyone’s satisfaction.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: Interdev has an unblemished record of successful ePCR deployments for 40 regional governments.  Interdev's technology generates over 1 million ePCR's annually and supports over 6000 paramedics in ePCR documentation.</p><p>Interdev provides the highest level of service to all its clients.</p><p>Interdev stands by its technology and its work.</p><p>We are hopeful that any issues can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction.