Readers have pointed out that while many of our updates focus on what we are doing to prepare for Connect Care, we don’t talk very much about why.
There are lots of great reasons why we are implementing Connect Care – in fact, too many to fit in a single article. In the next several issues we will look at different Connect Care benefits, starting with the most important: benefits to our patients.
Right now AHS stores our patients’ information across hundreds of independent health information systems as well as on paper. While that creates some challenges for us, it can also complicate a patient’s care journey. For example, they are often asked to repeat their health history to new providers, may have the same test performed more than once, and may find it hard to access and track their own information.
Connect Care will create a single access point to patient information within AHS and our partners, as well as more consistent practices. For patients, this will mean that their health information and care plans are available as they move from location to location and provider to provider. They will have increased confidence that care decisions are being made with the best available information.
Connect Care will also allow patients to securely access their health information online, self-schedule some appointments, receive reminders, and track their referrals.
All of this helps put patients at the centre of their own healthcare team, where they belong.
If you want to learn more about the “Why” of Connect Care, check out our toolkit or send your questions to connectcare@ahs.ca.
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