July 07, 2010

St. Michael’s Hospital Connected to Diagnostic Imaging System

(Markham Ontario – July 7, 2010) St. Michael’s Hospital has connected to the Hospital Diagnostic Imaging Repository Services (HDIRS) system that provides centralized storage of diagnostic images, such as X-rays and ultrasounds.

“We’re very excited about the impact this will have on patient care,” said Dawn-Marie King, Director of Medical Imaging, St. Michael’s Hospital. “HDIRS will allow us to share exams and images electronically, and that means there will be a decrease in unnecessary X-Rays and other tests that expose patients to radiation.”

HDIRS is a partnership between 23 hospital corporations. In 2011, after all partners are connected, the system will enable the sharing of reports and images among 35 health care facilities that are collectively serving the health needs of approximately 3.4 million people making up 10 per cent of Canada’s population.

Canada Health Infoway (Infoway), an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government, has provided $ 20.6 million and eHealth Ontario has provided $ 17 million in funding for the project which supports the transfer of images and reports between health care providers in Ontario. The project is part of the Ontario government’s eHealth agenda and supports Infoway’s vision for a pan-Canadian electronic health record system.

“A shared diagnostic imaging repository is a crucial service in large cities like Toronto where patients seek out care at multiple hospitals,” says Richard Alvarez, President and CEO of Canada Health Infoway. “Ultimately, a St. Michael’s patient will be able to visit any other HDIRS-connected hospital and all of their diagnostic images and results will be there with them.”
“We are proud to provide the network and be a funding partner on an initiative which advances health care delivery and benefits to Ontarians,” said Greg Reed, President and CEO, eHealth Ontario. “This project illustrates how collaboration within the health care system can improve patient care.”

Currently, HDIRS handles more than two million exams annually and stores images and reports for Southlake Regional Health Centre, Stevenson Memorial Hospital, Toronto East General Hospital, Lakeridge Health, Markham Stouffville Hospital, Peterborough Regional Health Centre, Haliburton Highlands Health Services, Quinte Health Care, Ross Memorial Hospital, Rouge Valley Health System, St. Michael’s Hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Brockville General Hospital and The Scarborough Hospital

For more information contact:

Pat Ryan
General Manager
HDIRS
p. 416-471-9640
e. pryan@tsh.to
www.hdirs.ca

Leslie Shepherd
Senior Public Relations Specialist
St. Michael’s Hospital
p. 416-864-6094
e. shepherdl@smh.ca

Dan Strasbourg
Director, Corporate Communications
Canada Health Infoway
p. 416-595-3424
e. dstrasbourg@infoway-inforoute.ca

Heather Brown
Communications Advisor
eHealth Ontario
heather.brown@ehealthontario.ca

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