Ingersoll, ON – By tapping into a project that’s
sweeping through the Thames Valley hospitals,
Alexandra Hospital has now linked into one of the
largest shared digital imaging networks in the
world that’s enhancing access to care for the
20,000 patients they serve yearly.
The power of the Thames Valley Digital
Imaging Network is that it allows smaller rural
hospitals, such as Alexandra’s 35-bed facility, to
exchange diagnostic images electronically with
the seven other Thames Valley hospitals. Sharing
these images increases access to radiologists,
nuclear medicine physicians and other specialists
at tertiary care hospitals.
“The success of this initiative is a result of the
tremendous effort, commitment and support of our
staff, physicians and leadership team to whom I
owe a dept of gratitude,” says Donald Sanderson,
CEO of Alexandra Hospital. “The digital imaging
project represents an important strategic initiative
for Alexandra in that it links us in to the larger
Thames Valley health information system. Digital
imaging is one of many regional programs we are
participating in as we live our mission as partners
in accessible health care for the communities we
serve.”
Alexandra Hospital can now share diagnostic
images with Tillsonburg District Memorial
Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre, St.
Joseph’s Health Care London, and the Middlesex
Hospital Alliance hospitals in Strathroy and
Newbury. December 31 marks the completion of
this phase of this project when the other Thames
Valley hospitals in St. Thomas and Woodstock
begin sharing images over the secure network.
"While the diverse components of the project
presented challenges to the smaller hospitals, the
team members’ hard work and dedication,
combined with working collaboratively with the
larger centres, was the key to an effective system
implementation," says Rob VanDoninck, Director
of Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory Services for
both Alexandra Hospital and Tillsonburg District
Memorial Hospital.
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term
Care and Canada Health Infoway are jointly
funding this project. Infoway is an independent
not-for-profit organization that Invests with public
sector partners across Canada to implement and
resuse compatible health information systems
which support a safer, more efficient healthcare
system. To ensure accountability, Infoway
reimburses projects as predetermined milestones
are completed. Today, Infoway presented
Alexandra Hospital with $208,082 for their portion
of the Thames Valley Digital Imaging Network
project.
“Thames Valley was one of the first groups in
Canada to implement digital imaging. Seeing
them achieve project milestones is very exciting.
This is a clear example of how working together
can improve productivity, safety and quality of
care,” said Richard Alvarez, President and CEO,
Canada Health Infoway. He added that Infoway
now has diagnostic imaging projects planned or
underway in every Canadian province and territory.
Dr. Walt Romano, Radiologist, says: “With ever
increasing shortages in human resources—both
technical and medical, this project came at a very
opportune time. It has allowed these scarce
resources a broader exposure and more timely
access to health care services for patients.”
Joanne Burton, medical radiation
technologist, says, “Digital imaging has
streamlined our workflow so that we can deliver
quick and efficient care with timely results for our
patients.”
About digital imaging
Digital images are filmless – much like a digital
camera. Digital imaging systems enable
healthcare providers to view, manage, distribute
and electronically store a patient’s test images,
MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, PET scans, and medical
files from any location connected through the
system - regardless of where the test was
conducted. The PACS (picture archiving and
communication system) captures, stores and sends
images using digital technology.
Vendor partners
Significant support from private partners Cerner
Corporation, GE Healthcare, Hewlett-Packard
Canada, and LARG*net have helped to ensure the
success of this project.
About Canada Health Infoway
Canada Health Infoway`s mission is to accelerate
the development of interoperable electronic
health information systems across Canada. These
systems provide healthcare professionals with
rapid access to complete and accurate patient
information, enabling better decisions about
treatment and diagnosis. The result is a
sustainable, more cost-efficient healthcare system
offering improved patient safety and better quality
of care. Infoway is an independent, not -for-profit
corporation whose members are the federal,
provincial, and territorial deputy ministers of
health.
For more information, please contact:
Anne Kay, Communication and Public Affairs
St. Joseph’s Health Care, London
519-685-4292, ext. 42470 or Page 519-649-9238