St. Thomas, ON – No stranger to digital diagnostic
imaging technology, St. Thomas Elgin General
Hospital (STEGH) has now enhanced this service
even more through their connection to the
Thames Valley Digital Imaging network. This
network, one of the largest in the world, is
enhancing access to care for the 89,000 residents
of the City of St. Thomas and Elgin County.
The Thames Valley Digital Imaging Network
allows hospitals, such as STEGH’s 166-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 benefits of this
project are already being realized. The ability to
obtain an opinion from a specialist in London
without having to transfer the patient is beneficial
to the patient and their family, and saves the
valuable resources that are used in a transfer,” says
Dr. Tom Faulds, VP Medical Affairs and Chief of
Staff at STEGH.
STEGH can now share diagnostic images with
Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital, London
Health Sciences Centre, St. Joseph’s Health Care
London, the Middlesex Hospital Alliance hospitals
in Strathroy and Newbury, and Alexandra Hospital
in Ingersoll. December 31 marks the completion of
this phase of this project when the Woodstock
General Hospital begins sharing images over the
secure network.
“This advancement in 21st century health care
for our communities would not have been possible
without the intense spirit of partnership among the
hospitals in our region,” says Paul Collins,
President and CEO of STEGH.
Canada Health Infoway and the Ontario
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care 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 STEGH
with $624,248 for their portion of the Thames
Valley Digital Imaging Network project.
“Infoway started working over two years
ago with the hospitals in Thames Valley on this
ambitious project for shared diagnostic imaging,”
said Kurtis Bishop, Infoway’s Group Director, Drugs
and Diagnostic Imaging. “It is extremely gratifying
to see this vision becoming a reality. The benefits
for these hospitals are invaluable. This is one of
our earliest successes and proof that our approach
is working. ” He added that Infoway now has
diagnostic imaging projects planned or underway
in almost every Canadian province and territory.”
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.
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.
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.
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