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Friday, September 14, 2007
Alexandra Marine and General Hospital
Mission accomplished: Care at Goderich hospital takes leap forward

Goderich, ON – After years of innovative effort, a project that seemed like an impossible mission five years ago reached its culmination at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) in Goderich today as they celebrated their connection to one of the world’s largest, most sophisticated medical digital imaging networks.

The project was conceived to ensure every hospital in Southwestern Ontario—from the very large to the very small—has access to the finest medical imaging equipment and radiologist and nuclear medicine coverage. AMGH joins 13 other hospital organizations in Southwestern Ontario - a total of 18 separate hospital sites - linked to this network, that enables the sharing of diagnostic images between primary, secondary and tertiary care hospitals.

“This project is about leveraging technology to provide the best possible patient care right here in our home community,” said Bill Thibert, AMGH President/CEO. “The success of the project is largely due to the spirit of cooperation between all the hospitals engaged in this initiative.”

Funding for this project is from AMGH and its community, in partnership with Canada Health Infoway. "Today`s celebration is about providing clinicians with an innovative Diagnostic Imaging system that provides the tools and information they need to provide the care their patients deserve," said Stella Skerlec, Group Program Director, Registries, Infostructure and Diagnostic Imaging, Canada Health Infoway.

“The PACS system is state of the art technology for our community,” said Dr. Julie Moore, AMGH Chief of Staff. “It produces digital images that are far superior to traditional film technology, and can be shared with consultants and specialists immediately. This allows us to provide efficient, seamless and timely service to our patients.”

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 exam images from x-ray, CT, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, MRIs, and PET scans as well as 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.

This project is serving as a model for other health information network projects across Canada. Planning is underway to continue expanding this network to other Southwestern Ontario hospitals.

For more information, please contact:

Bill Thibert
Alexandra Marine and General Hospital
519-524-8689, ext. 232

Anne Kay,
St. Joseph’s Health Care London
519-685-4292, ext. 42470 or Page 519-649-9238

Dan Strasbourg
Canada Health Infoway
416-595-3424
dstrasbourg@infoway-inforoute.ca
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