Monday October 1st,
3:30 – 5:30 pm

With so much focus and discussion regarding strategic goals for eHealth and EHRs in Canada today, many organizations – both large and small – are still struggling with how to take the first steps when it comes to nursing documentation. As health care organizations in Ontario begin to implement the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s Health Outcomes for Better Information and Care (HOBIC) program, these challenges have moved from the shadows and into the spotlight. As will become apparent, although the desire is there, technical and organizational readiness continues to lag behind.

This presentation will present case study information that compares and contrasts several organizations readiness and ability to move forward with implementation. Examples will include those that were well organized and prepared; those that continue to struggle with their approach and ability to move forward; as well as those that, although not organizationally ready to participate in HOBIC, ceased upon this as an opportunity to reassess their internal priorities to include nursing clinical documentation in the organization strategic plan. Topics to be explored include: presence of a nursing informatics department; infrastructure, organizational communication patterns, level of standardization of nursing assessments within and across organizations; involvement of senior management, and vendor relationships.

Helen is a senior health care consultant currently working for HInext Inc. on the HOBIC implementation for the MOHLTC. HInext is the healthcare consulting and services company overseeing the technical implementation of HOBIC in Ontario including the outcomes database, site integration and operations. Helen has over 20 years experience in the health care industry. Her professional experience combines clinical nursing, information systems implementation and hospital financial and business operations.