Infoway invests $380 million in EMRs
With a new investment program, Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) is funding EMR systems in community-based practices and outpatient settings throughout Canada via a $380 million fund designed to focus investment at the points-of-care. Canada Health Infoway is a nonprofit organization funded by the Canadian government.
Through this program, the Toronto-based Infoway will co-fund EMR systems for physicians and nurse practitioners, working through funding programs in provinces and territories throughout Canada. Infoway support will allow provinces and territories that have programs in place to expand their current programs. In jurisdictions planning to introduce a formal EMR program in the near future, Infoway will assist with start-up costs, the nonprofit stated.
Infoway will also invest in clinical peer support networks so health professionals using EMR systems can learn from others' experiences and share best practices. Support will additionally be provided to qualifying IT vendors needing to upgrade their current product lines to meet Infoway privacy, security and interoperability standards.
Infoway's investments in EMR systems will be tied to the extent to which health professionals derive clinical value, which will include using an EMR for functions such as entering patient information including notes, allergies, immunizations and prescribed medications or viewing lab tests. Additional clinical value will be derived from using the more advanced functionality of the EMR and supporting greater interoperability of the EMR with external systems, Infoway added.
Through this program, the Toronto-based Infoway will co-fund EMR systems for physicians and nurse practitioners, working through funding programs in provinces and territories throughout Canada. Infoway support will allow provinces and territories that have programs in place to expand their current programs. In jurisdictions planning to introduce a formal EMR program in the near future, Infoway will assist with start-up costs, the nonprofit stated.
Infoway will also invest in clinical peer support networks so health professionals using EMR systems can learn from others' experiences and share best practices. Support will additionally be provided to qualifying IT vendors needing to upgrade their current product lines to meet Infoway privacy, security and interoperability standards.
Infoway's investments in EMR systems will be tied to the extent to which health professionals derive clinical value, which will include using an EMR for functions such as entering patient information including notes, allergies, immunizations and prescribed medications or viewing lab tests. Additional clinical value will be derived from using the more advanced functionality of the EMR and supporting greater interoperability of the EMR with external systems, Infoway added.