The initiative aims to better support nurses and physicians with smart tools so they can work more efficiently and effectively to enhance patient flow and improve patient care.
The information systems will assist patients in communicating their status to ER staff and physicians as they wait in emergency waiting rooms. An alert will pop up on the nurses’ screen each time a patient updates information.
The kiosks are available in English, but will also feature interfaces in seven different languages including English, French, Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), and Urdu. Patients are asked a number of questions in their native language and can choose answers from a comprehensive list. The system then translates the information into English for use by the care providers.
Since The Scarborough Hospital serves a diverse community and a high volume of patients, they are a good test ground for this new approach to improve patient triage said Richard Alvarez, president and CEO of Canada Health Infoway. The system could eventually serve as a model for other emergency departments in the country.
Infoway is investing $1.5 million dollars in this pilot project, approximately half of the project’s total cost. The Centre for Global e-Health Innovation, University of Toronto Healthcare Resource Modelling Laboratory, the University of Alberta eTRIAGE Solution and Medisolve, are also partners in this project.
