Patients in country South Australia will benefit from a rollout of an electronic medical record system to all regional hospitals and Local Health Networks.
The system is already in place in most metropolitan hospitals and now the Malinauskas Labor Government has approved an additional $31.1 million for a statewide regional rollout expected to be complete by late 2024.
Regional hospitals are currently using an outdated software system that is no longer supported or fit-for-purpose. Despite substantial advocacy to have it replaced, this rollout to the regions was not funded by the former Liberal Government.
The Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system will deliver integrated, patient-centred care across the SA Health system and will also streamline processes for healthcare workers.
Collectively, regional LHNs are responsible for about a third of acute hospital beds across the state and the delivery of the EMR will improve patient flow and support the clinical and administrative workforce to deliver improved care to people living in regional and rural areas.
The program will improve the experience of patients by reducing the need for them to provide their health information at every stage of their treatment journey and will also reduce the need for repeat pathology and x-ray imaging, with information readily available to clinicians at other locations.
Other benefits of a single statewide EMR include:
- Improved access to patient information in a timely manner
- Improved virtual care capacity for metropolitan-based clinicians
- Improved care for people with complex needs who often receive support from different services across more than one LHN
- Direct admission of patients transferred from regional to metropolitan services
- Ability to transfer patients to and from metropolitan hospitals in a more timely manner to reduce hospital demand
- The ability to see where beds are available across the system in real time.
The EMR is already in place at Mount Gambier and Districts Health Service and Port Augusta Hospital, as well as at all metropolitan hospitals, except for Modbury Hospital, and Women’s and Children’s Health Network, where implementation is due for completion by mid-2023.
Its implementation at regional LHNs will take place in partnership with Digital Health SA over a 24-month period starting early in 2023.
Limestone Coast Local Health Network, Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network and Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network will be activated first, followed by Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network (RMCLHN), Yorke and Northern Local Health Network then Eyre and Far North Local Health Network.
The EMR has been developed by global clinical software vendor, Altera Digital Health.
Quotes
Attributable to Chris Picton
Improving the health and wellbeing of South Australians living in regional and rural locations is a priority and this investment will have a positive impact across multiple aspects of patient care.
The move to a statewide, integrated electronic medical record system will connect our regional hospitals to those in metropolitan Adelaide in real time, which will improve flow and movement of patients and staff across our LHNs.
Importantly, it will improve the experience for our patients and result in fewer tests and x-ray imaging, and better access to virtual care services, so people can receive care closer to home.
This project will complete the implementation of a statewide Electronic Medical Record for South Australia, putting all of SA Health at the forefront of digital health innovation.
Attributable to SA Health Chief Digital Health Officer, Bret Morris
This integrated program has proven to be invaluable in the hospitals where is it already implemented and the move to statewide deployment is when we will see the full benefits come to the fore due to the ability to share information across our health system.
Broad consultation was undertaken, with strong support from all regional LHNs to adopt the EMR into their networks.
We look forward to working closely with regional LHNs to transition and train them in the new program so they can continue to deliver the best possible care to their communities.
Attributable to RMCLHN CEO Wayne Champion
The move to an Electronic Medical Record program will bring with it a vast range of benefits to patients living in country areas and will support clinicians and administration staff across SA Health to provide seamless, integrated care.
The system will significantly benefit those patients whose health journeys involve care across different health services and in different health settings, including Adelaide residents who might access health services when holidaying or working in regional South Australia.
As Chair of the Regional Reforms and Digital Foundations Program Board, I welcome this announcement, which will bring our systems up to speed with our metropolitan counterparts and importantly connect all of the networks to enable better care for all South Australians.
