It’s being called a collaboration that will transform the hospice experience.
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) along with four local hospices – Hospice Muskoka (Port Carling), Hospice Huronia (Penetanguishene), Hospice Simcoe (Barrie), and Hospice Georgian Triangle (Collingwood) – will be integrating the health centre’s electronic medical record system, which officials say will create a seamless flow of information as well as improve patient care.
They add for patients and families, it means no longer needing to repeatedly share medical histories. For healthcare providers, it means gaining access to critical information, reducing administrative burdens and enabling faster decisions.
“Our partnership highlights the importance of resource-sharing and community investment,” says Donna Kearney, Executive Director, Hospice Muskoka. “Individually, our hospices might never have had the financial or technical means to implement such a transformative system. Working alongside RVH has provided access to technology, advocacy, and support that will elevate the quality of hospice care for years to come.”
According to RVH, the project’s implementation brings profound changes to hospice operations. For some, it represents the first move to digital charting, replacing paper-based systems with a streamlined and efficient process.
“This shift reduces administrative burdens and allows staff to focus more on providing care,” adds officials. “Additionally, the integration standardizes documentation practices, ensuring consistency across all participating hospices while creating new opportunities for benchmarking and research.”
“This partnership is a testament to the power of collaboration,” says Dave Brewin, RVH Vice President Digital Health and Regional Chief Information Officer. “By sharing our expertise and aligning our resources, we’re building a system that not only enhances the patient experience but also lays the foundation for a more connected, efficient healthcare future.”
