Electronic health records and patient safety: what lessons can Canada learn from the experience of others?

It is recognized that the Electronic Health Record (EHR) has significant potential to improve patient safety in Canada. However, the scientific evidence connecting EHRs to improvements in patient safety is incomplete. Additionally, international experience has demonstrated that EHRs trigger profound cultural and organizational changes in healthcare delivery. Consequently, Canada has a unique opportunity to learn from these experiences.

Chronic disease management: it's time for transformational change!

The authors of the lead essay present a compelling case for the development and implementation of a national strategy on chronic disease prevention and management (CDPM). The literature demonstrates that the Chronic Care Model can improve quality and reduce costs. Substantial evidence supports the role of health information technologies such as electronic health records (EHRs) in achieving these goals. However, an interoperable pan-Canadian health infostructure does not exist; funding is required to establish this across the continuum of care. An investment of $350 per capita would provide a robust health technology platform to support a national CDPM strategy. Such an investment would deliver annual benefits of $6-$7.6 billion; this could be leveraged to support national healthcare priorities such as CDPM. EHRs will improve decisions about care, reduce system errors and increase efficiency. They will also improve our ability to measure, assess and manage care. We cannot run a high-performing health system without sound data. This was a key step to enabling progress on wait times management. Leadership is required if a national CDPM strategy is to become reality. The authors made a convincing case for the development of a national strategy; we need to turn their words into actionable events to gain necessary momentum.