The IWK Health Centre staff in Halifax will kickstart a significant change in Nova Scotia’s healthcare system at 6 a.m. AT on Saturday. They will be the first to implement a new electronic medical record system aimed at enhancing patient care safety and efficiency. Dr. Krista Jangaard, the IWK’s president and CEO, emphasized the extensive effort put into this transition.
The new system, developed through a $365-million contract with Oracle Cerner Canada, ensures a unified electronic record accessible across all care sites. Despite delays, the central zone is set to launch on May 9, 2026, with other zones following soon. Staff at the IWK have been undergoing training for the transition, with nearly all personnel prepared for the shift.
The implementation process will involve transferring patient records at midnight and a final check at 5 a.m. before the full transition. The focus is on seamless integration to minimize disruption in patient care. The new system, One Person One Record, will revolutionize connectivity in the healthcare network, allowing shared patient data access and eliminating the need for repetitive history retelling. This integrated system will benefit patients and providers alike, fostering continuity of care across different sites and providers.