The Community Health Information Network Integration in

The Community Health Information Network

Integration in Health Care l Integration a key component to federal/provincial health mandates l Organizational boundaries, different systems were barriers l The CHIN is a secure technological solution that “bridges the gap”

Objectives l About CCACWR l Understand the CHIN system l Understand information transfer l Achievements l Future developments

Community Care Access Centres l 42 CCACs across Ontario l Coordinate delivery of community based health care and placement services l CCAC of Waterloo Region $41 M operating budget l 100% funded by MOHLTC l 19 300 clients served in 2003/04 l

CHIN’s Core Value Proposition CHIN links existing systems and provides information to users in ways not available through existing information systems AND CHIN streamlines work by reducing duplication within the information exchange process

The History l 1995 – CHIN concept conceived and evolved l Group of committed health care providers in the Waterloo Region l 1999 – First pilot project l 2001 – e-Billing module l l l Contracted service providers Electronic transmission of billing files Reduced invoice payment turnaround time - 21 days to 3 days

What CHIN is and is not CHIN is: l Individual focused l Shares client health information between organizations l Provides access to longitudinal client health information from multiple sources l Accessible at all points of care in a timely manner CHIN is not: l Organization focused l An operational system i. e, client information system l A single physical data repository l An information highway like SSHA but an application that runs on it Adapted from Alberta Health and Wellness – Building an EHR

CHIN Architecture

Transportation of Information l Three main methods to transfer information l “Pull” reports l Electronic forms (smart forms) l Secure e-mail

Long Term Care Wait List Report CCAC Resource CM LTC Employee Cambridge Country Manor Chateau Gardens Columbia Forest Fairview Mennonite Forest Heights Golden Years Heritage House Marshall Lisa

RAI-HC Assessment Results

Partnerships with Service Providers

CHIN E-Mail

CHIN Security Features

CHIN: Now l 4 communities l 58 organizations l 268 users l 3600 messages exchanged weekly

CHIN: Future l CHIN module for communicable disease outbreak l CCACWR l Region of Waterloo Public Health Unit l Cambridge Memorial Hospital / Grand River Hospital / St. Mary’s Hospital l 23 Long-term Care Facilities (in future planning phase)

Conclusion l CHIN uses existing technology to connect health care teams l CHIN’s efficiencies allow increased focus on clients l CHIN provides enhanced security along its communication channel

The Community Health Information Network Abigail Dancey Community Care Access Centre of Waterloo Region CANARIE Workshop Showing Results – Sharing Knowledge Toronto, Ontario November 4, 2004