'Landmark change' in ER

Photo: Colin Dacre

The emergency department at Penticton Regional Hospital has a new high-tech system to document patient care.

On Wednesday, the hospital began rolling out an electronic medical record system— allowing all patient treatment in the emergency room to be recorded electronically.

The EMR has already been introduced at other Interior Health sites, IH said.

IH board chair Doug Cochrane said the digital charting is a "major change to the care process," which he said will improve access to patient's information.

“Health professionals, and ultimately patients, will benefit from having accurate, current information that is easily shared with all authorized members of the care team," Cochrane said in a news release.

Physicians and nurses at the hospital are being trained on the new EMR system, IH said, adding it will be introduced in phases and support members will be on hand to assist hospital staff. 

Department head of PRH's emergency room, Dr. Stephan Samoyloff, said the new system is a "landmark change" that will "vastly improve our ability to communicate our care plans."

IH also advised some short delays for patients may occur in the coming weeks as the hospital adjusts to the new system.