eResults Forms Now Available on Nova Scotia Provider Digital Health Toolkit
All forms for Access to Electronic Results (eResults) are now located on the Nova Scotia Provider Digital Health Toolkit.
The forms can be accessed here: Access to Electronic Results (eResults) | Information and Wellness Portal. Don’t forget to bookmark this link for convenient access.
These forms were originally hosted on the Capital District Health Authority website. Since 2015, Nova Scotia Health has managed cdha.nshealth.ca as a “corporate” site for partners who could not access our intranet. As of October 29, the corporate site has been permanently taken offline.
If you have any questions, please contact PHCCA@nshealth.ca.
OPOR-CIS: Education & Learning Update
The One Person One Record (OPOR) Education & Learning team has developed a comprehensive training program for future users of the OPOR Clinical Information System (OPOR-CIS). Content has been tailored to meet the needs of different roles and workflows across the healthcare system, and each user will learn how to use the system for their specific role or roles. This learning pathway will lead you from core training modules, through to opportunities for hands-on practice, and post Go-Live support.
Completion of training is mandatory for all future users of the OPOR-CIS (e.g., physicians, non-providers, and employees), starting with online, asynchronous modules. The Education & Learning team believes that the performance goals both support and are supported by the value and protection of patient safety, in addition to supporting healthcare providers in their daily work.
Users will have 16 weeks to complete the online modules and will then move into a classroom module and reference module. The volume of training will vary based on roles.
Phases of Training:
1. Online:
- Role-specific learning journeys
- Videos
- Simulations
2. In-Person:
- Role-based, in-class training
- Variable duration based on role
3. Hands-On Practice:
- Practice environment
- Simulations
- Dress rehearsal
Reference materials will be provided to support you along your learning journey, including job aids, workbooks, and tip sheets.
A localized delivery approach will be put in place to minimize the absence of clinical staff from their front-line duties and minimize the requirement for backfill. The Education & Learning team will work closely with operational managers and department leaders to ensure that scheduling of the classroom learning is flexible and minimizes any disruption to patient care. More information regarding training will be shared in the coming months.
Learn more about OPOR and the OPOR-CIS at opor.nshealth.ca
eReferrals Update
eReferrals Update:
- 100,000+ eReferrals
- Bone Mineral Density eReferrals coming soon!
- New eServices Program
- Expressions of interest – new Clinical Advisory Committee
- User supports
100,000+ eReferrals and record monthly volumes
This fall has marked some big eReferrals milestones and continued progress, including:
- 100,000+ surgical and diagnostic imaging eReferrals (MRI, ultrasounds)
- One year of MRI eReferrals
- New monthly records for referral volumes -- more than 7000 surgical eReferrals and more than 6200 MRI and ultrasound eReferrals.
- The launch of patient survey that is helping us collect information on what this change has meant for our patients
- The creation of the Nova Scotia eServices Program (see more below)
Bone Mineral Density (BMD) eReferrals coming soon!
What to expect when BMD eReferrals go live:
- Referring providers who are onboarded to the eReferral tool (Ocean) will see BMD as a new eReferral option
- Onboarded referrers, including primary care providers and surgeons will be required to use eReferrals to send requests for BMD, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasounds and surgical consults
- BMD, MRI, and ultrasound eReferrals will flow to the DI provincial queue. DI services will receive these referrals via the eReferral tool and from there, they will be sent to the patient’s preferred site for triage.
- Patients who provide an email address with their eReferral will receive ongoing email notifications on their referral, which can help avoid follow-up calls to primary care providers
- Referring providers will have visibility into the status of their eReferrals for BMD, MRI, ultrasound and surgical consults, all within the eReferral tool
New Nova Scotia eServices Program
The new Nova Scotia eServices Program now provides dedicated resources to support the effective use and ongoing expansion of electronic referrals (eReferrals), including user training and supports, enhancements and more.
The team is currently supporting efforts to roll out of BMD eReferrals, with electronic referrals for additional Diagnostic Imaging Services expected to go live in early 2025. Early efforts are also underway to allow gastroenterology services to be added to the specialty referral options within the eReferral tool. Further details will be shared as these efforts advance.
Expressions of interest – new Clinical Advisory Committee
A new Clinical Advisory Committee is being formed to support ongoing efforts to make eReferrals as useful as possible to the healthcare providers who use it. The committee will build on the contributions of primary care, surgeon, and diagnostic imaging advisory groups who have been supporting the eReferrals implementation to date. These groups have been instrumental in advancing many enhancements to the eReferral tool and form, form development and more. To learn more about participation in the advisory committee, please contact the Nova Scotia eServices Program (eServices@nshealth.ca).
User Supports
Through the eServices Program, Nova Scotia has dedicated supports available to offer direct in person or virtual eReferral support to users, including primary care providers, surgeons, and their administrative staff. Questions or requests for support can be submitted at www.referralsns.ca/ask
Updates to Active Directory
~shared on behalf of Cybersecurity and Digital Solutions (CSDS)
Employee information in Active Directory (AD) is being updated so that it is consistent with the employee data in SAP. Effective November 12, 2024, you may notice changes to your information, such as location, manager, and title, in Microsoft Outlook and Teams. This change will align your information in AD with your data in SAP as the source of truth. If you have any questions, contact the I.T. Service Desk.
Medical Radiation Technologists' Week
November 3 to 9 marks Medical Radiation Technologists' Week.
Medical Radiation Technologists (MRTs) play an essential role in patient care. These technologists work across the province providing magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, ultrasounds and more. Their work ensures that physicians have the detailed images of bones, tissues, and organs that are needed, to support diagnoses and treatments.
Meet Jenna, Kelsey, Caitlin, and Katie, four of Nova Scotia Health’s MRT and learn more about how they are serving their communities.
Undergraduate Preceptor of the Year Recipients Presented the Department of Family Medicine
Congratulations to the 2023-2024 Undergraduate Preceptor of the Year recipients!
- Dr. Daniel Bayard – HRM
- Dr. Sarah Conrad – Rural Halifax
- Dr. Raiche-Marsden – HRM
- Dr. Susan MacLeod – Cape Breton
Thank you for your dedication and exceptional mentorship in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals!
You can view the full list of award winners here.
Mental Health and Addictions Program Newsletter
The monthly newsletter is now available here.
This edition includes:
- Flourish Forum
- Occupational Therapy Month: Staff Spotlights
- Community outreach teams provide a collaborative approach to care and support
- Mindwell launches app, and more!
If you would like to be added to the distribution list, please e-mail Janelle.aucoin@nshealth.ca.
Open for Referrals: The Adult Developmental Clinic
Dr. Karen McNeil and Dr. Jillian Achenbach lead the Adult Developmental Clinic and are currently accepting referrals.
Services provided include:
- Comprehensive health assessments, including a physician exam
- Support for transitioning from pediatric to adult care
- Assistance with behavioral issues, and more
For more information or to make a referral, please contact the clinic.
The full newsletter is here.