Residents told us in the Patient First Review that we need to better co-ordinate their health care. We heard examples of misplaced, unavailable or scattered health information resulting in errors, adverse events and duplication of tests.

Accessible patient information is vital to improving service integration and co-ordinating patient care. eHealth Saskatchewan is developing the eHealth systems and technological infrastructure for health care professionals to access and share patient information securely and efficiently. The ultimate result will be a One Patient: One Record health care system.

The Saskatchewan Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) is a secure computer system designed for the storage, retrieval and display of diagnostic images by authorized health care providers.

The kind of images managed include:
• general x-ray;
• ultrasound;
• computed tomography (CT);
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
• nuclear medicine; bone density;
• lithotripsy (non-invasive treatment of kidney stones and stones in the gallbladder or in the liver);
• angio/interventional (use of x-rays and contrast dyes to diagnose); and
• diagnostic mammography at selected sites.

PACS joins the Pharmaceutical Information Program (PIP) as one of the first components of a provincial electronic health record.

Prior to the introduction of PACS, there was no province-wide complete source of patient digital imaging records for health care providers to use when making decisions about a patient's care. Films or studies were archived in the facility that the exam was completed and transported individually to specialists and physicians for viewing. At times, having files stored in a different location led to repeat images being taken.

The Electronic Health Record is important because we need to do more than just collect patient medical information in file cabinets. We need the ability to integrate all of this information and to have it readily available. We have to be able to manage the data and transmit it securely to the places where health care decisions are being made