On Saturday, February 26, 2022, many areas of BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre moved from older systems and paper-based charts to a new electronic health records system. This new system ─ CST Cerner ─ and related changes, are designed to improve the safety, quality and consistency of patient care in B.C.
As we allocate time for staff to transition to using a new system, we are also closely managing critical pandemic response needs and navigating hiring challenges within B.C. health care.
Throughout this transition, our focus will continue to be providing safe, quality care to you. You may experience delays in services, especially for your first appointment, while we get used to the new system. Our staff are committed to learning the new system as quickly as possible to minimize any impacts on patient care service delivery.
Thank you for your patience and support as we transition to the new system to improve patient care. Moving forward, patients who visit our campus or other facilities using the same system (such as Lions Gate Hospital, St. Paul’s Hospital or BC Cancer - Vancouver) can expect a better experience because their care team will have access to a more complete patient record.
The changes patients will see
This new system will help improve the safety, quality and consistency of patient care across BC Children’s and BC Women’s hospitals as well as across Vancouver Coastal Health, Provincial Health Services Authority (including BC Cancer) and Providence Health Care.
Using the new system will mean:
- We can provide safer, more consistent care for you
- Less time repeating your health information
- Our care teams will have real-time access to patient information
- Faster access to lab results and medication therapies
You may see:
- Staff attending training activities to learn the new system.
- More staff and people around to help support the change.
- New equipment and devices that your care team may be spending more time on, like computers on wheels.
Please arrive early to allow for extra time for the registration process. You may be asked to check in at a different location than you usually do. You may experience some delays in services while we get used to the new system.
For planned surgeries at BC Women’s in February, March, or April, 2022:
- You may be referred to a hospital in your local community.
- Alternatively, if it’s safe to do so, some surgeries may be scheduled for April 2022 onwards, when more capacity allows.
Note: Surgeries will continue to be triaged based on medical needs and severity. Urgent and emergency surgeries will continue.
If you are pregnant and due in February, March or April, 2022 at BC Women’s:
- If you live outside of Vancouver, you may be referred to a care provider in your local hospital.
- If you are planning a caesarean delivery, you may be referred to a nearby hospital.
- If you are in early labour, and medically safe to transfer, you may be asked to deliver at another local hospital.
This may be difficult for you. If you have questions about where to deliver your baby, please talk to your care provider (e.g. family physician, midwife, obstetrician).
Privacy and security of personal health information is one of our highest priorities. Having a new electronic system means we have the benefits of current technology, including adherence to privacy and security standards, as well as around-the-clock vendor monitoring and support. There are safeguards in place to ensure only the appropriate care providers and staff view your information.
If you have any concerns about your care, please talk to your care team. If your care team cannot address your concerns, they will connect you with department or hospital leadership.
If you feel your issue was not addressed or your complaint was not resolved, you can contact the Patient Care Quality Office directly:
pcqo@phsa.ca.
