Nova Scotia Health to adopt e-referral system for surgical consults
Nova Scotia Health is changing the way its physicians make surgical referrals with a new electronic system.
The province says primary care providers will use the Ocean eReferrals system to send their requests for surgical consultations, instead of faxing, emailing or mailing requests directly to a surgeon.
Over time, the province says it will lead to shorter wait times.
Dr. Dafydd Davies, chief of surgery at IWK Health, says having one, uniform system will simplify the practices of both family physicians and specialists.
“eReferral also has the potential to give us data to better track wait times and waitlists so that future resources can be directed strategically,” Davies said in a Wednesday news release.
The system will give patients better information on the status of their referral, according to the province, and will allow for better tracking, review and management of referrals. Eventually, the province says it will include consult wait time information to allow for faster consults.
Patients who give an email address will get automatic notifications when their referral is received, forwarded to a surgeon, and when a consult is booked or changed.
Michelle Thompson, minister of health and wellness, says waiting for care is hard for patients and their families.
“It's also frustrating for health-care professionals when they don't have the information to answer their patients' questions," said Thompson, in the release. "Nova Scotians deserve short wait times that will keep them out of pain and allow them to move on with their lives."
The service will reportedly go live for primary care providers and surgeons at Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health on Friday.
The province says work is underway to expand the use of the system to allow for e-referrals for diagnostic imaging services like MRIs, CT scans and ultrasounds.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.