Shared Electronic Health record To Enhance Patient Care

Increasing the likelihood of a person being treated where they want to be, and how they want to be, is a priority for Northland DHB and North Haven Hospice.

“The patients we care for are keen for information to be shared by everyone caring for them so there is a clear understanding of what each team is doing,” explained Dr Warrick Jones, Medical Director, North Haven Hospice.

Over the years, Northland DHB and North Haven Hospice have being trying to improve the sharing of information so that timely, patient and whānau centred care occurs.

This is particularly important when a patient who is known to Hospice presents to the Emergency Department but only part of the patients history and care plan is available to the clinicians.

“Finally, we have been able to create a structure that allows DHB staff access to PalCare, the system that holds electronic records of all Northland’s Hospice patients,” Dr Jones said.

PalCare is the internet based patient management system for all Northland Hospices and can only be accessed from anywhere with an electronic certificate and a unique username and password.

“This will enable the DHB staff to see the current care plans, medication that is being used and most importantly, what the patient’s priorities are.”

GPs and Practice Nurses are already able to view and contribute to the patients’ notes on PalCare.

This has improved the communication between the services and has ensured that primary healthcare providers have the right information when needed.

“We are convinced that with the clinical and allied health staff at the Northland DHB having access to PalCare this will add value to the care being delivered to our mutual patients.”

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