Massive digital health record transformation proceeding despite concerns from workers

Some health-care workers are worried about Nova Scotia’s One Person One Record.

A massive shift in how health records are filed and accessed by health-care workers rolls out in the Halifax area on Saturday, but some unions argue frontline workers are not equipped to handle the change.

“Our members are truly feeling that the training was not adequate to support the roles they are going to face as they go live with the system and have a patient in front of them,” says NSGEU President Sandra Mullen.

She says training is the main source of concern regarding One Person One Record (OPOR), a digital health records program.

“We know of folks not yet fully trained,” she tells CTV News. “Some of them [are] taking some training today, with the ‘go live’ tomorrow, so there isn’t time for practice.”

The switch away from paper and photocopying has been years in the making, with Nova Scotia ultimately inking a 10-year contract – worth $365 million – in early 2023 with Oracle Health Canada to design, develop, implement and support the One Person One Record technology.

The NSGEU isn’t alone in its concerns.

“[Nurses] are concerned,” says Nova Scotia Nurses Union President Janet Hazelton. “They’re not sure if the education that they got is enough – and we won’t know that until they roll it out.

“I think they’re uneasy and concerned.”

Meanwhile, doctors in the province are also on guard.

“Naturally, physicians are concerned about the potential implications for patient care as OPOR moves forward in Central Zone,” says Dr. Shelly McNeil, an infectious diseases specialist and the president of Doctors Nova Scotia.

“At the same time, we remain strongly supportive of the need to move forward with OPOR and recognize the importance of modernizing clinical information systems in Nova Scotia.”

She says the program’s success is dependent on having the right clinical supports, governance and accountability.

Certain provincial mental health and addictions locations will also deploy the new technology tomorrow.

The NSGEU had wanted the rollout to be postponed or, at least slowed to one hospital at a time.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Premier Tim Houston said now is the time to make the digital shift happen.

“It’s a really important change,” he said. “But the system is ready, and the system will be better with this new OPOR than it is right now.”

According to the province, once the rollout is complete, OPOR will replace or integrate over 50 systems used by health-care workers to record and view patient information.

“Right now, we have so many different systems that are trying to talk to each other,” Houston said. “We have patients that are having to sit down and tell their own story numerous times.”

“That’s not efficient, but it’s really difficult for people as well.”

For Hazelton, the transition is taking a toll on nurses.

“It is a huge change from what they do every day when they’re busy anyway, and this certainly has added to the amount of stress they feel in their everyday job,” she says.

But, she did say the program “is something that needs to happen.”

Nova Scotia Health says Saturday marks a significant milestone for healthcare in Nova Scotia.

“We are ready for what lies ahead,” writes Karen Oldfield, interim president and CEO of Nova Scotia Health in a statement to CTV News Atlantic. “Months of dedicated time, extensive training, and troubleshooting have brought us to this point. We are set to activate the new clinical information system with confidence, knowing our preparation has been thorough.”

She says as they navigate the initial days of the transition, learning will be an expected part of the process. Staff and teams are encouraged to bring forward issues that need attention or clarification, according to Oldfield.

“Above all, our commitment to ensuring safe patient care remains paramount,” she adds.

A provincewide rollout is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page