Clinical & Systems Transformation is set to deliver key benefits to our patients. Given the role that CST will play in the patient experience, we are regularly asked whether a patient voice is represented on the project.

Debbie Nider, a patient representative with the CST Project Steering Committee, is one of these voices. Calling the project “an historical and pivotal time in our health service” she is passionate about the benefits that CST will provide patients.

Debbie Nider, patient representative with the CST Project Steering Committee

Debbie forms part of a group of volunteer patient representatives who are providing input into CST through the Community Engagement Advisory Network. Members meet bi-weekly to offer their input, insight and perspective to the decisions being made.

Drawing on her background as a dental hygienist and health advocate, Debbie understands the benefits that CST will have for both health care providers and patients. “As an avid supporter of preventive health education, I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to help patients gain access to information that will positively affect their health.”

The Community Engagement Advisory Network is made up of members of the public who support patient and public involvement in health service planning and decision-making. Their input plays an important role in improving a variety health services and enhancing the health of the community.

John Alex Murphy, a patient partner with the Privacy Working Group finds his role interesting and fulfilling, stating that “Health care volunteering has enabled me to serve others and the community by simply being myself and sharing my knowledge and expertise gained through my own life, career and health self-management experiences.”

John Alex Murphy, patient partner with the Privacy Working Group

Other CST representatives through the Community Engagement Advisory Network include Odie Geiger, who is a member of the CST Clinical Decision Group. In addition to bringing extensive health research experience to the project, she also gains a sense of satisfaction from being involved.

“I feel that I’ve found a place where my experience is valued,” she says. “The staff are always welcoming and supportive, which goes a long way toward making volunteers feel appreciated.”

Find out more about how CST will benefit patients.

Background information

Clinical & Systems Transformation (CST) is a joint initiative of VCH, PHSA and PHC, and one of the largest and most complex healthcare projects in Canada. It spans across several areas of the continuum of care including: acute care inpatient and outpatient units, ambulatory care and residential care. As well as creating consistent, leading practices, and a shared clinical information system, CST will deliver HIMSS Level 5 functionality.

Clinical design teams, made up of hundreds of highly-skilled, multi-disciplinary professionals from across the three Health Organizations and Team IBM, started work on April 7, 2014. These teams are tasked with designing our future workflows, based on leading practices. In doing so they are defining the requirements for our new clinical information system.

For more information