Emergency Department Electronic Order Entry Super Users will be available to provide on-site assistance, beginning Tuesday, Oct. 20. Pictured (from left to right) are Neil Olsen, Fiona Francis, Eric Ko Christine Bennett and Joanas Wong (front).

Faster access to care equals better outcomes for ED patients

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, Electronic Order Entry makes its debut in the Richmond Hospital Emergency Department.

New functionality in the PCIS ED Information System will result in faster access to diagnostics and treatment and higher levels of care quality for ED patients at Richmond Hospital through increased speed of access to radiology, MI, and lab work.  Plus, for the first time, clinicians in all departments will be able to view cardiology ECG results in PCIS.

“It’s an example of how VCH Richmond is improving patient care through better information technology,” said Jenn Hunter, Manager, Emergency Services and Pediatrics.

Need help? Look for the orange t-shirts

Go Live kicks off Tuesday morning. Super Users, wearing the orange t-shirts will be in-and-around the ED to serve as the go-to people for all questions related to PCIS’s new functionality.

On-site support service will remain in place until November 2. On-site supports include:

  • A team of Richmond Hospital Super Users—IMITS PCIS analysts and IMITS Trainers— who will be ready to assist 24/7 in the ED and ancillary departments.
  • A Command Centre phone line—Local 4255—is also available during this period for departmental assistance.

A number of supporting resources, including User Guide materials and Quick Reference Guides, are also available and are posted in PCIS Vancouver Acute / Richmond .

A few more details

Electronic order entry will be performed by ED physicians, nurses, unit clerks, cardiology techs, pharmacists, and respiratory therapists for the following orders:

  • Laboratory Orders – General Laboratory, Microbiology, Transfusion Service, and Pathology
  • Medical Imaging Orders – General Radiology (XRAY), Cat Scan (CT), Nuclear Medicine(NM),  Ultra Sound(US), Interventional Radiology(IR), and Echocardiogram(ECHO)
  • Cardiology Orders – ECG, Holter, and Stress testing

“These improvements to our Patient Care Information System will also allow us to track diagnostic turn-around times in the ED,” said Jodi Kortje, Director, Critical Care, Emergency and Medicine. “This data will help us continually improve patient access to care and, as a result, outcomes in the Richmond Hospital ED.”