Project: Health Infostructure Atlantic: Common Client Registry

Canada Health Infostructure Partnerships Program

Project Description

The Health Infostructure Atlantic (HIA) is a $24 million health infostructure project jointly funded by CHIPP in cooperation with four Atlantic provinces. The HIA project portfolio consists of three broad initiatives:

• Tele-i4 - a Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) and teleradiology initiative;
• New or enhanced applications to support Case Management in the community health sector; and
• Development of a Common Client Registry (CCR) at the provincial level in Prince Edward Island.

This synopsis covers the Common Client Registry (CCR) component which was developed and implemented at the provincial level in Prince Edward Island during the CHIPP time frame and went live in April 2002. HIA worked together to create a common vision, five-year plan, definitions and attributes for the CCR initiative. The HIA vision for the Atlantic Provinces is of one logical registry that spans the continuum of health care, and is able to provide accurate information by linking to all health encounters that an Atlantic resident has received.

A CCR is one main database per province that is created, maintained and administered at the provincial level. This is the database that maintains the "master" client index for all residents in the province; It also includes out-of-province clients and out-of-country clients when health services have been provided to them.

The Common Client Registry will form part of Prince Edward Island's Integrated Services Management System and is a move towards a more client centric view of information rather than the traditional program silo view.

Outcomes

While it is somewhat premature to be reporting implementation findings, it is worth noting that all project components will, over time, support improved service delivery and system planning. For example, the Common Client Registry in Prince Edward Island with its associated decision support system will begin to reveal important information about the provincial population that can be used for improved planning and service delivery.

The common client registry in PEI has increased program efficiencies and staff productivity. The main benefits are expected through reduced data entry and updating requirements across provincial departments and the improved ability to identify and eliminate fraudulent payment claims for health and social services.

Lessons Learned

Data entry errors risk the integrity and long-term viability of the CCR system. Expansion of CCR features to other health and social service user groups must be completed with enhanced care and attention paid to staff training on data entry procedures, techniques, and the potential impacts on current business processes.

Appendix A: Document or Products Generated

The products generated are listed in the HIA project overview synopsis.

For more information, please contact:

Prince Edward Island: Faye Campbell: fecampbell@ihis.org

Health Inforstructure Atlantic (Secretariat): Sharon Scott: scottshr@gov.ns.ca