A secure web-based approach for accessing transitional health information for people with traumatic brain injury.
A web-based transitional health record was created to provide regional healthcare professionals with ubiquitous access to information on people with brain injuries as they move through the healthcare system. Participants included public, private, and community healthcare organizations/providers in Eastern Ontario (Canada). One hundred and nineteen service providers and 39 brain injury survivors registered over 6 months. Fifty-eight percent received English and 42% received bilingual services (English-French). Public health providers contacted the regional service coordinator more than private providers (52% urban centres, 26% rural service providers, and 22% both areas). Thirty-five percent of contacts were for technical difficulties, 32% registration inquiries, 21% forms and processes, 6% resources, and 6% education. Seventeen technical enquiries required action by technical support personnel: 41% digital certificates, 29% web forms, and 12% log-in. This web-based approach to clinical information sharing provided access to relevant data as clients moved through or re-entered the health system. Improvements include automated digital certificate management, institutional health records system integration, and more referral tracking tools. More sensitive test data could be accessed on-line with increasing consumer/clinician confidence. In addition to a strong technical infrastructure, human resource issues are a major information security component and require continuing attention to ensure a viable on-line information environment.
Institute for Rehabilitation Research and Development, The Rehabilitation Centre, 505 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ont., Canada K1H 8M2. elemaire@ottawahospital.on.ca
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Lemaire
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Deforge
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Marshall
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Curran
D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002170:Canada; D003201:Computers; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006266:Health Education; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006302:Health Services Research; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D020407:Internet; D007802:Language; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012984:Software