BC First Nations eHealth Centre of Excellence (CoE)
After nearly two years of planning, the First Nations eHealth Centre of Excellence was incorporated in December 2008 in partnership between Inter Tribal Health Authority and the BC First Nations Health Council.
Initially intended to support the implementation of electronic medical records (EMR) and Telehealth services, the CoE has since evolved to include:
- A broader perspective on eHealth, recognizing that the EMR is just one component of a much larger and integrated First Nation eHealth environment comprised of solutions, services and supporting Infostructure;
- The implementation and support of eHealth solutions and services for all First Nations in BC; and,
- An enhanced focus on working with the Province and other stakeholders
CoE Vision
The vision of the BC First Nations eHealth CoE is empowered First Nations, using innovative health information technologies to achieve wellness in their communities.
CoE Mission
The CoE represents a partnership between ITHA and the BC First Nations Health Council through which direction will be received from BC First Nations to:
- Build First Nations e-Health skills and knowledge;
- Facilitate innovative e-Health solutions;
- Support First Nations’ e-Health initiatives; and,
- Ensure e-Health interaction between and across First Nations, the Province and other stakeholder groups.
eHealth Solutions back to top
eHealth Solutions include Electronic Medical Records (EMR), an Electronic Health Record (EHR) system, TeleOphthalmology Clinics, Telehealth and a secure Data Centre.
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2010
Mobile TeleOphthalmology Project Brings Cutting Edge Retinal Screening Technology to Rural and Remote First Nations Communities on Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island residents living in 51 rural and remote First Nations communities who are at high risk of developing diseases of the retina related to diabetes are benefitting from a new mobile retinal screening service being delivered in their communities. These Mobile TeleOphthalmology units are operated by specially trained nurses and technicians who take retinal scans of patients and send the images via a secure link to retinal specialists in Victoria for assessment. Read more....(PDF)
Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Presentation Video
TeleOphthalmology Presentation Video
For more information on our eHealth Solutions please contact;
Kelly Wadham
Director, E-Health & Research
Inter Tribal Health Authority
1-877-777-4842 (ext. 235)
Services back to top
It is planned that the CoE will support eHealth Shared Services, Health Information Management Services, Clinical Services. It will also support policy development and undertake advocacy.
Infostructure back to top
The quality and compatibility of the underlying Infostructure is critical to all aspects of First Nations eHealth. Integration with established and ever-evolving standards and architecture of other organizations, such as Canada Health Infoway, the Province of British Columbia and Health Canada, will be a focus of the CoE.
Principles back to top
Community-centered, the CoE will adopt and adhere to Standards including the underlying principle of OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access and Possession) it will focus on building strong and rewarding Relationships; and aim for Excellence in all that it undertakes.