SURGICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM LAUNCHED IN PRAIRIE NORTH HEALTH REGION

Released on September 1, 2011

Surgical patients in west central Saskatchewan will benefit from a new state of the art system that has been introduced in the Prairie North Health Region's two largest hospitals.

The Surgical Information System (SIS), an electronic system that streamlines process for patients and staff, is now operational in both Battlefords Union Hospital and Lloydminster Hospital. It allows health providers to electronically schedule surgeries, book operating rooms, arrange appropriate surgical equipment, and track patients through different stages of the surgical process.

"Patients deserve to have the smoothest, safest surgical experience possible," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "The Surgical Information System makes sure health care providers have the information they need, when they need it, and automates processes so providers can spend more time with their patients. This is another key part of the Saskatchewan's Surgical Initiative's effort to reduce wait times and improve patient experiences."

McMorris noted that since November 2007, the number of patients waiting longer than 18 months for surgery has dropped 75 per cent and the number waiting longer than 12 months has dropped 56 per cent.

Prairie North Health Region's implementation of the SIS marks the first time the system has been simultaneously introduced in more than one site - a major milestone in province-wide implementation of the system.

"Launching two sites at the same time is not something that is typically done with the SIS," explained Jacquie Baynham, System Administrator for SIS at Battlefords Union Hospital and OR Nurse Manager at BUH. "However, our team agreed that it was important for both of our regional hospitals to be involved in the SIS so we rose to the challenge."

"Our SIS Project Team is to be commended for their commitment to excellence in the implementation of this project," Barbara Jiricka, Vice President of Integrated Health Services said. "The introduction of this system will greatly benefit surgical patients and OR staff in Prairie North and we thank the SIS Project Team for their dedication and perseverance."

The SIS is unique in its ability to exchange data with Saskatchewan's surgical wait list, which tracks all patients waiting for surgery in hospital operating rooms. The SIS automatically updates the provincial surgical wait list immediately after a patient has received surgery.

The two Prairie North hospitals join those in Prince Albert and Swift Current in using the system. The next facilities to introduce it will be in Saskatoon and Moose Jaw. More information is available at www.health.gov.sk.ca/sis.

The SIS supports the goals of the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative, among which are to ensure that by 2014, all patients have an opportunity to have their surgery within three months. Since the Surgical Initiative began in April 2010, the number of patients waiting more than 18 months has dropped 57 per cent (879 cases). The number waiting more than 12 months has declined 43 per cent (1,729 cases). Data to June 30, 2011 shows that of the 23,424 people currently waiting for surgery, about 2.8 per cent (676 cases) have waited longer than 18 months.

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For more information, contact:

Tyler McMurchy
Health
Regina
Phone: 787-4083
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 537-3594

Linda Lewis
Prairie North Health Region
North Battleford
Phone: 446-6625
Email: linda.lewis@pnrha.ca