A First Nations Solution for First Nations Health Care in British Columbia

DUNCAN, BC, July 19, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Cowichan Tribes and Mustimuhw Information Solutions today announced a partnership with McKesson Canada's RelayHealth to improve health care for members of the Cowichan Tribes First Nation. The 18-month pilot project will help improve the health of 400 patients from the Cowichan Tribes by providing them with secure, personalized access to their own electronic health records and the ability to directly message their health care providers online.                                                                                                                                   

This project – Closing the Circle of Care – honours the Cowichan Tribes' indigenous teachings and approach to care by reinforcing the importance of empowerment and the need to work collectively for improved health and wellness. By encouraging citizens, families, the community and their health care providers to be collaborators in health care, each participant becomes an active part of the community's health care team. 

"Enabling our citizens to be active participants in their circle of care is an important and necessary step as we improve health outcomes for Cowichan Tribes," said Maureen Tommy, General Manager at Cowichan Tribes and President of Mustimuhw.

"We will now be able to view all of our patients' records – whether they are from the community health nurse, the primary care team, or a family physician in town – in a single file," said Christina Nishimura, Primary Care Nurse Manager for Slhexun sun'ts'a clinic at Ts'ewulhtun Health Centre. "Not only does this let us better coordinate care for our patients, but by giving patients access to this comprehensive record, it also allows them to schedule their own appointments, view lab results and directly message their full array of care providers with any questions or concerns they may have – it's as easy as email."

B.C. Health Minister Terry Lake, representing the Ministry of Health, and Michael Green, CEO, Canada Health Infoway were present at this announcement representing an investment from Canada Health Infoway, who helped make this breakthrough effort possible. Valerie Nicol, Executive Director of the Cowichan Valley Division of Family Practice, a collaborating partner for the project was also on hand for the announcement.

"For the first time, patients are empowered to manage their own health," said Health Minister Terry Lake. "We are watching projects like Closing the Circle of Care with great interest and congratulate the Cowichan Tribes for their leadership in providing personal access to electronic health records."

"Patients have a strong desire to be active in the management of their care, and having access to their own health information, with the ability to securely message their authorized providers, will go a long way to supporting them," said Michael Green, President and CEO, Canada Health Infoway.  "Infoway is proud to support this project, which is an example of what we expect to see for all Canadians in the future."

For more than 15 years, Cowichan Tribes has been a leader in designing approaches to health delivery and connectivity that reflect a First Nations philosophy of individual empowerment, including the use of the Mustimuhw community electronic medical record (cEMR). Together with RelayHealth this commitment will be taken even further.

"When we first met the Cowichan Tribes, we were inspired by their vision of a truly holistic, patient-centered approach to health care," said George Attar, Senior Vice President, Chief Technology and Information Officer of McKesson Canada. "I'm proud that RelayHealth is helping us realize the next evolution of health care by making patients active members of their care team."

"We look forward to sharing what we've accomplished with our First Nations partners across British Columbia," said Mark Sommerfeld, CEO of Mustimuhw. "This is truly a First Nations solution for First Nations health care."

BACKGROUNDER

Quick facts 

• Over the past decade, Cowichan Tribes, the largest single First Nation in British Columbia, has been the national leader in health information management, providing a community electronic medical record (cEMR) for First Nations health service organizations.
• The new Personal Health Record will be implemented as a pilot project, the first of its kind in British Columbia, initially involving 400 patients and 20 health care providers.
• This innovative partnership between Cowichan Tribes, Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc., McKesson Canada, and Canada Health Infoway is increasing access to healthcare for Cowichan Tribes, putting patients in control of their own healthcare and health record, and giving them remote access to healthcare providers.
• Cowichan Tribes and Mustimuhw Information Services are excited to speak with First Nations across Canada about launching innovative technology solutions that increase access.

About Cowichan Tribes and Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc.
Cowichan Tribes is the largest First Nation (FN) in British Columbia. Located in the Cowichan Valley in mid-Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Tribes is comprised of seven traditional villages: Kwa'mutsun, Qwumiyiqun', Xwulqwselu, S'amuna', Lhumlhumuluts, Xinupsum, Tl'uqtinus and Tl'ulpalus.

Cowichan Tribes is governed by a Chief and 12 Councillors, who have delegated responsibilities for a variety of services including Children and Families, Education, Health, Housing, Membership and Social Development.  Cowichan Tribes originated the Mustimuhw Community Electronic Medical Record (cEMR) system, which is broadly in use in First Nations Health Centres across multiple provinces. To manage their continued success in First Nations information management in the health and human services, the Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc. was established as a Cowichan Tribes subsidiary company.

About RelayHealth
Launched in 2011, RelayHealth is McKesson Canada's web-based service that provides complete and secure information flow between patients and all of their health care providers coast to coast. Focused on the patient point of care, RelayHealth accelerates information exchange, facilitates collaboration between health care providers, advances patient quality of care, and reduces overall health care costs. The service has received Canada Health Infoway certification, meaning it has met or exceeded a series of pre-defined, domain specific assessment criteria, ensuring it conforms to global and national standards for privacy, security and interoperability.

About McKesson Canada
Founded more than 100 years ago, McKesson Canada is dedicated to delivering vital medicines, supplies and information technologies that enable the health care industry to provide patients better, safer care. Our solutions empower pharmacies, manufacturers, hospitals and other health care institutions by enabling them to get closer to the millions of patients they serve every single day, while contributing to the quality and safety of care in Canada.

About Canada Health Infoway
Canada Health Infoway helps to improve the health of Canadians by working with partners to accelerate the development, adoption and effective use of digital health across Canada. Through our investments, we help deliver better quality and access to care and more efficient delivery of health services for patients and clinicians. Canada Health Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government.

About the Cowichan Valley Division of Family Practice
The Cowichan Valley Division of Family Practice (CVDFP) has been formed to support the people and family physicians of the Cowichan Valley; to identify gaps in patient care, and to develop solutions to meet the community's needs.  The Cowichan Division works to foster strong, collaborative relationships, and benefits from a high level of community engagement and collegiality among the medical community.  As a result, CVDFP is able to work closely with a range of community partners to achieve its goals.  There are currently 105 physicians within the Division.

SOURCE MCKESSON CANADA

McKesson Canada: Elizabeth Huart, Public Affairs, 514.832-2587, [email protected]; Mustimuhw Information Solutions Inc., Mark Sommerfeld, Chief Executive Officer, 250.240.5929, [email protected]; Canada Health Infoway: Dan Strasbourg, Director, Media Relations, 416.595.3424, [email protected]