1009 - Improving Mental Health Care Delivery with 6.15 Functionality

In 2015, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) partnered with another specialized mental hospital to establish a shared standardized Electronic Health Record (EHR), utilizing a shared system and a single, shared database on the MEDITECH 6.15 platform with the vision to leverage health IT to positively impact mental health care delivery. As part of the collaboration project, Ontario Shores was able to accelerate the transition from the 6.0 to the 6.1 platform and realize a number of quality improvement opportunities related to safety in the healthcare setting. Objectives:

• Upgrade to the 6.15 MEDITECH system to further improve patient safety and quality of care
• Further develop and implement functionality that supports evidence-based clinical standards in mental health
• Create shared, standardized reporting and business intelligence to advance patient care
• Create administrative synergies between service providers in the collaborative including the potential for future shared back office opportunities

• The methodology and approach to be discussed during the presentation at MUSE will include:
• Project management and governance structure
• Practice/clinical informatics approach to 6.15 update
• Module rebuilds of ADM to REG, SCH to CWS, ABS to CAS, QM to QRM, BAR to RCG
• New functionality implemented to improve processes, access and care.  Examples include simplified QRM screens and enhanced CWS appointment functionality in EHR and patient portal
• Significant patient information transition plan - mapping from 6.0 to 6.1
• DMD experience as an upgrade
• Project timeline and milestones
• Educating point of care clinicians on the new functionality available in 6.15 involved a two-fold approach with in-person education offered at various times pre-go live as well as an e-learning platform that is accessible using the organization’s learning management system
• Extensive pre-go live communication regarding the changes, the training, and downtime were communicated to staff.

• Lessons learned will be shared and discussed with the audience, including, but not limited to:
• Re-Design of modules to meet current needs
• DMD changes was not a positive experience
• Efficiencies for implementing provincial initiatives such as Connecting Ontario and Quality Standards
• A solution to deliver high-quality mental health care that also addresses the fiscal challenges of implementing an EHR
• A standardized, shared EHR that provides a foundation for future provincial initiatives
• Never enough testing

• Key recommendations include:
• Strong governance structure
• Develop a methodology for standardization and provide regular status reporting
• Strong, coordinated project management with a clear process for escalating issues
• Module rebuilds provided opportunities for greater efficiencies and deliverables