Upcoming guideline recommends eHealth strategies to improve health system

TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Transforming Canada's health system by adopting eHealth solutions, and improving the return on investment for government agencies and health-care organizations, are the focuses of a best practice guideline to be released Tuesday by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) and Canada Health Infoway (Infoway).

This first-of-its kind guideline will be unveiled Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. (EST) live via webinar. Its 26 recommendations will provide a roadmap to improve patient outcomes, clinician satisfaction, and health system efficiency by adopting an evidence-based eHealth implementation strategy. It is estimated that effectively adopting eHealth solutions could save $6 billion to $7 billion annually in health-care spending.

Adopting eHealth solutions: Implementation strategies was developed by RNAO with funding from the Government of Ontario and Infoway. It was developed by an interprofessional panel of national and international eHealth experts, co-chaired by long-time nurse executives Maureen Charlebois and Diane Salois-Swallow. RNAO's world-renowned guidelines promote evidence-based practices in health care.

"Adopting eHealth technologies is essential to the evolution of a modern health system, but Canada has not kept pace with other countries," says Doris Grinspun, chief executive officer (CEO) of RNAO. "The recommendations contained in this evidence-based best practice guideline will contribute to bringing our country up to speed."

"We believe this guideline will be a key resource for health care executives, frontline nurses and other health care providers, and will help us achieve Infoway's vision of healthier Canadians through innovative digital health solutions," says Michael Green, president and CEO, Canada Health Infoway.

WHO:

• The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario and Canada Health Infoway

WHAT:

• Release of Adopting eHealth solutions: Implementation strategies best practice guideline

WHEN:

• Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 at 1 p.m. (EST)

WHERE:

• Live via webinar (follow link to sign in)

Members of the media are welcome to attend.

RNAO is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve. For more information about RNAO, visit RNAO.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

RNAO's Best Practice Guidelines program is funded by the Ontario government's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and provides the best available evidence for patient care across a wide spectrum of health-care settings. Over 50 guidelines have been developed to date. They represent a substantial contribution towards building excellence in Ontario's health system. They are used by nurses, other health professionals and organizations across Canada and abroad. To learn more about RNAO's guidelines, please visit RNAO.ca/bestpractices.

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. Infoway is an independent, not-for-profit organization funded by the federal government. For more information about Canada Health Infoway visit: www.infoway-inforoute.ca.

SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

For more information about the upcoming release of the guideline, please contact: Daniel Punch, Communications Officer/Writer, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario, 416-408-5606, [email protected]