Toronto (Nov. 1, 2005) - University Health Network (UHN) walked away with two prestigious awards from the "Oscars" of the Information Technology industry.
To start, UHN's Shared Information Management Services (SIMS) received the Gold Level CIPA in the Customer Care, Not for Profit Category for its Medication Order Entry/Medication.
Administration Record (MOE/MAR) project. MOE/MAR integrates UHN's health information system with its pharmacy system to provide computerized order entry by physicians, electronic nursing documentation at the bedside and electronic validation of orders by the pharmacist.
"MOE/MAR improves patient safety, offering health care workers a better, safer way to order and administer drugs," said Stephanie Saull-McCaig, Director of Acute Care for SIMS. "What started as just another IT project actually turned out to be a huge change-management initiative that is not only yielding huge benefits for patients, but also changing the organization as a whole."
Adding to this great honour was a personal award for Matthew Anderson, UHN's Vice President and Chief Information Officer (CIO). Anderson received the 2005 CIO Canada CIO of the Year Award, recognizing his work as an exceptional Canadian leader who has made an outstanding difference in the advancement of e-Health.
"Matthew is a successful leader who has the rare combination of technical expertise and understanding about the complex needs of a patient care institution," explained Dr. Michael Baker, UHN's Physician in Chief. In a GTA-wide collaboration, Matthew is also CIO for the North York Community Care Access Centre, St. John's Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto Community Care Access Centre, Toronto Rehab Institute and West Park Healthcare Centre. Along with Bridgepoint Health, the seven organizations are establishing a shared technology service that supports the health-care information needs of each respective organizations.
The CIPA awards program recognizes excellence in innovation and the ability of Canadian organizations to change, adapt and compete on a global scale. Finalists for the annual awards are selected from entries submitted by enterprises of all sizes and types across Canada.
"In my short time working as UHN's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), I have constantly been impressed by the calibre of people who work at UHN and the remarkable things we are accomplishing," said Dr. Bob Bell, UHN's President and CEO. "It is always terrific when one of our great UHN groups is recognized by their peers as doing something truly outstanding." The annual CIPA competition is a showcase for the implementation of best practices. Winners become models for other Canadian organizations on how to adopt new technologies and introduce advanced technologies faster, in order to generate higher productivity, develop innovative products and services and foster increased prosperity for all stakeholders within the organization, the industry and the economy at large.
About University Health Newtwork
University Health Network is a major landmark in Canada's health-care system and a teaching partner of the University of Toronto. Building on the strengths and reputation of each of our three remarkable hospitals, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, UHN brings together the innovation, talent and resources needed to achieve global impact on the health care scene and provide exemplary patient care.
