Simcoe Muskoka gets upgraded network infrastructure to improve patient care

TORONTO - March 31, 2008 - Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA) today announced that more than 20 of the largest health care organizations in the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) have received increased network bandwidth enabling them to improve health services to residents. The upgrade enhances care by enabling health care providers to transmit electronic digital images of patient x-rays, scans and ultrasounds over a private and secure network.

The enhancements come from Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA), an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care responsible for electronically connecting health care professionals to each other and to patient information.

The ability to electronically transmit digital images helps reduce patient wait times for treatment and enables doctors to more quickly collaborate on a diagnosis. With the upgrade, physicians can now also streamline care by integrating their clinical and chronic disease management systems with hospitals and data from Community Care Access Centres.

According to Jean Trimnell, North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN's Chief Executive Officer, this will allow the region to dramatically increase the scale, reliability and speed of network-based connections and applications to services local residents.

The increased capacity has broadened the North Simcoe Muskoka region’s use of the Ontario Telemedicine Network and extended video conferencing services, eliminating the need for residents to travel to larger centres for care. Physicians can also utilize the technology to speak with experts across the province on a diagnosis.

This is the first LHIN to complete the upgrade of SSHA’s network to its largest health care partners and hospitals.

Depending on location and connection method, participating organizations are now experiencing bandwidth speeds of up to 200 Mbps, representing an increase of between three to 40 times previous speeds.

Organizations benefiting from the upgrade are:
Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, Collingwood · Huronia Medical Centre, Midland · Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene, Penetanguishene · Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare - Burk’s Falls & District Health Centre, Burk’s Falls · Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare - Huntsville District Memorial Hospital site, Huntsville · Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare - South Muskoka Memorial Hospital site, Huntsville · Ontario Telemedicine Network - Regional Office, Barrie · North Simcoe Hospital Alliance - Huronia District Hospital, Midland · North Simcoe Hospital Alliance - Penetanguishene General Hospital, Penetanguishene · North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre - Main Office, Barrie · North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre - Bracebridge · North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre - Collingwood · North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre - Midland · North Simcoe Muskoka Community Care Access Centre - Placement Coordination Service - Huntsville · North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network, Orillia · Orillia Family Health Network, Orillia · Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital, Orillia · Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie · Simcoe - Muskoka District Health Unit - Head Office, Barrie · Simcoe - Muskoka District Health Unit, Huntsville · The Villa Care Centre, Jarlette Health Services, Barrie

Background
The North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN, with a total population of 435,000 people, is one of 14 LHINs across Ontario mandated to plan, integrate and fund local health services, including hospitals, community care access centres, community health centres, long-term care homes, mental health and addiction programs and a variety of community support services agencies. The LHINs oversee nearly two-thirds of the $37.9 billion health care budget in Ontario. For further information on the North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN, visit the LHIN here.

Smart Systems for Health Agency (SSHA) is an agency of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, responsible for electronically connecting health care professionals to each other and to patient information. SSHA provides a common IT platform that helps health care providers access vital patient and health information they need to deliver better care. For more information, visit www.ssha.on.ca.