Province’s electronic referral system expands

More patients will see better communication around referrals with the addition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound tests to the e-referral system.

Patients who provide an email address receive automatic notifications when the referral is sent, when an appointment is booked and if the referral is updated. The referring provider also receives the notifications.

This system provides better tracking, review and co-ordination of referrals. Patients still choose where they receive care and receive better information on the status of their referral.

“Transforming health care includes improving the tools, systems and processes that health-care professionals use every day to help care for their patients,” said Health and Wellness Minister Michelle Thompson. “Technology is helping us provide better communication, shorter wait times and overall better, faster care for Nova Scotians.”

Primary-care providers have been sending surgical referrals electronically since March. MRIs were added in September and ultrasound e-referrals began earlier this month.

Electronic referrals will, over time, eliminate inconsistent, misdirected or duplicate referrals, helping reduce wait times and improving the information that doctors and patients receive about the status of the referrals.

Eventually, all nonemergency surgical, MRI and ultrasound referrals will be processed centrally using this electronic tool. Work is underway to expand the use of this system to allow for e-referrals for computerized tomography (CT) scans.