'It’s challenging': Issues persist as B.C. modernizes hospital technology
CTV
British Columbia’s two biggest health authorities are pushing ahead with the massive task of modernizing the information technology systems in their hospitals, with issues already plaguing the effort.
British Columbia’s two biggest health authorities are pushing ahead with the massive task of modernizing the information technology systems in their hospitals, with issues already plaguing the effort.
CTV News has heard from a number of frontline workers in different facilities who describe poorly executed roll-out plans, inefficient and clunky interfaces, and a slow-down in efficiency as they grapple with the transition from predominantly pen-and-paper operations to full digital. One called the switch, undertaken amid the pressures of the pandemic, “traumatizing”.
Vancouver General Hospital began the transition in November and sources describe ongoing problems, with a serious issue last Wednesday where no one could access the CST Cerner system, meaning all patient information, booking systems, records and other material was inaccessible. One senior staffer described it as “paralyzing the biggest hospital in the province,” and said they were not given an explanation as to why. https://bc.ctvnews.ca/resignations-and-retaliation-b-c-health-care-workers-see-increasingly-toxic-workplaces-1.6265688
When asked by CTV News, Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed there was an issue but downplayed it as a Citrix server problem, not Cerner, and insisted that “The system was back up and running shortly after with no disruption to hospital services or patient care."
They acknowledged, however, that the access issue impacted all VCH sites with CST Cerner, as well as Providence Health sites like St. Paul’s Hospital and Provincial Health Services Authorities campuses, including the BC Cancer Agency and BC Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which are also on the same system.
CTV News raised the issue with the health minister and asked him if patients were safe during the transition.
“This was a process being put in by the previous Liberal government that was delayed for six years with very little action,” said Adrian Dix. “We're making progress, hospital by hospital, and I think overall, the transition in most of the hospitals has gone well. It is challenging.”
