Northern Health is implementing an integrated electronic medical record (EMR) system, marking a transition from its previous paper-based medical record system. The EMR system, developed in collaboration with Oracle Cerner, has been in preparation for the past two years. It was recently launched at Bundoora Centre and Broadmeadows Hospital, with other Northern Health services to follow in the coming weeks. Trish Aldridge, Northern Health EMR program director, expressed excitement about the upcoming implementation at Northern Hospital Epping and Craigieburn Centre.
The Northern Health EMR system is significant because it offers a comprehensive view of clinical information across the entire health service. This improves the coordination of care and enables immediate clinical decision-making. The system also provides real-time notifications to care teams regarding allergies and alerts, as well as better visibility of a patient’s medical history during treatment or surgery.
This move towards EMR systems is a larger trend in healthcare. In Queensland, an Oracle Health EMR system is being gradually rolled out after receiving A$300 million ($190 million) in funding from the state government last year. The expansion includes five additional sites under the Metro North Hospital and Health Service.