Changes for Physicians and Other Providers

The CST project will transform health care delivery systems and processes to improve the safety, quality and consistency of patient care across VCH, PHSA and PHC. 

What this means for physicians:

  • Adopt common clinical and process standards (including workflows, order sets, clinical guidelines and integrated plans of care).

  • Patient records will be updated and shared electronically via a shared clinical information system called CST Cerner.

  • Medication orders and other instructions will be entered directly into the clinical information system and will immediately become part of the patient’s record (computerized provider order entry).

  • Health professionals in acute care facilities will use a fully electronic closed loop medication management process. This will help improve patient safety by making sure each medication is prescribed and given to the right patient, in the right dose, at the right time, with the right documentation.

When sites go-live with CST, physicians and other providers will:

  • Access electronic patient records using single sign-on from anywhere (remote access)
  • Have workstations on wheels (WoWs) and other new devices they need, tap and go functionality and reliable WiFi
  • Place orders for medications, diagnostic tests and patient care via computerized provider order entry (CPOE) and give urgent verbal orders if CPOE is not possible
  • Enter orders (PowerPlans) electronically 
  • Use Message Centre to manage documents from students/residents, verbal orders and proposed orders
  • Document and sign all notes into the clinical information system to make them viewable
  • Review and validate home medications to ensure best possible medication history (BPMH) is completed for all inpatients 
  • Follow a new electronic orders reconciliation process for admissions, transfers and discharge
  • Use a patient summary (mPage) for consistent handover of patient care at shift change/transitions
  • Access paper chartlet/documents in the system (scanned upon patient discharge)