What We Do

1. Vision

2. CoP Strategic Priorities

3. Governance and Collaborations

4. Member Support

5. EMR Optimization Initiatives

6. EMR System In-Development Projects

7. KBC COP Projects In-Development 

Vision:

Optimize quality patient care and physician satisfaction through the use of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) to:

CoP Strategic Priorities

1. Improve EMR usability and optimization

• E-referral
• CDM integration and automation
• CCR
• Support practice optimization and improve level meaningful use of EMR within clinics

2. Support the work of the Shared Care Committee, Division of Family Practice, and PSP

3. Support Quality Implementations

4. Strengthen Membership and Sustain Governance through the above and:

• Re-engage specialists
• Expand resources/programs to meet needs of non-Profile users

Governance and Collaborations:

1. KBC COP Monthly Governance Meetings: to identify further initiatives and address ongoing issues. Governance committee currently comprises MOA representation from specialist clinics in Nelson, and GP clinics in Rossland. We have GP representation from Nelson, Creston and Christina Lake. Although invited, no specialists have attended our meetings since the selection of the EMR vendor. Dr. De Greef and Dr. Samantha Segal are still committee members. Castlegar and Trail do not currently have GP representatives on the committee although anyone is welcome.

2. KBC COP/Intrahealth Monthly Operations Meetings (and prn): representatives from the KBC COP governance and Intrahealth have been meeting weekly since its inception to discuss and prioritize current problems and issues related to implementations and ongoing issue with basic EMR functioning.

3. KBC COP/Intrahealth Bi-Weekly Strategic Planning Meetings: between governance committee representatives and management level players at Intrahealth. Discussions and planning around higher level initiatives such as e-referral, specialist retention and Community Clinical Record.

4. POI Working Group: demanded and facilitated ad hoc committees between KBC COP, Intrahealth and Interior Health to address emergent concerns regarding results management. Ongoing work with the stakeholders in order to improve results delivery.

7. COP Collaboration: the initiation of meetings between other Profile-specific communities of practice. We are beginning to look at common concerns, issues and enhancements and intend to collaborate together to find common solutions and provide a greater, collective voice to assist Intrahealth in building these solutions.

6. PSP/SCC/Divisions/COP Collaboration: pursuing the initiation of regular meetings are being established between representatives of the SCC, PSP, Divisions of Family Practice, Interior Health CDM, Regional CME Committee and KBC COP to allow for an open exchange of information and to allow for opportunities to assist each other with their goals and objectives

Member Support

1. KBC Training and Support Specialist/Practice Automation Coach: KBC COP identified the need for on-site, local support personnel who understood physician and clinic workflow issues and could bridge the gap between clinics and the EMR vendor. KBC COP lobbied for and guided the development of this position. Based upon this model PITO has since developed the Practice Automation Coach position to assist all EMR users with their optimization goals.

2. Peer Mentor Program: KBC GPs and MOAs with advanced interest and knowledge of EMR functionality are available to provide assistance via phone or in-person to any EMR user who requires assistance.

3. Road Shows/Site Visits: Physician and MOA peer mentors, along with the PAC providing on-site visits to all KBC clinics to provide clinics with real time assistance with their EMR questions and to provide tips and tricks to enhance EMR utilization.

4. MOA Collaboration Calls (monthly): regular focus groups to allow for group collaboration and problem solving of common EMR issues. See "Event Calendar" for dates, times and topics. Register by using the form at the Contact Us page and selecting "MOA Collaboration Call RSVP" as the category, and please provide your name and email. You will receive an email invitation for the monthly "MOA Collaboration Call"  They are currently held on the third Wednesday every month from 10:00 am to 11:00 am (except for December, July and August).

5. EMR Rounds (monthly): monthly clinical online User Group that will be facilitated by Peer Mentors using webconference technology.  Designed around case studies, participants will focus on a particular patient scenario, with discussion and demonstration of how EMR can enhance patient care and efficiency of patient encounter.

6. User Groups: Five have been held thus far: one in Trail, one in Castlegar, two in Nelson, and one in Rossland. Physician and MOA ½ day workshops to affect knowledge transfer in such areas as billings, chronic disease management, effective implementation and basic usage. Representatives from Intrahealth have been present in person at all three of the user groups. Separate User Groups have been formed for Intrahealth and Optimed Users in KBC. Contact KBC if you would like to start a User Group for another EMR.

EMR Optimization Initiatives

1. Data Quality Initiative: A list of the most relevant diagnostic codes has been developed by the Creston Medical Associates clinic in order to standardize their categorization process and thereby assist the management and development of lists for chronic disease management. Will be part of a wider roll-out initiative.

2. Usability Research Project: with the University of Victoria E-Health Observatory. A front-line study examining ways to clinics utilize EMR and how its usage can he enhanced.

EMR System In-Development Projects

1. E-Referral: direct EMR to EMR transfer of referral information between Profile users. Allows for the direct importation of patient date directly into the relevant data fields in the specialists chart and for the immediate communication to the GP of the status of a patient’s referral. Currently in pilot stage.

2. Intervendor E-Referral: KBC COP and Nanaimo COP were recently co-awarded a PITO Innovation and Diffusion Fund grant for the development of an intervendor referral mechanism between Intrahealth (predominant GP EMR) and Optimed (predominant Specialist EMR)

3. Community Clinical Record: an approach whereby basic patient information (demographics, current medications, allergies, past medical history etc.) can be accessed “real-time” by members of a patient’s care team. Allowing for access of the right information at the right time. Ongoing work with Profile and PITO regarding development and privacy aspects.

KBC COP Projects In-Development 

1. Website Renovation: Status: COMPLETE  An extensive upgrade of our previous website to make it more usable and informative; a one-stop visit for all of your EMR questions and concerns.

2. Enhanced Communications: Status: in progress  Regular newsletters to update membership on current issues and initiatives; email blasts to address urgent problems and issues.

3. Strategic Planning and Governance Restructuring; Status: COMPLETE although recruitment to team is still in progress.  Working group established to address how the COP can increase its visibility and utility to its members. There is a need to return ownership for the EMR and its optimization back to the users and to increase their participation in its enhancements. The governance committee also requires a model for succession and sustainability. New member recruitment and additional peer mentors are required.

4. Fall Celebration (combined with User Groups for Intrahealth and Optimed):Status: COMPLETE a showcase of the COP accomplishments, a recommitment to our initial goals of improved patient care, improved physician experience and an enhancement of physician communication; moving away from basic usage to optimization and usability. Practical workshops and an opportunity for COP members to participate in directing further initiatives of the COP. October 29.