CHATHAM-KENT:  The Municipality of Chatham-Kent and Chatham-Kent Health Alliance have partnered to make access to local hospital services more convenient.

At tonight’s meeting of Municipal Council, Joann Kjeldsen* (McDonald), Project Manager, ITS and Sharon Pfaff*, CKHA’s Chief Information Officer, showcased a new application on the Chatham-Kent community portal ( www.chatham-kent.ca ) called Patient Appointment Request Service (PARS).

The PARS application allows community users to electronically make a request for most physician-ordered hospital procedures, tests and appointments, on-line at their convenience 24/7.  (Before now, patients would call the Patient Appointment Office (PAO) toll-free at 1-877-726-2542 or (519) 437-6012. Telephone requests will still be available.)

This Internet application is a first in Canada and was funded in part by the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade through a Connect Ontario grant.  Canadian Company, Concept Interactive Inc. built the interface and was the developer of the Chatham-Kent community portal.  Concept also made a significant in-kind contribution towards the project.

“Both the Alliance and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent have introduced award-winning I.T. initiatives,” said Ms. Pfaff.  “This latest application expands options for future patients at CKHA and furthers our respected partnership. Together we have the skills, technology, vision and commitment to enhance the quality of life in Chatham-Kent.”

She assured users that their personal health information is secure within this system due to the unique user ID and password protection.  “Only the hospital staff involved in providing the patient’s health care will have access to the private health information that is supplied.”

Ms. Kjeldsen noted, “The success of strong partnerships have helped make this a reality for Chatham-Kent citizens. Planning together to build upon each other’s assets and infrastructures to provide greater services to the community, affordably, are key.”

“The Ministry of Economic Development and Trade is very pleased with the Chatham-Kent community portal,” said David Kennedy, Director of Information and Communications Technologies Branch, MEDT.  “It is through strong working partnerships, that this investment helps bring residents and small businesses into today’s digital economy.”

How do I Use the Internet Service?

• Go to the community portal, www.chatham-kent.ca
• Scroll over the Community Services heading and select Health.
• Choose Patient Appointment Request Service from the menu on the left
• Click on the link to the application on the right-hand side of the page
• Sign in
• If you do not have an account, you will need to create one:
  create your personal user name and password by completing the profile information form
• enter your health card number, your date of birth and your gender
• Choose the hospital service required, procedure type, and your choice of three possible appointment times within the date and time blocks offered
• Submit your Request (when a request for an appointment is submitted, it does not become an official appointment until CKHA’s Patient Appointment Office replies with a proposed date and time for your acceptance)
• Return to the Patient Appointment Request Service within 2 days to receive an appointment notification.
• Review and accept the proposed times
  The proposed time(s) and appointment(s) is now confirmed
  or decline the appointment and suggest an alternate time.

Helpful Features
Only when you have confirmed the suggested appointment time, is the appointment considered ‘Booked’.  Booked patients will electronically receive additional information to help them prepare for their appointment.

You can use the service to request an appointment time for yourself, or others in your care (eg your children or parents)

If you have a number of hospital appointments to remember, you can view all of your confirmed appointments at any time within the ‘My Appointments’ tab.
 
You can modify your personal profile when, for example, you have a change of address.

If an appointment is needed within two weeks, do not use this electronic Patient Appointment Request Service, but instead telephone the Patient Appointment Office directly.

After a 6-month pilot phase the Patient Appointment Request Service will be reviewed to assure that it is easy to navigate and is meeting the needs of its users.

For more information contact:
Chatham-Kent Health Alliance
Sharon Pfaff
(519) 437-6259  

Municipality of Chatham-Kent
Joann Kjeldsen (McDonald)
(519) 360-1998      

Marilyn Cadotte
(519) 437-6103