Introducing RSHIP

In the summer of 2006, the Regional Shared Health Information Program (RSHIP) made history.

In early July 2006, Aspen Health Region was the final RSHIP partner to implement the Phase I Clinical and Business Systems software.  With all seven health regions now "live," RSHIP now serves a geographic area larger than that served by any other shared health information system in Canada, and it generates Enterprise Medical Records (electronic health records) for over 1 million Alberta residents.

RSHIP is a unique information management system that went into development after seven of Alberta's nine Regional Health Authorities -- Aspen, Chinook, David Thompson, East Central, Northern Lights, Palliser, and Peace Country -- voluntarily collaborated.

Working cooperatively, the RSHIP partners pooled their financial and human resources to build an integrated health information system that improves patient care, reduces medical errors, assists health care professionals in their work, generates an Enterprise Medical Record (electronic health record) for each resident living in the RSHIP partner health regions, and integrates with the provincial electronic health record.  The provincial integration includes eDelivery of Lab Test Results and DI Text Reports to Alberta Netcare Portal, integration with the Provincial Client Registry and implementation of a PACS initiative in alignment with the provincial DI (PACS) strategy.

What is an Enterprise Medical Record?

An Enterprise Medical Record is an important feature of the RSHIP system. It is another name for an electronic health record

An Enterprise Medical Record is a record of an individual's key health information gathered from different health professionals over time.

An Enterprise Medical Record contains patient identification information; lab test results; diagnostic imaging reports and images; and lists of allergies, diagnoses, and prescribed drugs.

By August 2006, RSHIP Enterprise Medical Records will be accessible in all of the RSHIP partner health regions. If a patient from Fort McMurray requires health care in Lethbridge, their Enterprise Medical Record will follow them electronically to where ever they receive care.