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Canadian Hospital Digital Transformation 2026 — Infoway, EHR & Digital Health Guide
Complete guide to Canadian hospital digital transformation — Canada Health Infoway, provincial EHR systems, digital health strategy, virtual care expansion, AI adoption, and digital health software.
Canada Health Infoway drives national digital health. Each province has its own provincial EHR. Virtual care stabilised at 30-40% post-COVID. This guide covers Canadian digital transformation.
Digital Health Priorities
| Priority | Description | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial EHRs | Provincial electronic health records | Provinces + Infoway |
| Virtual care | Video/phone consultations | Provinces + Infoway |
| e-Prescribing | Electronic prescribing (PrescribeIT) | Infoway |
| Interoperability | Data sharing between systems | Infoway + provinces |
| Patient portal | Patient access to health records | Provinces |
| AI in healthcare | AI clinical decision support | Hospitals + vendors |
| Digital health literacy | Patient and provider digital skills | Infoway |
Provincial EHR Systems
| Province | EHR System | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario | ClinicalConnect / ConnectingOntario | Lab, imaging, clinical reports |
| BC | Pharmanet / Lab Results | Medications, lab results |
| Alberta | Netcare | Comprehensive EHR |
| Quebec | DSQ | Medications, lab, imaging |
| Saskatchewan | EHR Viewer | Lab, medications, clinical |
| Manitoba | eChart Manitoba | Lab, medications, clinical |
| Nova Scotia | SHARE | Lab, imaging, clinical |
Digital Transformation Roadmap
- Assessment: Assess current digital maturity (EMRAM, HIMSS)
- Strategy: Develop digital health strategy aligned with Infoway and province
- EHR implementation: Implement or upgrade EHR system
- Interoperability: Connect to provincial EHR and Infoway standards
- Virtual care: Implement virtual care platform with billing integration
- e-Prescribing: Connect to PrescribeIT for e-prescribing
- Patient portal: Implement patient portal for record access
- AI adoption: Pilot AI clinical decision support and scribe
- Training: Train staff on digital tools
- Monitoring: Monitor adoption, outcomes, and ROI
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Canada Health Infoway?
- Canada Health Infoway is the national non-profit organization funded by the federal government to accelerate digital health in Canada. Infoway: 1) Funds digital health projects, 2. Sets interoperability standards, 3. Promotes EHR adoption, 4. Supports virtual care, 5. Develops digital health tools (PrescribeIT, Infoway Connect). Infoway works with provinces to implement digital health.
- What provincial EHR systems exist in Canada?
- Canadian provincial EHR systems: 1) Ontario — ClinicalConnect, ConnectingOntario, 2. BC — Pharmanet, Lab Results, 3. Alberta — Netcare, 4. Quebec — Dossier Sante Quebec (DSQ), 5. Saskatchewan — EHR Viewer, 6. Manitoba — eChart Manitoba, 7. Nova Scotia — SHARE. Each province has its own EHR system with varying levels of integration.
- How has virtual care expanded in Canada?
- Canadian virtual care expanded dramatically during COVID-19: 1) Pre-COVID — 5% of consultations virtual, 2. During COVID — 60-70% virtual, 3. Post-COVID — 30-40% virtual (stabilised). Provincial billing codes for virtual care are now permanent. Canada Health Infoway supports virtual care through funding and standards. Key platforms: Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN), virtual visit platforms.