Government says eHealth can’t be trusted

Health PEI is running the national ad from Infoway using scare tactics to convince Canadians that eHealth computer systems save lives. Infoway is the corporation set up by the government to develop eHealth systems across Canada.

In the ad, the ER staff have better information on the patient because it’s on a screen. The message: without eHealth you can die in ER.

In the same breath, Health PEI told CBC to keep the list of your medications written down in your purse or wallet.

“P.E.I. health officials want Islanders to carry a list of all the medications they’re on at all times. Health P.E.I. has created a form that people can fill out and carry in their wallets or purses.” CBC

Writing your meds down is a good suggestion. But what is the value of the $20 billion being spent in Canada on eHealth systems if we keep it on paper? 

In reality, the eHealth project will fail to save lives. First, it may never work. It hasn’t worked in any province in Canada yet.
 

For the system to be accurate, every person that is a health provider must enter all of the information for all Canadians each time an event occurs. Events can be: going to the doctor, walk-in-clinic, ER, pharmacy, hospital out patients, or any health provider.

If you get a new medication from a naturopath or simply pick up a new over the counter medication that information has to be entered correctly in the computer.

The computer has to know all of the adverse reactions to advise the next health care practitioner you meet.

The number of uncontrolled data entry points is vast. The likelihood of errors increases with each person who touches your health record.

On PEI, we were told the Drug Information System was working years ago. Lately we learn that it is not connected to doctor’s offices, the hospital or other health care providers.

“And an Island-wide computerized system to track prescription medications isn’t fully up and running yet.”CBC

So please look after your own health and don’t trust the eHealth computer.

The $65 million dollars we have spent on PEI so far is taxpayer’s money thrown into the wind. The cost of the TV advertising could be better spent on people to help people.

However, governments are not willing to admit mistakes and tens of millions more will be wasted on the eHealth system and on selling us on dubious benefits.

Related stories

Is your privacy safe with massive eHealth databases

PEI eHealth system out of control

By Stephen Pate, NJN Network