Why are clinical documents being added to MySaskHealthRecord?
Since the inception of MySaskHealthRecord (MSHR), patients have asked for access to their clinical documents from their appointments, so that they can continue to play an active role in managing their own healthcare. In its 2022-23 accountability plan, the Ministry supported making clinical documents—currently in eHR Viewer— available to patients in their MSHR account.
Patients already have the ability to access their personal health information through the Release of Information (ROI) process via SHA's Privacy and Health Information Management department. The addition of certain document types in MSHR will make it easier for patients to access their health information.
Many other jurisdictions in Canada already provide patients online access to their clinical documents.
Will fee-for-service/private clinical documents be available in MSHR?
Document types that are in the eHR Viewer will be made available in MSHR. Clinical documents in private EMRs that are not in the eHR Viewer will not be available in MSHR at this time.
What if there is information in the patient's clinical document that may be upsetting or surprising to a patient? Will we be expected to censor our documents?
Sensitive or difficult issues would ideally be discussed in advance of a patient reading the information in MSHR. There is a 48-hour delay between clinical documents being approved by the healthcare provider, submitted to the eHR Viewer, and then appearing in MSHR. This time could be used to update the patient and share any potentially concerning information in the clinical document. We recognize this could necessitate a change in your normal process and appreciate your consideration of the patient's response. Information is available on the About MySaskHealthRecord page on how to address abnormal or sensitive information with patients.
Will it be possible to attach guides (e.g. fasting guides) to the patient's documents?
Not at this point in time. Only document types that are in the eHR Viewer will be made available in MSHR.
Will I need to make any changes to the way I dictate clinical documents?
It is important to dictate your clinical documents as soon as possible after your patient visit. Currently clinical documents will be available in MSHR 48 hours after the healthcare provider has finalized the notes.
We have created a guide with some patient-centred writing tips for providers. These tips are based on what providers in other jurisdictions found helpful when clinical documents were shared with patients.
Will this make extra work for providers, or their office staff, by triggering more questions and concerns from patients?
From an environmental scan of other jurisdictions and feedback from the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency pilot (launched in May 2023), it is not anticipated that this will create additional workload.
For example, at Interior Health Authority in B.C., where a comprehensive system was put in place in 2016 to support responses to patient-identified errors, a low volume of two to four errors were reported each month. The Saskatchewan health system learned how to mitigate risks and minimize the burden for healthcare providers when previous open clinical documents, such as laboratory, imaging, and pathology reports, were made available to patients with the launch of MSHR in 2019.
There is potential for reductions in work, as patients may be better prepared at scheduled appointments to communicate results or treatments and experience the benefits of active involvement in their own care.
We have a MSHR FAQ guide for medical office staff to help answer typical questions that patients may have.
Q: My patient isn't using MySaskHealthRecord but since I told them this information will be available, they would like to register. How can they do that?
A: Find information about registering for a MySaskHealthRecord account at MySaskHealthRecord.
How can patients get access to SHA clinical documents if they do not have a MSHR account?
Clinical documents are also available in other clinical systems, such as SCM or the eHR Viewer. Patients can still utilize the existing manual process to request access to their clinical documents from a trustee. Here are some
other options available:
Q: Is there a forum for me to ask further questions I may have about open clinical documents and what it means to my practice?
We welcome all questions. Please forward your questions with the subject line "open clinical documents project questions" to MySaskHealthRecord@eHealthSask.ca.
If you have any privacy related questions, please contact the eHealth Privacy Service at: privacyandaccess@ ehealthsask.ca or call Toll Free: 1-855-347-5465
What if a patient asks me to review results that I didn't order?
You can check the eHR Viewer for the results, but you may need to review the results with the ordering provider, as they may have ordered them for a reason that you're not aware of.
There are some instances where you may not have access to results in your EMR including if the patient:
- was tested at a facility that doesn't send results to the provincial repository
- was tested outside of Saskatchewan
- received point of care testing and manually entered or uploaded data/results to MSHR account
In this case, results should have been sent to the ordering provider and the ordering provider will review the results. The ordering provider may contact the patient if they want to review the results, or the patient can contact the ordering provider if they have questions or concerns.
What if a patient under the age of 14 would like to sign up for MSHR?
If a patient under the age of 14 would like to sign up for their own MSHR account, tell them to contact eHealth's Privacy Service for assistance. Their office can be reached at 1-855-eHS-LINK (347-5465) or by email at privacyandaccess@eHealthSask.ca.
What happens if an adolescent or adult patient has medical conditions preventing them from registering for their own account?
Those responsible for making healthcare decisions of someone who does not have capacity should contact the eHealth Privacy Service for assistance with submitting their request. Once confirmed as authorized, the eHealth Privacy Service will provide the proxy with access to the individual's MSHR. The eHealth Privacy Service can be reached by email at privacyandaccess@eHealthSask.ca or phone 1-855-347-5465.
How many years of provincial health information will be available in MSHR?
There will be three years of historical data loaded into MSHR. This is calculated from the day the patient successfully completes their registration. This would apply to clinical visit history, laboratory test results, and medical imaging reports available in the provincial repository. Immunization data (from 1978 to present) is loaded as found in the provincial immunization registry, Panorama. Prescription history loads 25 months of historical data. Historical Surgical Procedure information from 2018 onwards is available. No historical Clinical documents are added at time of sign-up.
Will patient-entered information from MSHR be sent to other electronic health information systems?
All patient-entered health information such as allergies, medical conditions, appointment reminders, information uploaded from health devices etc. remains in MSHR and will not be sent to other health system applications.
Can patients message a health care provider from MSHR?
No, patients can't message health care providers from MSHR.
