Home / Health / Patient's 2,000 Pages Expose Yukon Hospital Gaps
Patient's 2,000 Pages Expose Yukon Hospital Gaps
17 Jan
Summary
- Patient documented systemic gaps leading to delayed care.
- Hospital system struggles with communication and paper records.
- Whitehorse hospital faces capacity issues and needs upgrades.
A Whitehorse resident has compiled over 2,000 pages of medical documentation to illustrate critical gaps in the Yukon's hospital system, which he believes impede continuity of care. Craig Brown's extensive records reveal issues such as misdiagnosis and delays in receiving necessary treatment, stemming from poor communication and incomplete patient files. He notes that information flow between hospitals and clinics is significantly hampered.
Health Minister Brad Cathers confirmed these systemic problems, attributing them to disparate computer systems used by service providers and the incomplete implementation of a territory-wide electronic health record platform. The Yukon's healthcare system still heavily relies on paper, necessitating a significant technology upgrade. He also pointed to understaffing and capacity issues at the Whitehorse hospital, which often operates at 100% capacity.
In response to these challenges, the Yukon Hospital Corporation is introducing charge nurses to all patient care units and an "access and flow team" to manage patient discharge and inter-provider communication. These measures are intended to improve patient care and staff support. A long-term plan for a physical hospital expansion, including additional beds and doubled surgical capacity, is also underway but will take years to complete.
