Nova Scotia EHR Rollout Hits Snags, Lessons Learned

Nova Scotia's ambitious $365-million electronic medical record system, known as One Person One Record (OPOR), has encountered significant challenges since its debut at the IWK Health Centre in December 2025. Officials acknowledge the rocky start, with reported issues including missed appointments and difficulties with the online booking system, leading to stress for patients and staff.

Tanya Nixon, a vice-president overseeing the OPOR project, stated that feedback from IWK clinicians has been invaluable. Despite initial problems, including issues with the physician dictionary affecting information routing, a collective decision was made to proceed with the launch following an assessment. These technological hurdles are considered within expected parameters and are being addressed.

Lessons learned from the IWK's experience are directly informing the rollout in the central health zone, scheduled for May 9, 2026. A key enhancement is the implementation of mandatory simulation and practice labs for training, a step identified as crucial for readiness that was not as robustly utilized at the IWK. Integrated planning between clinical workflow and technology is also being deepened to avoid replicating past issues.

The OPOR system is slated for phased implementation across the eastern, northern, and western health zones through the autumn and winter of 2026. While initial implementation can be disruptive, lasting three to six months for stabilization, the project aims to ultimately reduce patient safety incidents, eliminate duplication, and provide a comprehensive view of patient care across the province.