Patients in Waterloo Region now have access to a new tool that connects them to their hospital health information. My Connected Care is a free online communication tool that will enhance patient experience at Grand River and St. Mary's General Hospitals.
Patients are able to read results, view upcoming appointments, and see messages from their care team on this one-way communication portal. Results and information are automatically shared to the portal within a set time frame, as highlighted below:
- View laboratory reports (including microbiology) (3-hour delay)
- View diagnostic reports (3-day delay)
- Read clinical notes written by members of your healthcare team (no delay)
- View upcoming appointments and messages from your care team
- Complete questionnaires before your appointment (participating clinics)
- View allergy information
- View pathology reports (10-day delay)
The hospitals began trialing My Connected Care in selected clinics late November 2022 to seek patient and team member input on the project. Greg Griffin, a patient of the Heart Function Clinic at St. Mary’s General Hospital began using the tool.
“My Connected Care has empowered me,” says Griffin “I feel like a full partner in the management of my healthcare."
My Connected Care is another example of shared innovation between St. Mary’s General and Grand River, as part of our commitment to excellent care for patients and our community today and as we build the future of care in our community together.
“When patients have easy access to their health information, we know they are able to be more informed, and more involved in their own care,” says Dr. Payal Agarwal, Joint Chief Medical Information Officer at Grand River and St. Mary’s. “They can see their own results and ask informed questions of their care providers. Patients who feel empowered and engaged in their care experience many benefits such as greater satisfaction, less anxiety about care decisions, and, often, better health outcomes.”
If you would like to sign up for your free account, please visit https://www.grhosp.on.ca/myconnectedcare.
For more information, please contact:
Dayna Giorgio, Manager, Communications
St. Mary’s General Hospital
519-895-6540
dgiorgio@smgh.ca
Kara Weiler, Integrated Communications Director
Grand River Hospital and Foundation
226-751-6508
kara.weiler@grhosp.on.ca