Deployment Criteria

Three new electronic medical record (EMR) qualified service providers (QSPs) - Med Access, Practice Solutions and Wolf Medical Systems - are offering new and robust physician office system solutions to Alberta physicians. The Physician Office System Program (POSP) has developed a structure to guide physician transitions, from both paper and other EMR systems, to the new solutions.

Guiding Principles

The following principles are the basis for determining priority for deployment. While the committee does not tell the QSPs who they must sell to, it does ration the capacity of POSP controlled resources. Therefore, POSP and the QSPs are working together to balance resource capacity and transition priority. Patient safety is the overriding principle for all deployments.

Patient safety and public confidence is maintained

  • Physician legal and professional commitments are met
  • Confidence in electronic health records is maintained

Change is managed

  • Central coordination
  • Orderly transition
  • Greatest number of physicians transitioned in shortest amount of time

Scheduling is consistent and rational

  • Clinics scheduled for transition as near to their preferred dates as is practical
  • Adjustments may be needed to optimize use of resources
  • Fair treatment

Health care system delivery improvement is supported

  • Patient care improvements
  • Economic and operational benefits

Economic impact on stakeholders is contained

  • Recognize that clinics operate as small businesses
  • Qualified service providers require sustainable cash flows

Download the Deployment Principles Fact Sheet