Quebec unveiled its digital health dashboard pilot project on Saturday, despite criticism of security breaches and technical issues.
The system, which was first introduced in Montreal and Mauritius at 4 a.m., aims to replace faxes, paper forms and manual scanning.
The government says the new platform – which was developed by Epic Systems – will enable clinicians to receive real-time alerts, avoid duplicate tests, better coordinate care and improve patient safety.
It is expected to cost Quebec $400 million to develop and implement, with $329 already spent, according to the government.
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The pilot project has been criticized in recent weeks by both opposition parties and healthcare professionals. Some have worried about a repeat of last year’s auto insurance board fiasco.
Quebec’s attempt at a digital modernization of its auto insurance board led to a disastrous layoff, half a billion dollars in cost overruns and a public inquiry.
Health Minister Sonia Bélanger is urging Quebecers to be patient as the system may experience glitches and glitches.
At a press conference, Erika Bially, deputy head of technology at public health agency Santé Québec, said most of the issues raised by staff were related to connectivity issues.
She said there had been no security breaches since the system was opened and safeguards were in place.
According to Bially, just over 200 tickets related to technology issues with the system were opened. She says that 169 of them have already been resolved.
The new digital health system will eventually roll out across the entire healthcare network, which is expected to cost between $1.5 billion and $3 billion. It will bring together around 400 different IT systems.
Quebec’s health authority said in a press release Friday that operating costs for the new system are expected to be about $100 million a year. He added that the system will save him at least $120 million a year.
&copies 2026 The Canadian Press
