MONTRÉAL – Telus Health is buying electronic medical record (EMR) provider MD Practice Software, bringing the total number of physicians using EMR solutions to 9,000 across Canada. By adding the company’s PS Suite EMR, Telus says it’s positioned to “unleash the full potential of EMRs" as it becomes Canada's largest electronic medical record provider.
Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed with the transaction expected to close on March 4, 2013. MD Practice Software is a member of the MD Physician Services Group and a subsidiary of the Canadian Medical Association.
“As the business evolves and focus shifts to connectivity of systems and the continual improvement of outcomes, this is the right time to transition EMR clients to a leading IT company which shares our vision and has the standing and resources to implement a best-in-class national EMR offering that delivers inter-operability,” said Mike Gassewitz, President, MD Practice Software.
Telus Health currently provides solutions to all major stakeholders in the health system, including hospitals, pharmacies, and extended healthcare providers such as physiotherapists and chiropractors.
"Telus Health firmly believes that by securely connecting physicians to the broader healthcare continuum and facilitating confidential interactions between the patient and their full care teams, we will further realize our vision of turning information into better health outcomes," said Paul Lepage, President, Telus Health. "This acquisition is part of Telus Health's future vision for next generation EMR, which enables us to examine best practices, drive efficiencies and reduce care gaps throughout the healthcare system, resulting in strengthened primary care access for Canadians."
Today's EMR's have the potential to seamlessly connect physicians with patients and other health care providers and have become an important tool for physicians to improve health outcomes for patients adds Telus.
"The most important concern for physicians is to provide the highest quality health care to their patients," said Dr. Anna Reid, President of the Canadian Medical Association. "Electronic medical records that connect front line physicians with health care teams are an important tool in delivering high-quality care."
