The Alberta Virtual Care Coordinating Body (AVCCB) is a self-governing entity that promotes optimized virtual care for residents of Alberta. The AVCCB includes representation from government; regulators, including ACP; health authorities; professional associations; as well as Indigenous and patient representation.
In October 2023, the AVCCB released the ”Interoperability Saves Lives” report, which focuses on the importance of health data interoperability: the capacity to exchange health data efficiently and safely between a wide variety of technologies and locations as a core necessity of a high-functioning healthcare system. The report outlines that healthcare teams cannot function safely if they lack access to information, cannot communicate effectively, or cannot share information needed to provide quality care. The report’s findings show that interoperability is essential for high-functioning virtual care and healthcare system function.
The report takes a patient-centred approach to health information system design and includes 18 recommendations to ensure that health data interoperability is achieved in a way that benefits Albertans.
The issue of interoperability affects the entire health system and ACP helped to provide a pharmacy perspective in creating the report and recommendations. ACP is participating in this effort to ensure that any solutions consider implications and benefits to pharmacy practice. For further information on the AVCCB and to access the “Interoperability Saves Lives” report, visit albertavirtualcare.org.
