February 2026 Digital Health eTips Newsletter
Advice on EMRs and digital health tools you can use NOW
Here’s what you’ll find in this month’s issue
From the Chief Medical Officer
Peace of mind with the Ontario AI Scribe Program
If it seems like AI scribes are everywhere, it’s because they are. With many physicians using the tools in practices across Ontario, the conversation is no longer about whether to adopt one, but how to adopt one wisely and unlock its true value – peace of mind. But with more AI scribe vendors entering the market, it’s crucial to understand the contract you sign, know how data is managed, and determine if the price for the product is fair.
When you sign up for the Ontario AI Scribe Program, you’re assured of vetted vendors and contracts, competitive pricing, and free, comprehensive support so you can adopt with confidence. New vendors have been invited to apply and join the program’s list of qualified vendors, which will mean more AI scribe options for physicians. Don’t settle for any AI scribe – adopt one that’s been vetted. Any AI scribe can save you time, but not all of them can provide peace of mind of not having to worry about doing your own legal due diligence. Sign up for the Ontario AI Scribe Program today. Hear your physician colleagues, Dr. Ali Damji and Dr. Usha Parthasarathi, discuss the benefits of the Ontario AI Scribe Program and the impact of AI scribes on workflow improvements and patient care. For more information on the Ontario AI Scribe Program, visit the OMD Practice Hub for the Vendor of Record list, program video, and frequently asked questions.
If you already use an AI scribe and want to share knowledge, hear about upcoming changes, and learn from other users, register to join our AI Scribe Community of Practice on March 18, 2026. Find out more about OMD Communities of Practice.
Want to showcase your expertise in AI or other technologies with peers? Submit an abstract for our in-person Digital Health Conference by February 27. Don’t forget to register for our Virtual Symposium and two-day Digital Health Conference with early bird pricing – but only until March 31!
AI Tools: Beyond Scribes
Share your voice to help shape the future of AI in health care
Excited about AI, but overwhelmed by the information out there? OMD is your go-to resource for using AI in clinical practice, including more than just AI scribes. From inbox assistants to clinical decision support tools, here’s what we’re working on:
A province-wide survey to collect clinician insights on the use of AI – from scribes to clinical decision support tools – in community practice. Tell us the good, the bad, and the ugly about using AI in clinical practice. Your insights will help shape the future of AI in health care and ensure the next generation of tools meets the needs of those on the front lines. As a bonus, you’ll be entered in a draw for a chance to win 1 of 40 $100 Everything Cards. The survey is open to all clinic staff, but make sure your clinic only completes it once. Your voice is crucial – please complete the survey and share it with us!
Peer Leader Tip
OMD Peer Leaders comprise a network of over 50 physicians (family doctors, specialists), nurse practitioners, nurses and clinic managers. As expert users of OMD-certified EMRs and other digital health and virtual care tools, they work with our Advisory Service Team to help you with your EMR and digital workflows.
Understanding Partial Reports from LifeLabs
This month’s tip comes from Dr. Kellie Scott, OMD Peer Leader. Receiving partial lab reports can be frustrating, but did you know that it is part of standard laboratory workflow and sound laboratory practice? For example, LifeLabs will send partial lab reports (in stages) if a test:
- Remains “pending” after 48 hours because it takes longer to process (for example, Vitamin D or certain drug levels)
- Is referred to another facility and remains “pending” after 72 hours
- For microbiology and cultures is negative, until final confirmation of the results is received. For results that are positive or showing growth, results are released immediately.
Understanding the criteria for issuing partial lab reports may help to ease the frustration in receiving them.
If you’d like advice from a Peer Leader that is tailored to your clinic, please contact peer.leader.program@ontariomd.com. Discover what our Peer Leader Program and Advisory Service can do for you.
OMD Advisor Tip
Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation: Evidence in Action
OMD, in collaboration with the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC), has developed Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation Toolkits for TELUS PSS and Accuro EMR users. The toolkits support consistent, efficient documentation of patient substance use status (tobacco/vape/cannabis), smoking cessation treatment and referral to follow-up support. They also ensure up-to-date information for clinical decisions, and enable accurate, timely, and easy extraction of program metrics – helping clinicians meet OMSC reporting requirements with confidence. Learn more about the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (OMSC) program and tools.
OMD Advisors develop useful tools and provide valuable advice to clinicians anywhere in Ontario. They can help you with provincial digital health tools, not just EMRs. Take advantage of these services, at no cost to you, before calling anyone else! Contact support@ontariomd.com for assistance.
From the General Counsel and CPO
IPC Guidelines on AI Scribe Use for the Healthcare Sector
The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) recently published guidelines to provide a comprehensive framework for adopting AI scribe tools safely, ethically, and in compliance with Ontario’s privacy regulations. Here are the key points:
- Build trust through strong governance and accountability. This means healthcare groups and organizations must establish clear governance and accountability measures before implementing AI scribes.
- Choose and evaluate vendors carefully. Clinicians should assess if the technology aligns with their operational needs and privacy and security requirements.
- Manage privacy, security, and bias risks. Privacy impact assessments, bias testing, strong safeguards, and continuous monitoring of AI systems help to ensure they remain, safe, accurate, and fair.
- Clear expectations for developers and users must be set. For developers, it means creating safe and reliable products. For clinician users, it means thoroughly evaluating potential vendors and understanding their own accountability in obtaining patient consent and maintaining accurate medical notes generated by an AI scribe.
Trust is fundamental to the Canadian healthcare system. Through initiatives like the Ontario AI Scribe Program, OMD continues to support clinicians in efficiently adopting digital health tools that support their needs and satisfy privacy and data handling obligations to patients.
HRM Improvements
HRM COVaxON notifications end in March
Effective March 13, 2026, the Ministry of Health (MOH) will retire the COVaxON and related COVD-19 vaccine program services and consolidate them with a public health management system called Panorama. Beginning in April, administration of COVID-19 vaccines will be documented in Panorama Guided Workflow (PGW).
What does this mean for primary care clinicians?
- COVaxON notifications via HRM will stop on March 13.
- All COVID-19 vaccine providers in Ontario must continue recording patient and vaccine product information for COVID-19 vaccines, as required by the COVID-19 Vaccination Reporting Act, 2021.
- Clinicians participating in the COVID-19 vaccine program should have received an email from panoramaguidedworkflow@ontario.ca, sent to the organization’s primary COVID-19 vaccine program contact, outlining the next steps to transition to PGW.
- For more details on how this affects clinicians, please refer to the COVaxON decommissioning information guideline from MOH.
Your HRM experience is important to us. We support you and your practice, at no cost to you, so don’t hesitate to contact support@ontariomd.com with any questions.
Attention TELUS EMR users!
Access to Digital Health Drug Repository (DHDR) and Contextual Launch services are now available for TELUS EMR users. Get started by completing the form. If you have previously submitted a form, no further action is required.
Partner News
Join eReferral Ontario today!
More than 5,000 clinicians and healthcare organizations in Ontario are already sending and receiving eReferrals. Sign up today to reduce your administrative burden and improve the quality and safety of the referral process. Learn more and sign up at eReferral I Ontario Health.
Have Your Say on Communications about Ontario Health Digital Tools
Ontario Health is inviting Ontario-based health care providers and administrators to share their experiences with communications and product support for its digital health tools. Your feedback will help inform improvements to make the communication of digital health tool information clearer, timelier, and easier to access.
You can provide your feedback by completing a short online survey, available here by Friday, March 6. You can also participate in a one-hour online interactive focus group. Registration links for each session are included below
Please only register for one focus group – there are limited spaces available on a first-come-first-served basis.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Jerrett at jerrett.myers@beamgroup.ca.
Digital Health Advocacy and Education
Upcoming events
- Register for our Virtual Symposium and two-day Digital Health Conference – There’s still time to take advantage of early bird pricing – but only until March 31! These events offer valuable learning for everyone – physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, allied health professionals, administrative and clinic staff, and health system decision makers. Ask your OHT to sponsor you! Check out the program for the Virtual Symposium.
- Call for Abstracts – Showcase your expertise with AI or other technologies and help your colleagues realize the benefits. Submit an abstract by February 27 to present an idea, product, or service at our in-person conference.
- McMaster University Department of Family Medicine Faculty Retreat, March 27-28 – Ariane Siegel, General Counsel & Chief Privacy Officer, will speak about AI in health care.
- Mississauga Health Primary Care Digital Summit, March 31 – Visit our booth at this event on digital health initiatives impacting primary care in Mississauga.
Looking for some guidance on the use of AI tools, EMRs, HRM or other technologies? OntarioMD can come and speak to your group, OHT, or PCN. Send your request to omd.events@ontariomd.com.
OMD In the News
- In a brief interview in January, Dr. Kevin Brophy, Luminary Award winner, spoke about mentoring clinicians to help them get the most out of their digital health solutions.
- Learn about the key barriers to AI adoption in a blog by Dr. Chandi Chandrasena, Chief Medical Officer. and what OMD is doing to overcome them.
- Read insights from Ariane Siegel, General Counsel and Chief Privacy Officer, and Dr. Chandi Chandrasena, Chief Medical Officer, on the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario’s report on AI scribe guidance for the healthcare sector.
- Discover a patient’s perspective on the use of an AI scribe in our blog.
- OMD’s vision for digitally optimized practices was featured in the Canadian Healthcare Technology magazine article, “OntarioMD helps prepare digital-ready teams and patients”, authored by Dr. Chandi Chandrasena, Chief Medical Officer, Simon Ling, Executive Director, Partnerships and Stakeholders, Reza Talebi, Director, Knowledge Translation and Education, and Abbas Zavar, Digital Health Research Lead.
- OMD’s AI leadership with the Ontario AI Scribe Program was mentioned in the Canadian Healthcare Technology magazine article, “Can AI clinical co-pilots break open Canada’s EMR ecosystem?” (p.16).
Need EMR Help?
Your EMR should be a benefit, not a burden. In addition to our OMD Advisory Service and Peer Leaders, OMD has COMPLIMENTARY resources to help you use your certified EMR better to save you time and frustration. OMD develops tools and suggests helpful workflow improvements in our EMR Lab. Find out how we can help you.
Join a Community of Practice (CoP)! CoP is a virtual place for EMR, AI and digital health tool users, including clinicians and office staff, to share their knowledge, discover upcoming changes, ask questions and learn from vendors and other users. We invite you to join us as we host two sessions this month:
- Accuro EMR Community of Practice – March 12, 2026
- AI Scribe Community of Practice – March 18, 2026
Find out more about OMD Communities of Practice.
Important Reminders
If you plan on:
- Moving, joining or taking over a practice
- Changing internet plans or providers
- Changing EMRs
Contact support@ontariomd.com at least two (2) weeks in advance to ensure you continue to receive HRM reports.