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Noel Ayangma: Regional HIS Co-ordinator
(Halifax)

(from left to right)

Natalie Beauvais (NIICHRO)

Germaine Martin (CHR)

Debbie Dedam-Montour (NIICHRO)

Some of the participants at the NIICHRO FNIHIS Focus Groups had seen the FNIHIS but had never entered data into it. Many communities are successfully entering their data into the system. Tara Backman of the Sto:lo Nation in British Columbia has the task of entering data for 18 bands. Tara was hired as a data entry clerk in her community. She has been entering data since April 1st, 2001. Tara is the sole user of the system right now as she adds more and more of her community’s information into the FNIHIS.

Tara has entered approximately 30 of her community’s health files so far. Her user id and password give her access to all of the subsystems in the FNIHIS. Tara has put Client Core and Immunization data into the system. It is a labour-intensive process but she has a good start on the big job ahead of her. Tara feels that the system is very user-friendly and she can enter information very easily.

As with any new system, there are challenges to face. These challenges will be addressed in the future of the FNIHIS. Tara raised issues about the things that make it hard for her to enter data effectively. She relies on Internet access to enter the records and sometimes, technical difficulties prevent her from getting on to the Internet to complete her task.

Other challenges are not so much technical, but occur when entering the data. When Tara uses the Immunization subsystem, it is sometimes hard for her to understand the medical terms to accurately enter which shots should be recorded. She has access to only one nurse to discuss this with. That nurse is very busy and it is hard to sit down with her to discuss problems. Sometimes Tara enters data from old, hand-written reports and charts that are difficult to read. Different handwriting is often hard to understand especially if it is not neat. Tara feels that a nurse educator will be a welcome addition to the training team for the FNIHIS. A nurse educator will have many of the non-technical answers.

In terms of FNIHIS training, Tara has had a two-day training program. The training was held in Richmond, BC. Tara felt it was a bit short and would have appreciated more training on entering data. She would also have liked training to understand the meaning of some of the health terms used in the system. If Tara has technical questions she has support people to call using a 1-800 number. However, help does not come quickly. Her questions are often answered in time, by her own trial and error.

Overall, Tara likes the system a lot and can see that it will be very helpful for creating reports. She thinks she can use the data in the system rather than having to go through all of the individual paper health files. She admits that several people in her community have questions about the FNIHIS. Their questions concern whether the data in the system will remain private and safe. Tara feels that once people understand the levels of security in the FNIHIS, they will feel more comfortable with storing data in it. From Tara’s point of view, she feels that FNIHIS security is good. She understands that there are different levels of access to the system according to user ids and passwords. She feels confident that the firewalls and other security measures will keep the information private.

(starting from man in white shirt at front going clcokwise) Richard Leikkari/ Sherry Corbiere/ Val Commanda/

Elizabeth Stevens/ Linda Lazare/ Stephanie Horne/

Denis Dokis/ Rose Jacco/ Carolyn Noottchatai

(from left to right) Wendy Lameman, Wendy’s daugheter, Mary Basque,

Anne Marie Denny (Halifax HIS office)

With further training, experience and support, Tara thinks that the FNIHIS will be a valuable tool for her community and for CHRs in
planning their activities. Eventually, once the data is in the system, CHRs will be more involvemed with the FNIHIS. Tara hopes to have all records in the system by February 2002.