OTNhub Provincial eConsult Program: Description of Services

OTNhub eConsult connects referring physicians and nurse practitioners to specialists, providing the opportunity to inform clinical decision making without sending the patient to see the specialist in person. Through a private and secure web page, referring providers can ask a specialist a clinical question about their patient and receive advice quickly and securely in less than three days on average.

OTNhub, in conjunction with OntarioMD, has launched eConsult in Toronto Central, Central, Central East, South West and North East Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs). The Champlain LHIN, also in partnership with OTNhub and OntarioMD, offers their own version of an eConsult program known as BASE. It is available in the Champlain LHIN as well as the Mississauga Halton LHIN.

Where applicable, family physicians can bill OHIP for the consult request using the K738 fee code (Ontario Schedule of Benefits). Specialists are paid through an arrangement with OntarioMD.

How the Technology Works

eConsult connects referring physicians and nurse practitioners to specialists, providing the opportunity to inform clinical decision making without sending the patient to see the specialist in person.

eConsult is available to referring providers in new LHINs on a limited basis (New LHINs include Erie St Clair, Waterloo Wellington, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant, Central East, South East, North Simcoe Muskoka, and North West). There are two models available during this extension:

Direct to Specialist (OTN eConsult)

• Submit case directly to a specialist or to next available specialist in a specialty group
• 85+ specialist types mainly from South West, Toronto Central, Central, Central East and North East LHINs

Managed Service (Champlain BASE eConsult)

• Submit case to a specialty – next available specialist responds within a week
• 90+ specialty services from Champlain and Mississauga Halton LHINs

eConsult Benefits

The program enables healthcare professionals to:

• find and select a specialist from a directory of providers
• ask and respond to requests for consultation
• securely and efficiently exchange patient health information
• better coordinate the care of their patients

SAFEGUARDS

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