en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 27th, Canada's William Osler Health System (Osler) is accelerating its clinical modernization efforts, planning to be the first in Ontario to implement the Epic electronic health record system in the fall of 2026, integrated with artificial intelligence tools. The system aims to redesign workflows to enhance patient care quality, support clinical decision-making, and improve the overall healthcare experience.
David Stankiewicz, Vice President of Digital Transformation at William Osler Health System, stated: "Leveraging Epic's AI capabilities is a transformative approach that will assist clinicians with real-time decision-making, enhance care quality and patient safety, streamline workflows, and increase engagement for patients and their families." The health system is embedding AI functionality from the planning stage, rather than retrofitting it later, ensuring the system aligns with the clinical environment, operational needs, and the diverse communities it serves.
To ensure the safe and responsible use of AI tools, Osler has established transparent, people-centric guiding principles. AI tools will not make decisions autonomously; clinicians remain responsible for care judgments, with AI serving only as a support layer. Regarding data quality, the system prioritizes the implementation of standardized documentation to capture more accurate patient information, aiding in the identification of patterns of need.
Over 700 frontline staff, physicians, and administrators participated in workflow redesign sessions to explore how to integrate AI tools to improve patient care. For example, in the Emergency Department, the AI-enabled Epic system will help quickly identify critical information, flag risks, and determine priorities, thereby reducing wait times and duplicate documentation.
To support a safe transition, Osler is adopting a phased approach, including preparation, training, and on-site support. Stankiewicz added: "We have developed a comprehensive change management strategy to ensure teams understand how to use AI tools to enhance their workflows, followed by role-based training." After the launch, the system will monitor key metrics for continuous improvement.
Dr. Frank Martino, President of William Osler Health System, noted: "This clinical transformation is a cornerstone of our 2024-2029 strategic plan. It will enable us to respond more effectively to community needs, free up time for person-centered care, and support clinical innovation." The new system is scheduled to go live on October 3, 2026.
