The YourHealthNS app has introduced a new feature that enables users to share a summarized version of their medical records with healthcare advisors or other trusted individuals. This innovation aims to streamline communication and access to medical information, facilitating quicker assessments and treatments by healthcare professionals.
According to the Department of Health and Wellness, the summaries are generated securely from the provincial electronic health record system. The summary includes key health information such as allergies, intolerances, existing medical conditions, diagnostic imaging results, immunizations, lab tests, medications, and details of hospital stays.
Michelle Thompson, the Minister of Health and Wellness, emphasized the importance of comprehensive patient information in her press release. She remarked, “The more information a provider has about a patient’s health history, the faster they can assess and recommend treatment, especially in an emergency when every moment counts.” This allows Nova Scotians to be prepared for unforeseen medical situations by sharing their medical history with providers anywhere, in just a matter of minutes.
To share the secure summary, patients simply log into the YourHealthNS app and generate a secure link to transmit to their chosen recipient. This summary is secured with a PIN, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access it. Additionally, the department stated that these summaries will automatically expire 24 hours after being created, although patients maintain the authority to recall and delete the summaries at any time.
Scott McKenna, Chief Information Officer at Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health, highlighted the significance of the patient summary feature, saying, “Patient summary expands on our commitment to empower Nova Scotians to be in control of their healthcare journey. This snapshot allows YourHealthNS users to not only access their own data but share it with those involved in their care, ultimately ensuring they receive the best care possible.”
Notably, the patient summary is touted as the most comprehensive of its kind available digitally in Canada. This initiative is part of a broader Atlantic Canada initiative aimed at standardizing patient health information across the region.
Since the rollout of digital records through the YourHealthNS app in January 2024, there have been over 1.2 million logins by Nova Scotians, showcasing the increasing engagement with the app and its resources. Additionally, by the end of June 2025, users will have the capability to view reports from various diagnostic imaging examinations, including mammograms, MRIs, CT scans, and PET scans.
In 2023, medical facilities across Nova Scotia performed approximately 209,000 CT scans, 73,000 mammograms, 40,000 MRIs, and 3,800 PET scans, highlighting the volume of diagnostic imaging conducted within the province and the importance of these records to patient health monitoring and care.
