St. Joe’s is launching the St. Joe’s Navigator App, a mobile tool that helps patients access their health services faster and easier, in a more modern and integrated way.

“St. Joe’s Navigator App provides a gateway to health services that will simplify and transform our patients’ and families’ health care experience by connecting multiple digital applications behind one common front door,” says Tara Coxon, Vice President and Chief Information Officer at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.

Ontarians are served by a patchwork of digital tools and online health services, many of which require a unique user name and password. This fragmentation creates challenging experiences for patients who must maintain multiple login credentials to access these services, each with different levels of privacy and security standards.

St. Joe’s, in partnership with Niagara Health, will be launching the St. Joe’s Navigator App to streamline all digital health services patients rely on for their care.

The app will be powered by the Ontario trusted account log-in, which allows patients to access a number of digital health-related services without having to log in and out each time, while providing them with full control over what information they choose to share and whom they share it with. Together with user consent, transparency and encryption that protects patient data, the app enables seamless and secure access to digital health services or personal health information, making lives easier for Ontarians.  A single Ontario trusted account is reusable across participating hospital partners and enables patient access to resources and services across multiple platforms with one secure log-in.

St. Joe’s Navigator App will streamline access to three of the hospital’s digital applications. Patients will only need one login to access:

• MyDovetale – St. Joe’s patient portal that includes current health information, medication list, medical history, lab test results, diagnostic imaging reports, appointment history, virtual video visits, as well as the ability to securely communicate with their care team.
• PocketHealth - a digital platform that allows patients to access their high-quality diagnostic images and share them with other health care providers.
• COVID Screening – St. Joe’s online screening app that enables patients and visitors to quickly and safely access the hospital and get through COVID screening.

“St. Joe’s is the first hospital to integrate its patient portal into the Ontario trusted account, which is a significant benefit to patients because it’s the hub for most health service activity. As more health services offer digital platforms, this app will become increasingly useful to manage a variety of services in a seamless, convenient way,” says Tara.

Using the Navigator app, patients will also be able to securely share personal health information from their platforms with their caregivers, other health care providers and with family members.

“Ultimately, St. Joe’s Navigator App will empower patients by giving them increased control over their personal health information, placing them at the centre of their care, and allowing them to focus on what matters most: their health and well-being,” says Dr. Dan Perri, Chief Medical Information Officer at St. Joe’s.

“St. Joe’s is to be commended for exploiting the use of Smartphone technology for the betterment of the patient, family, and caregiver experience. Involving a patient family advisor in the testing of the new SJHH Navigator application is just one example of what St Joe's is doing right in the implementation of new patient centric solutions,” said Gary Halyk, a patient and family advisor at St. Joe’s.

All St. Joe’s patients are encouraged to download St. Joe’s Navigator App on their personal smartphone, tablet or computer and create their Ontario trusted account. The app can be downloaded for free from the App Store (open App Store from your iPhone, iPad or Android device and search ‘St. Joe’s Navigator’). With this app, they can remotely access their MyDovetale, PocketHealth and COVID Screening applications.

"During the pandemic, we have seen how important it is to leverage technologies to provide digital services to patients across the province," said Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. "The St. Joe’s Navigator App and the Ontario trusted account will help make Ontario’s health care system easier for patients to access, and more convenient, modern and patient-centred."

“Ontarians expect and deserve to have vital information delivered safely and effectively to them, and St. Joe’s Navigator App and the Ontario trusted account accomplishes exactly that,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “Through harnessing technology, this is another example of how our government is delivering faster, easier, more reliable and convenient services for the people of this province. Our government is excited to support this important work as part of our Ontario Onwards Action Plan to transform government and deliver more convenient, reliable and accessible services for Ontarians.”

“Accessing health information in a way that is convenient and accessible—all while keeping public data safe and secure—means people do not have to waste precious minutes waiting for key information about their health,” said Kaleed Rasheed, Associate Minister of Digital Government. “St. Joe’s Navigator App and the Ontario trusted account is just one example of how our government is working together with the health sector to simplify services and harness the power of technology.”

The Ontario trusted account was developed in partnership with Niagara Health, St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, North York General Hospital, and Southlake Regional Health Centre. It is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health and hosted by Niagara Health.

Digital identity is a key enabler for the Digital First for Health Strategy and a key focus area for the government’s overall Digital Identity strategy. The Digital First for Health strategy will enable system integration and the sharing of information so that patients receive seamless care.