Duncan, British Columbia – May 27th, 2012: Effective March 31st, 2012, Cowichan Tribes, British
Columbia’s single largest First Nation extended their Mustimuhw Community Electronic Medical
Record (cEMR) to integrate with Vancouver Island Health Authorities (VIHA) implementation of Strata
PathWays™. This extension has electronically linked Cowichan Tribes adults requiring Mental Health
and Addiction Services (MHAS) to appropriate VIHA and Cowichan Tribes’ programs and services.

This initiative further utilizes existing mental health & addictions referral innovations arising from an
eReferral partnership between VIHA, Canada Health InfoWay, Cerner Corporation and Strata Health
Solutions. This strategic eReferral initiative has improved access to services for populations of high
needs/high risk clients that are a priority target for mental health and addiction services across
Vancouver Island. The integration of Cowichan Tribes into this service is an important step forward
in bridging the jurisdictional divide between First Nations community based services and health
authority services, and represents a significant success in improving the continuity of care for First
Nations and Aboriginal people.

When a community member is identified as a potential candidate for Adult MHAS services, a staff
member completes a live referral within Mustimuhw cEMR. Using a real time interface, the referral
information is instantly linked with Strata PathWays™. Cowichan clinical staff are presented a menu
of appropriate services pulling from both Vancouver Island Health and Cowichan Tribes’ community
programs and then electronically distribute the referral to selected local services including crisis,
drug and alcohol, and the aboriginal liaison nurse at Cowichan District Hospital.

“The success of this project represents a very important milestone” expressed Judith Gohn, Executive
Health Director of Ts’ewulhtun Health, Cowichan Tribes. “It is really a ‘first’ in many ways, and helps
clear the path forward in terms of policy, practice, and the integration of information management
between First Nations health centres and regional health authorities. The strong commitment of all
the partners at all levels was instrumental in this achievement. At a very practical level, our mental
health team and the local VIHA mental health providers are now working together and collaborating
in ways that would not have been possible prior to this project. I hold my hands up in honour and
respect to our partners.”

“BC First Nations have clearly communicated the importance of improved access to provincial mental
wellness services,” stated Joseph Mendez, Chief Information Officer for the Interim First Nations
Health Authority. “ This initiative is a great example of how health information technology can help
bridge the gap between community based health organizations and their local health authorities,
supporting service providers in their efforts toward integrated and collaborative service for First
Nations communities. The lessons we have learned in this initiative will benefit our continued
collective efforts towards improved continuity of care for First Nations clients across the province.
The iFNHA, working with Cowichan, FNIB, VIHA and Strata Health has been supportive of this
initiative since its inception; we will continue to be supportive of this important enterprise going
forward.”

“This initiative is a profound example of leveraging intelligent eReferral and system integration in a
manner that directly supports patient-centric care in the challenging Mental Health portfolio.”
commented Don Schick, CEO, Strata Health Solutions. The cooperative leadership shown by all
agencies involved allowed this project to bridge challenges and focus entirely to delivering on the
patient need. All of us at Strata Health are proud to be involved in this transformative and scalable
project.”

About Cowichan Tribes:
The Cowichan Tribes is the largest First Nation (FN) in British Columbia. Located in the Cowichan
Valley in mid-Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Tribes are comprised of 7 traditional villages:
Kw’amutsun, Qwum’yiqun’, Kwulqwselu, S’amuna’, L’uml’umuluts, Hinupsum, and Tl’ulpalus.
Cowichan Tribes is governed by a Chief and 12 Councillors, and has delegated responsibilities for a
variety of services including Children and Families, Education, Health, Housing, Membership and
Social Development. The Ts’ewulhtun Health Centre manages public health and communicable
disease control for Cowichan Tribes and provides a variety of health promotion programs. Cowichan
Tribes originated the Mustimuhw Community Electronic Medical Record system broadly in use in
First Nations Health Centres across multiple provinces. Mustimuhw.com
Contact: Tammy Johnston, eHealth Engagement Coordinator, 250-286-0091
tammy.johnston@mustimuhw.com

About the Interim First Nations Health Authority (iFNHA):
At the Gathering Wisdom for a Shared Journey IV forum, First Nations endorsed Resolution 2011-01,
the Consensus Paper: BC First Nations Perspectives on a New Health Governance Arrangement, and
the British Columbia Tripartite Framework Agreement on First Nation Health Governance.
Specifically, the Consensus Paper states: Following approval of this consensus paper and the signing
of the Framework Agreement, the FNHC will direct the First Nations Health Society to take steps to
amend its bylaws to become the interim FNHA and begin the early steps in implementing the new
health governance arrangement”
The FNHC has followed this direction and on December 20th, (in their role as members of the First
Nations Health Society) passed by consensus a resolution to amend the bylaws of the FNHS and
transform it into the interim First Nations Health Authority.
Download for more information. iFNHA Communique to BC First Nations | pdf download |
Contact: Davis Mackenzie, Director, Communications and Public Relations, 604-913-2080
DMackenzie@FNHC.CA

About Strata Health
Strata Health leverages technology to achieve dramatic patient flow improvement within health
systems. Our clients say they’ve entrusted us with the job of creating patient flow solutions that
achieve real and dramatic benefits for patients, their families and the world’s devoted front line
caregivers. Operational in Canada and the UK, Strata Health is a privately -held Canadian
corporation. It is comprised of professionals with empathy for those who need care and intense
respect for those who devote themselves to caring for others.
Strata PathWays™ is a Cloud-based, real-time Resource Matching and eReferral system improving
patient experience and system access across the care continuum. Connected to care providers in the
community, it provides front line clinicians and Primary Care physicians with real-time tools to flow
appropriate referring patients from hospital or community to available bed and program openings.
The eReferral system radically reduces the time patients occupy acute care beds after they have been
assessed for discharge into alternative care programs – now including Surgical Specialists, Mental
Health & Addictions, Rehabilitation/Sub-Acute, Home Care, Continuing Care Centers, Assisted
Living, Palliative, Physiotherapy, Community Support and Adult Day Programs.
Contact: Daniela Lockhard, Vice President – Business Development, Americas at 416-214-6882 or
Daniela@stratahealth.com