By Amber Daugherty


MyChart logo

More than 5,000 patients at St. Michael’s Hospital are now using MyChart, which allows access to health information with the click of a button. The online portal provides patients with the ability to see details about their recent visits, including lab results, without having to contact their health-care provider first.

“It’s very empowering to have knowledge and information at your fingertips,” said Elizabeth Racz, a member of the corporate Patient and Family Advisory Committee at St. Michael’s. “It gives me ownership over my own care – when I get my bloodwork or something I can look it up right away instead of having to wait until I see my doctor.”

MyChart was offered to patients across St. Michael’s earlier this year. It’s seen rapid adoption as patients increasingly embrace portals to support them in their care.

“We’re moving to a place where patients want to be more involved,” said Dr. Alun Ackery, an emergency physician. “Technology like MyChart gives them this ability to better understand what’s going on so that they can have meaningful conversations with their health-care providers – we’ve heard a lot of positive feedback.”

Information available through MyChart also includes medical imaging reports, clinical notes in patients’ hospital files, discharge instructions, upcoming appointments and more. While patients have to register themselves to see their own information, they can also grant access to others – family members, family doctors, specialists – so that they can also see some of their health information.

“Five thousand users is a big number – I think this is the beginning of a big wave that’s coming,” said Dr. Jeff Zaltzman, director of the division of nephrology and medical director of the diabetes comprehensive care program. “I think we’ll start seeing a lot more patients using MyChart and other technology like this to help improve their health and their experience of receiving care.”

Want to sign up for MyChart? Visit Patient Registration (first floor Donnelly Wing South) or ask at reception when you go to your next outpatient clinic appointment. Learn more.

About St. Michael’s Hospital

St. Michael’s Hospital provides compassionate care to all who enter its doors. The hospital also provides outstanding medical education to future health care professionals in more than 29 academic disciplines. Critical care and trauma, heart disease, neurosurgery, diabetes, cancer care, care of the homeless and global health are among the Hospital’s recognized areas of expertise. Through the Keenan Research Centre and the Li Ka Shing International Healthcare Education Centre, which make up the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, research and education at St. Michael’s Hospital are recognized and make an impact around the world. Founded in 1892, the hospital is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.

St. Michael’s Hospital with Providence Healthcare and St. Joseph’s Health Centre now operate under one corporate entity as of August 1, 2017. United, the three organizations serve patients, residents and clients across the full spectrum of care, spanning primary care, secondary community care, tertiary and quaternary care services to post-acute through rehabilitation, palliative care and long-term care, while investing in world-class research and education.