The Drug Information System (DIS), launched in Nova Scotia in 2013, is a province-wide digital health tool that provides comprehensive community medication profiles to support safer, more informed care.
The DIS is conducted a formal evaluation with system users to assess the system’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. The recent evaluation surveys (now closed), based on feedback from 483 healthcare professionals and system users, confirmed that the DIS delivers key benefits such as improved medication safety, better access to patient histories, and enhanced coordination across all Nova Scotian community pharmacies. However, users also highlighted challenges including a cumbersome interface, workflow inefficiencies, and limited integration with other systems. Recommendations include improving usability, expanding training, enhancing system integration, and streamlining e-prescription workflow and notifications. These improvements will be prioritized alongside broader health system changes, with ongoing impact evaluation.
Summary report to follow.
UPDATE (August 2025):
The Drug Information System (DIS), launched in Nova Scotia in 2013, is a province-wide digital health tool that provides comprehensive community medication profiles to support safer, more informed care.
The DIS is conducted a formal evaluation with system users to assess the system’s effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. The recent evaluation surveys (now closed), based on feedback from 483 healthcare professionals and system users, confirmed that the DIS delivers key benefits such as improved medication safety, better access to patient histories, and enhanced coordination across all Nova Scotian community pharmacies. However, users also highlighted challenges including a cumbersome interface, workflow inefficiencies, and limited integration with other systems. Recommendations include improving usability, expanding training, enhancing system integration, and streamlining e-prescription workflow and notifications. These improvements will be prioritized alongside broader health system changes, with ongoing impact evaluation.
This survey is designed for HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS. The Drug Information System (DIS) Program of the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is conducting a formal Benefits Evaluation.
As a healthcare provider in the hospital or in the community, you are authorized to use or would benefit from using the DIS, to access and share patient medication information.
The objective of the evaluation is to determine what is working and what could be improved. Your feedback is essential for shaping the future direction of the DIS program. We want the DIS to remain aligned with Nova Scotia healthcare system needs over time.
This survey is designed for HEALTHCARE PARTNERS (HEALTH SYSTEM USE). The Drug Information System (DIS) Program of the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) is conducting a formal Benefits Evaluation.
As a healthcare partner, you may be using the DIS or the data from the system as part of your role with DHW, NSH, IWK or any organizations outside of these.
The objective of this evaluation is to determine what is working and what could be improved. Your feedback is essential for shaping the future direction of the DIS program. We want the DIS to remain aligned with Nova Scotia healthcare needs over time.