In healthcare, IT is vital

You can work in information technology in many sectors; however, in a hospital, it’s different. Every outage can slow a diagnosis, every delay can postpone care, and every security breach can threaten the confidentiality of some of the most sensitive data. Protecting patients, countering increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, and maintaining a huge network that is active day and night: these are unique responsibilities at the heart of the hospital environment.

Behind these challenges are passionate women and men who have chosen to apply their expertise in the service of healthcare. Their work is measured not just in data, but in lives.

Over the next few weeks, we will introduce you to a member of the information technology team, someone who is behind the technologies we use every day.

A conductor’s expertise

As a Clinical Application Analyst in the Information Resources and Digital Transformation Directorate (IRDTD), Patrick McClintock is part of a small team that helps coordinate the implementation of new systems at the MUHC. They act as the link between clinical needs and digital tools.

His main project: collaborating with several teams on the modernization of Lachine Hospital. “At Lachine, almost everything is new: spaces, equipment, applications,” he says. More than 60 applications need to be put into service, including Oacis, ClinibaseCI, Opera, and emergency systems. Each simulation is crucial to ensure that everything works smoothly and that care is linked to the right patient. These changes affect security, the pharmacy, the laboratory, and all medical teams.

Patrick was also part of the Fonemed implementation team, a 24/7 nursing triage service. It allows patients to be assessed remotely by a nurse who directs them to the appropriate care – home care, medical consultation, or emergency room visit. The result: fewer unnecessary visits and faster access to the right care.

For Patrick, what makes healthcare IT unique is its ultimate focus: the patient. “Every application has a real impact on care. And with artificial intelligence and new applications, we are entering a major transformation of Quebec's healthcare system.”

Experts serving healthcare

Whether it’s deploying clinical applications, analyzing data, supporting newborn screening, or maintaining IT infrastructure, IT professionals share a common belief: in healthcare, IT is not just about systems. It is a direct commitment to patients.