Community Providers

*For the purpose of this communication, ‘community provider’ refers to any healthcare provider outside of Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health.

Community providers play a vital role in continuity of care, often as the first point-of-contact for patients in our healthcare system.

While community providers will not directly use the clinical information system (CIS), it is important to understand the role they will play in ensuring critical patient information is properly routed and received. Reports and results will be sent to private EMRs, but it is strongly recommended that all community providers register for Provider Portal. If you have questions or concerns about the information routing to your EMR, view this document.

Key information for community providers in Nova Scotia:

Do I need to train to use the clinical information system (CIS)?

No. Community providers will not use the CIS directly and are not required to complete CIS training.

How do I access information from the CIS?

Community providers can securely access relevant patient information through the Provider Portal, a web-based, view-only tool that displays clinical information flowing from CIS-enabled sites.

What information is available in the Provider Portal?

The Provider Portal provides view-only access to selected patient information from CIS-connected facilities, supporting continuity of care across settings, including admissions, discharges, and transfers from provincial healthcare systems, as well as medical reports and results for lab tests and diagnostic imaging.

How do I register for Provider Portal?

Registration instructions are available at opor.nshealth.ca/provider-portal

Who do I contact for Provider Portal support?

For technical issues or access support, email: opor.providerportalsupport@nshealth.ca

How do I ensure patient information is routed correctly to my practice?

Accurate practice information is essential for ensuring timely communication of patient records.

Community providers should ensure their contact details—including civic address, phone number, fax number, and email—are current. Community providers can update their information through forms available in the Physician Portal

How will CIS implementation impact my practice?

As the clinical information system is implemented across Nova Scotia, short stabilization periods may occur following each Wave. During this time, workflows and system performance will be actively monitored and optimized. Nova Scotia Health will continue to identify and address issues to support safe, reliable and efficient information flow.