In the heart of Orillia, Ontario, a 180-bed acute care facility is making big strides in redefining the future of Canadian healthcare. Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital (OSMH) has teamed up with GE HealthCare to rethink how technology is managed, with a focus on improving workflows, enhancing patient care, and modernizing asset management. This partnership is powered by GE HealthCare’s innovative Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) program, which is helping OSMH streamline operations, boost clinical satisfaction, and achieve better financial outcomes.
Over the past decade, GE HealthCare has moved beyond traditional “break/fix” services to deliver a more holistic approach to technology management. By introducing tools like GE HealthCare’s enterprise asset management system and real-time location system (RTLS), known as Encompass™, OSMH is setting a new standard for hospital efficiency.
Moving from break / fix maintenance to healthcare technology management
For years, hospitals have struggled with siloed departments managing assets independently, leading to inefficiencies and disconnected processes. GE HealthCare saw an opportunity to create a more cohesive, streamlined approach.
“Until recently, there wasn’t a single, integrated way to handle how a hospital’s assets are acquired, serviced, managed, and retired,” says Ron Rivard, Strategic Initiatives Manager (Ret.) at GE HealthCare. “HTM changes that. It brings everything together—assets, resources, processes, and technology—into one data-driven program that delivers real efficiencies.”
This shift comes at a critical time, as healthcare systems face growing pressures, from aging populations to rising costs and resource shortages. “Healthcare systems were clear,” adds Nancy Wright, Client Solutions Leader, Health Services at GE HealthCare. “They told us, ‘We need more from you. Our populations are getting older, costs are on the rise, and we can’t keep up with patient demand.’ HTM was our answer.”
A collaborative focus on outcomes
Performance that doesn’t quit
The partnership between GE HealthCare and OSMH addresses hospitals’ biggest challenges: improving patient flow, keeping clinicians satisfied, and managing costs effectively. “We’re here to help clinicians spend more time at the bedside, improve patient outcomes, and keep operations cost-effective,” says Brian McWilliams, GM, Canada, at GE HealthCare Patient Care Solutions, (formerly GM Commercial, Canada, at GE HealthCare Services). “It’s about truly understanding a hospital’s needs and building tailored solutions that deliver results.”
At OSMH, the HTM program is already making a difference in three key areas:
Service Optimization
- Tech-enabled service models that align with hospital priorities
- Multi-vendor service agreements that simplify processes and cut cost
Innovation and Sustainability
- Cybersecurity solutions that help keep clinical devices secure
- Regulatory compliance and ongoing program improvements
Integrated Asset Management
- Real-time data and reporting for better asset lifecycle management
- Smarter use of equipment to optimize capital planning
The HTM program at OSMH has created meaningful improvements that benefit both staff and patients.
Learn more about getting the most out of your medical technology.
Real-time location services = more time for patient care
One of the standout changes has been the implementation of GE HealthCare’s RTLS technology, which allows staff to track and locate mobile medical equipment in real time. “The number one benefit has been visibility,” says Jo-Anne Chandler, Director of Materials Management at OSMH. “We’ve gone from having a general sense of what assets we had to knowing exactly where they are. It’s been a huge time-saver.”
This improved visibility means clinicians spend less time searching for equipment and more time caring for patients. Tom Roberts, CFO and EVP of Corporate Services at OSMH, adds that the technology is also saving money.
“In healthcare, we can’t afford to buy extra equipment that ends up sitting idle. RTLS shows us which assets are underused, so we can make the most of what we already have and avoid unnecessary purchases.”
The missing wheelchair: how one small change can make a big difference
According to Kate Smith, Director of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Services at OSMH, before RTLS, staff spent up to 20 minutes multiple times a day looking for wheelchairs to transfer patients to their appointments1—a small frustration that added up to bigger challenges. “Now, staff can find the right wheelchair in minutes,” says Smith. “Patients get to their appointments on time, schedules stay on track, and everyone feels less stressed.”
These small but impactful improvements are creating better experiences for patients, happier clinicians, and smoother hospital workflows.
A framework for future success
The partnership between GE HealthCare and OSMH has delivered measurable results in areas that matter most:
Smarter Capital Planning
Data-driven insights to justify equipment investments and ROI*
Less Downtime
Efficient management of planned and unplanned maintenance
Faster Service
Consolidated records for quicker troubleshooting and communication
Greater Accountability
A single point of contact for simplified asset management
Lessons learned: people, processes, and technology
The success of HTM at OSMH shows that achieving transformation requires more than just the right tools.
Supporting Care Teams
Data-driven insights to justify equipment investments and ROI*
Technology as a Solution
Wright highlights that, in the face of resource shortages and backlogs, technology will be key to helping Canadian healthcare systems reset and recover.
Partnerships Matter
“Technology alone isn’t enough,” says Wright. “You need expert partners who can help optimize workflows and support care teams every step of the way.”
Moving forward together
The success of GE HealthCare’s HTM program at OSMH proves what’s possible when technology, innovation, and partnership come together. As hospitals across Canada look to improve operations, enhance patient care, and tackle mounting challenges, OSMH offers an inspiring example of what’s achievable.
- Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital and GE HealthCare: Redefining healthcare technology management to drive outcomes. GE HealthCare. 2023. Accessed 2025. https://www.gehealthcare.ca/-/media/global-01/services/healthcare-technology-management/georillacasestudyfinal2274.pdf?rev=-1.
*GE HealthCare does not warrant or guarantee profitability or cost savings. Ability to achieve these goals is dependent on factors specific to each customer.
