Revisions
This this chart was updated with additional information on April 28, 2026.
Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health have made changes to the way Ocean eReferrals are received and managed for diagnostic imaging referrals. These changes follow the implementation and integration of a new system in December 2025. As a result, some workflows have changed for both sending providers and patients when submitting diagnostic imaging referrals. A detailed list of expected changes for sending providers and patients is provided below.
A detailed list of expected changes for sending providers and patients is provided below.
| Provider Features | Functionality Prior to Dec 8 | Functionality After Dec 8 |
|---|---|---|
|
Cancelled Diagnostic Imaging referrals |
Referring providers can cancel a Diagnostic Imaging eReferral in Ocean. | Referring providers will need to securely message Diagnostic imaging Central Intake through Ocean to cancel a referral; it will appear in the declined folder and a notification will also be sent. |
| Visibility of DI site location | Once the eReferral is routed from Central Intake to a DI site, the site location of the referral displays in the Ocean dashboard. | The referral site location will appear in the dashboard as DI Central Intake. |
| Visibility of appointment location for DI eReferrals | The appointment location would appear with the appointment date and time on the eReferral. |
The appointment location is no longer visible. Appointment date and time remains. |
| Resubmitting a Diagnostic Imaging referral | Referring providers can resubmit a Diagnostic Imaging eReferral in Ocean when changes are required to the original eReferral. | Referring providers will need to fill out a new eReferral if changes are required. |
| Patient Features | Functionality Prior to Dec 8 | Functionality After Dec 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Confirmation of Referral | Patients who have provided an email address with their referral receive an emailed notification once their referral has been sent in Ocean. |
Patients will not receive a notification. |
| Declined Referrals Notification | A referring provider can opt to notify patients of declined referrals through Ocean if the patient has included an email address with their referral. |
Patients will not receive a notification. |
| Visibility of Site Location | Patients who have provided an email address with their referral receive an email notification of the site where their referral has been routed through Ocean. |
Patients will not receive an emailed notification. A typical notification process will be used (e.g. by phone or mail). |
| Appointment Notifications / Appointment Preparation Instructions | Appointment instructions / preparation information can be emailed to patients by Diagnostic Imaging through Ocean, if the patient has supplied an email address with their referral. | Patients will not receive an emailed notification. A typical appointment notification process will be used by the DI site (e.g. by phone or mail). |
If you have a question or are experience an issue, please submit a ticket through the eServices Enquiries and Technical support, or speak with your local physician or operations leader.