Electronic records can now be accessed from Calgary's three major hospitals, putting patient information at the fingertips of doctors, nurses and other health practitioners.

The Calgary Health Region has spent $80 million and four years to get the system in place.

Launched at the Rockyview General Hospital, it is now in full use at the Foothills and Peter Lougheed hospitals, officials announced Thursday. 

Dr. Andy Pattullo, who was drawn to work in the region by this new system, said it would save time in treating patients and boost medical efficiency.

"Two physicians — myself and the other — could look at the patient's file and make decisions about their care remotely in very quick order, something that would have often taken an hour in the old system."

The public will eventually be able to access their own health information, but that won't happen until a consultation process is completed.

Bill Trafford, the head of advanced technology for the health region, said the system was secure against hacking. None of the information is downloadable and it is password protected.