How are we using technology to transform patient and client care? How can different departments and disciplines adopt new technology together? If you have an idea for integrating new technology at work, where do you begin?

Special guest Chief Ian Campbell welcomed forum participants to his homeland and territory.

These are just a few of the questions addressed during Innovations in Health Care — Vancouver’s All-Staff Forum — on February 28.

Developed in collaboration with Vancouver physicians and staff, this interactive forum on how we’re achieving breakthroughs in care with high-tech help attracted more than 400 participants from across Vancouver Acute and Community Services — and beyond.

From innovation to integration

Keynote speaker Dr. Kendall Ho kicked off the forum asking, “How do we not just innovate but integrate? How do we as health care professionals not just imagine what is possible but actually deliver what we can?”

As an emergency physician, answering these questions is vital and driving Dr. Ho’s work as clinical lead for Tech4Home. The largest trial of its kind in Canada, this acute and community collaboration uses telehealth for remote monitoring of patients with chronic heart failure in the community. Designed to lower the rate of hospital re-admission, this trial is also empowering patients in the community and improving quality of life with promising outcomes.

From smart phones and apps to wearable technology like the Apple Watch to pills that track adherence to medication use, the future is here, said Dr. Ho. “The question isn’t whether we should be using digital tools, but how do we use these tools to motivate positive change with patients.”

Panel (l to r): Dr. Kendall Ho, Yona Gellert, Allison Muniak, Dr. Jacqueline Trudeau and Dr. Tyler Smith.

Following Dr. Ho’s presentation, Allison Muniak, executive director of Quality & Patient Safety and Infection Control, broadened the discussion as panel moderator. Joining Allison and Dr. Ho on the panel were:

• Drs. Jacqueline Trudeau and Tyler Smith on ROTEM, cutting-edge technology used to generate and livestream patients’ blood-clotting profiles from the lab to physicians in mere minutes.
• Yona Gellert, technology and innovation  advisor, on Kelty’s Key, an innovative therapist-assisted online cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) service and self-help resource for patients with internet access.

Watch the recorded webcast

Dr. Ho answers an audience question.

The Vancouver All-Staff Forum was recorded for you to experience at your convenience. If you couldn’t join us, you can still watch the recorded webcast here.

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