Clinical Solutions

KITCHENER, Ont. – Recently, Grand River Hospital deployed Signal 1’s artificial intelligence (AI) powered clinical decision support system. The launch follows months of collaboration between Signal 1 and clinical teams at Grand River Hospital to adapt and fine-tune Signal 1’s offering for Grand River Hospital’s patient population and clinical routines. This work is supported by the CAN Health Network. Read More

EDMONTON – X-rays reveal dense matter in the body, such as broken bones and solid tumours. But X-rays of tumours in soft tissue, such as those in the lung, breast, or prostate, are often ill-defined and hazy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) improves the ability to see cancer tumours clearly. Read More

CALGARY – Alberta is boosting efforts to address cancer in Alberta by increasing screening and trying to complete more surgeries. Alberta is the first province to lower the recommended age for breast cancer screening from 50 to 45. Alberta Health Services (AHS) anticipates 12,000 more mammograms could be performed each year as a result. Read More

TORONTO – As of this month, Ontario pharmacies can officially assess and prescribe medication for 13 common ailments. The service is intended to make access to care more convenient by eliminating a doctor’s visit, according to a release from the Ontario Ministry of Health. And it’s free for patients with a health card, the ministry says. Read More

HALIFAX – The QEII Foundation announced a $1-million donation from TD Bank Group (TD) to support Atlantic Canada’s first orthopaedic surgical robot at the QEII Health Sciences Centre. The Mako SmartRobotics system – a robotic arm controlled by a surgeon during hip and knee surgeries – is advancing orthopaedic surgeries and providing better patient outcomes. The funding from TD marks the Bank’s largest single donation to date supporting healthcare in Atlantic Canada. Read More

ST. JOHN’S – Eastern Health announced that it has started to complete hip and knee replacement surgery on an outpatient basis. This new, innovative approach to managing surgical waitlists for hip and knee joint replacement surgeries helps to reduce wait times and improve access to care for patients who are clinically eligible for this surgical approach. Read More

VANCOUVER – Firstline, the Canadian clinical decision support company, announced that new, gold-standard clinical guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) is being distributed on its platform. For the first time, the WHO has created evidence-based clinical guidance for prescribing antibiotics – the AWaRe Antibiotic Book. Read More

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia has expanded an agreement with Tranquility, a program that helps people experiencing depression and anxiety better understand their emotions, thoughts and behaviours and build skills and coping strategies. People using the program are supported by a coach who checks in on their progress and offers ongoing help and motivation. Read More

CALGARY – Nearly a decade of brainstorming, research and trials has paid off for a Calgary cardiologist and University of Calgary professor, who has received Health Canada approval for use of a new pacemaker. Dr. Derek Exner, associate dean of commercialization and innovation at the University of Calgary’s Cumming School of Medicine, and his team have been working closely with global healthcare company Abbott since 2014. Together, the group has been instrumental in bringing the Aveir VR leadless pacemaker to patients with heart conditions in Calgary. Read More

SAINT JOHN, NB – Members of Horizon Health Network’s Surgery Program are taking an innovative approach to performing surgeries on patients who have been waiting the longest for orthopaedic surgeries. Surgical teams in Fredericton, Miramichi, Moncton and Saint John will complete a “blitz” of up to 96 surgeries – primarily orthopaedic (hip and knee replacements) – on Saturdays in November, December, January and February. Typically, operating rooms (ORs) do not run planned surgeries on weekends. Read More