How Researchers Are Transforming Care with AI

​Advancements in technology play a crucial role in health care breakthroughs and hold significant potential for the future. Researchers at Sunnybrook are using emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to advance the diagnosis, treatments and outcomes of some of the world's most debilitating diseases faster, and more often.

Early Warning System Using Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is at the leading edge of research that will make care safer for patients by using Al to anticipate when they may be at risk of mental health deterioration. It's the first project of its kind in an Ontario psychiatric hospital. Knowing ahead of time that a patient may be at risk of harm can help providers develop intervention strategies.

Innovation Aims to Slash Medication Errors Globally

A groundbreaking innovation at Health Sciences North is poised to revolutionize medication labelling in hospitals across Canada, potentially reducing one of the most significant health risks faced by patients today. SmartyPrints is an innovative solution created by Avalon Lupini who recognized the challenges posed by factors like ambiguous handwriting, smudged labels, and more.

VR Programming: A New Asset in Dementia Care

Virtual reality (VR) stands out as a particularly effective tool for engaging older adults living with dementia. Since 2021, Baycrest has used VR to enhance holistic, person-centred care models. In 2023, Baycrest developed a user guide to support staff with implementing a VR program for older adults, including individuals with dementia, which has been instrumental in supporting VR's spread and scale.

Testing New Technology for Advancing Inclusive, Equitable Care

An imaging device developed by an Ontario start-up company is being studied at Hamilton Health Sciences to see if it can better identify early signs of pressure injuries, with a focus on people with darker skin pigmentation. This patient population is more difficult to assess with the current, standard tools involving a visual inspection. As a result, pressure injuries may not be identified as early as they could be.

New Tool to Detect Consciousness in the ICU

Researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute and Western University are using a new brain imaging technique to detect preserved consciousness in the intensive care unit (ICU) at London Health Sciences Centre in patients who appear to be in a coma following a severe brain injury. These findings could fundamentally change the way patients are cared for.
 

How One Scientist is Changing the Way Robots Think

Dr. Brokoslaw Laschowski, Research Scientist and Principal Investigator at the KITE Research Institute at University Health Network (UHN), is working to create intelligent robots to help people with physical disabilities. The novelty of his robotics research stems from his expertise in computational neuroscience. He specializes in developing the “brains" that power robotic systems.

CHEO Hopes to Share World-First AI Algorithm to Diagnose Rare Disease

The new, world-first artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm called ThinkRare has helped CHEO diagnose children and youth with rare diseases. Experts behind this groundbreaking work are ready to help children globally. Since early 2024, the algorithm started running through the electronic medical records of current and new patients daily, identifying between 5-10 patients each month who might need additional genetic testing. 

Care with Comfort

Without hesitation, Micheline Steele provides an emphatic, rave review of her extensive experience with virtual care. “It changed my life," says the 64-year-old. For years, crippling chronic pain curtailed every aspect of life for Micheline. An avid fitness enthusiast, even gentle exercise was out of the question. So too were simple household tasks – baking, housework, gardening.

Inside One Hospital’s Strategy to Enhance Emergency Care

As health care needs continue to outpace available resources, the integration of technologies – particularly artificial intelligence – presents transformative opportunities to improve health care delivery. Humber River Health has been at the forefront of implementing digital health solutions with the aim of reimagining and redefining how care is provided.
 

Writing the Roadmap for AI in Hospitals

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing every industry, including health care where it's creating better and faster care for both patients and doctors. But with such advancements come careful considerations. What's the appropriate use of AI in health care? How is it best used for clinical decision-making? Leaders at Hamilton Health Sciences are working on answering those questions.

AI Scribes Show Promising Results in Helping Reduce Paperwork for Clinicians

Family doctors report spending 70 to 90 per cent less time on paperwork in a study evaluating the use of artificial intelligence (AI) scribe technology. AI scribes capture conversations between family doctors or nurse practitioners and their patients, summarizing them into detailed electronic medical notes. Women's College Hospital Institute for Health System Solutions and Virtual Care helped implement the project.

Exploring ChatGPT as a Diagnostic Tool for Medical Learners and Clinicians

Researchers from Lawson Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre and Western University's Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry have explored the use of ChatGPT as a diagnostic tool for medical learners and clinicians. The team wanted to explore how ChatGPT could help learners and professionals engage further with complex cases used for training during medical school.

AI Tools Ease Administrative Burdens. New Funding Helps Scale Them.

Unity Health Toronto has received funding from Toronto Innovation Acceleration Partners under its Critical Technologies Program, to scale homegrown artificial intelligence (AI) tools that support workforce planning in health care. One tool, the Emergency Department Nurse Assignment tool, has reduced the time it takes to assign up to 27 nurses to their roles for each shift from three hours to 15 minutes or less per day.

Training Thousands on a New Digital System

On November 30, Unity Health Toronto will launch its new electronic patient record system, powered by Epic Systems, modernizing communication and information sharing between patients, families and their care teams. This major clinical transformation project will improve the way that clinical teams deliver care and empower patients to play a more significant role in their care journey.

Facing a Cyberattack, Part 1: The Story Behind Daily Operations

In 2023, Bluewater Health experienced a cyberattack along with four other peer hospitals. In this first part of a two-part series, the hospital recounts the extensive efforts undertaken by health care workers across the organization - from frontline providers to leadership - who successfully pulled together to maintain operations and ensure patient safety during a very challenging time.

ED Adopts AI Tool to Reduce Wait Times and Address Physician Burnout

Michael Garron Hospital is one of the first hospitals in Ontario to adopt a new AI tool to help reduce emergency department (ED) wait times, improve care for patients, and lessen the administrative burden on emergency physicians that can lead to burnout. Ambient Scribe allows physicians in the ED to record interactions with consenting patients through a secure app.
 

AI Wound Care Will Shape the Delivery of Care in Rural Communities

Brightshores Health System's Office of Research and Innovation in collaboration with leading partners including Swift Medical, Giishkaandago'Ikwe Health Services, the National Research Council of Canada, and the Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North at the University of Northern British Columbia, is spearheading the creation of an Advanced AI Wound Care Network.

Health Care in 2040: The Status Quo Is Not an Option

In October, the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto released Projected Patterns of Illness in Ontario – a sobering new study that shows there will be significant strain on the health care system over the next two decades. The study, conducted in partnership with the Ontario Hospital Association, finds millions more Ontarians will be living with chronic illness in the next 20 years.

New Neonatal and Paediatric Outpatient Clinic

Guelph General Hospital has opened its doors to a new acute outpatient clinic designed to provide urgent consultation with a pediatrician to neonatal and paediatric patients and their families who may otherwise require emergency medical consultation, hospital admission, or lack timely access to primary care following discharge from the hospital.
 

Special Indigenous Ceremony Brings Community Together

Glengarry Memorial Hospital ​recently held a special Indigenous ceremony, welcoming staff, physicians, volunteers, and community members to experience a powerful afternoon of cultural learning and celebration. The event included a traditional smudging ceremony and a Social featuring traditional songs and dances performed by members of the Native North American Traveling College.

2024 Ontario Health System Quality and Innovation Award Winners

Guests gathered at the University of Toronto on September 26 to celebrate the finalists of the 2024 Ontario Health System Quality and Innovation Awards. The ceremony featured seven categories: Improved Patient Experience, Improved Population Health, Improved Value and Sustainability, Increased Equity, Improved Care Team Well-being, Improved Indigenous Health, and Excellence in Health Communications.

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Projected Patterns of Illness in Ontario - Video

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Projected Patterns of Illness in Ontario -  Report