Connected Care Innovation Grant improves connected care for patient and providers

By
Kristie Jones
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Canada Health Infoway (Infoway) awarded 10 clinical leaders across Canada with the Connected Care Innovation Grant, of up to $50,000 in funding per project, to advance grassroots clinical initiatives that focus on progressing digital health interoperability-related efforts and improving Connected Care for patients and providers.

The Connected Care Innovation Grants are designed to demonstrate the value and benefits of connected care for clinicians, and is the first initiative launched by the Infoway Centre for Clinical Innovation in Digital Health (CIDH), whose role is to support Infoway’s national efforts to accelerate the adoption of interoperability by fostering meaningful engagements with clinical leaders.

The 10 successful grant recipients are located across the country, including British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Québec, and Ontario, including three organizations serving Indigenous communities. Recipients operate in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, provincial agencies, universities, clinics, and non-profit organizations, supporting patients in real-time, every day. The grants will support projects aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and experience through technology, as well as improving access to critical health information for diverse populations.

“Congratulations to the inaugural recipients of the Connected Care Innovation Grant. Through the CIDH, Infoway has invested more than $450,000 to recognize grassroots clinical initiatives across Canada that align with the strategic goals of Infoway’s Shared Pan-Canadian Interoperability Roadmap to advance the secure access and exchange of standardized health data,” said Abhi Kalra, EVP of Connected Care, Canada Health Infoway. “By harnessing the expertise and insights of clinical leaders, we help ensure that digital health solutions are tailored to meet the needs of frontline healthcare providers and ultimately improve patient care for years to come.”

“With the Connected Care Innovation Grant, we now have the opportunity to further harness technology to help our clients and their families/caregivers become better educated on their own health issues, as well as help health and social providers partner together to increase our collective knowledge,” said David Hamilton, Director/Chief of EMS of the KDSB Northwest EMS. “It is very important to explore new and innovative approaches to solve the challenges we face in health care, and we are excited to receive this grant from Canada Health Infoway to begin implementing this plan.”

The successful recipients of the Connected Care Innovation Grant include:

  • Provincial Health Services Authority (British Columbia)
  • First Nations Health Authority (British Columbia)
  • Saddle Lake Health Centre (Saddle Lake, AB)
  • University of Saskatchewan (Saskatoon, SK)
  • Kenora District Services Board (Kenora, ON)
  • North York General Hospital (North York, ON)
  • Dr. Pepe & C.Lin-Pepe MPC (London, ON)
  • Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation (Hamilton, ON)
  • Mission Bon Accueil (Montréal, QC)
  • Centre Casa (Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, QC)

This fall, the CIDH will launch the Connected Care Innovation Scholarship, aimed at clinical learners pursuing educational opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills in digital health interoperability. This scholarship supports programs aligned with the strategic goals and priority initiatives of the Roadmap.

Through the CIDH, Infoway remains committed to undertaking projects and initiatives aimed at driving meaningful engagement with clinical leaders, thereby supporting the adoption of Connected Care. To learn more about the CIDH, this year’s Connected Care Innovation Grant recipients, and upcoming initiatives, visit www.infoway-inforoute.ca.