As we look to the future of healthcare, Humber River Health (Humber) stands at the forefront, transforming healthcare into a modern, innovative, and inclusive experience. The organization does not just aim to provide quality healthcare – they are reshaping it to meet the needs of their community through technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and a patient-centric approach. At Humber, the future of healthcare is not just a distant goal; it is here today.
Driving innovation to transform patient care
Innovation is embedded in Humber’s DNA. As North America’s first digital hospital, they have harnessed technology to streamline workflows, enhance safety, and improve the patient experience. Their state-of-the-art Command Centre, the first of its kind in Canada, optimizes care delivery by using real-time data and artificial intelligence to manage patient flow and prevent delays.
Organizations and fellow hospitals from around the world visit Humber to tour its advanced facility and explore other innovative practices. These visits allow them to learn from Humber’s ground-breaking approaches, often inspiring the implementation of similar advancements within their own facilities to enhance efficiency, safety, and patient care.
Humber’s embrace of robotics exemplifies how technology can redefine patient outcomes. With the Da Vinci surgical robot and the ROSA® knee system, Humber leads in minimally invasive techniques, allowing patients to recover faster with fewer complications. Recently, they performed Toronto’s first fully robotic bladder cancer surgery, demonstrating their commitment to being a pioneer in surgical innovation.
A culture of safety
Safety is at the core of Humber’s commitment to providing the highest quality care for its patients and staff. In recent years, Humber has made remarkable strides in enhancing patient safety and clinical outcomes, as Humber’s safer care numbers are more than 60 per cent better than the average of all Ontario and Canadian hospitals, and have maintained this for the last 6 years. In addition, a 10 per cent year-over-year reduction in sepsis cases, a 40 per cent year-over-year decrease in code blues, and a medication error rate of 0.009 per cent.
Care closer to home
As one of Ontario’s busiest cardiology centres, Humber is committed to expanding access to essential cardiac care in their community. Their plans for a state-of-the-art Cardiac Catheterization (Cath) Lab will provide critical diagnostic and treatment services to their patients without needing transfers to other hospitals, eliminating delays and reducing risk. The addition of this Cath Lab will also support their expanded device clinic, including an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) program, which will bring lifesaving services closer to home for their patients.
In their nephrology program, Humber is at the forefront of personalized kidney care, performing over 62,000 hemodialysis treatments annually and supporting home hemodialysis at rates significantly above the provincial average. Humber was one of the first hospitals in North America to establish a nocturnal home dialysis program, allowing patients the freedom to live independently while receiving essential treatment. With initiatives such as the Glomerulonephritis (GN) Clinic and the Transition Care Unit (TCU), Humber is delivering comprehensive kidney care, where patients are managed within their own community.
To further strengthen their community impact, Humber launched their first Ambulatory Strategic Plan, which enhances their outpatient services to provide care closer to home. This strategy emphasizes equitable access to a full spectrum of services, from preventative care to complex treatments. With a focus on local partnerships, their 2023-2026 Ambulatory Strategic Plan enables them to deliver high-quality care in a setting that is both accessible and convenient for their patients. This approach addresses higher disease prevalence in their region, ensuring that patients can receive care in a familiar, community-based environment.
Innovating healthcare access with The HUB@2115
Humber’s Finch Campus is home to The HUB@2115, a visionary project launched by the North Western Toronto (NWT) Ontario Health Team (OHT), addressing barriers to healthcare access by integrating health and social services in a single, centralized location. This “one-stop shop” for mental health support, diabetes education, employment services, and more, is designed to meet the needs of North Western Toronto’s diverse and underserved population. By consolidating crucial services under one roof, The HUB@2115 not only reduces wait times, but also helps patients navigate what can often feel like a fragmented system.
Investing in future primary care:
The Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit
Humber’s commitment to addressing the shortage of primary care providers in their community is evident with the Schulich Family Medicine Teaching Unit (FMTU). As an official teaching site for the University of Toronto’s Family Medicine Residency Program, the Schulich FMTU provides specialized training for first and second-year medical residents while helping their underserved community. This initiative is expected to address the needs of over 10,000 unattached patients by 2026, helping to close the gap in access to primary care.
Lighting the way forward
As they continue to innovate and expand their services, Humber River Health remains steadfast in their mission to provide high-quality, equitable, and accessible healthcare. The future of healthcare lies not only in technological advancements but also in ensuring these advancements improve care outcomes and enhance the patient experience. At Humber, they are building this future every day, empowering their community and healthcare providers alike.
At Humber River Health, we’re finding a cure for healthcare. Learn more at HealthcareLives.ca.
By Shahana Gaur
Shahana Gaur is a senior writer/communications specialist at Humber River Health.
