Brightshores Health System’s Office of Research and Innovation (ORI) is pleased to announce the approval of a significant co-investment from DIGITAL, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, for an innovation Project aimed at revolutionizing wound care technology.
Brightshores, 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. This ambitious initiative will focus on driving the adoption of innovative wound care technology designed to provide precise measurements and assessments of wounds.
The core of this groundbreaking technology lies in its ability to capture detailed images of wounds, coupled with a digital dashboard and documentation system enhanced by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Using AutoDepth TM clinicians can quickly and accurately measure visible wound depth, SmartTissueTM predicts wound tissue types and HealingIndex TM uses AI to identify at-risk wounds.
“This project heralds a new era in wound care management, offering a transformative solution to address the pressing healthcare needs of our community,” stated Dr. Rebecca Brookham, Director, Office of Research & Innovation, Brightshores Health System. “With a high burden of wounds, particularly those associated with diabetes, and limited resources to assess patients across our 6 sites, the adoption of this technology will significantly enhance our capabilities.”
One of the key advantages of this technology is its potential to standardize wound assessments across all sites, thereby optimizing resource allocation and expediting care delivery to priority cases. By mitigating the limitations associated with traditional assessment tools and streamlining documentation processes, this innovation is poised to reduce healing time and increase timely access to care.
“DIGITAL is excited to build upon the over 5 years of investments we’ve made in applied AI with this latest announcement,” said Nadia Shaikh-Naeem, Vice President of Programs at DIGITAL. “We look forward to the potential of the partnerships within the Advanced AI Wound Care Network to deploy Swift Medical’s enhanced woundcare solution within urban, rural and Indigenous communities by working alongside partners such as Brightshores Health System, Giishkaandago’Ikwe Health Services and the University of Northern British Columbia’s Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North. This latest announcement is an example of how Canada can increase equitable access and better health outcomes for Canadians through AI adoption and community partnerships.”
DIGITAL’s co-investment in this project is supported through the Technology Commercialization stream within their specialized Horizon AI program: DIGITAL’s national program that seeks to capture Canada’s economic potential for applied AI. With additional program streams focused on emerging market opportunities and talent development, the Technology Commercialization stream co-invests alongside Canadian industry and academia in AI projects that support the resiliency and sustainability of health care systems and advance health care in ways that support healthy living, accessibility and delivering positive outcomes.
The implementation of the Advanced AI Wound Care Network will empower frontline healthcare staff with a mobile tool capable of delivering accurate and standardized wound descriptions, which can assist in escalation and prioritization to the Nurse Specialist in Wound, Ostomy, and Continence (NSWOC). Leveraging AI predictions, clinicians will be guided in their care decisions, fostering improved patient outcomes and continuity of care.
Diana Ryman, Director of Quality and Safety, at Brightshores Health System, notes “We are thrilled about the potential impact of this technology on both our providers and patients. By placing this powerful tool in the hands of our frontline staff, we are paving the way for enhanced clinical decision-making, streamlined workflows, and ultimately, improved patient experiences.”
The Advanced AI Wound Care Network represents a significant step forward in healthcare innovation, aligning with Brightshores Health System’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality care to its community. Through strategic partnerships and visionary initiatives like this, Brightshores remains at the forefront of healthcare excellence.
For more information about Brightshores Health System and its innovative projects, please visit: https://www.brightshores.ca/office-of-research-innovation/
Media Contact: Sarah Cunningham, Manager of Communications & Public Relations
Email: sacunningham@brightshores.ca
About DIGITAL
DIGITAL, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, grows Canadian businesses through the development, adoption and deployment of Canadian-made technologies and by working with industry to develop a digitally skilled workforce to positively impact lives across our country.
We bring together businesses, academia, community and government agencies to solve some of industry and society’s biggest challenges – better and faster than any single organization can do on its own. Through a powerful model that combines cross-sector collaboration, Canadian IP creation and results-based co-investment, we unlock the potential of Canadian industry to lead and succeed in the digital world.
Ahead of the curve starts here. For more information, visit digitalsupercluster.ca
DIGITAL Media Contact: Sydney Redpath, Director of Communications
Email: media@digitalsupercluster.ca