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Theme 2: Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care
Point of Care Ultrasound (Acumen - POCUS)
Making Ultrasound More Accessible in the Community
Lead
Michelle Grinman
Co-lead
Steve Reid
Additional Contributors
Ghazwan Altabbaa (Co-Investigator), Dennis Moon
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THE CHALLENGE
Medical imaging has long been a cornerstone of modern healthcare, providing doctors with the necessary tools to diagnose and treat patients. While Ultrasound Guided Therapies (UGTs) can improve care through early and effective interventions, their complexity and high costs limit their use, particularly in underserved areas and outside hospital settings. This creates a pressing need for accessible, cost-effective solutions for diagnostics and treatment.
THE CHALLENGE
Medical imaging has long been a cornerstone of modern healthcare, providing doctors with the necessary tools to diagnose and treat patients. While Ultrasound Guided Therapies (UGTs) can improve care through early and effective interventions, their complexity and high costs limit their use, particularly in underserved areas and outside hospital settings. This creates a pressing need for accessible, cost-effective solutions for diagnostics and treatment.
THE INNOVATION
Innovation Overview Heading
HOW IT WORKS
HOW IT WORKS
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[Innovation Overview] This project focuses on understanding and addressing the technological acceptance barriers among older adults in Central Alberta. By comparing the usage and attitudes of those living independently, with partners, or in care facilities, the initiative identifies gaps and opportunities to design more inclusive, user-friendly digital health solutions.
Surveys and in-depth interviews gather insights into older adults’ experiences with existing eHealth and mHealth platforms, with a focus on their potential for improving healthcare access and supporting healthy aging.
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HOW IT WORKS
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THE INNOVATION
Presuna is a software platform designed to make point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) scans more accessible and affordable. It simplifies the interpretation of lung and Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) ultrasound scans by providing diagnostic support for healthcare professionals. By integrating with existing POCUS systems, Presuna enables community-based care, reduces reliance on acute care facilities, and facilitates earlier interventions for chronic and acute conditions.
HOW IT WORKS
Community paramedics or healthcare professionals acquire ultrasound scans using Health Canada-approved POCUS systems, such as Lumify. The scans are uploaded to the Presuna platform, which automatically notifies physicians for remote interpretation. Physicians can access and interpret the scans anytime, anywhere, using the platform to guide diagnostic decisions and recommend interventions. The platform supports clinicians in learning and integrating ultrasound interpretation into their workflow.
THE BENEFITS
For Users
Remote Access: Physicians can interpret ultrasound scans from any location, ensuring timely diagnostics and reducing patient visits to acute care facilities.
Enhanced Learnability: Clinicians gain new skills and improve their diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
Cost and Complexity Reduction: Presuna lowers barriers by simplifying workflows and reducing reliance on expensive, complex equipment.
Earlier Interventions: The system enables the invention, validation, and scaling of new therapies.
For The System
Improved Access: Presuna democratizes access to advanced diagnostic tools, making them available in underserved or community settings.
Optimized Resources: Reduces strain on acute care facilities by enabling diagnostics and treatments within the community.
Scalability: Facilitates the development and adoption of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, enhancing healthcare delivery. Cost
Efficiency: Lowers the overall costs of care delivery while maintaining high-quality patient outcomes.
THE BENEFITS
For Users
Remote Access: Physicians can interpret ultrasound scans from any location, ensuring timely diagnostics and reducing patient visits to acute care facilities.
Enhanced Learnability: Clinicians gain new skills and improve their diagnostic and treatment capabilities.
Cost and Complexity Reduction: Presuna lowers barriers by simplifying workflows and reducing reliance on expensive, complex equipment.
Earlier Interventions: The system enables the invention, validation, and scaling of new therapies.
For The System
Improved Access: Presuna democratizes access to advanced diagnostic tools, making them available in underserved or community settings.
Optimized Resources: Reduces strain on acute care facilities by enabling diagnostics and treatments within the community.
Scalability: Facilitates the development and adoption of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, enhancing healthcare delivery. Cost
Efficiency: Lowers the overall costs of care delivery while maintaining high-quality patient outcomes.
Ready to Keep Exploring?
If you’d like to learn more or connect about POCUS, reach out to Michelle Grinman, Project Lead, at:
Get Involved
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Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province.
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The Health Everywhere Hub portfolio map showcases academic-led projects tackling real healthcare challenges across Alberta. By highlighting shared goals and commonalities, we hope to spark collaboration and amplify impact across the system.
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