Theme 1: Bridging Community and Acute Care
Pressure Wound Staging App
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Lead:
Chester Ho
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INNOVATION STAGE
Proof of Concept
Health Innovation Focus
Acute Illness & Injury
Population and Setting
Adults
Technology and Intervention
Data Modelling, Platform and Dashboard Visualization
BENEFITS
For Users
For healthcare providers, the AI app offers a reliable and consistent tool for pressure injury assessment, which minimizes subjective interpretation and the potential for staging inaccuracies. By reducing the pressure on nurses to perform manual evaluations, the app empowers providers with specialized insights and enhances their confidence in assessment accuracy. Remote consultation capabilities also improve access to specialist input, especially in settings with limited wound care expertise.
For The System
For the healthcare system, the app can lead to more efficient wound management processes, reducing the incidence of severe pressure injuries and associated complications. This efficiency can help decrease preventable hospitalizations and associated healthcare costs. Additionally, by enabling better documentation and standardized assessments, the app supports quality improvement in patient care, with potential to reduce wait times and resource strain in acute care and emergency settings.
Project Theme Information
An audit of Alberta’s acute care sites revealed that about one in six patients had a hospital-acquired pressure injury. These injuries cause painful, rapidly progressing sores that can lead to severe complications and even death. Pressure injuries are seen as an important indicator of healthcare
The proposed intervention is an AI-powered app designed for wound imaging, specifically for pressure injury assessment. This app would integrate digital photography with automated staging software to provide a more consistent, accurate, and efficient approach to assessing and managing pressure injuries.
The AI app allows healthcare providers to capture images of pressure injuries on mobile devices and upload them directly to ConnectCare. The app’s automated staging software analyzes the wound characteristics—such as size, depth, color, and tissue health—and classifies the injury into stages (from Stage 1 to Stage 4) based on established criteria. This system not only aids in staging but also facilitates remote assessment and consultation, enabling healthcare providers to make timely and informed decisions.
Other Known Cases:
An audit of acute care sites in Alberta showed that approximately one of every six acute care patient had a pressure injury. Pressure injuries cause extremely painful sores that can lead to serious complications and even death. The number of pressure injuries in a clinical environment is a gauge of quality of care because it is preventable. Accurate staging and assessments are crucial in wound care as they ensure the right treatment plan is applied, which is vital for effective healing and avoiding further complications.
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Explore Partnerships
Interested in collaboration? Email Chester Ho to explore partnership opportunities
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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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