Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care CONnecting and Coordinating an Enhanced Network for TRansitions in Care (CONCENTRIC) Reimagining Transitions in Care for Rural Spinal Cord Injury Patients Lead Chester Ho Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care CONnecting and Coordinating an Enhanced Network for TRansitions in Care (CONCENTRIC) Reimagining Transitions in Care for Rural Spinal Cord Injury Patients Lead Chester Ho Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link THE CHALLENGE Rural patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) face significant challenges during their transition from inpatient rehabilitation back into their communities. Limited access to in-person peer networking opportunities in rural areas restricts essential social support and resources. As a result, SCI patients often experience higher rates of psychological disorders, such as depression, which further complicates their reintegration process. While virtual peer networks have shown potential, their implementation remains underdeveloped, and the effectiveness of these systems is hindered by inadequate community resources such as ongoing care and tailored programs. THE CHALLENGE Rural patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) face significant challenges during their transition from inpatient rehabilitation back into their communities. Limited access to in-person peer networking opportunities in rural areas restricts essential social support and resources. As a result, SCI patients often experience higher rates of psychological disorders, such as depression, which further complicates their reintegration process. While virtual peer networks have shown potential, their implementation remains underdeveloped, and the effectiveness of these systems is hindered by inadequate community resources such as ongoing care and tailored programs. THE CHALLENGE Rural patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) face significant challenges during their transition from inpatient rehabilitation back into their communities. Limited access to in-person peer networking opportunities in rural areas restricts essential social support and resources. As a result, SCI patients often experience higher rates of psychological disorders, such as depression, which further complicates their reintegration process. While virtual peer networks have shown potential, their implementation remains underdeveloped, and the effectiveness of these systems is hindered by inadequate community resources such as ongoing care and tailored programs. THE INNOVATION The CONCENTRIC intiative introduces a virtual peer network for rural SCI patients, using cutting-edge spatial meeting technologies to enhance peer connections and community reintegration. This intervention leverages mixed-reality headsets, 360-degree cameras, and a combination of Zoom and immersive meeting applications to create engaging, supportive environments. By addressing gaps in traditional care transitions, this model utilizes technology to foster meaningful connections and improve patient outcomes. THE INNOVATION The CONCENTRIC intiative introduces a virtual peer network for rural SCI patients, using cutting-edge spatial meeting technologies to enhance peer connections and community reintegration. This intervention leverages mixed-reality headsets, 360-degree cameras, and a combination of Zoom and immersive meeting applications to create engaging, supportive environments. By addressing gaps in traditional care transitions, this model utilizes technology to foster meaningful connections and improve patient outcomes. HOW IT WORKS Participants in the virtual peer network meet twice monthly, alternating between standard videoconferencing and spatial-technology sessions. Coordinators and peers facilitate the spatial sessions using mixed-reality headsets and 360-degree cameras. A mixed-methods evaluation will compare these tools with traditional videoconferencing to assess outcomes and support reintegration, ultimately strengthening patient connections. HOW IT WORKS Participants in the virtual peer network meet twice monthly, alternating between standard videoconferencing and spatial-technology sessions. Coordinators and peers facilitate the spatial sessions using mixed-reality headsets and 360-degree cameras. A mixed-methods evaluation will compare these tools with traditional videoconferencing to assess outcomes and support reintegration, ultimately strengthening patient connections. THE BENEFITS For Users Enhanced Support: Users receive guidance from Client Service Coordinators and experienced peers, improving their transition into community living. Reduced Isolation: Immersive technologies enable rural patients to form meaningful peer connections, alleviating feelings of loneliness. Improved Access to Resources: Virtual networks provide patients with access to necessary information and support, regardless of their location. Better Emotional Well-Being: Stronger peer connections and support systems contribute to reduced rates of psychological disorders such as depression. For The System Improved Patient Outcomes: The initiative supports better reintegration for SCI patients, reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Innovative Technology Integration: By leveraging spatial meeting technologies, the organization pioneers new approaches to virtual care and peer support. Scalable Solutions: This model can inform future practices and policies for supporting rural patients in similar contexts. Knowledge Advancement: The mixed-methods study contributes to research on using immersive technologies to improve patient care and transitions. THE BENEFITS For Users Enhanced Support: Users receive guidance from Client Service Coordinators and experienced peers, improving their transition into community living. Reduced Isolation: Immersive technologies enable rural patients to form meaningful peer connections, alleviating feelings of loneliness. Improved Access to Resources: Virtual networks provide patients with access to necessary information and support, regardless of their location. Better Emotional Well-Being: Stronger peer connections and support systems contribute to reduced rates of psychological disorders such as depression. For The System Improved Patient Outcomes: The initiative supports better reintegration for SCI patients, reducing the burden on healthcare systems. Innovative Technology Integration: By leveraging spatial meeting technologies, the organization pioneers new approaches to virtual care and peer support. Scalable Solutions: This model can inform future practices and policies for supporting rural patients in similar contexts. Knowledge Advancement: The mixed-methods study contributes to research on using immersive technologies to improve patient care and transitions. Explore Further If you’d like to learn more or connect about CONCENTRIC , reach out to Chester Ho, Project Lead , at: chester.ho@albertahealthservices.ca Get Involved Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Learn More View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province. View Portfolio Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province. ABOUT 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. It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together.

Bridging Community and Acute Care UPTAKE Personalizing Recovery After Acute Kidney Events Lead Matthew James Co-Lead Neesh Pannu Additional Contributors Nusrat Shonmu, Tyrone Harrison, Moaliosa Donald Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Bridging Community and Acute Care UPTAKE Personalizing Recovery After Acute Kidney Events Lead Matthew James Co-Lead Neesh Pannu Additional Contributors Nusrat Shonmu, Tyrone Harrison, Moaliosa Donald Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link Share this project LinkedIn X (Twitter) Copy link THE CHALLENGE Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a serious condition that can cause long-term complications, including cardiovascular issues and recurrent hospitalizations. AKI often develops rapidly, and without proper management, it can lead to lasting health problems. A major gap exists in the continuity of care as patients transition from hospital to home. Many patients with AKI are unaware of their condition or lack the clear, tailored guidance needed to understand their diagnosis and navigate safe recovery, increasing their risk of severe health outcomes. THE CHALLENGE Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a serious condition that can cause long-term complications, including cardiovascular issues and recurrent hospitalizations. AKI often develops rapidly, and without proper management, it can lead to lasting health problems. A major gap exists in the continuity of care as patients transition from hospital to home. Many patients with AKI are unaware of their condition or lack the clear, tailored guidance needed to understand their diagnosis and navigate safe recovery, increasing their risk of severe health outcomes. THE CHALLENGE Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a serious condition that can cause long-term complications, including cardiovascular issues and recurrent hospitalizations. AKI often develops rapidly, and without proper management, it can lead to lasting health problems. A major gap exists in the continuity of care as patients transition from hospital to home. Many patients with AKI are unaware of their condition or lack the clear, tailored guidance needed to understand their diagnosis and navigate safe recovery, increasing their risk of severe health outcomes. THE INNOVATION UPTAKE is a patient-specific educational and guidance platform designed to support AKI management after hospital discharge. It provides a tailored, after-visit summary that includes AKI-related information, customized follow-up instructions, and preventive guidance to help patients manage their condition proactively. By delivering personalized, condition-specific discharge documentation that is relevant and easy to understand, UPTAKE strengthens patient awareness, supports safer recovery at home, and improves continuity of care during a period of elevated health risk. THE INNOVATION UPTAKE is a patient-specific educational and guidance platform designed to support AKI management after hospital discharge. It provides a tailored, after-visit summary that includes AKI-related information, customized follow-up instructions, and preventive guidance to help patients manage their condition proactively. By delivering personalized, condition-specific discharge documentation that is relevant and easy to understand, UPTAKE strengthens patient awareness, supports safer recovery at home, and improves continuity of care during a period of elevated health risk. HOW IT WORKS At the point of discharge, the clinical team creates and delivers a personalized AKI-focused summary to the patient. This document provides essential information about their kidney event, along with customized recommendations for medication management, follow-up blood work, and lifestyle changes. The summary offers clear, actionable steps to help patients understand their health risks, engage in appropriate follow-up, and manage AKI safely at home. HOW IT WORKS At the point of discharge, the clinical team creates and delivers a personalized AKI-focused summary to the patient. This document provides essential information about their kidney event, along with customized recommendations for medication management, follow-up blood work, and lifestyle changes. The summary offers clear, actionable steps to help patients understand their health risks, engage in appropriate follow-up, and manage AKI safely at home. THE BENEFITS For Users Greater Awareness: Patients receive clear information about their AKI diagnosis and the significance of their condition. Personalized Guidance: Tailored instructions support medication management, follow-up blood work, and lifestyle changes after discharge. Improved Confidence: A customized summary helps patients understand what to expect and how to navigate their recovery. Safer Home Management: Clear steps and condition-specific guidance reduce the risk of serious complications following hospitalization. For The System Reduced Readmissions: Personalized education and clear follow-up instructions help decrease AKI-related return visits and hospitalizations. Efficient Resource Use: Better-managed recovery supports appropriate use of clinical resources and reduces strain on hospital teams. Lower Long-Term Costs: Preventing severe outcomes and complications can lessen the ongoing healthcare costs associated with unmanaged AKI. Adaptable Model: This personalized discharge approach can be extended to other conditions, supporting scalable, patient-centered care. THE BENEFITS For Users Greater Awareness: Patients receive clear information about their AKI diagnosis and the significance of their condition. Personalized Guidance: Tailored instructions support medication management, follow-up blood work, and lifestyle changes after discharge. Improved Confidence: A customized summary helps patients understand what to expect and how to navigate their recovery. Safer Home Management: Clear steps and condition-specific guidance reduce the risk of serious complications following hospitalization. For The System Reduced Readmissions: Personalized education and clear follow-up instructions help decrease AKI-related return visits and hospitalizations. Efficient Resource Use: Better-managed recovery supports appropriate use of clinical resources and reduces strain on hospital teams. Lower Long-Term Costs: Preventing severe outcomes and complications can lessen the ongoing healthcare costs associated with unmanaged AKI. Adaptable Model: This personalized discharge approach can be extended to other conditions, supporting scalable, patient-centered care. Explore Further If you’d like to learn more or connect about UPTAKE or connect with the project team, visit: UPTAKE UCalgary Page Get Involved Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Praesent sit amet metus sed lorem tincidunt pretium. Learn More View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province. View Portfolio Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province. ABOUT 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. It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together.

We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. Enhancing Recovery After Surgery THEME 2: REMOTE MONITORING AND VIRTUAL CARE Date Alex Baron | January 2024 As we age it can take longer for our bodies to heal from trauma. As many as 40% of patients that undergo surgery will have major complications that lead to long-term health problems, such as heart disease or stroke. This is especially true for adults over the age of 65 following a major surgery, with many experiencing difficulties in returning to their pre-operation levels of function. Led by Dr. Duminda Wijeysundera, MD, at the University of Toronto, the Functional Improvement Trajectories After Surgery (FIT After Surgery) study aims to gain a better understanding of how often and why some patients experience significant disability after surgery. As one of 14 study sites across Canada, W21C is currently working with the Calgary site lead, Dr. Melinda Davis, MD, director of Master Teaching Program, clinical associate professor, Cumming School of Medicine, on recruitment efforts at the Foothills Medical Centre, actively engaging with patients prior to their surgery. Patient recruitment for the Calgary site began in July 2021 and is ongoing. Researchers are excited about the possibilities this work could reveal, especially as Canada’s population continues to age and the likelihood of more seniors needing major surgery every year is increasing. Having a better understanding of when and why patients experience disability after surgery will enable patients to make better-informed decisions about having surgery and allow physicians to identify patients that may need additional support following surgery. Overall recruitment and follow up for the study is expected to finish in 2023, with preliminary results anticipated in early 2024. By capitalizing on W21C's capabilities in eHealth and mHealth technologies, fostering collaboration, and actively engaging communities, the Health Everywhere Hub is poised to play a pivotal role in improving seniors' recovery experiences post-major surgeries. Project Contact: Dr. Mary Brindle Image Sources: Adobe Stock

Theme 4: Ecosystem Supports Evaluation of GAITS platform in SPARK program . Lead: Jo-Louise Huq Co-Lead: Kathryn Arnold . INNOVATION STAGE Exploration Health Innovation Focus Health Technology Innovation & Commercialization Population and Setting Academic Innovators; Supporting Organizations (e.g., W21C); End-users and adopting organizations Technology and Intervention — BENEFITS For Users Platforms and tools such as GAITS could support a more integrated health innovation ecosystem by standardizing the innovation journey. The structured approach has the potential to accelerate the development, validation (testing) and potentially the adoption of new health technologies, ultimately benefiting healthcare providers and patients across Canada. By encouraging engagement and collaboration and providing a common language, the platform has the potential to help innovators and potential end-users and adopters engage early and often to provide feedback to accelerate the development, validation, and integration of new healthcare solutions. For The System — Project Theme Information Current State requires several challenging steps: identifying the resources available, determining what each innovator Other Known Use Cases Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... What is the Innovation The GAITS (Guidance and Impact Tracking System) Platform is a secure, web-based project milestone and portfolio management platform. It takes a structured approach for tracking and advancing medical technology innovations. Developed in the US by CIMIT, GAITS provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap for innovators to follow throughout their journey from concept to commercialization. How it Works GAITS offers innovators a clear and comprehensive roadmap, empowering them with a structured path that enhances autonomy and reduces the guesswork involved in med-tech innovation. It allows them to independently progress their solutions within the SPARK program and beyond, fostering a lifelong resource for managing and navigating the commercialization process. Benefit of the Platform to the Buyer Organization For Alberta Health Services (AHS), the platform provides a consistent framework that helps assess an innovation's readiness for real-world testing, supporting informed decision-making on which innovations to advance within AHS resources. By utilizing GAITS, AHS can streamline evaluations and focus on innovations that are mature enough for implementation in clinical settings. Get Involved Contact to Collaborate Contact Jo-Louise Huq to collaborate Get in touch jolouise.huq@ucalgary.ca . View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province. Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province. View The Portfolio ABOUT 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. It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together. Previous Item Next Item

Theme 2: Remote Monitoring and Virtual Care Robin's Nest as a White Label Platform — Lead: Linda Duffett-Leger . INNOVATION STAGE Proof of Concept Health Innovation Focus Acute Illness; Chronic Disease;Mental Health & Addiction Population and Setting — Technology and Intervention Data Modelling, Platform and Dashboard Visualization; Wearable Technology, Imaging & Biosensors BENEFITS For Users Foster stronger therapeutic relationships through secure video-based interactions. Personalize care and interventions with real-time wearable data and AI-driven insights. Simplify remote monitoring and virtual consultations for improved workflow efficiency. Increase participant engagement and retention in clinical trials with a user-friendly platform. Streamline data collection and analysis in a single, integrated system for better decision-making. For The System Data Consistency: Centralized platform reduces errors and manual data reconciliation, improving trial fidelity and reporting accuracy. Seamless Integration: Interfaces with existing EHR systems (e.g., Epic) for real-time data sharing and better care coordination. Efficiency Gains: Automates routine tasks like scheduling, billing, and consent management, reducing administrative burden. Improved Patient Outcomes: Combines real-time monitoring with education and peer support, fostering long-term engagement and health behavior changes. Project Theme Information Current State Healthcare systems are under growing strain from limited resources and rising patient demand, especially in post-acute and chronic care settings. While remote patient monitoring has the potential to ease these pressures, current solutions often lack scalability, seamless integration of wearable device data, and user-friendly designs. This limits their adoption and effectiveness in real-time health monitoring. Clinical trial managers and clinicians face significant hurdles with fragmented tools for telehealth, wearables, and data analytics, leading to inconsistent data collection and low participant engagement. These challenges create inefficiencies, increasing administrative burdens, and contributing to higher dropout rates, missed interventions, and compromised trial outcomes. Other Known Use Cases Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... What is the Innovation Robin’s Nest is a comprehensive, all-in-one telehealth platform that integrates secure video communication, wearable technology for real-time physiological monitoring, AI-driven predictive analytics, and a robust learning management system (LMS). Designed to support remote patient monitoring, clinical trial management, and chronic care, Robin’s Nest provides a unified solution that streamlines workflows, enhances participant engagement, and improves data consistency. By combining advanced features into a single platform, it enables healthcare providers to deliver evidence-based programs and maintain strong therapeutic relationships, while offering actionable insights for better decision-making. How it Works Robin’s Nest integrates multiple advanced features into a single platform to streamline remote patient monitoring and clinical trial management. Wearable technology collects real-time physiological data, such as heart rate and sleep patterns, which is securely transmitted to healthcare providers or trial managers. AI-driven analytics assess stress levels and provide predictive insights, enabling clinicians to take timely, data-informed actions. The platform supports individual and group video-based telehealth sessions, facilitating virtual consultations, follow-ups, and peer support. Its robust learning management system (LMS) offers patients access to educational content and self-guided learning modules, while real-time monitoring and alerts notify clinicians of critical changes. All data is aggregated into a centralized health dashboard, combining biometric data, self-reports, and engagement metrics to deliver actionable insights for improving care and trial outcomes. Other Known Cases: SENSE Program for delivery of frontline staff mental health Get Involved Explore Partnerships Email Linda Duffet-Leger to explore partnership opportunities Get in touch linda.duffetleger@ucalgary.ca . View other projects and explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are transforming care across the province. Explore the Health Everywhere Portfolio to see how local innovations are solving real-world challenges and shaping the future of care across the province. View The Portfolio ABOUT 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. It’s more than a list of projects - this evolving collection shows what’s possible when partnerships, bold ideas, and real-world testing come together. Previous Item Next Item

We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. Enhancing Recovery After Surgery THEME 2: REMOTE MONITORING AND VIRTUAL CARE Date Alex Baron | January 2024 As we age it can take longer for our bodies to heal from trauma. As many as 40% of patients that undergo surgery will have major complications that lead to long-term health problems, such as heart disease or stroke. This is especially true for adults over the age of 65 following a major surgery, with many experiencing difficulties in returning to their pre-operation levels of function. Led by Dr. Duminda Wijeysundera, MD, at the University of Toronto, the Functional Improvement Trajectories After Surgery (FIT After Surgery) study aims to gain a better understanding of how often and why some patients experience significant disability after surgery. As one of 14 study sites across Canada, W21C is currently working with the Calgary site lead, Dr. Melinda Davis, MD, director of Master Teaching Program, clinical associate professor, Cumming School of Medicine, on recruitment efforts at the Foothills Medical Centre, actively engaging with patients prior to their surgery. Patient recruitment for the Calgary site began in July 2021 and is ongoing. Researchers are excited about the possibilities this work could reveal, especially as Canada’s population continues to age and the likelihood of more seniors needing major surgery every year is increasing. Having a better understanding of when and why patients experience disability after surgery will enable patients to make better-informed decisions about having surgery and allow physicians to identify patients that may need additional support following surgery. Overall recruitment and follow up for the study is expected to finish in 2023, with preliminary results anticipated in early 2024. By capitalizing on W21C's capabilities in eHealth and mHealth technologies, fostering collaboration, and actively engaging communities, the Health Everywhere Hub is poised to play a pivotal role in improving seniors' recovery experiences post-major surgeries. Project Contact: Dr. Mary Brindle Image Sources: Adobe Stock

Shane Virani is the Hub Manager at Health Everywhere. Shane holds a master’s degree in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University and is a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional. He has extensive experience in leading interdisciplinary teams, strategic planning, and working with various stakeholder groups. Shane holds a master’s degree in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University and is a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional. He has extensive experience in leading interdisciplinary teams, strategic planning, and working with various stakeholder groups . Prior to joining the W21C, Shane developed and managed a variety of projects relating to pediatric health outcomes, health technology, and neuroscience with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Neuropsychology Service. He has also previously worked as a Research Coordinator with the University of Calgary Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre and as a Research Associate with the Simon Fraser University Injury Prevention and Mobility Lab. Prior to his role as Program Manager, Shane coordinated the W21C Digital Health Colloboratorium initiative. Outside of work, Shane enjoys participating in a variety of sports including hockey, basketball, and skiing. Hub Manager Shane Virani  shane.virani@ucalgary.ca PREVIOUS OPERATIONS MEMBER shane.virani@ucalgary.ca Shane Virani Hub Manager Shane holds a master’s degree in Biomedical Physiology and Kinesiology from Simon Fraser University and is a Project Management Institute certified Project Management Professional. He has extensive experience in leading interdisciplinary teams, strategic planning, and working with various stakeholder groups. Prior to joining the W21C, Shane developed and managed a variety of projects relating to pediatric health outcomes, health technology, and neuroscience with the Alberta Children’s Hospital Neuropsychology Service. He has also previously worked as a Research Coordinator with the University of Calgary Sport Injury Prevention Research Centre and as a Research Associate with the Simon Fraser University Injury Prevention and Mobility Lab. Prior to his role as Program Manager, Shane coordinated the W21C Digital Health Colloboratorium initiative. Outside of work, Shane enjoys participating in a variety of sports including hockey, basketball, and skiing.

Theme 1: Bridging Community and Acute Care Advance eHealth Innovation to Enable Intelligent Patient Monitoring Date We envision a vibrant eHealth and mHealth ecosystem, accelerating innovation, growth, and transforming healthcare through collaboration and partnerships. January 5, 2024 | Dr. Jaime Kaufman Prevention of pressure injuries (PIs) is a priority for healthcare systems worldwide. Also referred to as pressure ulcers or bedsores, this condition is a skin and soft tissue injury that forms because of constant or prolonged pressure on the skin, typically occurring at bony areas on the body. Most prevalent in healthcare settings where the patient is unable to move frequently enough to relieve the pressure, PIs are painful for the patient and can lead to a deterioration in health, increased hospital stays, and even death. To address this issue, W21C partnered with XSENSOR Technology Corporation, a Calgary-based company that designs, manufactures, and sells advanced pressure-imaging systems for use in medical environments worldwide. With support from W21C’s research team, this led to the creation of a novel pressure sensing device - the ForeSite PT™ System. In late 2007, an opportunity arose for W21C to partner with XSENSOR in the development and testing of a health innovation. The main objectives of this initiative were to better understand the potential of innovative technology to support healthcare providers in caring for patients at risk of pressure injuries. W21C’s initial role was to collect and analyze focus group feedback from physicians, nurses, nursing assistants, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and pressure mapping experts. Over time this progressed to usability testing of a protype device in a simulated Intensive Care Unit. Each phase of W21C research was followed by a design cycle at XSENSOR that consisted of research on every aspect of the system, including overall architecture, transducer design, sensing electronics, software, mechanical design, and packaging. Through funding provided by Alberta Innovates ‘Accelerating Innovations into Care’ program, XSENSOR once again, approached W21C in 2023 to support the evaluation and impact on workflow of an updated system (referred to as ForeSite IS) in acute and long-term care, and to evaluate the device’s ability to predict skin breakdown of patients at elevated risk of PIs. This study is currently under way at Foothills Medical Centre and throughout several long-term care sites in the Calgary area. To learn more about this project and its commercial capabilities, please visit XSENSOR’s website. Image Sources: Adobe Stock (top), XSENSOR.com (middle) Project Contact- Dr. Jaime Kaufman

Chad Saunders is the Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Support Lead at Health Everywhere. Chad Saunders is an Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. Chad holds adjunct appointments with the Department of Community Health Sciences and the Department of Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine. Chad Saunders is an Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. Chad holds adjunct appointments with the Department of Community Health Sciences and the Department of Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine. Chad received both a BSc (Applied Mathematics) and MBA from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a PhD (Management Information Systems) from the Haskayne School of Business. Chad also holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. His research interests focus on the support that entrepreneurs draw upon in starting and scaling their ventures, and addressing the barriers that innovation ecosystems pose by not necessarily providing equal or equitable support to all individuals, especially intersectional entrepreneurs (e.g., women, Indigenous, immigrants). His work is published in leading journals, including Journal of Medical Internet Research, BMC Health Services Research, Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, Journal of Business Venturing, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, Journal of Business Venturing Insights, and Research Policy. Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Support Lead Chad Saunders  wsaunder@ucalgary.ca NEXT THEME LEAD  wsaunder@ucalgary.ca Chad Saunders Integrated Innovation Ecosystem Support Lead Chad Saunders is an Associate Professor in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the Haskayne School of Business, University of Calgary. Chad holds adjunct appointments with the Department of Community Health Sciences and the Department of Medicine at the Cumming School of Medicine. Chad received both a BSc (Applied Mathematics) and MBA from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a PhD (Management Information Systems) from the Haskayne School of Business. Chad also holds the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors. His research interests focus on the support that entrepreneurs draw upon in starting and scaling their ventures, and addressing the barriers that innovation ecosystems pose by not necessarily providing equal or equitable support to all individuals, especially intersectional entrepreneurs (e.g., women, Indigenous, immigrants). His work is published in leading journals, including Journal of Medical Internet Research, BMC Health Services Research, Entrepreneurship Theory & Practice, Journal of Business Venturing, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior & Research, IEEE Transactions on Software Engineering, Journal of Business Venturing Insights, and Research Policy. Identifying the mHealth and eHealth ecosystem Building Blocks Like

THEME # The Title Goes Here Here is two lines for your subtitle if you have one on your file Lead Co-lead Name Surname Team Member INNOVATION STAGE Name of the stage Health Innovation Focus What is it What is it Population and Setting What is it Technology and Intervention What is it What is it BENEFITS For Users For parents, NeoApp offers personalized guidance and support, increasing confidence and reducing anxiety. The app empowers parents with knowledge specific to their baby’s needs, helping them monitor recovery, track milestones, and recognize signs of concern without relying on generic information or internet searches. By connecting with a community of parents facing similar challenges, they feel less isolated. The clear recovery pathway and milestones NeoApp offers make the transition from hospital to home smoother, providing peace of mind. For The System For parents, NeoApp offers personalized guidance and support, increasing confidence and reducing anxiety. The app empowers parents with knowledge specific to their baby’s needs, helping them monitor recovery, track milestones, and recognize signs of concern without relying on generic information or internet searches. By connecting with a community of parents facing similar challenges, they feel less isolated. The clear recovery pathway and milestones NeoApp offers make the transition from hospital to home smoother, providing peace of mind. Project Theme Information Current State OVERVIEW What Is The Innovation OVERVIEW NeoApp is an innovative digital health solution, grounded in Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) principles, created to guide parents through the complex journey of post-surgical recovery for NICU infants. It is the first ERAS-focused platform designed for neonatal populations and their parents at home, providing personalized support and education tailored to each baby’s surgical background, development stage, and ongoing health needs. INTENDED USERS How It Works OVERVIEW Other Known Use Cases OVERVIEW Project Theme Information Current State Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... What is the Innovation Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... Other Known Use Cases Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... How it Works Partnerships with Xsensor and Baxter are undergoing to evaluate the impact of eHealth tools on patient outcomes. The specific focus will be on two products: 1) Xsensor’s ForeSite® Intelligent Surface, an artificial intelligence-powered continuous skin monitoring... Get Involved Add a Title Add a Title Connect via email: Email: Discover More: here Previous Item Next Item