We are proud to announce these four initiatives as recipients of the 2022 awards.
Low-Stimulus Immunization Clinic – Calgary Zone, Public Health, Vaccination Services
This temporary clinic was created in March 2021 to support neurologically diverse clients in accessing COVID immunizations. Clients expressed the need for a quieter, calmer environment to aid in them being immunized. Clients included those with severe needle phobias, PTSD, autism, and a variety of other neurodiversities. The staff worked with the client’s family or guardian to design a care plan and gather information before the appointment. This planning helped to adapt the appointment to the individual’s needs and reduce the time needed in the clinic. The clinic was located in a central location and had good accessibility in a quieter setting. This clinic has provided over 1,000 doses of COVID vaccine.
Complex Care Hub – Calgary Zone, Rockyview General Hospital and South Health Campus
The Complex Care Hub (CCH) provides a Home Hospital care model as an alternative to traditional hospitalization for patients with complex conditions who require hospital-level care but are able to sleep at home. Hospital-based doctors and nurse navigators together oversee the care plan, coordinate services, and connect with primary care. Daily visits occur either in patients’ homes by community paramedics who consult with the doctors, or through virtual doctor appointments. The program aims to envelope patients with the medical care and services they need to heal from their acute illness and empower them to manage their chronic conditions, regain their function and independence, and reduce their risk of readmission.
Infant Preschool Assessment Service (IPAS) at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton
The IPAS team sought to improve access to early diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder, made more difficult during the COVID pandemic. In place of the traditional in-person assessments at the hospital, the IPAS team redesigned intake and assessment processes, partnered with community service providers, and created a a now internationally recognized virtual diagnostic tool. This flexible approach increased access, enhanced family involvement, and provided a more complete and realistic assessment of children by observing them in their homes. For rural and remote communities in particular, it has removed the stress and financial strain associated with travel from their communities.
Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton
Improved integration of radiology, surgery, and pathology for early breast cancer patients is reducing the frequency of repeat surgery. Radiologists detecting tiny cancers will target the location for surgery. Previously, pathologists would determine successful removal of those targets and cancer days later, and if anything was missed, a repeat operation might become necessary. Now, pathologists in the operating room create X-ray images of the tissue being removed in real time to support the surgeon, and enable precise cancer location and removal in one step. The initiative is improving surgery outcomes for patients, and reducing the overall number of surgeries performed.