VON to pilot Mobile Wound Care initiative

VON Canada
News Release

********************

Toronto, ON, September 27, 2007 - As the country’s leading organization providing home and community care, VON Canada is proud to announce today that it is launching a new pilot project to test the benefits of mobile wound care technology and the impact it will have on enhancing the health care treatment provided to clients.

With funding from the VON Canada Foundation and technology provided by TELUS, VON Canada is implementing TELUS’ Community Care Management Solution (CCMS) through its North Bay branch in Ontario. CCMS is powered by Healthphone, a global health software company. TELUS has an exclusive partnership agreement with Healthphone to implement and host its software solutions in Canada.

“This initiative is a wonderful example of VON Canada’s commitment to using the latest technology available to enhance the care and service we provide to our clients and to ensure effectiveness of delivery,” says Sharon Goodwin, Vice President, Quality Care and Service and Chief Information Officer for VON Canada.

The pilot project uses the wound care module of CCMS enabling VON service providers to consult wound care specialists remotely. Throughout the three month pilot, a total of 20 front line nurses will use the point of care tool to assess client wounds, use digital cameras to take pictures of the wound, and transmit information real time from remote locations to specialists via a secured mobile connection. The nurse and wound care specialist can then discuss treatment and next steps.

“Wound care accounts for more than 40 per cent of home visits conducted by VON nurses,” says Goodwin. “Even with best practices in place, some wounds do not heal as expected and require the services of a specialist. This technology enables us to access specialized resources to help treat wounds right from the convenience of the client’s home.” Treating clients in their homes decreases travel time for clients and reduces costs to the health care system. Technology makes this possible.

The project is designed to track and measure effectiveness in wound care treatment and enhance access to scarce specialized resources.

The pilot is being guided by a project advisory committee made up of representatives from the community including a community physician, Community Care Access Centre and Local Health Integration Network representatives, the
North Bay General Hospital, TELUS and VON Canada.

“We are proud to be a part of this innovative and meaningful project,” says Stéphane Bordeleau, Executive Director, VON Canada Foundation. “Thanks to our contributors, VON initiatives like this will significantly improve the care VON provides to Canadians.”

“We are excited to launch and be part of this initiative with VON. The improvements to patient care will be realized through mobile technology and remote connectivity for the caregiver. With enhanced care at the bedside, the
patients and the health care system will see tangible benefits,” says Lindsay Healey, Director, TELUS Healthcare Vertical Marketing.

********************