eQ Connect™ was developed with support from the University of Toronto in collaboration with leading healthcare organizations and research institutions. The solution has been trialed and implemented at leading clinical centers.
Our Collaborators
- University of Toronto
- London Health Science Centres
- University of Western Ontario
- Sault Area Hospital
- MaRS Innovation
- Grand River Hospital
- National Research Council (NRC)
- Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN)
- Techna @ University Health Network
- Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE)
- Sault College
- Health Technology Exchange (HTX)
- Mitacs
- Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre
- Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation
- Healthcare Human Factors - Centre of Global eHealth Innovation
- Natural Sciences & Engineering Research Council (NSERC)
Use Case: Sault Area Hospital
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eQ Connect™:
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User feedback indicates SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT on ease and accuracy in
treatment management, supply tracking, and patient confidence
Dr. David Berry
Chief Nephrologist and Medical Director, Sault Area Hospital Regional Medical Director, Ontario Renal Network
"The eQ Connect project is a unique and innovative strategy that extends the reach of the Home Dialysis Team into the home of the patient. This multiplies the impact of the same number of Team members for a larger number of patients while increasing the support provided to patients. The patient becomes an integrated Team member in managing their own care, in their own home, on their own schedule in true collaboration with their Healthcare Team.
The application of eQ Connect has substantial potential to improve the provision of renal care without the traditional degradation of information flow between patients and their Healthcare Team. Additionally, its development of higher level features will allow for monitoring of a patient population, not just individuals, and provide ongoing, real-time analytics of data. These factors have significant potential to improve home dialysis care quality and quantity, allow for timely feedback of information to tailor individual therapy and population management, and provide a cost effective solution in both urban and rural settings without a need for significant increases in human resource requirements."
Patient Testimonials
"The way technology is going, this is definitely going in that direction. I would definitely use this if this were one of the options for my treatment instead of paper [logs]. It's very easy, very user-friendly."
"I find it's much easier than doing the paper trail ... and everything is going [to the nurses] so that if they see something that's not right they will get a hold of you. And otherwise they only see it every three months [when I come for an appointment], and I don't think they get a chance to really look at my binders to be honest so it's much better this way, knowing that they actually get to see everything. It's just so much easier. To be honest with you I'd like to see it stay ... and I'm not a computer person!"
Nurse Testimonials
- Marsha DeFrancesco, RN, CNEPH (c), Independent Dialysis Coordinator, Sault Area Hospital
- Karen Brunetta, RPN, Project Lead Assistant - Home Dialysis
- Rebecca MacDonald, RPN
"We are able to see daily, the activities of the patients in real time. This tool has allowed us to identify patient errors in choosing the right dianeal for their weight and BP. Seeing this on a day to day basis, we are able to connect with the patient and provide guidance and re-education.
We feel that this type of interaction with the patients will allow for greater successes within [our renal program], not only for the nurses and physicians, but most importantly the patient."
| Clinical Improvements | Economic Impact | |
| Quality of Care and Efficient Resource Utilization |
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| Clinical Outcomes |
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| Patient Engagement & Confidence |
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