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

  • Tested with patients between 22-82 years old.
  • Clinical users estimate chart review efficiency reduces the duration of patient support calls by 75%.
  • Improved patient compliance with recording treatment data from 55% to 85%.
  • Patient cases indicate better blood pressure management and identifying early signs of peritonitis.
  • Duration of clinic visits was shortened, as nurses were able to identify potential problems and abnormalities prior to appointments.
eQ Connect™:
  • Prevented delivery surcharges from late and missed orders.
  • Decreased patient treatment data review time (40 mins to 10 mins for one clinician to review ten PD patients).
  • Helped identify supply waste due to incorrect supply usage.

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
  • PATIENT INTERACTION
    Maximize valued added work - optimizing efficiency to allow more time spent directly with patients 
  • STAFF TIME
    Reduce inefficient chart review and progress tracking 
  • TRAVEL COST
    Enable more effective and efficient troubleshooting 
  • SUPPLY COST
    Reduce supply waste from misuse and order errors
Clinical Outcomes
  • FLAG COMPLICATIONS
    Enable visual treatment & progress tracking - proactively identify potential complications and take action
  • ER VISITS and HOSPITALIZATION
    Reduce preventable visits to emergency department and hospitalization 
Patient Engagement & Confidence
  • ENGAGEMENT
    Improve involvement, adherence and compliance to clinical processes
  • SUPPORT
    Provide support channels to improve patient confidence and psychology 
  • CONFIDENCE
    Simplify self-care processes and supports patients in managing their everyday tasks in home care 
  • COST OF CARE DELIVERY
    Catalyst to shift patients from hospital to home - promoting uptake of home dialysis and keeping patients at home longer
We are working with these leading organizations: