Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) is seeking a solution to prevent Pressure Injuries (PIs) by detecting them early in the pediatric patient population at the McMaster Children’s Hospital (MCH) and adult population West Lincoln Memorial Hospital (WLMH).
HHS is posting this Call for Innovation to seek out qualified Canadian companies who can meet the desired outcomes. HHS and CAN Health reserve the right to not move forward with this project at their full discretion and in particular if there are no qualified Canadian companies that can reasonably meet the desired outcomes.
To qualify for a CAN Health project, the company must have its headquarter in Canada and/or the majority (>50%) of the company owned by Canadians and/or significant economic impact to Canada including a high Canadian job creation potential, >70% of contract value to Canada (for distributors of a non-Canadian solution), independent autonomy over business operations and product development (for subsidiaries, affiliates or distributors), current Canadian presence (office(s) and client(s) and can benefit from the CAN Health Network. Priority will be given to companies that meet all eligibility criteria.
For more information on the Call for Innovation process and the commercialization projects funded by CAN Health Network, please refer to the FAQ page on the CAN Health Network website: https://canhealthnetwork.ca/faq/
Problem Statement: The current tools and technologies are not an inclusive form of identifying early signs of PIs in patients, thus leading to inadequate detection particularly those with darker skin tones. This leads to patient suffering and increasing cost to the hospitals.
Objectives: To reduce/eliminate PIs through use of advanced tools/technologies to aid with identifying early signs of pressure injuries in high-risk adult patients and pediatric patients.
Essential (mandatory) outcomes
The proposed solution must:
- Decrease incidents of stage 3, 4 and unstageable ulcers by 30% compared to the baseline incident rate in pediatric patient population.
- Identify PIs early in adult patients by detecting sub-epidermal moisture on Day 0.
- Cost benefit analysis showing successful cost avoidance of 50%.
The maximum duration for a project resulting from this Challenge is: 12 months
One of the key areas that Hamilton Health Sciences is focusing on to prevent hospital harms includes preventing pressure injuries. While we have made great progress over the last two years, there is more to be done to reach zero harm. Pressure injuries are also known as bedsores and pressure ulcers. They range from closed to open wounds.
PIs represent a major health problem causing a considerable amount of suffering for patients and a high financial burden for healthcare systems. The geriatric and pediatric patient population with an increased risk of PI development is rising constantly as a result of prolonged immobilization, poor nutrition, and skin sensitivity.
PIs are caused by tissue damage when the blood supply to an area of skin is impaired because of significant pressure; they are often preventable. Thus, preventing PIs has become a primary focus to reduce hospital harms. While progress has been made in the past two years, the ultimate goal of achieving zero harm has not yet been realized.
Another concerning issue is the existing bias in skin assessment, where medical resources primarily depict pale skin. This bias puts patients with darker skin tones at a higher risk because early signs of PIs are difficult to recognize in these individuals.
In light of this background, it is imperative to further investigate and develop effective preventative measures for early detection of PIs. By focusing on this, healthcare professionals can reduce the incidence of PIs, improve patient outcomes, and alleviate the burden on healthcare systems. Incorporating advancements in PI treatment, along with comprehensive prevention guidelines, will pave the way for a more holistic and inclusive approach to addressing PIs in patients.
