Providence Health Care Ventures Joins New Consortium Using AI to Prevent Pressure Injuries

Pressure injuries, often known as bedsores or pressure ulcers, present a significant challenge in patient care. These painful and debilitating injuries not only compromise patient comfort and quality of life but also lead to prolonged hospital stays and increased healthcare costs. Addressing this issue effectively is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden on healthcare systems. 

Introducing PressureSmart

To tackle this issue, the PressureSmart consortium has been formed, bringing together a coalition of top technology partners, led by Medtronic and including Swift Medical, Rehabtronics, Thrive Health, Amii (Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute), Excelar, and our own Providence Health Care Ventures.

PressureSmart is focused on developing a cutting-edge, modular solution designed to address the full spectrum of pressure injury challenges. This innovative approach allows healthcare systems to customize their solutions to meet specific needs, whether it's prevention, management, or post-discharge monitoring of pressure injuries. 

The Role of PHC Ventures

Providence Health Care Ventures plays a pivotal role in the PressureSmart initiative. As the commercial arm of Providence Health Care, PHC Ventures is instrumental in facilitating innovative collaborations that drive advancements in healthcare. 

In this project, PHC Ventures is leveraging its extensive network and expertise to help shape and implement the PressureSmart solution. By bringing together a coalition of leading technology partners, PHC Ventures is ensuring that the PressureSmart initiative is grounded in real-world clinical needs and can be effectively integrated into existing healthcare systems. 

What's Next? 

The PressureSmart project is supported by a significant investment of over $7 million from DIGITAL, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies. This funding will accelerate the development and deployment of the PressureSmart solution, aiming to transform pressure injury care on a global scale. 

As we advance, the PressureSmart consortium is committed to adhering to the highest standards of data privacy, security, and patient safety. By combining our collective expertise and resources, we are working towards a future where pressure injuries are more effectively prevented and managed, leading to better patient outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. 

Stay Informed

We’re excited about the potential impact of this new initiative and invite you to follow the progress of the PressureSmart project. To learn more about how this project is shaping the future of pressure injury prevention, visit the PressureSmart project page below.