Innovative partnership is the first collaboration of its kind in Canada
Montreal, June 26, 2024 – CISSS de la Montrérégie-Ouest and CIUSSS West-Central Montreal are pleased to announce the creation of a virtual hospital unit at Hôpital du Suroît in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, thanks to an innovative and historic partnership.
Faced with a significant labour shortage currently affecting the network, specifically with the abolition of contracts from independent agencies, and with the summer period approaching, Hôpital du Suroît had to deal with significant pressure at the end of May. With the aim of maximizing the 20 closed beds of its modular unit, the facility was targeted to inaugurate the very first virtual hospital unit.
Thanks to the cooperation of the teams involved at both institutions, the virtual unit was created in just a few days, allowing patients to be physically accommodated in the modular unit and cared for remotely by the virtual care nursing team at the Jewish General Hospital (JGH).
But how, exactly, are the teams in Valleyfield and Montreal able to stay on the same page?
The answer lies in the use of cutting-edge tools and technologies that are already deeply engrained in CIUSSS West-Central Montreal’s current approach to care. Patient follow-up is supported through the use of sophisticated sensors to track vital signs at Hôpital du Suroît, enabling the Virtual Care team of licensed practical nurses and orderlies to remotely monitor data at the JGH. Tablets are used for video calls between care teams and to securely share documents, while Hololens headsets enable the nursing assistants in the modular unit in Valleyfield to connect with nurses in real time, remotely sharing what they see.
"This innovative service offer is a concrete example of innovation and a valuable collaboration between the CISSS de la Montrérégie-Ouest and CIUSSS West-Central Montreal,” says Philippe Gribeauval, CEO of CISSSMO. “The strength of the network lies in the mutual aid we are currently witnessing, and on behalf of our leadership group, I would like to warmly thank the management of CIUSSS West-Central Montreal for having raised their hand quickly. Virtual care is a technological advancement that we can be proud of."
“This is an important and impressive first in Canada,” adds Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, President and CEO of CIUSSS West-Central Montreal. “Not only does this project highlight the strength of our network, it reinforces our organization’s commitment to providing high-quality, accessible health care through innovation—which is at the very heart of our Care Everywhere initiative.”
Fourteen patients have been treated at the Hôpital du Suroît since the project’s launch on June 10th. The goal is to bring that number up to twenty in the coming weeks.
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For interview requests:
relationsmedias.cisssmo16@ssss.gouv.qc.ca
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