Our Research
focuses on finding efficient and fair ways to deliver health care to Canadians living with chronic diseases
Our Legacy
The ICDC was established in 2009 to help improve health outcomes of Albertans living with chronic diseases. Our collaboration includes researchers from many disciplines who work with patients, clinicians, and health system decision makers within an integrated knowledge mobilization framework. The impact of these collaborations are best reflected in two of our projects, ACCESS and RxEACH.
Current ICDC Research Projects
The ICDC team uses collaborative approaches, support structures and new technology in their research to find efficient and fair ways to deliver health care to Canadians living with chronic diseases. You can find more information about our current research projects below.
Contrast RISK Project
Heart procedures, like angiograms and angioplasties, are important for finding and treating heart disease. However, some patients who have risk factors can develop acute kidney injury, a serious and expensive complication. Researchers are studying a tool that uses a computer program to help health care providers find high-risk patients and make the procedure safer by choosing the right amount of dye and intravenous fluid for each person right at the bedside. The study will determine if we can stop acute kidney injury making it safer for patients and lowering health care costs.
iCT Program
Chronic diseases are associated with shorter lifespans, frequent contact with the health care system, and reduced quality of life. New ways of delivering health services are needed to promote health and ensure consistent, high-quality care for Canadians living with chronic conditions. It is important, however, that new interventions and strategies are carefully studied to ensure they benefit patients and provide value. Over the next four years, our team will test health innovations and interventions that improve care, safety and outcomes for people with three common and closely related chronic diseases: heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease.
SUPPORT AKI Project
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common, serious complication that can happen to people undergoing surgery. Some people who develop AKI can end up with kidney failure, need dialysis and have to stay in the hospital longer. Researchers are studying computer programs that can help health care professionals recognize and manage AKI earlier, to see if early detection and treatment can improve recovery, reduce the length of hospital stay and save health care costs.
UPTAKE
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a common complication that can happen to people from many causes that require care in the hospital. AKI can lead to chronic kidney disease and related cardiovascular complications. For some people the risks of these complications may be high, while for others these risks are low. In this project, clinicians and researchers are evaluating ways to improve the care, experiences, and long-term outcomes of people with AKI at the time they are being discharged from the hospital. This is being done by implementing care interventions that are designed to improve the continuity of care between the hospital and home settings, and are tailored to each individual person’s medical conditions and risk profile. The intervention is delivered through decision support tools that are integrated with the electronic medical record system across the province of Alberta. The effectiveness is being tested through a pragmatic randomized trial that will measure the impact on important kidney and cardiovascular health outcomes as well as patient experiences with their care.