Bridging Gaps in Heart Device Care

Imagine a pacemaker patient in a remote British Columbia community, hours away from specialized care. A small infection could mean life-changing complications. This real-world challenge sparked an innovative project that could impact how we approach cardiac device management across the province. 

In 2020, a dedicated team from the Infectious Diseases Division recognized a critical health care gap. With pacemakers and other cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) becoming more complex and our population ageing, managing potential infections was becoming increasingly challenging, especially with BC's vast and diverse landscape. 

A Collaborative Mission 

With support from the Department of Medicine Innovation Platform, Dr. Peter Phillips, a seasoned physician with expertise in infectious diseases, led the initiative. It brought together a remarkable team from different hospitals across the province and spanning multiple specialties – cardiology, infectious diseases, internal medicine, electrophysiology, and cardiac surgery. Their shared goal? To create a clear, actionable Knowledge Translation (KT) resource that could save lives and improve patient outcomes. 

The team's collaborative spirit drove them to develop two key resources: 

• A comprehensive 10-page manuscript published in CJCOpen, detailing best practices for CIED management
• A concise, one-page knowledge translation (KT) resource designed for emergency departments and health care platforms across British Columbia 

Overcoming Challenges 

The journey wasn't without obstacles. Limited resources, competing priorities, and the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic could have derailed the project. However, the team's determination transformed these hurdles into opportunities for innovation. 

Their work addresses a critical need: providing health care professionals with accessible, practical information to quickly and effectively manage potential device-related infections. By reducing delays and complications, they're not just improving protocols – they're potentially saving lives. 

Looking Forward 

The project doesn't end with these resources. The team is now assessing their impact and exploring further opportunities to enhance cardiac device management throughout the province. Their project is more than a medical initiative, it's a testament to what can be achieved when passionate health care professionals collaborate, think creatively, and put patient care at the forefront of their mission. 

This project has been supported by the Department of Medicine Innovation Platform. This is the avenue for Department members to address gaps in care at PHC. Initiatives could span divisions, departments and beyond. If you have a great idea and want to learn how to move it forward, visit the DOM Innovation Platform website 

The Department of Medicine Innovation Platform is a part of Innovarium, Providence Health Care’s innovation engine that connects people, systems, infrastructure, and partners to accelerate health innovation. Learn more at  innovarium.org.