Project: Developing a Sustainable Source of Data for the New Millennium

Health Infostructure Support Program

Background

Cardiovascular disease is Canada's number one cause of death and disability. It has a significant socioeconomic impact on both the health care system and society. At present, clinical and research data are collected separately, and usually on paper. A system that permits access to patient data by both researchers and clinicians has the potential to streamline the process and achieve substantial cost savings in health care delivery.

Project Description

The project will study a nation-wide acute coronary care database focussing on the treatment and secondary prevention of acute Myocardial Infarction (heart attack). The project team will pilot an innovative data collection method using a hand held computer, known as a personal digital assistant. It will track actual practice patterns, identify outcomes for different management strategies and estimate costs to the patient and society. The pilot study will initially link five centres and expand over an eighteen month period to fifteen centres. Data will be collected on 2,738 patients. The goal is a nation-wide networked data base. Primary innovation is the use of hand held digital assistants by health care professionals.

Project Funding under HISP: $308,100.00

Project Management: University of Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corp.

For further information contact:

Dr. Richard F. Davies
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
40 Ruskin Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1Y 4W7
Tel: (613) 761-4729
Fax: (613) 724-6234
rfdavies@ottawaheart.ca