Description
In 2020, the General Internal Medicine program successfully applied to the Department of Medicine Innovation Platform for assistance in creating provincial level knowledge and awareness around the management of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices(CIED). With rising implant rates, increasing device complexity, and an aging population across BC’s wide geography, delays in managing pacemaker infections have contributed to increasing mortality, morbidity, and healthcare utilization.
The project deliverable was to create a concise, actionable, and provincially relevant knowledge translation (KT) resource for stakeholders involved in the CIED management space. The goal was to address the lack of accessible information on managing infected CIEDs, thereby reducing complications, delays, and adverse outcomes in acute medical encounters.
Led by Dr Peter Phillips, previous Infectious Diseases Division Head and Urban Health Acute Unit Physician Lead at PHC, the initiative was a multi-hospital, multi-speciality collaborative effort that included cardiology, infectious disease, internal medicine, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery and was successful in the publication of a 10-page manuscript on best practices for CIED management (CJCOpen)[link]. This success led to the subsequent development of a one-pager KT resource that is being disseminated across BC Emergency Departments and other relevant healthcare platforms.
Despite delays caused by competing priorities and limited resources, the project overcame significant hurdles to deliver a comprehensive manuscript and a concise KT resource. Further efforts are underway to assess the impact of these resources and identify additional opportunities for improving CIED management in BC.
The Department of Medicine Innovation Platform 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 DOM Innovation Platform is part of Innovarium, Providence Health Care’s innovation engine that connects people, systems, infrastructure, and partners to accelerate health innovation.