Clinical Research at TGHC

Ongoing research plays an important role in The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre’s (TGHC) mission to provide excellent health care to its patients, now and in the future.

The following research opportunities and publications are being conducted at The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre (TGHC):

• “Bladder Incontinence Moisture Detection for Pressure Injury Prevention with a Novel Smart Surface System for Monitoring at-Risk Patients in a Post Acute Care Facility” – Jake Tran, Nicola Waters, Kevin Woo & Monica Lee – Poster presentation at National Pressure Injury Advisory Board (NPIAP) conference – March 2021.
• “Leaving a mark: pressure injury research in the intensive care unit” – Craig M. Dale, Jake Tran & Margaret S. Herridge – Editorial Published January 27, 2021
• TGHC received $1M from Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI) for research related to prevention of pressure injuries (2018). There were two (2) research studies conducted in partnership with Curiato Inc. “Smart bed” system: quantitative and qualitative.  They have both been completed.  Publications include:  Feasibility of a Novel Smart Sensor Platform for Monitoring Patients at Risk of Pressure Injury in a Post-Acute Care Facility, and Posture Detection for Pressure Injury Prevention.
• Phase III of a research study in partnership with Curiato Inc. has now received funding in the amount of $489k.  The research study “The Usability and Reliability in Using a Real-Time Smart Surface Continuous Monitoring Alert Notification System, to Improve Nursing Workflow: A Case Series” received approval from the Joint Research Ethics Board (JREB).  Currently underway.
• Clinical and research partnership with UHN Toronto General Hospital for Post-ICU rehabilitation (The RECOVER Program). This study is ongoing and includes COVID-19 positive patients.
  • TSA TGHC Research grant $420k (2018).
  • Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) grant $932k to UHN (2019).
  • CIHR provided an additional grant for $400k to UHN (2020).
  • CIHR has provided a $2.1M for COVID-19 study (2020) with UHN and TGHC as co-investigators.
• Research with the University of Waterloo: “Integrated and Coordinated Care.” A PhD student is conducting this study under the leadership of Dr. John Hirdes from the University of Waterloo using TGHC data.  This study includes data from our new Integrate Transitional Services.  The study is ongoing.
• TGHC has been Pre-Designated as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) – with Ministry of Health funding of $35K/year for four years in partnership with the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO).  A matching grant is required each year.  We are now in the fourth year of this initiative, and in the process of implementing the fifth multiple evidence-based practice Best Practice Guideline (BPG): Person-and family-centred care that directly improves the quality of care and patient safety in our organization. 
• Research Study – “Effect of Hospital Transfers on Patients Receiving Palliative Care.”  Has been completed.
• Patient Satisfaction of Food in Ontario Hospital’s research study in partnership with the University of Guelph.  Multiple hospitals across the province were involved in this study.  Study has been completed.
• Research Study by Toronto Invasive Bacterial Diseases Network – Qualitative study on infectious diseases including COVID-19.  TGHC is in a group of hospitals participating in this study which now includes COVID-19 data collection.  This study is ongoing.