This annual showcase for innovations in health care delivery has been hosted by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care since 2006, with the Ontario Hospital Association as partner since 2009. The 2010 Expo was held November 10, at Toronto’s Metro Trade and Convention Centre.

As in previous years, the Expo featured interactive exhibition booths, displaying innovations from all sectors of Ontario’s health care system. For 2010, there were 124 booths, whose innovations were grouped into the following six thematic categories that reflect the government’s Excellent Care for All strategy:

•    Improving Integration
•    Improving Patient/Resident Centredness
•    Improving Evidence-Based Practice
•    Improving Access
•    Improving Safety
•    Improving Efficiency

For more information about the 2010 Celebrating Innovations in Health Care Exposition, visit www.health.gov.on.ca/innovations.

A highlight of every Expo is the Minister’s Awards Ceremony, at which the Minister presents an award to the winner in each of that year’s thematic categories, as selected by a panel of peer professionals. There is also a “People’s Choice” award, voted on by Expo attendees.

2010 Award Winners & Finalists

Improving Integration

Winner: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre – Electronic Discharge Summaries (read more)
Finalist: Timmins and District Hospital – 4R Model of Care (read more)
Finalist: Hospital for Sick Children, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and Toronto Central CCAC – Complex Care through Community Partnerships - Integrated Model Project (read more)

Improving Patient/Resident Centredness

Winner: Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene, Outpatient Services Program – Tips and Tricks to Improve your Mental Health (read more)
Finalist: Holland Orthopaedic & Arthritic Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre – Deployment of Remote Pharmacy Technology to Support Patient Care (read more)
Finalist: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre – The Road to Excellence is Paved with Partnerships (read more)

Improving Evidence-Based Practice

Winner: Human Endeavour – HOPE-Healthy Outcomes of Preventive Engagements (read more)
Finalist: Registered Nurses Association of Ontario – Best Practices at Point of Care: Harnessing Innovative Technology (read more)
Finalist: Maternal-Infant Care Research Centre/Canadian Neonatal Network – Evidence-based Practice to Improve Quality (EPIQ) in the Neonatal ICU (read more)

Improving Access

Winner: Hospital for Sick Children and Sudbury Regional Hospital – Remote ROP Screening Pilot Project (read more)
Finalist: Alzheimer Society of Ontario – First Link® Demonstration Project 2007-2009 (read more)
Finalist: Credit Valley Hospital - Treatment & Assessment Care Centre - Improving access to ER care for CTAS 2 (read more)

Improving Safety

Winner: Hospital for Sick Children – The Transport Remote Access Care System (read more)
Finalist: Central Community Care Access Centre – Medication Management Support Services- Keeping Seniors Healthy and Safe (read more)
Finalist: VHA Home HealthCare – ‘SafeStart’ Your Way to Improving Safety in Home Health Care (read more)

Improving Efficiency

Winner: Hamilton Health Sciences – Redesign of Multi-Site Hospital Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) Processes (read more)
Finalist: The Central East Community Care Access Centre – The Central East Community Care Access Centre Advanced Wound Care Program (read more)
Finalist: Windsor Regional Hospital – Excel Bottom Line Profits: Low-Tech Staffing Innovation = Financial Savings (read more)

People’s Choice Award

Windsor Regional Hospital – Follow the Yellow Dot and Armband (read more)