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The expansive geography of Central Alberta presents many barriers to optimal care, including limited resources and access issues. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, primary care networks (PCNs) within Central Alberta partnered with a technology provider to rapidly implement home health monitoring (HHM) for patients with chronic diseases. In the 37 patients evaluated in phase 1 (90 days), diabetes was most common (73%), followed by hypertension (38%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (27%), and heart failure (11%). Overall, patients were comfortable using the HHM technology, and >60% reported improved quality of life after follow-up. Patients also made fewer visits to their family physician/emergency department compared with the pre-enrolment period. In January 2021, the HHM initiative was expanded to a larger patient cohort (phase 2; n = 500). Interim results for 90 patients from eight PCNs up to the end of May 2021 show similar findings to phase 1.

Health City was established in the fall of 2018 as a Canadian not-for-profit corporation that works with numerous stakeholders to develop new pathways of care that can drive better health outcomes and economic development in the health sector. Data, artificial intelligence, and extended reality are technology platforms in healthcare that are highlighted in the context of Health City Initiatives presented here. Health City’s future area of focus in addressing challenges in procurement for health innovations is also discussed as a new approach that connects the health industry to healthcare. Health City has been an active stakeholder in health innovation in Edmonton and will continue to focus on developing a global niche and owning that space through meaningful partnerships and impactful projects. This will drive improved health outcomes and economic development for the Edmonton region and Canada that can be scaled globally.