HealthAchieve2013, the largest health care conference of its kind in North America, kicks off today at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for three days of ideas and innovation.
This year’s theme is the hospital of the future and how Canada is leading the way in healthcare innovation, and during the week a handful of mobile apps will be showcased, dedicated to improving healthcare in Canada.
“Think you can’t live without your cell phone? A handful of mobile apps are making this statement truer than ever. HealthAchieve will feature apps that help health care workers with rounding programs as well as a portal that provides everything from education to communication at the bedside,” wrote the conference organizers.
Along with mobile apps, the event features nearly 300 exhibitors from across the world showcasing the latest products and services in health care. This includes “Health Care Community Capital Project Display,” initiative by 12 Ontario healthcare organizations labelled some of the most “innovative in the world,” who will show how “good design and modern technology” can revolutionize the way care is delivered.
Today’s first day at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre will feature talks from Chris Hadfield, who recently joined the University of Waterloo as a professor of aviation, as well as Hélène Campbell, the young Ottawa woman who harnessed the power of Twitter to raise awareness and assistance with organ donations. After she was told she needed a double lung transplant, she started the online campaign #BeAnOrganDonor in January 2012 to get the attention of Canadian popstar Justin Bieber. After Bieber retweeted her campaign, over 2,000 people in Ontario alone registered to be organ donors.
Finally, Dr. Peter Pronovost will also take the stage today. A leader in patient safety, Dr. Pronovost has devised life-saving clinical practices that are yielding dramatic improvements in hospitals across the US and will bring that insight to the Canadian health care system.
HealthAchieve aims to inspire ideas and innovation with over 50 live sessions along with an award-winning exhibit floor, where the latest health care products, services and technologies are showcased. The conference attracts more than 6,000 health care and business leaders from around the world for learning, networking, benchmarking and sharing best practices.