UNBC Innovation Hub to test cutting-edge AI wound care technologies

The Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North will utilize its connections across the region to introduce and validate innovative new technologies in healthcare aimed at advancing patient outcomes and equity in treatment.

March 12, 2024
Two people, both wearing blue, stand in a glass building with exterior scenes of UNBC campus in the background.
CTAAN Director Dr. Richard McAloney and Research Manager Matt Sargent will facilitate real-world testing of new technologies using artificial intelligence to improve wound care treatment.

Prince George, B.C. – The Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North (CTAAN) at the University of Northern British Columbia is involved in a national research initiative that aims to revolutionize wound care treatment, using artificial intelligence technologies to standardize treatment and improve patient outcomes.

DIGITAL, Canada’s Global Innovation Cluster for digital technologies, announced a co-investment with Swift Medical, a global leader in digital wound care, to deploy three pioneering technology tools poised to transform patient care by offering better wound evaluations, reducing variability in treatment approaches and identifying risks more accurately.

Working in collaboration with the National Research Council, CTAAN is one of a group of partners validating the project.

“This research has the potential to significantly impact accessibility to treatment and patient outcomes in northern and rural communities,” says the Centre’s Director Dr. Richard McAloney. “CTAAN is uniquely positioned to introduce these innovative new technologies to the region."

CTAAN's Academic Director Dr. Shannon Freeman says, “We’ve developed the connections, partnerships and processes that allow us to test, pilot, adapt and implement new technologies in real-world settings throughout rural and northern B.C. and beyond.”

“DIGITAL is excited to build upon the over 5 years of investments we’ve made in applied AI with this latest announcement,” says Nadia Shaikh-Naeem, Vice President of Programs at DIGITAL. “We look forward to the potential of the partnerships within the Advanced AI Wound Care Network to deploy Swift Medical’s enhanced wound care solution within northern, rural and Indigenous communities by working alongside partners such as University of Northern British Columbia’s Centre for Technology Adoption for Aging in the North, Brightshores Health System and Giishkaandago'Ikwe Health Services. This latest announcement is an example of how Canada can increase equitable access and better health outcomes for all Canadians through AI adoption and partnerships such as these.”

Read more about the project on DIGITAL's website.