Unity Health Toronto

Unity Health Toronto’s2023-24 Sustainability Report highlights some of the network’s achievements in integrating environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and high-quality health care. Click the link in our bio to read the report to learn about the staff, physicians, learners and volunteers who are driving forward our commitment of fostering a healthier planet and community while delivering the best care experiences, created together.

On Nov. 30, we launched our new electronic patient record (EPR) in partnership with Epic Systems. This new system streamlines patient care across our sites, providing a more seamless and personalized care experience for patients and their families.   As we move forward, it is important to celebrate breakthroughs and the progress we have made. Our successes are a true reflection of the dedication, hard work, and collaboration from everyone across our organization.   Swipe to discover some of our incredible achievements within the first two weeks of our launch date!

Unity Health Toronto held its annual holiday parties at St. Michael's Hospital, St. Joseph's Health Centre, Toronto and Providence Healthcare! ❄️🎉 Thanks to all who helped make them a success! They were a great way to honour our amazing physicians, staff, learners & volunteers!

“After a hospital visit or appointment, I often find myself wanting more information. That’s where MyChart comes in handy. You can easily access health information directly from your care team,” says Bev, a Unity Health patient who uses our new patient portal called MyChart, powered by Epic. Sign up today to get lab and test results on MyChart as soon as they’re ready and access trustworthy information from your care team: https://lnkd.in/gGbZ6HfA

A research team led by Canada Research Chair and St. Michael’s Hospital Scientist Dr. Yvonne Bombard has received $200,000 in funding from the The Terry Fox Research Institute to design interventions to improve access to cancer genetic screening services for racialized groups in Canada. Notably, these interventions will be designed in partnership with cancer patients and racialized community members. #UnityHealthResearch “Funding patient-centric research is critical because it allows us to directly address the needs of those affected by cancer,” said Bombard. “Cancer patients, and racialized community members are at the core of this research project as part of the Equity Advisory Board and will help guide the creation of the interventions. This unique funding opportunity highlights the value that patient partners bring to conducting research that is driven by the very community we aim to serve.” Learn more about this impactful research project: https://lnkd.in/g62DdCHt

St. Michael’s Hospital’s Angio Suite miracle: The remarkable recovery of a 52-year-old #stroke patient It’s been almost two years since Peter Johnson, an Ontario school teacher, was taken to St. Michael’s Hospital in December 2022 for urgent treatment for a stroke. What initially seemed like a bout of dizziness was in fact an early stroke symptom. Luckily, Johnson’s family called 911, and he was taken to his local hospital and eventually transferred to St. Michael’s for care. At St. Michael’s he underwent an urgent thrombectomy to remove a blood clot and restore blood flow to his brain. Johnson, who was awake for the procedure, was lucky. He survived and had very few residual deficits, despite the severe nature of his stroke. “Afterwards it took some time, and I thought, ‘What will I do now?’ I had a second chance and was extremely lucky,” he said. Read more about Johnson’s remarkable story and why his care team considers his case and outcome to be miraculous: https://lnkd.in/gyKiQ-9v HLVSMH

Nearly 30 per cent of seniors in Canada are at risk of social isolation, an issue that can lead to further consequences including increased risk of falls, reduced quality of life, and premature death. St. Michael’s Hospital’s Academic Family Health Team created a new social prescription program to help prevent these outcomes. “It has been very beautiful so far,” says Sandesh Basnet, a link worker with SEED about how the program's been going. Read about how Basnet is supporting clients like Edith Endrenyi, and learn about the program Support, Equity, Engagement and Dignity—or SEED: https://lnkd.in/eKAaXr65

Genomic sequencing enhances clinical utility in hereditary cancers compared to standard gene panels. However it generates a large volume of uncertain results, finds a new study led by Drs. Salma Shickh and Yvonne Bombard.   For the study, Shickh and the St. Michael’s led-team reviewed charts and surveyed 276 cancer patients with previous uninformative cancer gene panel results, who subsequently underwent genomic sequencing. Of these patients, 89% received one or more variant of uncertain significance and 10% received a pathogenic cancer variant, mostly in low/moderate risk genes. A majority of the genes with pathogenic results did not have corresponding evidence-based, management guidelines, leading to inconsistency in care.   The study identified modest clinical utility of genomic sequencing in a panel-negative hereditary cancer syndromes population. However, the high rate of uncertain and low/moderate risk results highlight a need to build the evidence base and generate consensus on management and follow-up of patients undergoing genetic sequencing for hereditary cancer, the study authors conclude. #UnityHealthResearch   Read the study: https://lnkd.in/e2xBBeu4

A St. Michael’s Hospital team that’s developed a minimally-invasive technique to repair retinal detachment has published the results of six patient cases. #UnityHealthResearch   The new study, published in JAMA Opthalmology, and led by Retinal Surgeon Dr. Rajeev Muni, outlines the results of six patients who had the minimally-invasive procedure performed at St. Michael’s Hospital. The new technique, called Suprachoridal Viscopexy (SCVEXY), requires no incisions and can be performed in office, meaning that patients should be able to resume their normal daily activities quicker.   The study found that five out of six of those cases (83.3%) achieved retinal reattachment. Before the procedure, patients’ vision ranged from 20/100 to the ability to only see hand movements. After the procedure, vision improved to between 20/20 and 20/50 in five patients. In one case, where the patient required additional treatment, vision improved to 20/80 + 1.   In-office SCVEXY is a new way of repairing retinal detachment that does not require incisions, special eye positioning or restricting of activities, the research team concludes. The team says that while the early results are promising, more research is required to determine safety and effectiveness.   Read the new study here: https://lnkd.in/gW2eMRBn Read the story we wrote about SCVEXY here: https://lnkd.in/gZkGhg_v

Dr. Stephen Hwang, researcher at St. Michael’s Hospital and Director of MAP Centre for Urban Health Solutions, spoke to CTV News about the disproportionate risk people who are underhoused face during illness outbreaks due to lack of access to sanitation and the necessity of sharing close spaces.