Page 21 - UHN's Year In Review 2013-14: Courage is Daring to Lead
P. 21
Krembil neuroscience Centre
Doctor gives strength – and sight – to aboriginal communities
reserve, but one that screens
as many people as possible.
Dr. Brent’s pilot program,
SAVE SIGHT, (First Nations
Reserves Diabetic Retinopathy
Screening Program Using
Tele-Ophthalmology) tackles
the issue in three steps.
Step 1: New, portable
technology
By combining two screening
tools – an imaging system
that takes photos of the back
of the eye, and an Optical
Coherence Tomography (OCT)
machine that can detect
swelling – health practitioners
Nurse practitioner Dana Strength sets up the eye screening system with the help of technicians at the can acquire enough data for Above, reserve locations in northern Ontario. (Graphic: Google Maps)
Wahta Reserve. (Photo: Dr. Michael Brent) a three dimensional image of
a patient’s eye. The screening
How do you increase screening This combination is putting in Ontario were lacking [access tools, which together weigh no screened for DR. The nurses A report is then filled out and
rates in remote communities people on reserves at risk of to treatment] and felt it was an more than 10 pounds, fit into a travelled to UHN to learn how returned to the nurse. Patients
with populations at high risk for developing diabetic retinopathy area that needed attention,” small suitcase and travel with to operate the technology and are advised on their findings
disease? If you’re Dr. Michael (DR), a disease of the retina. said Dr. Brent, ophthalmologist a nurse between reserves. take these enhanced photos and given recommendations
Brent, you empower the While DR is the leading cause at the Donald K. Johnson of their patients’ eyes. for further assessment or
community. Eye Centre of the Krembil Step 2: Empower local Step 3: Instantly connect required treatment.
of severe vision loss in working- health-care teams
It has long been recognized age Canadians, the incidence of Neuroscience Centre As respected members of Once a patient is screened, Every few weeks, Dr. Brent
that people living on reserves the disease is five times higher To address the problem, Dr. their community who are the nurse uploads the images travels to the region to meet
have a high risk of developing among aboriginal populations. Brent devised a care model regularly involved in the to Ontario Telemedicine with the nurses and discuss
diabetes and low rates of “I knew remote communities that not only established health care of residents Network’s secure network any improvements that can be
screening for eye conditions. a screening program on a on the reserve, nurses can for Dr. Brent to review from made to the program.
best identify who should be anywhere in the world. (Continued on next page)
20 21
Doctor gives strength – and sight – to aboriginal communities
reserve, but one that screens
as many people as possible.
Dr. Brent’s pilot program,
SAVE SIGHT, (First Nations
Reserves Diabetic Retinopathy
Screening Program Using
Tele-Ophthalmology) tackles
the issue in three steps.
Step 1: New, portable
technology
By combining two screening
tools – an imaging system
that takes photos of the back
of the eye, and an Optical
Coherence Tomography (OCT)
machine that can detect
swelling – health practitioners
Nurse practitioner Dana Strength sets up the eye screening system with the help of technicians at the can acquire enough data for Above, reserve locations in northern Ontario. (Graphic: Google Maps)
Wahta Reserve. (Photo: Dr. Michael Brent) a three dimensional image of
a patient’s eye. The screening
How do you increase screening This combination is putting in Ontario were lacking [access tools, which together weigh no screened for DR. The nurses A report is then filled out and
rates in remote communities people on reserves at risk of to treatment] and felt it was an more than 10 pounds, fit into a travelled to UHN to learn how returned to the nurse. Patients
with populations at high risk for developing diabetic retinopathy area that needed attention,” small suitcase and travel with to operate the technology and are advised on their findings
disease? If you’re Dr. Michael (DR), a disease of the retina. said Dr. Brent, ophthalmologist a nurse between reserves. take these enhanced photos and given recommendations
Brent, you empower the While DR is the leading cause at the Donald K. Johnson of their patients’ eyes. for further assessment or
community. Eye Centre of the Krembil Step 2: Empower local Step 3: Instantly connect required treatment.
of severe vision loss in working- health-care teams
It has long been recognized age Canadians, the incidence of Neuroscience Centre As respected members of Once a patient is screened, Every few weeks, Dr. Brent
that people living on reserves the disease is five times higher To address the problem, Dr. their community who are the nurse uploads the images travels to the region to meet
have a high risk of developing among aboriginal populations. Brent devised a care model regularly involved in the to Ontario Telemedicine with the nurses and discuss
diabetes and low rates of “I knew remote communities that not only established health care of residents Network’s secure network any improvements that can be
screening for eye conditions. a screening program on a on the reserve, nurses can for Dr. Brent to review from made to the program.
best identify who should be anywhere in the world. (Continued on next page)
20 21
