Making managing asthma easier for patients and providers

June 29, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – Nearly 3.5 million people across Canada suffer from asthma, the third most common chronic disease in adults and one that is increasing in prevalence. With support from OBIO® through its Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), the Albany Medical Clinic is partnering with Toronto-based digital start-up EAPOC (Evidence at the Point-of Care) to evaluate its electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS), a disease management and clinical decision support system (CDSS) designed to improve health outcomes for patients with asthma.

Prior to an appointment with their healthcare provider, patients access the eAMS through its web portal or app and complete an electronic questionnaire. The eAMS processes the information for care providers and generates personalized, guideline-based advice for each patient.

“The eAMS was developed as a response to gaps in primary care delivery for asthma care,” noted Dr. Samir Gupta, EAPOC President and CEO. “Although it has proven effective in trials, a successful evaluation of the sustainability of this technology will provide us with an opportunity to increase its adoption for asthma treatment, but more significantly, to expand its application to the management of other chronic diseases, thereby improving patient outcomes for millions of Canadians and others around the world.”

“We welcome the opportunity to work with EAPOC to evaluate a system that can help our physicians enhance patient care,” said Dr. Brian Adno, Medical Director at the Albany Medical Clinic. “The eAMS is a thoroughly researched, easy-to-use tool that allows our physicians to treat patients with asthma efficiently and effectively.”

“Providing effective primary care not only improves health outcomes for patients, it also has the potential to reduce future healthcare system costs,” said Dr. Maura Campbell, President and CEO of OBIO®. “The Albany Clinic and EAPOC evaluation demonstrates the importance of supporting innovation in the primary care setting and OBIO® is pleased to support it through the EAHN™ program.”

About OBIO®

OBIO®, a not-for-profit, membership-based organization dedicated to advancing health technology innovation and commercialization, is prioritizing the evaluation of new technologies through their Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™) to provide solutions. OBIO® is engaged in strategy, programming, policy development and advocacy to further the commercialization of human health technologies, positioning Canada as a leader in the international marketplace. Visit OBIO.ca for more information.

About EAPOC

EAPOC (Evidence at the Point-of Care) is a health technology company that develops computerized decision-support systems to enable providers to improve the quality of care.  There are highly prevalent and stubborn gaps between the best care that guidelines recommend and the actual care that patients receive. The company is founded on the principle that when the needs of patients and providers are prioritized, technology can not only effectively bridge these gaps and improve outcomes for patients, but also improve efficiency for providers. Visit EAPOC for more information.

About the Albany Medical Clinic

The Albany Medical Clinic, celebrating 75 years of service to the East Toronto community, is one of Canada’s oldest full-service healthcare clinics supporting a patient community of over 50,000.  Since 1946, the Albany Medical Clinic has been providing a wide range of quality community-based healthcare including onsite diagnostic testing and a Walk-in Clinic open to the community.  Today, the medical team at the Albany Medical Clinic has more than 35 family doctors and more than 40 different specialists supported by a team of staff including nurses and other direct physician supports. Visit Albany Medical Clinic for more information.

Contacts

For more information, about OBIO’s Early Adopter Health Network (EAHN™), or if you are interested in joining the Network, please contact: Bibaswan Ghoshal, Director, Market Acceleration.

For more information about EAPOC, please contact: Samir Gupta, CEO.

For more information about the Albany Medical Clinic, please contact: Wanda Morvay, General Manager and CFO.