Your Generosity Inspires the Future of Emergency Department Care

A new artificial intelligence tool is in development to help hospitals make better, faster, and more equitable decisions at the frontline of emergency care – and it’s only possible because of your early support of this innovative research.

The initial research funded thanks to your generosity in partnership with the Manitoba Medical Service Foundation explored how AI could enhance emergency department processes.

“Emergency department overcrowding is a persistent issue that leads to longer wait times, overwhelmed staff, and delayed treatment, which can negatively impact patient outcomes,” said Dr. Farzad Zaerpour, Associate Professor for the Department of Business and Administration at the University of Winnipeg. “By using AI to predict outcomes like length of stay, discharge time, or likelihood of return visits; we can make more informed decisions and allocate resources more efficiently. This has the potential to significantly reduce overcrowding and improve the overall patient experience.”

This research demonstrated AI-driven models could significantly improve patient prioritization and flow.

Your heartfelt support has now enabled Dr. Zaerpour to use these findings to develop a new tool to enhance emergency care.

“It’s not just about improving efficiency; it’s about creating a system that can deliver better, faster care to patients who need it most. Equally important, we’re building fairness checks into the tool so improvements in flow don’t come at the expense of any patient group. I’m confident the work we’re doing could have a long-lasting, positive impact on healthcare both here in Manitoba and beyond.”

This tool is currently in development, with pilot testing in clinical settings expected to begin later this year.

“The long-term potential of this project is significant,” said Zaerpour. “If we can demonstrate that AI-driven triage improves emergency department efficiency and patient care, this system could be adopted widely across healthcare systems. The success of this project could lead to a broader implementation of AI-driven decision-making in various aspects of healthcare.”

Zaerpour acknowledges the crucial role of supporters like you.

“Contributions from donors allow us to take the research beyond the conceptual phase and into real-world application. This support helps fund essential resources and makes it possible to explore innovative solutions like AI-driven triage.”

With an Emergency Department on the horizon for Victoria Hospital, your ongoing support of research means more than ever. To support research at Victoria Hospital, donate today.