CCS Post-ACS Secondary Prevention Pathway Study
In 2025, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) developed a secondary prevention pathway for post-ACS patients. CEBI supported its implementation by designing clinician surveys to identify barriers and inform pathway revisions. CEBI also supported the evaluation of am accompanying patient resource, which was developed and revised by a McMaster University undergraduate student.
SMART-AMI Study
To improve communication between emergency physicians and interventional cardiologists, clinicians developed SMART-AMI, a secure, privacy-compliant smartphone app that enables real-time ECG sharing and faster decision-making for suspected STEMI cases. This multi-centre observational study, coordinated by CEBI, supported the app’s implementation using registry data, app usage metrics, and physician feedback. Findings are guiding plans for expansion of the app to Ontario’s remaining cardiac centres.
Heart Function Inpatient Unit Evaluation
In October 2022, Hamilton General Hospital launched a specialized Heart Function Inpatient Unit aimed at enhancing patient care, improving staff satisfaction, expanding educational opportunities for learners, and reducing both hospital stays and readmission rates. To evaluate the unit’s impact, aggregate patient data, such as length of stay and 30-day readmission rates, was analyzed. Staff feedback was also gathered through surveys conducted at three and nine months after implementation.
JUMPSTART Study
JUMPSTART is a home-based exercise program designed for patients recovering from transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) at the Hamilton General Hospital. Featuring accessible online videos, the program aims to support early mobilization and improve engagement in cardiac rehabilitation. The research study evaluated the program’s feasibility, acceptability, and impact on quality of life, while identifying barriers and enablers to participation.
Myocarditis and Pericarditis Following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination Study
The Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) National Active Surveillance Study of Myocarditis and/or Pericarditis following mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination (MYCOVACC) is a multi-centre research initiative examining outcomes in both adult and pediatric patients diagnosed with myocarditis or pericarditis following mRNA vaccination. In 2023, CEBI contributed to the project by developing consultation guides for healthcare providers and patient stakeholders, reviewing the latest evidence, drafting a care management algorithm based on current research, and creating a patient resource sheet.
MYCOVACC website: ccs.ca/mycovacc/
HHS Virtual Nurse to Nurse (VN2N) Support Line Pilot Project
The Virtual Nurse-to-Nurse (VN2N) support line was piloted across multiple HHS clinical areas in 2023-2024, offering after-hours peer mentorship from virtual registered nurses to bedside/on-site nursing staff. The initiative aimed to enhance nursing support during evenings, nights, and weekends. CEBI contributed to the pilot evaluation by developing surveys and guiding data analysis and interpretation.
PHRI Dissemination Framework
As part of the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI) advisory committee, CEBI led the development of a research dissemination framework to support timely uptake of evidence-based interventions. Adapted from the PCORI Dissemination and Implementation Framework, this tool guides PHRI scientists in sharing prioritized research with key stakeholders to improve health outcomes.
Evaluation of Virtual Care at HHS
In 2020, CEBI partnered with the HHS Virtual Care Operations Team to evaluate virtual care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Surveys were designed and analyzed by CEBI to capture the experiences and preferences of patients, caregivers, and providers from various clinical areas. Insights from the data informed improvements to virtual care at HHS.
HHS Behaviour Safety Risk Communication and Care Planning (BSR) Program
The Behaviour Safety Risk Communication and Care Planning (BSR) program includes implementing safety risk screening and communication alerts, creating patient BSR care plans, and applying interventions to mitigate risk, across HHS sites. In 2019, the CEBI team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the program implementation.
CarDIA Study
In 2020, CEBI conducted a mixed methods process evaluation within the CarDIA study (cardiology focus) to assess the feasibility of a new triage pathway that integrates risk stratification into centralized triage, recommending Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA) as the initial diagnostic step for eligible low-risk patients, instead of invasive angiography. Perspectives from physicians, patients, and triage staff were collected to evaluate acceptability and potential barriers to implementation. These insights were combined with findings on the diagnostic yield of invasive angiography following CCTA and an economic impact analysis of the care pathway, providing a comprehensive assessment of the intervention’s effectiveness and sustainability.
PICU Liber8
The PICU Liber8 project was a 2018 multi-centre randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the PICU Liber8 bundle, an evidence-based quality improvement initiative aimed at preventing Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)-acquired weakness in critically ill children. The bundle included eight complementary steps for healthcare staff to implement during care, with the goal of enhancing physical recovery and long-term functioning after discharge.