Not yet recruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Clinical Information System Impact on Hospitalized Patients With Chronic Disease

This study is investigating if a new hospital computer system, called Connect Care, makes a difference for adults in Alberta who have long-term health conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, or heart failure. Researchers are looking at existing hospital records to see if, after the system was introduced, fewer patients returned to the hospital or passed away within 30 days of being discharged. They are also checking how long people stayed in hospital and their experiences moving from hospital back home. This research aims to understand if technology can improve care for people with ongoing health issues.

At a glance

Status

Not yet recruiting

Sponsor

University of Calgary

Enrolment target

124,240

Start

01 Jun 2026

Estimated completion

31 Dec 2027

Diabete Mellitus Kidney Disease Heart Failure Coronary Artery Disease Chronic Lung Diseases

What is this study about?

Imagine your local hospital has introduced a new computer system, like a big central hub for all patient information. This study wants to see how this new system, called Connect Care, is affecting the care of people in Alberta, Canada, who live with long-term health problems. These conditions include things like diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, and chronic lung conditions.

Researchers are looking back at information already collected by the hospital, both from before and after the Connect Care system was put in place. They want to find out if this new system has made any changes to how well patients recover after leaving the hospital. Specifically, they're checking if fewer patients need to come back to the hospital soon after being discharged, or if there are fewer deaths within 30 days of going home. They're also interested in other things like how long patients stay in the hospital and how they feel about the switch from hospital care to home care.

This study is important because it helps us understand if new technology can help improve the quality of care for people with ongoing complex health needs. By looking at real patient data, doctors and health managers can learn valuable lessons about how best to use these systems to support patients and potentially make their recovery smoother and safer.

Key takeaways

Researchers are using existing hospital data to see if a new computer system, Connect Care, improves patient care.
The study focuses on adults with long-term health problems like diabetes and heart conditions.
They are checking if the system helps reduce hospital readmissions or deaths within 30 days of discharge.
This research does not involve patients actively participating or changing their care.
The findings could help improve future healthcare for people with ongoing health needs.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking at information from adults aged 18 or older who live in Alberta, Canada, and received care at Alberta Health Services hospitals. To be included, these patients must have been admitted to hospital and have one or more long-term health conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, heart problems, or lung disease.

They are focusing on patients who survived their initial hospital stay and were discharged home. The researchers will be looking at existing records from hospital admissions that happened over several years, both before and after the new Connect Care computer system was put in place.

Certain people won't be included in parts of the study. For example, anyone under 18, people who don't live in Alberta, or those who passed away during their hospital stay won't be part of the main comparisons. Also, if there isn't enough information in their records, they might not be included.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Do you live in Alberta, Canada?
Have you been in an Alberta Health Services hospital for any reason?
Do you have a long-term health condition like diabetes, kidney disease, or heart/lung problems?
Did you survive your hospital stay and get discharged home?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study doesn't involve you actively doing anything, like taking new medicines or attending extra hospital appointments. It's a 'retrospective' study, meaning researchers are looking back at already existing medical records and information that was collected during your past hospital visits. You won't be asked to provide any new information or change your usual care. Your participation is effectively in the form of your already collected health data being used for this research.

Potential risks and benefits

Since this study only uses information that has already been collected, there are no direct risks or benefits to individual patients. You won't have to change your treatment or visit the hospital more often. The main benefit is to all patients with long-term conditions: the study's findings might help improve hospital care and computer systems in the future, potentially leading to better outcomes for similar patients. Because this study uses existing de-identified data, there is no option to withdraw your data once it's included, as individual consent is not being sought for retrospective data analysis of this nature.

Locations (1)

University of Calgary
Verified postcode
Calgary, Canada

Common questions

What is 'Connect Care'?

Connect Care is a new computer system used in hospitals in Alberta, Canada, to manage patient information and care.

What kind of health problems are considered 'chronic diseases' in this study?

These include long-term conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, heart failure, coronary artery disease (heart conditions), and chronic lung diseases.

Will I have to do anything extra if I'm part of this study?

No, you don't need to do anything. The study uses existing medical records, so there are no extra appointments or tests for you.

Why are they looking at hospital readmissions and deaths?

These are important measures to see if the new computer system is helping patients recover better and avoid serious health problems after leaving the hospital.

Is my personal information confidential?

Yes, researchers use de-identified information, meaning your name and personal details are removed to protect your privacy.

How to find out more

Nusrat S Shommu, PhD

nsshommu@ucalgary.ca 4032103991 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.