Supporting Recovery at Home
Bringing virtual care and remote monitoring to rural Nova Scotia to help people recover safely and confidently at home after leaving the hospital.
The PROTECT Lab brings together virtual care, remote automated monitoring, and nursing support to help individuals recover at home after leaving the hospital. Originally developed through a collaboration between the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI), McMaster University, and Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), PROTECT is now expanding to Sydney, Nova Scotia through Homeward Bound.
What is PROTECT?
The PROTECT Lab uses Virtual Care and Remote Automated Monitoring (VC-RAM) to support people after they leave the hospital.
Instead of requiring people to remain in hospital while they recover, PROTECT allows their healthcare team to monitor their health remotely while they are at home.
How Does PROTECT Work?
Leaving the Hospital
People return home with the equipment they need to monitor their health.
Monitoring at Home
Individuals use remote monitoring devices to collect important vital signs.
Nurses Monitor Remotely
Information is transmitted to nurses, who can monitor individuals remotely.
Regular Check-ins
Nurses connect with people throughout the day to check on their recovery.
Responding to Changes
The care team can identify changes in a person’s health and provide support when needed.
People return home with the equipment needed to monitor their health.
What Is The Benefit?
Recover at Home
Allows people to recover at home in a familiar environment.
Stay Connected
Nurses can monitor in real time and communicate throughout recovery.
Reduce Hospital Stays
Remote monitoring can help reduce extended hospital stays and ER visits.
Better Experience
People report feeling more comfortable and supported at home.
The experience of thousands of participants at Health Hamilton Sciences inform this work.
From Hamilton to Sydney
PROTECT was first established at HHS Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre in Hamilton, Ontario.
Now through Homeward Bound, we’re bringing this proven approach to rural Nova Scotia.
Research & Experience
Virtual care and remote monitoring studied and implemented
Adapting The Approach
For rural communities, starting with Sydney, NS.
PROTECT + Homeward Bound
Homeward Bound is exploring how innovative healthcare approaches can help older adults age in the right place.
PROTECT contributes by bringing healthcare beyond the hospital and into the home.
What We're Exploring in Rural Nova Scotia
Can older adults recovery safely at home?
PROTECT uses remote monitoring to help nurses track peoples’ vital signs and support their recovery at home after leaving the hospital.
How do older adults experience remote healing?
We are exploring how older adults experience remote monitoring and what makes this type of care accessible, comfortable, and useful.
How does virtual care work in rural communities?
PROTECT connects rural older adults with their healthcare team remotely, helping them receive support without needing to remain in hospital.
Can supporting recovery at home reduce pressure on hospitals?
PROTECT explores whether remote monitoring can reduce hospital stays and emergency visits.
A Collaborative Approach
The PROTECT Lab is a collaboration between McMaster University, PHRI and HHS. In Sydney, Nova Scotia, it is being advanced through the Homeward Bound project.
The Future of Care Can Start at Home.
Through PROTECT, Homeward Bound is exploring how virtual care and remote monitoring can help rural Nova Scotians recover while staying connected to their healthcare team.