New SickKids program brings virtual care to those on ventilators

Cristiano Buchanan, 7, has depended on a ventilator since he was a baby. Born at 26 weeks, he spent 506 days in the hospital.

When he was finally released his parents were happy, but scared because he would be dependent on a ventilator and they would have to become experts in-home mechanical ventilation.

Cristiano is one of 5,000 people in the province who require this type of ventilation.

With the current pandemic, those with these types of health conditions are facing more challenges, so travelling to and from the hospital for routine visits or care is not recommended.

For these reasons, a team of clinicians, led by SickKids and the Ventilator Equipment Pool (VEP) have started the Long-Term In Home Ventilation Engagement program or “LIVE” which allows these patients to connect with their health care team virtually through an app. LIVE was in development prior to the pandemic, but they made it accessible once COVID-19 started.

“Having a virtual support tool that allows us to connect to the people who know him the best, his doctors, is what this new program is,” says Cristiano’s mother, Francine Buchanan.

Seven hospitals across Ontario and 200 patients, both children and adults, are currently taking part in the live program.