Three Abbotsford companies are celebrating after the Fraser Health Authority won an award of merit on June 25.
Rebar Creative, Internet Advertising, and Pathfinder Productions all played a big part in the project that resulted in the award.
Fraser Health received the Excellence in BC Health Care Award for providing web-based information, tools, and resources for surgical patients and their families aimed at increasing knowledge-based planning and decision making, improving surgical outcomes, reducing complications, and decreasing recovery time.
“The award was a wonderful surprise,” said Joanne Severn of Rebar Creative.
“I was thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase some of the amazing talent we have here in Abbotsford, and having the project’s outcome recognized with this award is fabulous.”
Severn was the project manager who led a team of more than 30 professionals from five different organizations. She also wrote much of the web content and played the part of a patient in a video produced by Keith Dobie of Pathfinder Productions.
Mike Johnson and his team at Internet Advertising developed the ‘Soonest Surgery Tool’ web application working with data experts at the Provincial Health Services Authority. The online tool is a one-of-a-kind custom software application that provides patients and physicians with a list of five surgeons most likely able to perform a specific surgical procedure sooner than others.
The web content includes advice on how to decide if surgery is the best choice of treatment; how to approach your family doctor to ask for a second surgical referral; how to prepare physically and logistically; what typically occurs on the day of surgery; preparing for a stay in hospital; and what to expect after going home. On-page content is supplemented with videos, links to vetted websites, and eight printable sheets including a form to track medication times and what action to take if certain symptoms arise.
The information and tools developed are currently online at www.fraserhealth.ca/surgery.