As of March 21, 2025, MGH鈥檚 main entrance on Coxwell Avenue is closed as the next phase of our redevelopment project begins. Patients and visitors can use the new temporary main entrance on Sammon Avenue between Coxwell Avenue and Knight Street. View our campus map.
This year, Michael 九游体育 (MGH) implemented a range of state-of-the-art equipment and innovative technologies to help make the care we provide more modern and efficient.
In many cases, MGH is among the first hospitals in Ontario or Canada to introduce these technologies, demonstrating our commitment to strengthening our quality of care and improving the hospital experience for everyone.
From high-definition imaging technology that helps our team better identify blood vessel blockages and other issues associated with heart disease to an artificial intelligence tool that鈥檚 reducing wait times for patients in our Stavro Emergency Department, here鈥檚 some of the newest equipment MGH introduced across its campus in 2024.
This year, MGH became one of the first hospitals in Canada to use High-Definition Intravascular Ultrasound (HD IVUS). Our Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Team successfully performed the first HD IVUS procedure on September 18.
HD IVUS is an innovative technology that allows doctors to see the insides of blood vessels in a very detailed and accurate way. This helps our team better identify blockages and other issues associated with heart disease, so they can make appropriate diagnoses and recommend the best treatments and procedures.
The technology is especially helpful in the East Toronto community, where there are higher rates of chronic diseases, such as heart disease, compared to the general population.
This progress was made possible by Moez and Marissa Kassam, generous supporters of Michael 九游体育 Foundation.
鈥淭he addition of this technology to our Cardiac Cath Lab helps improve our diagnostic imaging capabilities and the care we are able to provide,鈥� says Dr. Mohammad Zia, Interventional Cardiologist at MGH. 鈥淭hank you to our team, donors and all those who helped make the HD IVUS technology possible. We look forward to the positive difference it will make.鈥�
In May, MGH became the first hospital in Ontario to implement the newest model of the Synclara cough system, which is manufactured by Baxter. This state-of-the-art equipment supports patients in our Long Stay Critical Care Program (LSP).
The Synclara cough system is a non-invasive therapy that simulates coughing for patients living with a condition that makes coughing difficult. These conditions include spinal cord injuries or neuromuscular diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
The state-of-the-art equipment is used by our respiratory therapists and physiotherapists to support patients in our Long Stay Critical Care Program (LSP).
鈥淭his machine will enhance our capacity to provide high-quality care by leveraging the latest technology on the market, ensuring that our patients receive the most effective and efficient treatment available,鈥� says Tracey Monahan, Senior Respiratory Therapist and Certified Respiratory Educator Clinical Coordinator at MGH.
The implementation of the Synclara cough system was made possible through funding designated to our LSP, which is designed to improve overall Intensive Care Unit (ICU) capacity in Toronto and the quality of care for patients with prolonged critical illness. The initiative is funded by the Ministry of Health and supported by Critical Care Services Ontario and Ontario Health.
Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), formerly known as the Special Care Nursery, is now home to 14 new incubators that further support the high-quality, lifesaving care the unit offers to the hospital鈥檚 tiniest patients.
Incubators are small, specialized beds that allow babies to receive care in place. They include a built-in warmer, which keeps the baby鈥檚 temperature stable, and phototherapy light, which helps treat jaundice 鈥� a condition that some newborns may have.
Doctors, nurses and other care providers can also adjust the height of the incubator, allowing parents to have better access to their baby and for the baby to receive critical care without having to be moved from the bed.
The new incubators join the MGH NICU鈥檚 existing team of specialized staff and fleet of medical equipment, which allows the unit to provide high-quality, life-saving care to babies and families closer to home. They were made possible by generous contributions from Michael 九游体育 Foundation donors, particularly Myron and Berna Garron, Michael Garron鈥檚 parents.
鈥淭his incredible support means our NICU Team can use the most updated and state-of-the-art technologies to support babies and families in our community,鈥� says Dr. Sehr Ansari, Neonatologist at MGH. 鈥淭his helps us provide the best possible care to our patients.鈥�
This year, MGH acquired 44 new state-of-the-art mechanical ventilators manufactured by Dr盲ger. We are the first hospital in Canada to implement this Dr盲ger Evita V800 ventilator model.
The ventilators rolled out across our Provincial Prolonged-Ventilation Weaning Centre of Excellence (PWC) and the Long-Term Ventilation (LTV) Program, Helen Aird Carswell Complex Continuing Care (CCC) Unit and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) this fall.
They are equipped with the latest respiratory therapies needed for prolonged ventilation and intensive medical care. This ensures patients can receive safe, individualized treatment.
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to welcome this new, state-of-the-art equipment, which will help improve the care we鈥檙e able to provide our patients who need mechanical ventilation,鈥� says Kevin Edmonson, Vice President of Clinical Programs and Quality at MGH.
The ventilators were also funded in large part by Myron and Berna Garron.
MGH is one of the first hospitals in Ontario to adopt a new artificial intelligence (AI) tool to help reduce wait times in our Stavro Emergency Department (ED), improve care for patients, and lessen the administrative burden on emergency physicians that can lead to burnout.
Called Ambient Scribe, the tool allows physicians in our ED to record interactions with consenting patients through a secure smartphone app. The technology follows Canadian privacy laws. It uses AI technology to listen to, transcribe and produce clinical notes from conversations between patients and their physicians.
Physicians are able to review and edit the notes produced by Ambient Scribe, and add notes related to a patient鈥檚 diagnoses, physical exams, treatment plans, labs and discharge instructions.
This AI-enabled process means physicians can better focus on assessing and interacting with patients, rather than having to split their attention between their patients and taking notes. It also reduces wait times for patients in the ED and enables more meaningful connections between patients with their physicians.
The AI transcribing tool is co-funded by our ED and physicians. Learn more about the use of the AI transcribing tool in the ED.