b'TECH TALKsays Danny Sinden, Director of the Centre of Excellence and Research Operations. Our research also demonstrates the importance of considering how new technologies impact workflows.The successful implementation of Magic Table quickly attracted other partners: donors to the Perley Health Foundation paid for three more units.Implement incrementallyThe Perleys implementation of a technology designed to improve the measurement of paina key quality indicator in long-term carealso generated a series of valuable lessons. The ability to consistently and accurately track the pain experienced by residents who struggle to communicate effectively is a Residents at Perley Health enjoy the Tovertafel (magic table)common problem for long-term care Using technology to homes. When the Perleys Quality Improvement Pain Team determined that its performance on this metric address existing needs was flagging, it sought aviable solution. Implementation lessons learned fromPainChek, software that uses a combination of facial-recognition and Perley Health AI technologies, looked promising, in part because it is designed for By Peter McKinnon tablet computers. The Perley initially P erley Health follows a deliberate,impairment. To select and implementimplemented PainChek acrossthe Gatineau buildinghome tomulti-step approach toan appropriate technological solution,more than 100 residents, including maximize the potential benefitsthe Perley relied on a lesson itmany who live with significantof new and emerging technologies.had learned previously: secure ancognitive impairment. The Perley, as its popularly known,appropriate partner. is home to 450 people in long-termDoing so required a significant care and another 150 in independent- In this case, the partner was thetraining effort that included full-living apartments. The implementationCentre for Aging + Brain Healthtime, part-time and occasional staff. of a few recent technologiesInnovation. Through CABHI, the PerleyMore than 200 RNs and RPNs had generated several valuable lessonsparticipated in an RFP process andto learn both the new software and that the Perley is keen to share. awarded a contract to Canadian firmthe new pain-assessment process. Eugeria for Magic Table, a system thatTo support the initial training blitz, Identify a needprojects light and tracks movementsseveral champions were appointed. Perhaps the most important lessonto create interactive, immersive gamesDespite these preparations, however, is that the technology must addressand activities.implementation got off to aan existing need, says Mary Boutette,rocky start.Perley Healths Chief OperatingUnder the agreement with CABHI, Officer. To help identify our needs,the Perleys Centre of Excellence inIt quickly became apparent that it was we continually consult with residents,Frailty-Informed CareTM monitoredtoo much, too soon, says Jennifer families and staff. the implementation of Magic TableKovacic, Clinical Quality Lead at Perley and continues to study its impacts onHealth who was assigned to lead the A few years ago, consultationsresidents, staff and families. PainChek project. identified a lack of effective ways to engageand promote socializationTo maximize the potential benefits,Several obstacles prevented a smooth amongPerley residents livingwe learned how to adapt Magic Tableimplementation, such as weaknesses with various levels of cognitiveto the Perleys unique circumstances,in the computer skills of some staff, 26 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2025'