British Columbia's healthcare system is under pressure due to human resources, demographic and pandemic-related challenges. Enhanced use of health data has the potential to improve both clinical care and system efficiency. To support health data analytics, the Ministry of Health has developed the Health Data Platform BC (HDPBC), a secure, cloud based system for accessing and analyzing health data. Currently, HDPBC can handle tabular data but aims to understand how medical imaging and genomics can be safely integrated to provide a more comprehensive view of health information. This work will help improve understanding of how to support advanced data analytics, including machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). 

This project focuses on how to unify imaging and genomic data with a tabular environment, and HDPBC with BC’s high performance computing resources and expertise. This will enable researchers to safely apply advanced analytical techniques, ensuring patient privacy while advancing healthcare innovation. 

Heart failure, a significant health concern in BC, will be the project's initial focus. Many patients, especially in rural areas, lack timely access to the ultrasound heart imaging needed to diagnose them. 

This project will: 

• Identify the technology and workflows needed to unify new data types with HDPBC and BC’s high performance computing resources. 

• Link HDPBC's data with existing computing capabilities for advanced analytics. 

• Develop a strategy to improve heart failure care using AI-guided point-of-care ultrasound in remote areas. 

Enhancing BC’s health data capabilities will ensure the province remains a leader in data-driven healthcare research and innovation.