SEARCH Desktops

SEARCH Canada desktops bring order to the health information chaos by facilitating simple, secure and fast access to all the information needed for better decisions. Knowledge Services' work is done in alliance with the University of Alberta's Centre for Health Evidence (CHE). VIVIDESK^TMdesktop technology is used to build Virtual Learning Communities. These online environments provide a single point of access to a wide variety of information resources and collaboration tools to support evidence-informed practice.

The SEARCH 'desktop' is an integrated internet environment that provides a sophisticated online, common 'workspace'. This state-of-the-art electronic knowledge and communication tool provides resources for curriculum delivery, project collaboration and information access. SEARCH Canada funds development and upkeep of what has become core infrastructure to both its Classic and Custom programs; CHE provides overall knowledge, as well as management services and curriculum delivery.

SEARCH Desktop

Most recently, the partners have realized opportunities to leverage their combined capacity and develop new applications for the knowledge desktops beyond SEARCH Canada’s traditional programs. Following are five such applications:

Continuing Care Desktop - developed to help facilitate awareness and training efforts around implementation of the Alberta government's new Continuing Care health standards. This desktop provides access to the standards, and evidence, activities and other resources related to the standards. SEARCH Canada is also applying its know-how to support Alberta Health and Wellness and the regions' awareness and training efforts.

CapitalCare Best Practice Desktop - developed to streamline the evidence gathering and assessment process by ensuring easy access to practice-relevant information and resources, increasing employees' skill in navigating and using information sources through online training, shortening the time spent searching for evidence, and reduceing the time spent assessing the quality of resources by providing pre-assessed resources.

Aspen Regional Health - this desktop provides information resources and services to meet the needs of approximately 45 Aspen Regional Health professional staff and managers.

Peace Country Health - Individual accounts have been launched and orientation sessions held for Peace Country Health. When complete, this desktop will provide access for up to 45 managers to customized knowledge resources, as well as for up to 2300 clinical staff to more general knowledge resources.

RNInfodesk - working with Capital Health and the University of Alberta's Faculty of Nursing, and as part of the Better Care project, this desktop is intended for advanced practice nurses and clinical nurse specialists to build and apply skills for evidence-informed practice.