Navigating type 1 diabetes is an exhausting journey, requiring constant vigilance, split-second decisions, and access to timely medical advice. For parents managing the condition for their child, the stakes are even higher. Between quarterly doctor visits, parents face a mountain of choices about insulin levels, pump settings, and blood sugar management. Unfortunately, most learning initially comes through trial and error, tantrums, and tears. 

Project IMPACT (Including Messaging for Patient and Care Teams) is a groundbreaking initiative, originally launched at Vernon Jubilee Hospital, that transforms diabetes care by connecting families and clinicians through secure SMS text messaging. Its remarkable success has resulted in expansion to Kelowna, Kamloops, and Penticton, made possible by the generosity of donors to the KGH Foundation, Royal Inland Hospital Foundation (Kamloops), and South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation (Penticton).

 “At its core, type 1 diabetes care is a shared effort between families and clinicians,” explains Dr. Eiko Waida, Vernon Pediatrician and Medical Lead of Project IMPACT. “We needed a way for families to access their care team quickly and efficiently while improving clinician workflow.”

 “The incidence of type 1 diabetes is rising, and it’s a chronic disease with lifelong implications. Project IMPACT allows families to connect with their health teams in a way that reduces hospitalizations, enhances wellness, and optimizes clinician work time so they can help more patients. It’s a small change with transformative impact,” adds Waida.

Project IMPACT brings together a multi-disciplinary team of pediatricians, dietitians, and nurses to create an upstream solution to a growing health care challenge. Families can now consult with their care teams in real time, easing the burden of managing complex diabetes decisions alone. Indeed, the results have been astonishing. In Vernon, the program reduced the average hospital stay for newly diagnosed pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes from four days to just 0.6 days. IMPACT is significantly reducing health costs, including a reduction in Emergency room visits, but most importantly, it’s enhancing patient wellness and hopefully saving a few kiddo’s tears as well. 

“This program has been a game changer,” shares Debbie, a mother whose son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. “Having direct access to the care team has made managing diabetes less overwhelming for our family.” 

The innovative Project IMPACT is breaking down barriers, empowering families, and redefining what quality diabetes care can look like. With connection comes better care, and with better care, a brighter future for families with children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.