At Carewest, a subsidiary of Alberta Health Services and a HealthPRO Canada member, innovation is more than a mindset—it’s a commitment to better outcomes. That commitment sparked a powerful collaboration with Calgary-based material science company NanoTess in 2023 to participate in a provincial evaluation of NanoSALV Catalytic Advanced Wound Care Treatment Matrix, a next-generation wound-healing technology.  

The pilot took place at the Carewest Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre, a uniquely specialized site in Calgary that cares for patients with complex medical needs. With over 180 beds, many residents rely on ventilators, dialysis, or have mobility limitations—conditions that often result in chronic wounds such as pressure injuries.  

This made the Fanning Centre an ideal environment to test NanoSALV, which is designed to accelerate healing and improve quality of life. Staff were eager to explore solutions that could improve healing and enhance resident comfort.  

“It’s not just about the cost of a tube,” said Shelley Bannister, Director of Operations. “It’s about improving residents’ quality of life and reducing the labour and supply costs of frequent dressing changes.”  

Early results were compelling. Wounds that had stalled began to heal. Encouraged by the outcomes, Carewest scaled the product across all sites, with support from NanoTess and internal champions like Carol Baumgarten, Director of Quality and Performance.  

Working closely with NanoTess, the team designed a four-week rollout that became a model for collaborative innovation.  

“NanoTess wasn’t just a vendor; they were a partner,” said Baumgarten. “They worked with our educators, answered staff questions in real time, and adapted their education materials to our frontline needs.”  

A standout feature of the rollout was the use of visibility walls—information hubs on each unit that guided staff through the ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, Reinforcement) model. Through posters, huddles, and practical tips, staff thoroughly learned when and how to use the product effectively.  

“The ‘aha’ moment came when people realized they could start using NanoSALV when skin was just pink,” said Baumgarten.  

Initially locked away due to perceived cost concerns, the value of NanoSALV was quickly realized and is now stocked on every wound cart and used in 90% of wound cases at the Fanning Centre. Some staff have even begun purchasing it for their families, a sign of growing trust and confidence.  

“Carewest helped shape how we support care teams,” said Megan Leslie, CEO of NanoTess. “You can see their influence in what we do today, and I think that’s something really special.”  

With Accreditation Canada standards shifting from pressure injury prevention to skin health optimization, Carewest is already ahead of the curve. NanoSALV’s catalytic technology supports both their internal wound strategy and skin health optimization aligning to broader accreditation goals.  

In just 18 months, Carewest and NanoTess transformed a promising clinical trial into a meaningful system-wide improvement, sharing the data and outcomes so other long term care organizations can adopt innovative solutions faster. The journey is far from over, but the early stages prove what’s possible when innovation meets collaboration.

Stay tuned for part two, where we’ll explore the real-world impact on patients and staff.

About NanoTess
NanoTess Inc., an Alberta-based company, offers the Health Canada–approved NanoSALV Catalytic Advanced Wound Care Treatment Matrix, an innovative solution for treating acute to chronic wounds as well as skin health across the full continuum of care.

Interested in bringing NanoSALV to your organization? This next-generation wound care solution is available through HealthPRO Canada’s Innovation Accelerator Program—with a pre-negotiated price that enables you to trial it today. Contact our Innovation Solutions Advisor, Brenda Brugos, at bbrugos@healthprocanada.com to learn more.