Clinical Research

QCPU opened its clinic doors in 2019 as an official KHSC Satellite and typically the clinic performs 8 echocardiograms (ECHO) per day.  However, due to the pandemic the clinic was closed for a portion of the year due to public safety concerns and the cancellation of non-emergency procedures. While this cancellation was necessary as our understanding of COVID-19 expanded and as wait times for ECHO significantly increased in the Kingston and surrounding area, our clinic was able to safely return to operation in July. The clinic is home to 1 full time receptionist and 2 sonographers; and all clinical images are linked and stored on the Xclera server at KHSC. Since mid-summer of 2019, the QCPU clinic became the site for central booking for all local ECHOs. In 2020 we saw clinical services expand into using contrast agents for ECHO, which again has had a positive impact on patient waitlists.  Once the pandemic is over, we are looking forward getting back on track and establishing several exciting research projects at our clinic. QCPU has a unique partnership with KHSC which allows 25% of the imaging capacity for use in clinical research studies. This partnership provides KHSC with a state-of-the-art imaging facility, and our researchers with access to the services of expert sonographers and ongoing maintenance of the equipment.