The use of acronyms and abbreviations is common in many areas, including healthcare. One acronym often found in written material and heard in conversations is QI. However, what does QI mean? Health Quality Ontario created the following video that highlights the key points of the QI – Quality Improvement – as it relates to healthcare. More specifically, what does QI mean in healthcare and why should we care about it? If you have not seen the video, you may wish to do so.
Category Archives: Health Care Team
Pts4Chg Fishbowl – Thanks and Themes
On October 17th, Patients 4 Change (Pts4Chg) hosted a Fishbowl event as part of Alberta Health Services’ Patient & Family Centred Care week. The fishbowl format was chosen as it encourages a genuine dialogue and conversation, rather than a panel-like, prepared presentation. Eight individuals volunteered to be fish in the bowl and were the key conversationalists for the event. Members of the audience “jumped” in and out of the bowl to ask questions and make comments.
Although fishbowls are typically held in person, the Pts4Chg fishbowl was held virtually. Unfortunately, technical problems that started in the morning and continued throughout the day saw our virtual fishbowl experiencing a few unexpected challenges. Nevertheless, despite the “rough waters” that were present, a very lively, open, and honest discussion ensued around the following questions:
1. What does partnering with patients and families look like to you?
2. How do you build rapport and grow relationships in health care that make for effective and equitable partnerships?
3. What are some of the current barriers to partnership? How could these barriers be removed or minimized?
Click here to find out what themes arose from the Pts4Chg fishbowl. (Thanks, Sandi, for helping to create this document.)
Based on the feedback received, the Pts4Chg fishbowl was a very successful and worthwhile event. This, however, would not have been possible without an active audience, and our amazing school of fish – Debbie, Mike, Aaron, Sandi, Philip, Terry, Jane and Kristina. Thanks so much!
Richard and Tracy
Patient First?
“Patient first” is a term that is often used in the health-care sector. However, are we first and foremost patients? Is that how we see ourselves?
According to Dr. Jordan Asher, he sees his patients differently. To him, he sees them as people first. “[I]n order for you to have a better health status, which includes healthcare, I need to think about you as a human being…We don’t look at people as diabetics; we look at them as people that have a bunch of life issues that happen to have diabetes.” How does this philosophy influence the manner in which Dr. Asher works with his patients? Click here to find out.
Ask a Question
Did you know that more than 100,000 Canadians are unintentionally harmed during hospital stays in 2014-2015? Unfortunately, some of these incidents result in permanent damage or even death. To help increase patient safety, the Canadian Patient Safety Institute has initiated a campaign called the “Questions Save Lives Campaign.” What question would you ask your doctor to make your health care safer?
Click here to find out more about the campaign and how you can get involved.
A Doctor’s Stance
There is much discussion occurring in Canada and elsewhere around the issue of assisted dying. Not surprisingly, oft times, the conversation becomes a religious debate.
In a recent article found in the Globe and Mail, Jonathan Reggler, a general physician who makes daily patient visits to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Comox, B.C., took a stand against the hospital’s assisted-dying policy. While it is true that Catholic hospitals across the country are transferring patients who request assisted suicide to facilities where this can occur, the process can involve a great deal of emotional, mental and physical pain to the patient and his/her family. With such suffering being inflicted on the patient and the fact that the service requested is being carried out elsewhere, the question being asked is: Should faith-based hospitals should receive public funding? As Daphne Gilbert, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, states, “The Catholic hospitals have put themselves in a tricky position.” Click here to read the full article.
Tips for Patient Engagement
The term “patient engagement” is one that is frequently stated and bantered about. However, what does it really mean? Why is such engagement important? How can patient engagement be fostered and promoted, so it becomes more than a theoretical idea or ideology and something that is real and realized?
According to Dr. Anhalt, an individual who treats pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes and chief medical officer for T1D Exchange, patient engagement is critical. Among other things, it sees patients becoming engaged in their own care, resulting in living healthier lives and experiencing better outcomes. Based on this understanding, Dr. Anhalt discusses tips for successful patient engagement. They include: educating patient and families, encouraging patients to engage in their health outside of a doctor’s office and using all patient interactions as opportunities for learning. To read the full article, click here.
Low Morale and Patient Care
Does liking one’s job affect an individual’s sense of job satisfaction and morale? In particular, what is the relationship between liking one’s job, job satisfaction and morale for healthcare providers? What effect do these factors have on patient care?
Click here to read an online article that explores these and other related questions.
“We Are Detectives” – Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics in LTC
In 2013, Alberta Health Services (AHS) funded a pilot project that focused on the use of antipsychotics in long-term care facilities. Starting with 11 early-adopter sites, the Appropriate Use of Antipsychotics in Long-Term Care Project has now been implemented in all of the 170 long-term sites across the province. The results have been very positive for all involved – residents, families, and staff. Click here to explore the AUA Toolkit, where you can find news and resources relating to the AUA project.
Quality Summit 2016
What are you doing on Oct-24-25? Why not attend the 2nd annual Quality SUMMIT-INSPIRE ACTION TOGETHER.
Date: October 24-25th
Time: Oct 24- 7:30 a.m. (registration) – 4:00 p.m.
Oct 25- 7:00 a.m. (registration) – 4:30 p.m.
Place: MacEwan Conference and Event Centre; University of Calgary; Calgary, Alberta
This event will see patients and healthcare providers coming together to:
* Inspire each other to change and improve our healthcare system
* Create a connection point for us to take action on our good ideas
* Together solve the problems and plan for the future
This conference is open to AHS and non-AHS staff, nurses, clinicians, allied health staff, patient and family advisors, administrators, quality and other health care providers. Registration begins today and space is limited.
Click on the following link and you will be taken to the registration page.
http://www.cvent.com/events/quality-summit-2016/event-summary-bc9d45c1dffb4462b38697e7102b9b35.aspx
Nadeen’s Story
A member of our Pts4Chg community shared this video on Twitter. If you have not yet seen it, you may wish to take a few minutes to do so now.
Thank you, Nadeen, for sharing your story.
