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HQCA's Quality Connection, Spring 2014.

HQCA Launches New Website

The HQCA was pleased to launch a redesigned website on May 27. With a new look and feel, the website offers a variety of resources for healthcare providers and Albertans. It also houses explicit HQCA information, such as studies and reviews, news, healthcare provider resources, and resources for Albertans. 

View the website at www.hqca.ca.  
 


HQC Health Clips

The Saskatchewan Health Quality Council (HQC) publishes a weekly newsletter focused on providing information about quality improvement in healthcare. Health Clips is sent via email with “must-read” information on, quality improvement in healthcare, health system performance, lean in healthcare, and patient safety.

Click here to view more information or to sign up.
 


Quality Quick Facts - Continuing Care

Continuing care in Alberta is an integrated range of services supporting the health and well-being of individuals living in their own homes, a supportive living environment, or a long-term care facility. 

The individuals can be of any age and have a vast range of different healthcare conditions.
 
There are two sets of standards that apply to continuing care in Alberta: Continuing Care Health Service Standards (CCHSS), and Accommodation Standards. For more info see page 21 of the HQCA's Review of Quality Assurance in Continuing Care Health Services in Alberta.


 

The HQCA's Continuing Care Reports

On June 5, 2014, the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) released two reports that address continuing care in Alberta.
 

Review of Alberta Health Services' Continuing Care Wait List: First Available Appropriate Living Option Policy

The first report was requested by Alberta Health Services (AHS) who asked that the HQCA conduct a review of the quality and patient safety implications of the AHS policy Continuing Care Waitlist: First Available Appropriate Living Option (FAALO). View the report here.

Review of  Quality Assurance in Continuing Care Health Services in Alberta

The second report was requested by the Minister of Health, who directed the HQCA to conduct a review that would examine the adequacy and monitoring of quality assurance and quality management processes of publicly funded continuing care services, including home care, supportive living, and long-term care, delivered directly by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and by providers under contract to AHS. View the report here.
 

Patient Safety & Quality Management Course

Registration for the 2014-2015 Certificate Course in Patient Safety & Quality Management opened June 2, 2014!

The Certificate Course in Patient Safety & Quality Management runs from September 2014 to March 2015 and is designed for healthcare professionals who want to expand their understanding of patient safety and quality concepts from experts in the field.

There is a maximum enrollment of 25 participants. For additional information visit the course website.


Momentum of Continuity of Patient Care Study

Released in December 2013, the HQCA’s Continuity of Patient Care Study examined continuity of patient care through the lens of a single patient, Greg Price. The study was triggered by Albertans’ co‐ordination of care rating in the HQCA’s patient experience survey. It identified that current processes in Alberta’s healthcare system for managing the complex dealings between referring physicians and specialists or clinics offering specialized healthcare services are variable and may not always be sufficiently reliable to ensure patients’ continuity of care.

The HQCA continues to support the uptake of the report’s recommendations by sharing the detailed findings and recommendations with key stakeholders.

For more information, click here.
 


Primary Care Measurement Initiative 

In March 2014, the HQCA released a new report, Primary Care Measurement Initiative. The HQCA set out to determine what could be learned about the impact of primary care networks on Alberta's health system. Five key findings were determined and can be found in the Primary Care Measurement Initiative report. 

Click here to view the report.
 

 

Events


Celebrating Safe Care

The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is preparing to celebrate its 10th birthday. Here are a few ways to join the celebration:
  1.  Register for Canadian Patient Safety week, which will take place October 27 - 31, 2014. Click here for more details and to register.
  2. Attend Canada’s Forum on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement in Edmonton, October 29 - 30.
The HQCA, along with Alberta Health Services, are partnering with CPSI for the pre-conference, Safe Transitions in Care, which will take place on October 28. Click here for more details.  

CPSI is a national not-for-profit organization focused on raising awareness and facilitating implementation of ideas and best practices to achieve a transformation in patient safety. More information on the organization can be found here.

 

New Faces


Jody Arndt joined the HQCA in March 2014 as the Population Measurement Lead. Jody brings to the HQCA experience in epidemiology and healthcare research from both primary care and mental health. She has a PhD in Psychology from the University of Calgary.
 

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