New provincial framework aimed at improving patient safety in Alberta

CALGARY, Sept. 20 /CNW/ - A new provincial framework released today will guide, direct and support continuous and measureable improvement of patient safety for Albertans. The purpose of the framework is to develop and advance patient safety strategies in Alberta's health care system with the goal of creating a safer system.

"Reaching consensus on an issue as fundamental and complex as patient safety required tremendous effort, so I congratulate everyone involved in the framework's development on this significant achievement," said Alberta Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky. "Albertans deserve a safe and effective health care system that they can rely on, and I am confident this framework and its partners will achieve that goal."

One of six significant outcomes from the framework is the establishment of a Patient/Family Safety Advisory Panel. Under the jurisdiction and guidance of the Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA), the advisory panel will leverage the experiences and perspectives of patients and their families to improve and promote patient safety in Alberta's health system.

In addition to the Patient/Family Safety Advisory Panel, there are five other strategic initiatives in the framework that will:

• implement a provincial adverse event reporting and learning system;
• establish a provincial patient safety network;
• implement a model of patient safety management;
• have organizations develop and implement operational policies on a just and trusting culture, reporting and learning from adverse events, informing and disclosure;
• build knowledge capacity to support patient safety.

"The Patient Safety Framework for Albertans is a commitment to the citizens of Alberta and I want to commend Minister Zwozdesky for supporting a safer health care system that partners with patients and their families," said HQCA Chief Executive Officer Dr. John Cowell. "This framework commits all the organizations and people involved in its development to new ways of improving patient safety and will act as an accelerant to the many good things already happening in Alberta in this area."

The Patient Safety Framework for Albertans was created under the leadership of the HQCA in collaboration with Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta Health Services, the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, the Alberta College of Pharmacists, the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, the Alberta Medical Association and a member of the public.

As an independent organization legislated under the Regional Health Authorities Act, the Health Quality Council of Alberta gathers and analyzes information and collaborates with Alberta Health Services, Alberta Health and Wellness, health professions and other stakeholders to translate that knowledge into practical improvements to health service quality and patient safety in the health care system.

The Patient Safety Framework for Albertans is available at www.hqca.ca.

Backgrounder
Patient Safety Framework for Albertans
September 20, 2010

The Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) has a legislated mandate to promote and improve patient safety and health service quality on a provincewide basis.

This is being achieved in collaboration with Alberta Health Services, the regulated health professions, government, academia and the public.

The Patient Safety Framework for Albertans is a step forward in improving patient safety in the province. It is a foundational document developed to guide, direct and support continuous and measurable improvement of patient safety in the province.

The framework outlines key principles and building blocks and identifies strategic initiatives for organizations and health care providers that will facilitate and support an environment where the safest possible care can be given. 

The framework is built on earlier work initiated by Alberta Health and Wellness. In 2009, the HQCA was asked to lead the final process to complete the framework. The HQCA previously led development of two other provincial frameworks—disclosure of harm to patients and families in 2006 and patient concerns/complaints resolution in 2007.

Developing the most recent framework was a collaborative and consultative effort that included involvement from Alberta Health and Wellness, Alberta Health Services, the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Alberta, the Alberta College of Pharmacists, the College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta, the Alberta Medical Association and a member of the public.

The framework was completed and presented to Alberta Health and Wellness. The Minister of Alberta Health and Wellness approved the framework in June 2010.

Following are the key principles of the framework that organizations and health care providers should consider when developing operational policies and procedures and reviewing performance:

1. Patients are the primary focus.
2. Organizations create a patient safety culture.
3. Information about adverse events is shared in a transparent manner.
4. A systems approach is required to understand and address the complexity of factors that contribute to error.
5. A continuous improvement approach strengthens an organization's ability to use new knowledge to make informed patient safety improvements.

To enable organizations and individual health care providers to act upon these principles, the framework is based upon the following building blocks:

1. Governance and leadership
• Support structures and systems for patient safety.
• Demonstrate patient safety is a top priority.
• Build a patient safety culture.
2. Safety management
• Share information about patient safety.
• Develop a safety management plan.
3. People and teams
• Access to information
• Collaboratively monitor compliance to standards
4. Environment and equipment appropriately designed to support safe care
5. Active patient engagement

A significant outcome from the framework is the establishment of a Patient/Family Safety Advisory Panel under the HQCA's jurisdiction and guidance. The advisory panel will leverage the experiences and perspectives of patients and their families to improve and promote patient safety in Alberta's health system.

In addition to the Patient/Family Safety Advisory Panel, the framework identifies five other strategic initiatives as priorities for action. They are:

1. Implement a provincial adverse event reporting and learning system.
2. Establish a provincial patient safety network.
3. Implement a model of safety management.
4. Organizations will develop and implement operational policies on a just and trusting culture, reporting and learning from adverse events, informing and disclosure.
5. Build knowledge capacity to support patient safety.

With the Patient Safety Framework for Albertans in place, there is a tremendous opportunity for the regulated health professions, Alberta Health Services and the government to strengthen Alberta's patient safety infrastructure and facilitate and support an environment where the safest possible care can be delivered.

The HQCA is an independent organization legislated under the Regional Health Authorities Act. For more information, please visit our website at www.hqca.ca.

For further information:

Pam Brandt, Communications Lead
403.297.4091 Cell 403.850.5067