Using patient safety data to drive quality improvement
When we first launched BC PSLS Publications in 2013, we were curious to see how healthcare leaders and staff would use these reports to improve patient safety in their organizations. As we’ve evolved our analytics platform, we’re impressed by those around the...
Keeping patients safe during a colonoscopy
A colonoscopy is a medical procedure used to screen for colon cancer. It’s recommended for people with a personal history of colon polyps (benign growths that can turn into cancer), a family history of colon cancer, or a positive Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)....
Staff contest acknowledges patient safety champions at VCH!
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) held its first contest to raise awareness among staff about the critical role of sharing lessons learned from patient safety events, near misses and hazards reported in SLS (VCH’s version of BC PSLS). "The Most Helpful SLS Contest"...
An interview with Victoria Schmid, Executive Director, Quality and Safety, Island Health
Victoria Schmid joined Island Health as Quality and Safety Director in September 2015 after five years in a similar role with the Saskatoon Health Region in Saskatchewan. We met in her office at Royal Jubilee Hospital where she shared her views on IHealth and how the...
Putting an end to violence in healthcare
A nurse working in one of Fraser Health’s Emergency Departments was violently assaulted by a patient last year. The assault left the nurse physically and emotionally harmed and, like other healthcare workers who have experienced similar incidents, return to work is...
Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A potentially fatal condition for surgical patients
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is when a person experiences repeated episodes of complete or partial blockage of the upper airway during sleep. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, OSA is a common condition that affects over one in four Canadians (26%)....