Choosing Wisely is an international initiative that seeks to promote dialogue on avoiding unnecessary medical tests, treatments, and procedures. In 2019, Island Health made a commitment to join the Becoming a Choosing Wisely Hospital campaign.
In April 2024 Island Health was recognized as a Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) Hospital at the Quality Improvement Status level. This achievement is in recognition of work by all medical, clinical and support staff across all sites at Island Health. The drive to participate in Choosing Wisely came initially from medical staff committed to improving the quality and safety of patient care. This recognition reflects Island Health’s commitment to increasing high value care by taking deliberate actions to reduce overuse of tests and treatments – we are committed to Choosing Wisely together.
Data Driven Improvement
In 2024, the Choosing Wisely Oversight Committee introduced the Choosing Wisely at Island Health Interactive Report to track progress on key initiatives across Island Health. This interactive report updates monthly and is available on the Report PORTAL for all medical staff and Island Health employees. *Island Health login required.*
We encourage you to visit the report and explore both Island Health-wide and site-specific data.
We’re also excited to share our first annual report, highlighting key initiatives, updates, and progress so far. You can find it on the Report PORTAL—we invite you to take a look! *Island Health login required.*
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Choosing Wisely at Island Health Interactive Report The Choosing Wisely Interactive Report is located |
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Choosing Wisely at Island Health Annual Report 2024 The Choosing Wisely at Island Health Annual Report is located on the ‘Quality Improvement’ section of the Report PORTAL under the heading |
The Choosing Wisely movement at Island Health continues to gain momentum through ongoing engagement with medical staff, including annual island-wide events and a strong commitment to quality improvement. Choosing Wisely aligns with Island Health’s vision to ‘Increase Value and Ensure Sustainability’ in healthcare.
With over 500 recommendations spanning numerous clinical specialties, Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) also offers valuable patient resources. A growing focus on climate change and planetary health highlights how reducing unnecessary tests, treatments, and procedures can help lower healthcare’s environmental impact.
On May 15, 2024, CWC released 40+ climate-conscious recommendations across 20+ specialties and the list of recommendations continues to grow. To learn more, visit the Choosing Wisely & Climate Action page on the CWC website or explore our project subpages to see how Choosing Wisely aligns with sustainable healthcare.
Opportunity continues to grow for medical staff to engage with Choosing Wisely at Island Health sites and in the community as we work together to reduce unnecessary variation in care. Email MedStaffQI@islandhealth.ca to find out how you can get involved today!
Click on the links below to see how Island Health Chooses Wisely as individuals and teams dedicated to quality patient care, including the three key quality improvement initiatives that contributed to our Quality Improvement Status as a CWC hospital.
Medical Staff and Program Led CWC projects including sustainability initiatives
Resources and Tools for Improvement
Are you looking to make changes in your area? Are you passionate about quality improvement? Expand the headings below to learn more about some resources available to you to expand your quality improvement toolbox.
Do you want to learn more? Visit the Improvement Initiatives page on the Medical Staff Website to learn about the Medical Staff Quality and Improvement (MSQI) team and how they support medical staff champions for change through building capacity and connecting medical staff with funding opportunities.
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Are you a medical staff member interested in Quality Improvement but are not sure where to start?
Visit the Physician Quality Improvement page to learn more about opportunities to get involved with PQI or email PQI@islandhealth.ca.
Interested in learning about QI at your own pace from a world-class institution? We offer free access for medical staff to the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Open School
Not sure where to start? We recommend Quality Improvement 101-103! Please contact pqi@islandhealth.ca for a complimentary registration code and to find out about opportunities for sessional payments for physicians
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Island Health Report PORTAL: Supporting Quality Improvement and the CW interactive Report
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Are you looking for data to support quality improvement work? Have you visited the Report PORTAL accessible through the Island Health intranet? This resource includes data related to different areas of focus including C.A.R.E. networks, the Island Health performance dashboard, organizational priorities, patient flow and more.
The material contained and linked in the Report PORTAL is for internal Island Health use, for work associated with understanding, monitoring, and improving the health system only. Use of this information for research is not permitted. For opportunities related to Research please contact Island Health Research & Capacity
To view measures related to Choosing Wisely including our Choosing Wisely at Island Health Interactive Report, the Annual Report or the Using Labs Wisely Comparative Reports:
- Login to the Report PORTAL using your Island Health Login: https://reports.viha.ca/
- Navigate to ‘Quality Improvement’ or bookmark the ‘Quality Improvement’ direct link for easy access.
3. View reports located under the heading ‘Medical Quality’.
Your Island Health Network login is required to access the site.
Choosing Wisely at Island Health Interactive Report
**Island Health login is required**The Choosing Wisely Interactive Report is located
on the ‘Quality Improvement’ section of the Report PORTAL under the headingData is updated monthly.
Please contact DataRequest@islandhealth.ca if you have any questions about Report PORTAL or to access specific reports.
Using the Report PORTAL you can also access The Provider Profile, a secure individually accessed report available to physicians and midwives who provide care at Island Health. The Provider Profile is intended to present providers with information about their patient population and core measures which are related to the dimensions of quality. Visit the Provider Profile page to learn more.
For the most up to date news on Choosing Wisely at Island Health, email MedStaffQI@islandhealth.ca.
Are you involved in work to implement Choosing Wisely recommendations and spread awareness in your area? Do you Choose Wisely as a provider and incorporate recommendations into your every day practice? Spread the word by emailing MedStaffQI@islandhealth.ca and have your efforts highlighted on the website or reach out to learn how you can be involved in Choosing Wisely at Island Health.