Improvement Initiatives

Improvement initiatives across the Island Health region are aligned to the organizational priorities plan and the broader strategic framework *Island Health login required*. Recognizing the importance of the medical staff voice and perspective, medical staff at Island Health are encouraged to participate in quality improvement, engagement, and research activities both in partnership with the Health Authority and through their Medical Staff Associations, Divisions of Family Practice and Doctors of BC.

Introducing the Medical Staff Quality Improvement Team

The Medical Staff Quality and Improvement (MSQI) team are dedicated to supporting Island Health organizational priorities through engaging medical staff in improvement initiatives island-wide.  The MSQI team is here to enhance medical staff motivation and capacity to contribute to data-driven, measurable system-level improvements through:

  • Supporting organizational priorities
  • Development of system improvement initiatives to support evidence-based care
  • Facilitation of initiatives to increase physician capacity

Sustainability is a key goal for all MSQI supported work. MSQI has the expertise and access to resources to help Island Health teams achieve, expand, and demonstrate sustained system change while building physician knowledge about Island Health structures and how they work.

MSQI are well connected with external funding partners. This page highlights some of the external funding opportunities available through the Shared Care Committee and the Specialist Services Committee that promote quality improvement. Dr. Adele Harrison is the Island Health representative for both the Shared Care Committee and the Specialist Services Committee.

To learn more about how to navigate additional funding opportunities through the Joint Collaborative Committees (JCCs) we recommend you visit the Resources for External Funding Opportunities page.

Expand the headings below to learn more about funding opportunities that support Medical Quality at Island Health.

    What is the Shared Care Committee

    The Shared Care Committee engages and supports family and specialist physicians to co-lead and collaborate with nursing and allied health care providers, patients, and health system partners on quality improvement projects to improve care.

    Project selection decisions are at the Shared-Care level. Click here to learn more about Shared Care Project Funding Guidelines or contact funding liaison, David Hebb (dhebb@doctorsofbc.ca), to develop an expression of interest for funding.

    What is the Specialist Services Committee?

    SPECIALIST SERVICES COMMITTEE (SSC) improves patient care by engaging physicians to collaborate, lead quality improvement and deliver quality services with SSC supports and incentives. SSC is one of four joint collaborative committees of Doctors of BC and the BC government and includes regular representation from health authorities.

    ssc-initiatives.PNG

    Learn more about the 9 funding initiatives supported by SSC, including the Surgical Patient Optimization Collaborative, by visiting their website or by clicking here to read their brochure

    Health System Redesign Initiative

    Health System Redesign (HSR) funding facilitates physician engagement and collaboration in the redesign and/or quality improvement of health services provided by Island Health. The goal of HSR funding is to enable and ensure that physicians have the opportunity to participate in planning, decision making and implementation of new or revised health services in a manner that contributes to alignment across the health system. 

    Intake is ongoing throughout the year, and funding decisions are made quarterly. For additional details contact Deborah.Bartley@IslandHealth.ca

    Facility Engagement

    Facility Engagement  is a BC-wide initiative of the Specialist Services Committee that supports meaningful consultation and collaboration among facility-based medical staff and health authorities. It is strengthening communication and relationships, and creating effective processes for working together on shared priorities that improve patient care and the work environment. A few examples of shared priorities include:

    • Leading clinical improvement projects across departments/interdisciplinary teams
    • Working on hospital-wide priorities like access and flow, culturally safe care, hospital redevelopment
    • Supporting recruitment & retention
    • Supporting regional priorities like medical staff engagement in EHR implementation in facilities, planetary health, patient transport
    • Addressing medical staff wellness and burnout

    Funding decisions are made by each local Medical Staff Association.

    Physician Quality Improvement

    Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) is a professional development and education program for Community or Facility-based Medical Staff who want to enhance their quality improvement capacity, build connections with colleagues, and create a continuous improvement culture to transform our local health system. 

    Click here to learn more about PQI at Island Health or contact PQI@islandhealth.ca.
    Click here for an overview on the Physician Quality Improvement Initiative from the SSC Website.

    Are you a medical staff member interested in quality improvement? We encourage you to explore our medical staff website Medical Quality content to learn more about ongoing initiatives or opportunities for involvement.

    Clickhere

    Want to learn more about how SSC and Shared Care funding transforms healthcare and supports physicians?

    The Wrap – SSC Meeting Summaries
    Key highlights from SSC meetings to share out on the activities and actions of the SSC

    SSC Focus
    A quarterly newsletter highlighting BC specialists and how SSC is supporting their work

    Shared Care News
    Newsletters highlighting Shared Care initiatives mentioned in media and publications

    Clickhere

    Medical Quality

    Explore Medical Quality initiatives at Island Health