scholarly journals Applying improvement science to establish a resident sustained quality improvement (QI) educational model

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. e001067
Author(s):  
Caitlyn Collins ◽  
Pamela Mathura ◽  
Shannon Ip ◽  
Narmin Kassam ◽  
Anca Tapardel
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Educational Model ◽  
Improvement Science ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Pdsa Cycle ◽  
One Year ◽  
The University ◽  
Previous Training

BackgroundPrior to 2017, internal medicine (IM) residents at the University of Alberta did not have a standardised quality improvement (QI) educational curriculum. Our goal was to use QI principles to develop a resident sustained curriculum using the Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ) training course.MethodsThree one-year Plan–Do–Study–Act (PDSA) cycles were conducted. The EPIQ course was delivered to postgraduate year (PGY) 1–3 residents (n=110, PDSA 1) in 2017, PGY-1 residents (n=27, PDSA 2) in 2018 and PGY-1 residents (n=28, PDSA 3) in 2019. Trained residents were recruited as facilitators for PDSA 2 and 3. Residents worked through potential QI projects that were later presented for evaluation. Precourse and postcourse surveys and tests were conducted to assess knowledge acquisition and curriculum satisfaction. Process, outcome and balancing measures were also evaluated.ResultsIn PDSA 1, 98% felt they had acquired understanding of QI principles (56% increase), 94% of PGY-2 and PGY-3 residents preferred this QI curriculum compared with previous training, and 65% of residents expressed interest in pursuing a QI project (15% increase). In PDSA 2, tests scores of QI principles improved from 77.6% to 80%, and 40% of residents expressed interest in becoming a course facilitator. In PDSA 3, self-rated confidence with QI methodology improved from 53% to 75%. A total of 165 residents completed EPIQ training and 11 residents became course facilitators.ConclusionsHaving a structured QI curriculum and working through practical QI projects provided valuable QI training for residents. Feedback was positive, and with each PDSA cycle there was increased resident interest in QI. Developing this curriculum using validated QI tools highlighted areas of change opportunity thereby enhancing acceptance. As more cycles of EPIQ are delivered and more residents become facilitators, it is our aim to have this curriculum sustained by future residents.

Centres for Health Evidence Demonstration Project

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracy Stewart ◽  
Denise Koufogiannakis ◽  
Robert S.A. Hayward ◽  
Ellen Crumley ◽  
Michael E. Moffatt
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Based Practice ◽  
Demonstration Project ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Opportunities ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Information Usage ◽  
University Of Manitoba ◽  
The University ◽  
Hospital Wards ◽  
Support Evidence

This paper will report on the establishment of the Centres for Health Evidence (CHE) Demonstration Project in both Edmonton at the University of Alberta and in Winnipeg at the University of Manitoba. The CHE Project brings together a variety of partners to support evidence-based practice using Internet-based desktops on hospital wards. There is a discussion of the CHE's cultural and political experiences. An overview of the research opportunities emanating from the CHE Project is presented as well as some early observations about information usage.

Clinical quality improvement project: finding a repeatable approach for improving STAT lab testing

2003 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Lynette Lutes ◽  
Sarvesh Logsetty ◽  
Jan McGuinness ◽  
Joan M. Carlson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Clinical Quality ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Improved Performance ◽  
The University ◽  
Culture Of Quality ◽  
Quality Process ◽  
Clinical Quality Improvement

Explores the development of a clinical quality improvement pilot project at the University of Alberta Hospital and Stollery Children’s Hospital which aimed to establish a team of individuals that could disseminate a culture of quality improvement and develop a framework for a quality process that could be replicated and repeated. Outcomes of the clinical pilot project included improved performance as well as opportunities to learn some key lessons around team membership and involvement.

The effect of palliative care consults on deprescribing in palliative cancer patients.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 92-92
Author(s):  
Helen Marin ◽  
Patrick Mayo ◽  
Deonne Dersch-Mills ◽  
Spencer Ling ◽  
Vincent Thai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Potentially Inappropriate Medications ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Drug Risk ◽  
One Year ◽  
The University

92 Background: The transition from active cancer treatment to palliative care often results in a shift in drug risk-benefit assessment which requires the deprescribing of various medications. In addition, a change in patients’ goals of care (GOC) necessitates the alteration of drug therapy which includes both deprescribing and the addition of medications intended to improve quality of life. Depending on a patient’s GOC, a medication can be considered as inappropriate. Methods: The study was a one year retrospective database review and included cancer patients seen by the PCC team at the University of Alberta Hospital. Primary Objective: Comparison between potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) prior to the palliative care consult (PCC) versus after the PCC. Secondary objective: Association between PIMs and GOC. The OncPal guidelines were used to identify and determine the number of PIMs prior to the PCC and after the PCC. Results: The reduction in PIMs prior to PCC versus after the PCC was 49% and was statistically significant (p < 0.001), demonstrating the PCC has a positive significant impact on deprescribing PIMs. For our secondary outcome, an overall decrease in PIMs was observed with the changes of GOC. This decrease in PIMs associated with GOC although not statistically significant, demonstrates that one of the benefits of a PCC is the GOC conversation. Conclusions: Deprescribing in palliative cancer patients can benefit patients by reducing their pill burden, decrease potentially side effects, and potentially decrease healthcare costs. This study shows the positive impact a PCC has on deprescribing and reassessing GOC. Furthermore, this study reveals the importance of using guidelines for deprescribing in palliative oncology and brings to light other medications that may be considered PIMs.

One Year in Coal Harbour by P. Horvath

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathy Inglis
Keyword(s):  
Foster Children ◽  
Comfort Zone ◽  
Learning Program ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
South Park ◽  
Young Readers ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
One Year ◽  
Distance Learning Program ◽  
The University

Horvath, Polly. One Year in Coal Harbour. Toronto: Groundwood Books, 2012. Print. In this sequel to the multiple award winning, Everything on a Waffle, Horvath’s signature quirky humour and insights into human nature emerge once more as we follow 12-year-old Primrose Squarp’s attempts at matchmaking, at finding a best friend, and at generally trying to make life turn out right. The lovable Evie and Bert, who took Primrose in when her parents were lost at sea, sensible Uncle Jack, the entrepreneur who returned to Coal Harbour to look after Primrose, and fiercely independent Miss Bowzer, Primrose’s confidant and owner of The Girl on the Red Swing where everything is served on a waffle, return from the first book to help Primrose navigate life as a ‘tween’ in Coal Harbour.  In one year, Primrose learns about defending what she cares about, letting people make their own choices, and accepting the flaws in herself as well as others.  Primrose faces some hard lessons but readers will be glad to know that everything turns out, if not perfectly, then as it should, in the end. Horvath broaches issues related to foster children, unfit parents, environmental protests, relationships, and grieving, with honesty and empathy, showing real respect for her young readers’ ability to understand the nuances of these situations. Her characters embody the quirkiness and wisdom of small town life, making them even more believable. Each chapter begins with “What Happened...” or “What Didn’t Happen...” leading the reader along through the traumatic events of Primrose’s year in Coal Harbour, and ends with a recipe Primrose collects for the local cookbook she is writing bringing the tale back to the comfort zone of mundane details.  With this marvelous glimpse of the world from the eyes of a 12-year-old girl, peppered with high hopes, frustration, insight and humour, Horvath has done it again. She has left me wanting more. Highly recommended: 4 out of 4 stars Reviewer: Kathy Inglis Kathy Inglis is a teacher-librarian and kindergarten teacher at South Park Family School in Victoria, BC and a Masters student in the Teacher-Librarianship through Distance Learning Program at the University of Alberta. Her favourite part of the job is seeing the excited look on the faces of students who have found that perfect book.

Evidence-based Quality Improvement in University Language Didactics

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-185
Author(s):  
Daniela Unger-Ullmann
Keyword(s):  
Quality Assurance ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Language Teaching ◽  
Supply And Demand ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Research Strategies ◽  
Teaching And Research ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The University ◽  
Young Researchers

Abstract This report describes the opportunities, challenges and limits of evidence-based quality improvement in university language teaching. Using treffpunkt sprachen – Centre for Language, Plurilingualism and Didactics at the University of Graz as an example, it provides a brief explanation of the centre and then presents the prioritization of content in teaching and research. In the process, it is necessary to investigate the supply and demand for courses and to use statistics as evidence. In addition, research strategies to promote young researchers are presented whose realization documents the development of the language centre into a centre of research on university didactics. Next, an analysis is made of effective quality assurance measures that are able to be determined in the purposeful application of research findings. Finally, opportunities and potentials in teaching and research are scrutinized and their positive implications for the centre are explained.

scholarly journals An Academic Research Coach: An Innovative Approach to Increasing Scholarly Productivity in Medicine

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 457-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christy M McKinney ◽  
Somnath Mookherjee ◽  
Stephen D Fihn ◽  
Thomas H Gallagher
Keyword(s):  
Internal Medicine ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Health Services ◽  
General Internal Medicine ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Scholarly Work ◽  
Faculty Development Program ◽  
General Internal ◽  
The University

BACKGROUND: Academic faculty who devote most of their time to clinical work often struggle to engage in meaningful scholarly work. They may be disadvantaged by limited research training and limited time. Simply providing senior mentors and biostatistical support has limited effectiveness. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to increase productivity in scholarly work of hospitalists and internal medicine physicians by integrating an Academic Research Coach into a robust faculty development program. DESIGN: This was a pre-post quality improvement evaluation. SETTING: This was conducted at the University of Washington in faculty across three academic-affiliated hospitals and 10 academic-affiliated clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were hospitalists and internists on faculty in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Washington. INTERVENTION: The coach was a 0.50 full time equivalent health services researcher with strong research methods, project implementation, and interpersonal skills. The coach consulted on research, quality improvement, and other scholarship. MEASUREMENTS: We assessed the number of faculty supported, types of services provided, and numbers of grants, papers, and abstracts submitted and accepted. RESULTS: The coach consulted with 49 general internal medicine faculty including 30 hospitalists who conducted 63 projects. The coach supported 13 publications, 11 abstracts, four grant submissions, and seven manuscript reviews. Forty-eight faculty in other departments benefited as co-authors. CONCLUSION: Employing a dedicated health services researcher as part of a faculty development program is an effective way to engage clinically oriented faculty in meaningful scholarship. Key aspects of the program included an accessible and knowledgeable coach and an ongoing marketing strategy.

Parata hard red spring wheat

2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 517-524
Author(s):  
D. Spaner ◽  
M. Iqbal ◽  
A. Navabi ◽  
K. Strenzke ◽  
B. Beres
Keyword(s):  
Spring Wheat ◽  
Seed Mass ◽  
Lodging Resistance ◽  
Hard Red Spring Wheat ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Flour Yield ◽  
End Use ◽  
One Year ◽  
The University ◽  
Better Than

Parata is a hard red spring wheat developed at the University of Alberta. In three years of testing in the Parkland Cooperative Registration Test, Parata was higher yielding (P < 0.05) than AC Splendor (5.9 %) and CDC Teal (4.1 %) but similar to CDC Osler and AAC Connery. Parata matured earlier than CDC Teal, CDC Osler and AAC Connery and 1.6 days later than AC Splendor. Parata was shorter than all checks except AAC Connery and exhibited lodging resistance better than AC Splendor and CDC Osler. Test weight of Parata was greater than all checks by at least 1 kg hL−1, while seed mass was within the range of the check cultivars. Parata was rated resistant to the prevalent races of stem and stripe rust in three years of testing. It was rated R/MR in two years and MS in one year for leaf rust; and was I in two years and S in one year for common bunt. The FHB disease indices for Parata ranged from MS (1 rating) to MR in six station years. Three years of end-use quality evaluation has indicated that Parata is acceptable for the CWRS class, with improvements especially in flour yield and flour ash.

scholarly journals Implementation of a fee-based service model to university-affiliated researchers at the University of Alberta

2019 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice Yu Chen Kung ◽  
Thane Chambers
Keyword(s):  
Research Impact ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Literature Searching ◽  
Service Model ◽  
Research Support ◽  
University Of Alberta ◽  
Specialized Services ◽  
One Year ◽  
The University

Background: There is growing demand for specialized services in academic libraries, including supporting systematic reviews and measuring research impact.Study Purpose: The John W. Scott Health Sciences Library implemented a fee-based pilot project for the Faculty of Nursing for one year to test a fee-based model for specialized services, to evaluate its sustainability and scalability for the longer term, and to assess the feasibility of extending this service model to other health sciences faculties.Case Presentation: The authors describe the development and delivery of the fee-based service model. Through a team-based approach, we successfully provided specialized services including mediated literature searching, research support, and research impact analyses to the Faculty of Nursing.Discussion: Despite some challenges in developing and implementing the fee-based service model, our pilot project demonstrated demand for fee-based specialized services in the health sciences and suggests potential for this unique service model to continue and expand.

Results from a Quality Improvement Project to Decrease Infection-Related Ventilator Events in Trauma Patients at a Community Teaching Hospital

2018 ◽  
Vol 84 (10) ◽  
pp. 1701-1704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanya Anand ◽  
Santa Ponce ◽  
Andrea Pakula ◽  
Cindy Norville ◽  
David Kallish ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Injury Severity ◽  
Quality Improvement Project ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Trauma Patients ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Dramatic Decline ◽  
One Year ◽  
Evidence Based Care

Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is linked to increased morbidity and mortality and clinical protocols (VAP bundles) have evolved to minimize VAP. In 2009, a quality improvement project was implemented at our institution to decrease VAP rates in adult trauma patients. AVAP prevention committee was developed, and formal evidence-based education for the nursing and physician staff was introduced. During the study period (2009–2016), 2380 patients required ICU admission to our Level II trauma center. The mean Injury Severity Score was 33 1 12, and there were 17 per cent penetrating and 83 per cent blunt injuries. The early compliance (2010) with the VAP bundle was 65 per cent. Within one year of the implementation of VAP prevention, the compliance increased to >90 per cent. Compliance has been carefully trended and has remained at 100 per cent. All of the aforementioned interventions have resulted in a sustained dramatic decline in VAP, from 12 per cent in 2009 to 0 per cent in 2016. Ongoing education and ICU policy development has become the mainstay of our trauma ICU program. The introduction of evidence-based care education imparted a culture of excellence resulting in favorable outcomes in high-risk trauma patients related to VAP prevention. Ongoing monitoring and education is required to sustain these promising outcomes.

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