What’s new in safe, high quality patient care initiatives: the BC winners

Just like last year, which I wrote about here,  I once again helped judge entries for the BC Patient Safety and Quality Council awards. Now in its fourth year, the program is a fine way to reward, and draw attention to, health professionals who are changing the way they provide care, making it not only better, but safer for all.

Their efforts should encourage others. All of the submissions – winners or not – can be a template for others to copy.

One of my personal favourites is a program at St. Paul’s Hospital where a team sought to end a bad medical habit. I was shocked to learn that doctors in hospital intensive care units have always had a convention of ordering daily chest x-rays for all patients, whether they really need the tests or not. A team there decided to study the risks and benefits. Read full story here.