Patient Safety in Primary Care
The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) and the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council (BCPSQC) have jointly identified the need to better understand the patient safety issues unique to primary care in Canada. A research team was commissioned in January 2010 to conduct a study of the current patient safety environment in the primary care setting. They are working with the Pan-Canadian Advisory Group to conduct a literature review, stakeholder interviews draft a manuscript on their findings. The resulting research paper will be submitted to an academic journal upon completion.
A roundtable discussion will be held in Toronto May 10, 2010 to provide primary care stakeholders with an opportunity to exchange knowledge and share their perspectives on the Canadian patient safety agenda in primary care. The roundtable discussion will help to inform the research team as they develop the Patient Safety in Primary Care Background Research Paper.
Key objectives of this event are:
- to engage stakeholders and raise awareness about patient safety in primary care across Canada;
- Identify priority issues and actions for patient safety in primary care;
- Begin the process of identifying promising practices, tools, programs, and initiatives; and
- Identify next steps to supporting improved patient safety in primary care including potential barriers and opportunities and identification of champions, leaders, and key organizations.
If you would like more information on the Patient Safety in Primary Care Roundtable Discussion, please contact Kerianne Poulsen at 604-668-8210 or kpoulsen@bcpsqc.ca.
Patient Safety in Primary Care Background Research Paper
Safety is fundamental to healthcare quality, and there is a need for more evidence on the nature of patient safety issues in all health care sectors and settings to guide effective approaches to improving patient safety and the quality of health care in Canada. As identified in the pivotal Canadian Adverse Events Study approximately 7.5% of acute care hospital patients experienced at least one adverse event while in hospital. While there is increasing evidence on patient safety in hospital or acute care settings, less is known about the safety of healthcare services in the community, particularly within primary care services. In April 2009, CPSI and BCPSQC discussed the perceived current gaps in research and knowledge transfer priorities for patient safety in the primary care sector and agreed to partner to explore and address the need for new knowledge in this field through a coordinated and collaborative approach.
A Pan-Canadian Patient Safety in Primary Care Advisory Group was established by CPSI and BCPSQC and is mandated to oversee the development of the Patient Safety in Primary Care Background Research Paper, including the planning of and participation in the Patient Safety in Primary Care invitational Roundtable Event (to be held May 10, 2010, Toronto, ON,). This Advisory Group consists of invited researchers, decision-makers, and leading experts in the fields of primary care and/or patient safety, as well as staff representatives from the BCPSQC and CPSI.
To locate a research team to assist with the project a Request for Applications was issued in October 2009. For more information on the Request for Applications (RFA) please visit CPSI's website or download the pdf (pdf-306Kb). In January 2010 the successful candidate was announced: the Institute of Health Economics (IHE). The IHE research team is now conducting a literature review, interviewing stakeholders and working with the Pan-Canadian Advisory Group to create a draft manuscript for submission to a mutually agreed upon academic journal. Authorship will include the researchers, the lead representatives from CPSI and BCPSQC, and other possible contributors (to be determined).
Pan-Canadian Advisory Group
CPSI and BCPSQC have established a Pan-Canadian Advisory Group, mandated to oversee the development of the Patient Safety in Primary Care Background Research Paper and the planning of and participation in an invitational Roundtable Event. The first meeting of the Advisory Group was held on October 5th, and the work will proceed over the next several months. The following individuals participate as members of this new Advisory Group:
- Dr. John Maxted, College of Family Physicians of Canada
- Dr. Douglas Bell, Canadian Medical Protective Association
- Dr. Ben Chan, Ontario Health Quality Council
- Ms. Jeannette Edwards, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
- Ms. Paula Greco, Accreditation Canada
- Dr. Jeff Harries, Family Physician, South Okanagan (BC)
- Dr. Nick Kates, McMaster University (ON)
- Dr. Maeve O’Beirne, University of Calgary (AB)
- Ms. Janice Munroe, Fraser Health (BC), Canadian Society for Hospital Pharmacists
- Dr. Todd Watkins, Canadian Medical Association
- Ms. Carol Todd, Family Practice Nurses Association of Nova Scotia (NS), Canadian Nurses Association
Project support and leadership for this initiative will be provided by the following CPSI and BCPSQC staff members.
- Ms. Orvie Dingwall, Librarian, CPSI
- Ms. Sandi Kossey, Project Manager, CPSI
- Ms. Christina Krause, Executive Director, BCPSQC
- Ms. Marie Owen, Director of Operations, CPSI
For more information about this initiative, contact Sandi Kossey at skossey@cpsi-icsp.ca
Baker, G.R., Norton, P.G., Flintoft, V., Blais, R., Brown, A., Cox, J., et al. (2004). The Canadian Adverse Events Study: the incidence of adverse events among hospital patients in Canada. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 170(11), 1678-86.
Adverse event is defined as an unintended injury or complication that results in disability, death, or increased use of health care resources and is caused by health care management (Baker et al, 2004).
