Released on November 27, 2002
The Health Quality Council, the first of its kind in Canada, will be led bya panel of provincial, national and international health leaders appointed
today to recommend innovative ways to improve the quality of health care
for Saskatchewan citizens.
The Quality Council was a key recommendation in the Action Plan for
Saskatchewan Health Care released last year.
Health Minister John Nilson said the Health Quality Council is part of the
government's larger commitment to improve the quality of health services
and access to care, while ensuring our health system is sustainable into
the future.
"The Quality Council's role is crucial as we work with health care
providers and health partners to make long-term improvements that build on
the strengths of our health care system in Saskatchewan," Nilson said. "I
am very pleased with the high calibre of knowledge and expertise brought to
the board by its directors."
"Quality means doing the best job possible within available resources. It
is about leadership and setting goals that will allow for an efficient use
of resources, so that in the day-to-day world patients will receive better
care and better opportunities for improved health," Nilson said. An
example of how better quality can enhance a patient's life and save money
is the early management of heart disease and diabetes. The proper
management of chronic diseases saves lives and reduces the risk of costly
complications and interventions.
As an independent body, the council will report on the quality of the
health care system, and provide advice to government, Regional Health
Authorities, and health care professionals on a wide range of quality and
performance related matters. Its mandate is to:
develop evidence-based standards in health care delivery. This
will include providing advice on the use of existing treatment
options and identifying outdated or ineffective treatments;
promote effective practices to professionals across the province;
conduct research into the effectiveness of care and quality
improvement initiatives;
monitor and assess the performance of the health system. This will
include providing advice on human resource needs;
provide advice on appropriate drug prescribing practices;
evaluate new technology, drugs and other clinical developments; and
inform the public about the quality of health services in
Saskatchewan.
"Together we will be working toward the goals of improving health outcomes
for patients and finding ways to benefit the province's health care system
by developing evidence-based approaches, and promoting effective practices
throughout the system," Chair of the Health Quality Council Dr. Stewart
McMillan said.
President and CEO of the US-based Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
Dr. Don Berwick, an internationally recognized expert in the field of
quality improvement, will serve as a special advisor to the Board of the
Health Quality Council. The IHI is a non-profit organization dedicated to
improving the quality of health care systems through education, research,
and demonstration projects, and through fostering collaboration among
health care organizations and their leaders.
"This is an exciting opportunity to work with a province that is a leader
in health care initiatives. With health systems around the world facing
increasingly complex and costly challenges, organizations like the council
play a significant role in improving health policy and management, and
providing people with an excellent health care system," Dr. Berwick said.
By creating the Health Quality Council, Saskatchewan joins jurisdictions in
the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, that have established
quality improvement organizations. The formation of the Health Quality
Council was first announced in The Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care
last year. It was recommended by Ken Fyke in the Commission on Medicare
report released in the spring of 2001.
The members of the Health Quality Council are are listed on the attached
backgrounder.
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For more information, contact:
Myrna Stark Leader
Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4083
Note: Dr. Stewart McMillan and Don Berwick are available to respond to
media enquiries. To arrange an interviews please contact Saskatchewan
Health Communications.