On May 25, 2023, the Facility Engagement Working Group (FEWG) was presented with a collaboration proposal from the Specialist Services Committee’s (SSC) Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) initiative. The proposal included a request for funding to pilot an additional data position in health authority PQI teams to support Facility Engagement (FE) related quality improvement (QI) data requests and supports.

In response, the FEWG requested that a consultation process occur to gain better insight into the data needs and challenges experienced by physicians participating in FE-funded quality QI work in their Medical Staff Association (MSA). 
 
In the late summer of 2023, FE and PQI teams began a consultation process to explore needs and challenges related to accessing, interpreting, leveraging, and architecting data for FE-funded QI projects.

The primary aim of this consultation was to better understand the data challenges to inform what resources may be required to optimize MSA data support for QI-related work.

A secondary aim was to increase alignment and coordination between PQI and FE, given that data access and navigation support for physicians doing improvement work was identified as an opportunity for more streamlined coordination between the two initiatives.  

Below are the four most notable themes that emerged through the consultation: 

1. Opportunities for partners to improve their shared understanding and perception of QI work. 
    
2. Opportunities to improve communication and understanding between partners with respect to data requests and data pathways. 
    
3. Opportunities to improve availability and awareness of QI expertise and training. 
    
4. Opportunities to explore time and resource allocation for QI. 

The Facility Engagement & Northern Health QI and Data Access webinar on November 19th, 2024, was a response to the key findings and opportunities outlined in the report.

To learn more, see FE & PQI Data Consultation Key Findings Report

The session discussed the importance of Facility Engagement and Quality Improvement in healthcare, with a focus on data accessibility and the role of two key SSC initiatives: Facility Engagement Initiative and Physician Quality Improvement (PQI) program.

The webinar explored the impact of PQI, the process of submitting data requests, the various dashboards readily available for physician use, the support provided by the data analytics team, and how Facility Engagement funding can be accessed in support of QI projects.

Watch (05:08)

• This section outlined the purpose and structure of the PQI program, which aims to enhance physician quality improvement capacity across the province. 
   
• The program offers three levels of education, including an introductory online course, a one-day intermediate workshop, and a virtual action learning series for advanced training. 
   
• The program's team includes trained QI coaches, physician mentors, and a data analyst and uses the modified Triple Aim as a framework to measure quality and impact.  
   
• This portion also highlighted the role of data accessibility in making informed decisions, identifying inefficiencies, and optimizing resource utilization.
   

Watch (26:15)

• This section focused on the Northern Health data analytics team, which supports physicians in quality improvement projects and provides real-time insights and data visualizations. 
   
• It reviewed the process for submitting a data request, timelines, and the different types of data analytics used (descriptive, diagnostic, predictive, and prescriptive analysis). 
   
• Lastly, it highlights the various dashboards readily available for physicians, such as hospital utilization (monthly inpatient admissions, monthly occupancy, daily inpatient days, etc.) and medical imaging dashboards (MRI, CT, and Ultrasound).
   
• Examples of past data requests were also shared, including one related to wait time for ultrasound exams and another concerning heart failure patients. 
   

Watch (45:12)

• This section explained how Facility Engagement can support Quality Improvement work by reviewing the relevant funding guidelines. 
   
• It emphasized that FE could cover QI projects that align with MSA strategic priorities/budget upon the MSA executives’ approval.  
   
• It noted the difference between QI and research, and concluded by encouraging physicians to reach out for help in navigating funding and training for FE and QI work.
   

Download slide deck

Background and Context (slides 1-4)

• FE & PQI Data Consultation Report key findings 
• Recommendations 

Why Quality Improvement (slides 5-37)

• PQI goals and impacts 
• Training opportunities 
• PQI project examples 

Data Analyst Team (slides 38 – 47) 

• Contacts 
• Available Dashboards
• Submitting a Data Request
• Timelines 

FE Funding Guidelines (slides 48 – 52) 

• Process for funding approval
• Relevant funding guidelines 

• Northern Health PQI & FE – Engagement, QI, & Data Access Resource
   
• Provincial Physician Quality Improvement (QI) Coaching
  • Up to 10 hours of PQI-funded QI coaching, at any stage of your FE project
     
• Facility Engagement Participant Opportunities for QI
   
• Engagement Resource Guide – best practices for physician engagement
   
• Qualitycast North – podcast highlights Northern Physicians, patient partners, and healthcare leaders who are leading the way in a culture shift for quality improvement