scholarly journals Alberta Health Services & University of Calgary

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Editorial CUAJ
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
University Of Calgary ◽  
Alberta Health

scholarly journals The Utility of Interaction Design as a Novel Tool to Improve Hand Hygiene Frequency on a Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Ward

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s411-s411
Author(s):  
Johanna Blaak ◽  
Rachel DiMaio ◽  
Julia Kupis ◽  
Ross Sweetzir ◽  
Conny Betuzzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Interaction Design ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Children's Hospital ◽  
University Of Calgary ◽  
Children’S Hospital ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Alberta Health

Johanna Blaak, W21C, University of Calgary; Rachel DiMaio, University of Calgary; Julia Kupis, University of Calgary; Ross Sweetzir, Cisco Systems; Conny Betuzzi, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Alberta Health Services; Corey Dowler, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Alberta Health Services; Krista McIntytre, Alberta Children’s Hospital, Alberta Health Services; Jaime Kaufman, University of Calgary; Greg Hallihan, University of Calgary; John Conly, Foothills Medical Centre; Joseph Vayalumkal, Alberta Childrens HospitalBackground: Interaction design offers a novel interventional strategy to enhance hand-hygiene compliance (HHC) and reduce hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the pediatric setting. A quality improvement initiative in collaboration with the University of Calgary and Alberta Health Services led to the implementation of a pilot project with sensor-embedded alcohol -based hand rub (ABHR) dispensers at a hematology-oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant unit at Alberta Children’s Hospital (ACH). Methods: Internet of things (IoT) sensors were installed in ABHR dispensers (n = 3) on the unit. Usage data were transmitted to a local server using an MQTT messaging protocol for 16 weeks. Real-time data visualization was presented on a central display next to the nursing station with 11 unique pediatric themes including dinosaurs, transportation, and Canadian animals. Data were collected with and without visualization, and frequency of use (FoU) was determined for both periods. Qualitative interviews with unit stakeholders (n = 13) were held to determine perceptions of the intervention. Results: During the first 8 weeks of the study period, the mean daily use without visualization was 47 times (SD, 14.5) versus 99 times (SD, 23.9) with visualization. When accounting for novelty, by removing the first week of data, the mean daily use was 92 (SD 19.6). The percentage increase from period 1 to period 2 was 96.6%, accounting for novelty. Qualitative interviews with stakeholders (n = 13) on the unit indicated that the intervention increased their personal awareness of hand hygiene (75%) and acted as a constant reminder to perform hand hygiene for everyone on the unit including nonclinical staff, patients, and family members (92%). Conclusions: These limited data suggest that interaction design may improve HH frequency and show promise as a tool for increased HH awareness and education. Interaction design provides a unique, innovative, and acceptable hand hygiene improvement strategy for staff, patients, and families in the pediatric inpatient setting.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Recommendations for the referral of patients for proton-beam therapy, an Alberta Health Services report: a model for Canada?

2014 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 251 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Patel ◽  
X. Kostaras ◽  
M. Parliament ◽  
I.A. Olivotto ◽  
R. Nordal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Proton Beam ◽  
Proton Beam Therapy ◽  
Alberta Health

scholarly journals PS1 - 183 Recommendations for the Referral of Patients from Proton Beam Therapy, an Alberta Health Services Report: A Model for Canada?

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (S4) ◽  
pp. S11-S11
Author(s):  
S. Patel ◽  
X. Kostaras ◽  
M. Parliament ◽  
I.A. Olivotto ◽  
R. Nordal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Proton Beam ◽  
Proton Therapy ◽  
Proton Beam Therapy ◽  
Sufficient Evidence ◽  
Draft Report ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Travel Abroad ◽  
Alberta Health

Proton beam therapy (PBT) offers compelling advantages in physical dose distribution compared to photon therapy. There are increasing numbers of gantry-based proton facilities worldwide but no such facilities exist in Canada. To access PBT, Canadian patients must travel abroad for treatment at high cost. In the face of limited access, this report seeks to provide recommendations for the selection of patients most likely to benefit from PBT and suggests an out-of-country referral process. METHODS: A systematic literature search for studies between January 1990 and May 2014 evaluating clinical outcomes after PBT. A draft report was developed through review of evidence, externally reviewed, and approved by the Alberta Health Services Cancer Care Proton Therapy Guidelines steering committee. RESULTS: Proton therapy is often used to treat tumours close to radiosensitive tissues, and children at risk of developing significant late effects of radiation therapy (RT). Local control rates with PBT appear similar to or, in some cases, higher than photon RT in uncontrolled and retrospective studies. Randomized trials comparing equivalent doses of PBT and photon RT are not available. SUMMARY: Referral for PBT is recommended for patients being treated with curative intent, with an expectation for long-term survival, and who are able and willing to travel abroad to a proton facility. Commonly accepted indications for referral include chordoma and chondrosarcoma, intraocular melanoma, and solid tumours in children and adolescents occurring in patients with greatest risk of long-term sequelae. Current data do not provide sufficient evidence to recommend routine referral of patients with most head and neck, breast, lung, gastrointestinal tract, and pelvic cancers including prostate cancer. It is recommended that all referrals be considered by a multidisciplinary team to select appropriate cases.

Alberta Health Services: Journey to Accreditation

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-39
Author(s):  
Susan Mumme ◽  
Wendy Nicklin
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Alberta Health

scholarly journals The Provincial Patient and Family Group (PFG) for Alberta Health Services Transforms How Care is Planned and Delivered: A Decade of Experience

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352198924
Author(s):  
Deanna Picklyk ◽  
Shawn Volk ◽  
Katharina Kovacs Burns
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health Care Organizations ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Formal Group ◽  
System Level ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Building Relationships ◽  
Centered Care ◽  
Family Centered ◽  
Alberta Health

Although many health care organizations made significant headway in building relationships with patients and families at the point of care, there continues to be opportunities to partner with them at the system level. One such opportunity is the Patient and Family Advisory Group (PFG) at Alberta Health Services (AHS). Developed 10 years ago as a formal group of patient and family volunteers, PFG has provided advice on over 350 key organization initiatives, including the Patient First Strategy and the Family Visitation policies and guidelines. Through the formal partnership with PFG and its members who bring their lived experiences with the health system and its services, AHS has demonstrated its commitment to designing and improving services with the user in mind. Now entering its second decade, PFG, supported by AHS leadership, continues to explore new strategic approaches with internal and external stakeholders to reinforce the importance of Patient and Family-Centered Care.

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