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VCH recognized for quality care by Health Quality BC
Health Quality BC (HQBC) has announced the 16th Annual BC Quality Awards, which recognizes and celebrates the people and teams dedicated to making a difference in health care across British Columbia.
This year, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) swept the Sustainable Health Care category and was named Runner-Up in the Returning to Health & Wellness category.
Learn more about the BC Quality Awards and see the full list of winners and runners-up on Health Quality BC.
Awards
Reduction of Preoperative Group and Screen Testing for Elective Surgical Patients
Winner - Achievement in Sustainable Health Care
This initiative is a patient-centred innovation that has transformed surgical care at Vancouver General Hospital and UBC Hospital by eliminating thousands of unnecessary preoperative blood tests annually. During the project and at the time of nomination, the initiative prevented more than 4,000 unnecessary patient trips for preoperative testing, reduced group and screen-testing orders by 60 per cent at Vancouver General Hospital and 80 per cent at UBC Hospital, and saved more than $106,019 in direct health system costs.
Learn more: Reduction of Preoperative Group and Screen Testing for Elective Surgical Patients - Health Quality BC
Intravenous to Oral Antimicrobial Switch: A Win for Patients and the Planet
Runner-Up - Achievement in Sustainable Health Care
The VCH ASPIRES (Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme: Innovation, Research, Education, and Safety) team found that in scenarios where an antimicrobial can be given intravenously or orally, and the effect is the same, switching to oral therapy demonstrates how planetary health considerations can align with better clinical outcomes.
Learn more: Intravenous to Oral Antimicrobial Switch: A Win for Patients and the Planet - Health Quality BC
Universal Syphilis Testing in an Urban Emergency Department: A Pilot Project
Runner-Up - Returning to Health & Wellness
Syphilis rates in the VCH region have been rising steadily, disproportionately affecting certain neighborhoods and unsuccessfully engaged populations. A universal syphilis screening pilot was launched by VCH Public Health at St. Paul’s Hospital Emergency Department to detect infections earlier, as well as make testing more accessible, culturally safe and stigma-free. Through routine testing and a dedicated Public Health communicable disease outreach team, the initiative was able to identify more syphilis cases and improve outcomes for patients, ultimately returning more people to health and wellness.
Learn more: Universal Syphilis Testing in An Urban Emergency Department: A Pilot Project - Health Quality BC
