AFHTO is working on a number of fronts to support members in their work to improve quality. Last week we reported on support available to help members implement the QIDSS partnership agreements and recruitment/orientation for these new positions, and the sessions available at the AFHTO Annual Conference to help FHTs in streams such as Leadership and Governance for Quality and Using Data to Improve Care. AFHTO also continues to work with Health Quality Ontario (HQO) to ensure FHTs receive the support they need to implement their Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs). Here’s an update on the support activities HQO is rolling out: 1. HQO to send individual reports on the Quality Improvement Plan by end of August 2013: HQO will be sending individual feedback to the FHT Board Chair and Executive Director on the QIP that they submitted. The feedback is intended to support the on-going improvement efforts and provide constructive feedback that will enhance the ability of the FHT to move forward with their improvement initiatives. At the AFHTO Annual Conference in October, FHTs interested to meet with an HQO QIP specialist to discuss in person their QIP feedback will have the opportunity to do so. AFHTO will provide space and coordinate the feedback sessions with HQO staff. 2. Upcoming Webinar on Survey Methodology in mid- September 2013: In response to request from some FHTs, HQO is planning a webinar on “survey methodology” that will provide FHTs with an overview of methodologies relevant to FHTs: sampling approaches, good survey practices, focus surveys as a mechanism for improvement and change. The webinar will discuss practical strategies to answer questions from FHTs. 3. Navigator Tool to be launched in November 2013: Starting in November 2013, FHTs will be able to develop and submit their QIPs using an online tool called the QIP Navigator. Announcements will be sent out as testing opportunities are created as well training sessions. 4. Primary Care Sector Report in November 2013: HQO received 295 QIPs from the Ontario’s four primary care models this year (FHTs, CHCs, NPLCs, AHAs). Each QIP was reviewed by QIP specialists and a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the QIPs was completed. A complete report of the results of the analysis will be published to acknowledge the work and commitment of primary care organizations to improving quality, to identify strength and challenges encountered during the development of the QIPs, and to provide guidance and recommendations to support the strengthening of quality improvement initiatives in primary care.
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