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  • Advancing use of data and measurement in FHTs

    This is an update for AFHTO members on activities to advance use of data and measurement in FHTs (scroll below for more information):

    • Dr. Rick Glazier, Lead Scientist in ICES Primary Care and Population Health Program, joins AFHTO board
    • AFHTO recruitment is underway for a QIDSS Project Manager
    • AFHTO to establish QIDSS Steering Committee
    • Status of approvals for new QIDSS positions in FHTs
    • Practice Solutions Suite (PSS) EMR Working Group is collaborating to resolve common problems for users
    • AFHTO Conference 2013 features streams in using data to improve care and meaningful use of EMRs

    Dr. Rick Glazier, Lead Scientist in ICES Primary Care and Population Health Program, joins AFHTO board

    AFHTO’s strategic direction gives priority to ensuring FHTs are supported to measure and improve the quality of care they deliver. AFHTO’s board is thrilled that Rick Glazier, one of the key forces advancing the use of data for improvement in Ontario, agreed to fill a mid-term vacancy on the board.

    AFHTO recruitment is underway for a QIDSS Project Manager

    Following from AFHTO’s Recommendations on the Optimal Configuration of the Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) Role, AFHTO has just launched recruitment for a QIDSS Project Manager to coordinate start-up activities among the FHTs that will host QIDSS positions, and foster on-going mentoring, coordination and collaboration among the QIDSSs.  The Project Manager will also support the QIDSS Steering Committee (see below) to achieve successful completion of QSC-approved projects, communications and provision of agreed support services to all participating FHTs.

    AFHTO to establish QIDSS Steering Committee

    Recommendations on the Optimal Configuration of the Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) Role also presented the need for a QIDSS Steering Committee (QSC). This body will set specific project priorities and objectives to advance best practice and optimize performance measurement capacity across the FHT sector. Once it’s known which FHTs will be hosting or participating in QIDSS partnerships, AFHTO members will be invited to nominate candidates for QSC.

    Status of approvals for new QIDSS positions in FHTs

    FHT budget proposals are part way through the Ministry’s internal approval process. FHTs would receive confirmation of funding with their budget approvals – best guess is this will be about the beginning of July. We anticipate seeing 32 – 33 positions allocated, to be shared amongst groups of FHTs.

    Practice Solutions Suite (PSS) Working Group is collaborating to resolve common problems for users

    The PSS Working Group was born out of user desire to get better value from this EMR, deployed in about half of all FHTs. With leadership from a couple of FHT EDs to get this off the ground, the PSS Working Group now comprises 22 members from FHTs and from TELUS, the parent company for PSS EMR. A progress report went out last week to the leaders of FHTs using PSS. (If your FHT uses PSS and did not receive this e-mail, please contact info@afhto.ca to be added to this distribution list.)

    AFHTO Conference 2013 features streams in using data to improve care and meaningful use of EMRs

    There will be plenty to learn on these topics at the AFHTO 2013 Conference, October 22-23 at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto. A highly-experienced working group is currently reviewing over 30 presentation proposals to choose the best for the concurrent sessions on Using Data to Improve Care and Meaningful Use Of EMRs. Conference registration opens in a month.

  • PSS Users: Update from the AFHTO-PSS Working Group

    AFHTO and the Practice Solutions Suite team at TELUS remain committed to working together to resolve common problems faced by the FHTs using PSS.  This is an update on progress to date. Background: AFHTO’s March 2012 survey of FHT EMR satisfaction revealed that about one-half of FHTs use PSS. While it scored relatively well on usability, there was a strong level of dissatisfaction with support provided. Results of a June 2012 follow-up survey of FHTs using PSS were circulated to these FHTs, and since that time AFHTO has used the results to advance a more responsive approach to solving common problems. At the AFHTO 2012 Conference in October, MDPS Assistant Vice President Andrea Holland agreed to host a customer relations session. After a number of follow-ups, it was agreed that a joint AFHTO-PSS working group was the best mechanism to address the issues highlighted by the surveys and at the conference PSS session. In late February, fourteen FHT members responded to the call for volunteers to join TELUS-PSS staff on the AFHTO-PSS Working Group (click here for the list of members of the working group). The terms of reference for the working group were developed jointly by AFHTO and TELUS-PSS. Update and next steps: The June 2012 follow up survey of FHTs using PSS clearly identified four key priority areas: data extraction, interfaces, communication and the FHT environment. In each of the four priority areas, the Working Group has identified specific and well defined action items.  Click here for the final list of action items identified. In the next week the Working Group will prioritize the action items on the list and work with TELUS to establish a timeframe for resolution of each of the items. At the PSS conference, the agenda includes a” FHT session” on May 31st where members of the Working Group will  discuss the work completed to date with senior members of TELUS- PSS and review the action items list. The Working Group will continue meeting to support the resolution of the items identified. At the AFHTO conference in October 2013, there will be a “PSS session” where a report on the work completed will be presented to all FHT PSS users. If you have any questions or concerns , please contact Clarys Tirel at clarys.tirel@afhto.ca.

  • Issues discussed at inaugural meeting of AFHTO’s ED Advisory Council

    The ED Advisory Council provides a mechanism to surface operational issues, be a sounding board on operational matters, and give advice to the AFHTO board and staff as needed on these matters. The AFHTO board announced its creation in March. Please click here to view terms of reference.The inaugural meeting of April 29 enabled the group to get organized and become oriented to a number of operational issues that have already come forward.This report covers:

    • Communications role for EDAC
    • Issues discussed at the April 29 meeting
      • Operational issues to press with the MOHLTC FHT Unit
      • Input for AFHTO board on broader operational issues
      • Supporting FHTs to address their operational issues
    • Next steps to be taken
    • List of representatives and their contact information

    Communications role for EDAC:

    As the key link between their teams and the Ministry’s FHT Unit, EDs are in the unique position to identify the opportunities and challenges with respect to the on-going operations of their FHTs and their interactions with the FHT Unit. The ED Advisory Council builds on the existing ED networks and supports the development of new networks in areas where a formalized network does not exist. Each group of FHT EDs – one for each LHIN and one for each group of FHTs that has distinct needs and perspectives (i.e. FHTs with blended-salary physicians, aboriginal/Inuit FHTs, francophone FHTs, academic FHTs) – was invited to name their representative.EDAC members are asked for their perspective and advice to help in triaging and resolving operational issues identified. The triage process includes determining:

    • The potential scope and prevalence of the issue
    • The level of action at which action is required: Could it be resolved within the “FHT family”? Is the required action within the MOHLTC FHT Unit mandate? Or, is it a much broader issue that will require influence at a higher level or multiple domains to resolve?
    AFHTO staff will support EDAC members by:
    • Ensuring each EDAC member has a up-to-date e-mail list for all EDs in the network they represent,
    • Sending e-mail updates to all AFHTO members after each EDAC meeting,
    • Continuing to send e-mail updates to AFHTO members after each formal meeting with the FHT Unit,
    • Maintaining the ED discussion space on the AFHTO Members Forum,
    • Setting up, if desired, a discussion space for your specific network,
    • Setting up working group if necessary.

    Issues discussed at the April 29 meeting:

    Operational issues to press with the MOHLTC FHT Unit:

    1. Expanding flexibility in budgets:MOHLTC has introduced greater flexibility in spending in the overhead budget.  What’s the next priority?  Recognizing the Ministry’s duty to ensure value for use of taxpayer funds, what can FHTs do to demonstrate this if the budget were to be made more flexible?2. Streamlining data requirements for quarterly reporting:Are there some aspects of these data requirements that clearly have little to no value and could be eliminated or streamlined?3. Improving quality of data  on orphan patients:Several FHTs in the North East LHIN feel that they are not receiving reliable and consistent information about orphan patients.  Some of the FHTs report that data has been cobbled together from a variety of sources, from census data, hospital admissions, MOHLTC remittance advices and other databases.  Although this may provide a picture, it does not provide accurate information on a consistent basis. FHTs need more adequate information to plan for orphan patients and fulfill MOHLTC expectations for increasing rostered numbers of patients.

    Input for AFHTO board on broader operational issues:

    The issue of advocacy on compensation was brought forward for information to the group. Almost two years ago AFHTO, AOHC and NPAO began joint advocacy work to address recruitment and retention challenges in interdisciplinary primary care models.In the past number of months three associations have jointly supported a study conducted by the Hay Group to update compensation survey data and to factor in positions that are in FHTs and NPLCs but not in CHCs (e.g. pharmacist). The Hay Group’s report is close to completion, and the approach to advocacy is being discussed among the three associations. This will be brought to each of the three boards for approval.  Communications to members and the advocacy work will begin thereafter.

    Supporting FHTs to address their operational issues:

    1. QIDSS implementation and QIDSS Steering Committee:In January AFHTO developed the document – Recommendations on the Optimal Configuration of the Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) –through a consultation process with AFHTO members. This document provided advice for both FHTs and the Ministry on allocation of the limited number of positions. It also recommended establishment of a provincial committee structure to guide and support information management activities across FHTs, and small number of provincial level resources to support implementation, collaboration and evaluation. The QSC will ensure the work it does benefits all FHTs and will seek active involvement and support from those who lead and work in FHTs. Once the allocation of the QIDSS positions is known, AFHTO will be able to move forward with implementing the QSC.2. Insurance and Home visits:Many more FHTs are introducing home visits as part of the range of services provided to patients, specifically to home bound elderly patients. The question of adequate insurance coverage has been raised, particularly given that many FHTs cannot afford WSIB coverage. AFHTO will seek out FHTs who have resolved this issue and ensure that the information is dessiminate to all FHTs developing home visit programs.3. Designation of FHTs under new auditing standards and payment of Ontario employer health tax:Canadian accounting and auditing standards have gone through some changes. The Accounting Standards Board has decided to pursue separate reporting strategies for each major category of reporting entity: publicly accountable enterprises, private enterprises and not-for-profit organizations.FHTs are very clearly “Not for Profit” organizations, but they also have to determine if they fall under one of two categories: “Not for Profit – private sector” or “Not for Profit – Government Controlled”.  This determination will affect the way that their statements have to be done and changes a few rules, specifically regarding exemption to the Employer Health Tax.FHTs seem to have received differing advice on this issue. AFHTO will seek to respond to this question.4. Physiotherapy in FHTs:MOHLTC announced that Ontario is improving access to physiotherapy services for eligible Ontarians by changing how and where these services are provided.  The Ministry will integrate physiotherapy positions into primary care settings, including Family Health Teams, Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics, and Community Health Centres. The total number of positions is not yet known. Beginning August 1, 2013, the province will expand availability of community-based physiotherapy, exercise classes and falls prevention services.The Ministry has committed to work with AFHTO when they are ready to begin implementation planning. AFHTO staff will seek input from the EDAC on how to optimize access and capacity for these physiotherapy services within FHTs, for review by the AFHTO board.5. Quality of Care Information Protection Act (QCIPAct):QCIPA is designed to encourage health professionals to share information and hold open discussions to improve patient care, without the fear that the information will be used against them.  Information prepared by or for a Quality of Care Committee is shielded from disclosure in legal proceedings under QCIP Act.   FHTs are not organizations that fall under the jurisdiction of QCIP Act.Some FHTs have done significant work to understand this issue and feel that FHTs should be included under this Act. AFHTO will seek to understand further the implication of FHTs not falling under the jurisdiction of QCIPA, and take action as may be determine by the consultation with the EDAC.

    Next steps:

    The EDAC members will be communicating with their network to identify operational issues to be brought forward and to seek input into the identified issues. At the next meeting priority and action items will be identified.It was agreed that the next meeting would take place within 4-6 weeks.

    ED Advisory Council members and contact information:

    LHIN Area

    Name:

    Surname:

    E-mail:

    1. LHIN 1 – Erin St Clair

    Denise

    Waddick

    denise.waddick@thamesviewfht.ca

    2. LHIN 2 – South West

    Craig

    Nicks

    cnicks@sfht.on.ca

    3. LHIN 3 – Waterloo Wellington

    Michelle

    Karker

    michelle.karker@ewfht.ca

    4. LHIN 4 -Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant

    Terry

    McCarthy

    terry.mccarthy@hamiltonfht.ca

    5. LHIN 5- Central West

    Michael

    Levitt

    levittm@canes.on.ca

    6. LHIN6 –  Mississauga Halton

    Lucy

    Bonanno

    lbonanno@summervillefht.com

    7. LHIN 7 – Toronto Central

    Alejandra

    Priego

    priega@stjoe.on.ca
     

    Robin

    Griller

    rgriller@innercityfht.ca

    8. LHIN 8 – Central

    Anne Marie

    Graham

    AGraham@southlakeregional.org

    9. LHIN 9 – Central East

    Marina

    Hodson

    mhodson@kawarthanorthfht.ca

    10. LHIN 10 – South East

    Richard

    Christie

    rchristie@kfho.net

    11. LHIN 11 – Champlain

    Connie

    Siedule

    csiedule@tifht.ca

    12. LHIN 12 – North Simcoe Muskoka

    Lynne

    Davies

    l.davies@cfht.ca

    13. LHIN 13 – North East

    Shirley

    Watchorn

    swatchorn@greatnorthernfht.com

    14. North West LHIN

    Marlis

    Bruyere

    marlis@jam21.net

    15. Blended Salary Model FHTs

    Claudia

    Mior-Eckel

    cmior-eckel0626@rogers.com

    16. Academic FHTs

    tbd

    		    

    17. Aboriginal FHTs

    Lois

    Bomberry

    loisbomberry@sixnations.ca

    18. Francophone FHTs

    Tammy

    Coulombe

    tammyc@esfnafht.ca
           

    19. Ex Officio

    Jennifer

    Kennedy

    Jennifer.Kennedy@drdh.org

    20. Ex Officio

    Randy

    Belair

    rbelair@kfht.ca

    21. Ex Officio

    Ross

    Kirkconnell

    ross.kirkconnell@guelphfht.com

    22. Ex Officio

    Kerri

    Selkirk

    keri.selkirk@thamesvalleyfht.ca

    23. Ex Officio

    Kavita

    Mehta

    Currently on mat. leave

     

  • Strategic direction for AFHTO is renewed; 2013-14 plan is approved

    AFHTO has a renewed vision, mission and strategic priorities to guide our work on behalf of our members over the next 2 – 3 years. The AFHTO board is pleased to present the Strategic Direction document, and thanks the many members who provided input through webinars and a survey. To move the organization along this direction, the board also approved the 2013-14 operating plan and budget (outlined further below). The early success of AFHTO’s first strategic plan – put in place two years ago – established the foundation to create the strong voice for family health teams.  AFHTO’s most recent Annual Report documents the progress made to recruit virtually all FHTs into this one organization, build the infrastructure base, and develop the profile, credibility and key relationships with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and many other stakeholders. AFHTO’s next stage builds on this solid base as the advocate, champion, network and resource for FHTs. The focus is on supporting, measuring, and promoting the value of well-integrated interprofessional primary care, and advocating for its expansion so that more Ontarians can access this high-quality comprehensive care. The webinars and survey also invited members to identify the investment priorities to build AFHTO’s capacity to deliver greater value for members. Last August the Ministry added $2000 per year in base funding for FHTs to pay for an annual membership in their representative association. Members approved a new fee structure at the Annual General Meeting in October; this is expected to increase AFHTO’s annual operating budget by roughly $200,000. Member responses gave clear direction – build capacity in government relations, performance measurement and knowledge transfer. Operationalizing the Strategic Direction In this next fiscal year AFHTO’s ongoing capacity to advocate for and support members will expand as staffing grows from two full-time staff to four. The addition of an Office Manager/Admin Assistant will allow the ED to focus more time in government relations and performance measurement. Continuing the position of Senior Project Lead – Governance, Quality and Operations (currently a short-term contract) significantly expands AFHTO’s ability to engage with members and help FHTs to leverage knowledge. Initiatives to advance each of the six strategic priorities include the following:

    • Governing and leading: AFHTO staff continue to support roll-out of the MOHLTC-funded Governing for Quality training program, advocate for additional sessions so that all who are interested can participate, and identify further opportunities to support governance and leadership development, including the Leadership and Governance for Quality stream at the AFHTO 2013 Conference.
    • Measuring and improving quality: A number of developments are converging in a way that could significantly accelerate the ability of FHTs to measure and track their own performance. In line with AFHTO’s Recommendations on the Optimal Configuration of the Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) positions, the Ministry is considering funding for a small number of provincial-level resources operating under a governance structure representative of all FHTs (QIDSS Steering Committee) to be established and supported by AFHTO. Following from last year’s proposal – Advancing a Performance-Oriented Model for Primary Care – the Ministry has expressed interest and has asked AFHTO to re-fresh and re-submit this proposal. Through AFHTO’s work to bring together the Ontario College of Family Physicians, the Ontario Medical Association and its Section on General and Family Practice, OntarioMD and eHealth Ontario have agreed to establish a joint working group to define requirements and processes to extract EMR data.
    • Achieving more seamless integration: AFHTO has been convening bi-weekly teleconferences with the eight FHTs coordinating the first group of Health Links.  This is expected to lead to a number of knowledge transfer opportunities, beginning with the sharing of business plans (once MOHLTC-approved) via the AFHTO website and an Improving outcomes for “the 10%” stream at the AFHTO 2013 Conference.
    • Recruiting and retaining staff:  Building on last year’s report and advocacy initiative, AFHTO is continuing its joint advocacy with AOHC and NPAO for a primary care recruitment and retention strategy. The three organizations commissioned the Hay Group to update a market review of salaries; the results of this work will become the basis for future advocacy.
    • Promoting the value/role of family health teams: Under the direction of AFHTO’s Executive Committee of the AFHTO board, AFHTO’s government relations activity will be raised to more strategic, senior levels of government decision-making.
    • Engaging with AFHTO members: In addition to the Health Link coordinator network mentioned above, AFHTO has recently launched a network through which PS Solutions EMR users will problem-solve with this EMR vendor.  Recruitment for an ED Advisory Council has just begun. Anticipating approval of provincial-level resources to support the new QIDSS positions, a QIDSS Steering Committee (also noted above) is expected to be formed in the next few months.

    For sustainability into the future, membership revenue and on-going operating expenses remain fully balanced. One-time expenses for special projects and other contingencies will be funded as needed from the reserves accumulated thanks to expansion of AFHTO conference sponsorships and the one-time voluntary contribution made possible by the Ministry funding increase this year. AFHTO looks forward to keeping members informed of progress in advancing the Strategic Direction.

  • FHT Leaders’ Response to AFHTO’s Draft Strategic Plan – February 2013 survey results

    To renew its strategic direction, the AFHTO board developed a draft document and invited members give input to via two webinars, held on Jan. 22 and 24, and a membership survey.  Please click here to access the survey results. Responses indicated strong support for the direction. Some modifications were made as the responses gave valuable insight into concepts that needed to be incorporated or clarified. The results appear reasonably consistent:

    • Reasonably strong support for the revised Vision and Mission for AFHTO. A few comments suggested need to clarify the reference to “expand access” in the mission statement and add concepts that were felt to be missing, i.e. equitable access for the marginalized and commitment to collaborative teams.
    • Strong support for the Strategic Priorities as well.  All received reasonably high ratings as priorities (2.4 to 2.6 points out of 3.0).  Comments were varied, but a number spoke to the theme of “equity” – for first nations, marginalized populations, in allocating resources among FHTs, and in compensation for FHT professionals.
    • The final question asked about priorities for investing the roughly $200K increase to AFHTO’s operating budget. Government relations, performance measurement and knowledge transfer capacity were consistently rated the top three; group purchasing and research/analysis capacity as the bottom two.

  • HQO webinars now available online & QIP deadline extended to April 2 at noon

    As you know, Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Family Health Teams (FHTs) and Nurse Practitioner Led Clinics (NPLCs) are required to submit a QIP to Health Quality Ontario (HQO). To support primary care organizations in the development of QIPs, HQO recently hosted a webinar series. You can find each of the webinar presentations as well as a comprehensive Q&A on HQO’s website. For more information on this webinar series or for any other QIP-related questions, please contact QIP@hqontario.ca In recognition that the Good Friday statutory holiday falls on the weekend before QIP submissions, the deadline to submit your QIP has been extended from April 1 to noon on April 2, 2013. Please share this notification with the members of your organization. Access QIP guidance materials, templates, and other supports on the Excellent Care for All Act website

  • AFHTO is setting up an ED Advisory Council

    The ED Advisory Council is being established to provide a mechanism to surface operational issues, provide a sounding board on operational matters, and give advice to the AFHTO board and staff as needed on these matters. As the key link between their teams and the Ministry’s FHT Unit, EDs are in the unique position to identify the opportunities and challenges with respect to the on-going operations of their FHTs and their interactions with the FHT Unit.  The ED Advisory Council will strengthen the voice for members on these operational issues as AFHTO meets with the Ministry’s FHT Unit on behalf members. The ED Advisory Council will build on the existing ED networks and support the development of new networks in areas where a formalized network does not exist.  The intent is to include a representative for each LHIN and one for each group of FHTs that has distinct needs and perspectives (i.e. FHTs with blended-salary physicians, aboriginal/Inuit FHTs, francophone FHTs, academic FHTs). Terms of reference  for the ED Advisory Council received AFHTO approval yesterday. Please click here to view. EDs in each of the groupings identified in the terms of reference will receive a follow-up e-mail inviting these groups to determine among themselves who they wish to have as their representative (for networks that are already fully developed and have a defined leader) or to volunteer for the role.

  • QIPs – NEW resources and general update

    Reminder:  QIPs are due to HQO on April 1, 2013 Templates and guidelines to complete QIPs:

    For questions about completing the QIP templates, e-mail qip@hqontario.ca NEW — Cancer Screening – Quality Improvement Toolkit available: For FHTs interested in including cancer screening in your QIP, Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) has developed a cancer screening toolkit for FHTs. This toolkit will assist FHTs in planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting on improvements in colorectal, cervical and breast cancer screening and contains a cancer screening sample timeline, instructions, a planning tool and a measurement tool. The toolkit also provides information on potential data sources, including the ColonCancerCheck Screening Activity Report (CCC SAR). Many Thanks to Dr. Suzanne Strasberg, lead physician of the Jane-Finch FHT and regional primary care lead with CCO, who shared this toolkit with AFHTO. Primary Care Metrics available on Health Data Branch Portal: The primary care data is on a special section of the Health Data Branch portal a. Please go to https://hsimi.on.ca/hdbportal/user/register to create an account for your organization. When on this page, you will be asked to create a username and password. It is important that you record your username and password, as you will not be able to retrieve it later:

    1. For “Organization/Sector”, please indicate the name of your organization (e.g. “Sunnybrook Academic FHT”)
    2. For “What areas of the web portal will you access?” Please leave this section blank.
    3. For “user type” please select “Health Service Provider”
    4. For “Reason for requesting access to the website”, please write, “Primary Care QIP”

    For questions about logging into the portal, please contact DDMSupport@ontario.ca. Metrics available:

    • Percent of patients who visited the ED for conditions best managed elsewhere (BME)
    • Percent of patients/clients who see their primary care provider within 7 days after discharge from hospital for selected conditions
    • Hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC)
    • Hospital Readmission within 30 days for select CMGs
    • Patient admissions (all causes)
    • ED visits (all causes)
    • Physician house calls

    This data is being provided at the organization-level for models that have rostered patients/clients. Governance Training: The response to the workshops has been overwhelming and all seven current sessions are at full capacity. The Ministry of Health has confirmed that additional sessions will be available in late April or early May. The locations are yet to be determined and will be, as much as possible, responding to the waitlist composition. If you have not yet registered, please click here to add your name to the waitlist. The Governance training workshop is an important resource that will provide board members and Executive Directors with the knowledge and tools to ensure that Boards understand their role and responsibility in the improvement of quality care in their organization. Please note that attending the governance training after completing your QIP will not place you at any disadvantage. While the governance training is essential for your organization, you will be able to complete your QIP without having attended the session. AFHTO Members’ Discussion Forum: The “Quality Improvement Planning Forum” is a tool for asking questions or starting a discussion with your FHT colleagues about developing and submitting QIPs, implementing the plans, collecting and reporting data, and other factors that contribute to advancing improvement.  Clarys Tirel, our new AFHTO staff member, will moderate and respond when required. Click here to access the Quality Improvement Forum, enter your personalized username and password to log-in to the discussion forum.  Contact Sal at info@afhto.ca if you need help accessing the site.

  • Primary Care Metrics now available on the Health Data Branch Portal

    Please see the message below from the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care regarding primary care data to support development of your Quality Improvement Plans: The Ministry has provided data for several primary care metrics. This data will support development and planning for Quality Improvement Plans and other quality initiatives. Important information on how to access this data: The primary care data is on a special section of the Health Data Branch portal and permission is required to access the data. Please go to https://hsimi.on.ca/hdbportal/user/register to create an account for your organization. When on this page, you will be asked to create a username and password. It is important that you record your username and password, as you will not be able to retrieve it later. When creating a username, please follow the instructions below:

    1. For “Organization/Sector”, please indicate the name of your organization (e.g. “Sunnybrook Academic FHT”)
    2. For “What areas of the web portal will you access?” Please leave this section blank.
    3. For “user type” please select “Health Service Provider”
    4. For “Reason for requesting access to the website”, please write, “Primary Care QIP”

    For questions about logging into the portal, please contact DDMSupport@ontario.ca. Metrics available:

    • Percent of patients who visited the ED for conditions best managed elsewhere (BME)
    • Percent of patients/clients who see their primary care provider within 7 days after discharge from hospital for selected conditions
    • Hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC)
    • Hospital Readmission within 30 days for select CMGs
    • Patient admissions (all causes)
    • ED visits (all causes)
    • Physician house calls

    This data is being provided at the organization-level for models that have rostered patients/clients. For CHCs, AHACs and NPLCs who are members of the Association of Ontario Health Centre (AOHC) much of this data will be provided in the ICES Practice Profile. These groups should contact their RDSS or Jennifer Rayner for more information.

  • Ontario Government agenda outlined in today’s Speech from the Throne

    A new session opened in the Ontario Legislature today. The Hon. David Onley, Lt. Governor of Ontario, set out the new premier’s agenda for the upcoming legislative session in the Speech From the Throne.  The components of the Government’s plan are:  a Steady Hand and a Bold Vision focusing on economic growth and increased employment; A New Sense of Community focusing on prosperous communities; A Fair Society that ensures all Ontarians have the same footing; and The Way Forward focusing on working collaboratively with all MPPs in the legislature. There are a number of healthcare and seniors initiatives included in the speech such as Community Health Links, home care, mental health and addictions, research and innovation, seniors and health promotion.   You can find the speech online at http://www.premier.gov.on.ca/en/news/24955.