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Tag: Members Only News

  • 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.

  • Sign-up now for the wait list for Governance Training – additional sessions to be added

    The following message is being forwarded on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care:

    The high level of interest for the Effective Governance for Quality in Primary Care training sessions is an indication of the level of commitment and enthusiasm of the primary care sector. Unfortunately this means that the seven current sessions are at full capacity. The Ministry is committed to ensuring that FHTs, NPLCs, CHCs, and AHACs have access to this program, and is looking into funding additional sessions this spring. We need your help to determine the number of additional sessions needed.

    One of the goals of the program is to ensure good representation from across the province and among all models of primary care.  Ensuring all models (AHAC, CHC, NPLC, FHT) have access to this training is essential to our commitment to build capacity of governance in primary care. However, to support this, it is possible that some organizations who pre-registered will be moved to a wait list or asked to attend a different session to accommodate a diverse group. As noted, there is commitment to providing additional sessions later this spring.

    If organizations have not been able to sign up, we encourage them to sign up on the wait list as there will be a chance to be either 1) placed in one of the upcoming sessions; or 2) placed in a new session. The wait list will be used to identify the need and potential locations for these additional sessions so it is important that all organizations that have not yet been able to register for the program get on the wait list. To access the wait list, please see: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e6y7uiac83d1f49a&oseq=&c=&ch.

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    If you have any questions about the training and the upcoming sessions please contact Clarys Tirel by phone (647-234-8601) or by e-mail (clarys.tirel@afhto.ca).

    Click here to see the program description and the announcement when registration first launched.

  • QIDSS: Further advice on preparing your proposals

    AFHTO’s Recommendations on the Optimal Configuration of the Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialist (QIDSS) Role were finalized after last night’s close of the membership feedback period. This morning AFHTO ED Angie Heydon and Senior Project Lead Clarys Tirel met with FHT Unit Manager Phil Graham and Program Manager Richard Yampolsky to discuss these recommendations.

    The discussion was framed in terms of what the FHT Unit must accomplish, i.e.:

    • Invest public dollars to improve better care/better value for money
    • Make timely decisions about budget allocations (between Feb.21 – Mar.31)
    • Ensure appropriate accountability for the funds and the results
    • Optimize the capacity of the FHT sector as a whole.

    Ministry response to the recommendations was very positive. From this discussion AFHTO offers advice to increase your chance of getting approval for your proposal:

    • Priority will be given to partnerships. Find your partner(s), agree on who will be the employer and how the QIDSS will be shared, and make sure you all say this in your proposal.
    • Priority will be given to building capacity for information management among those FHTs that are committed to doing this but need help.
      • In the short-term the focus is on data standardization and cleansing, to be able to accurately identify patients in the roster and their conditions/risk factors. Over time this role will grow along the continuum of creating reports, supporting decision-making, process change and quality improvement.
      • To get some ideas of what this entails, look at presentations from Queens FHT and North York FHT on their journeys to establish data discipline. Click here to access additional presentations from the AFHTO 2012 Conference on using data to improve care.
    • For those FHTs that are more advanced, partner with FHTs that need help and describe how the QIDSS position will help spread capacity.
    • Be as specific as you can be about what you aim to achieve with this position in the next year.

    On March 31 the FHT Unit’s budget recommendations will move up through the Ministry review and approval process. Through April to June, the FHT Unit will follow up with the FHTs they’ve recommended to receive QIDSS positions, to flesh out the expectations to be specified in the final funding agreements, and to make sure there are appropriate MOUs in place among the proposed partners. Provincial level resources Once the operating plan submissions are in and the FHT-level review begins, the FHT Unit will assess the question of provincial level resources. The AFHTO report recommended 2 – 4 positions to:

    • Foster coordination and collaboration among the local QIDSS resources, including orientation of new QIDSSs, leveraging knowledge, sharing lessons learned from across the partnerships.
    • Develop deep specialization in specific EMRs in order to act as an “escalation point” for local QIDSS with challenging EMR specific questions and issues.
    • Bring strong data analytical/epidemiological skills to support local QIDSS with complex analytical problems and to support projects such as indicator development.
    • Assess the degree to which the QIDSS role has enhanced information management capacity across the FHT sector to support planning for continued capacity building.

    The Ministry’s intent is to invite a FHT to house these provincial resources. Their work would be governed on behalf of all FHTs through an AFHTO-sponsored provincial committee structure. Through AFHTO, job descriptions for these positions and terms of reference for the committee structure will be developed. Thank you for the membership input and feedback Thank you to all who gave input to create the draft recommendations and those who gave feedback on the draft to help us finalize the report.  The results of this membership consultation are summarized in the final appendix of the document. Click here to download the full report.

  • Quality update and new resources from AFHTO

    This notice to members sums up all the recent quality-related initiatives to make sure you have all the information, and to introduce new resources available through AFHTO to support your FHT’s quality journey. Quality Improvement Plans to be submitted to HQO by April 1: The Ministry’s templates and guidance materials are found at:

    For questions about completing the QIP templates, e-mail qip@hqontario.ca .  Stay tuned – information to follow in the next week or so on HQO’s webinar offerings to support the field.

    Effective Governance for Quality in Primary Care: a one-day training program: Registration opened yesterday (click here for AFHTO announcement).  At least one session is already filled – The Ministry will consider adding more sessions, based on demand. In the meantime please sign up to a session or add your name to the waiting list. Click here for the registration guidelines and link to the registration site. Proposals for Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialists (QIDSS): A week ago AFHTO circulated draft recommendations to guide FHTs in developing proposals for QIDSS positions (due Feb.20 with operating plan submissions). We are collecting member feedback (click here) until end of day tomorrow (Jan.31) to finalize the recommendations then present them to the Ministry next week. Health Quality Ontario’s development of a Primary Care Performance Measurement (PCPM) Framework: Click here to access the proceedings from the Nov. 21 PCPM Summit.  The PCPM Steering Committee has been expanded to include representatives from AFHTO, AOHC, OCFP and OMA. The ultimate aim is finalize the PCPM Framework by this summer, and by the fall of 2013, recommendations that will support the development of infrastructure, data collection, analysis and reporting. A former FHT ED joins AFHTO staff: Clarys Tirel has joined AFHTO on a three-month contract.  Clarys was ED of the North York Family Health in 2008-2011, and most recently, interim executive director of the Mount Sinai Academic Family Health Team. Her main focus will be to support FHTs as they respond to their reporting and operational requirements in the January to April time frame, namely annual operating plans and QIPs, as well as governance and leadership development. To contact Clarys, e-mail her at clarys.tirel@afhto.ca or phone 647-234-8601. AFHTO launches Members’ Discussion Forum: Go to the AFHTO members-only website and log-in using your FHT username and password, then follow the instructions to access the Members’ Forum.  (Contact Sal at info@afhto.ca if you need help.)

    You will see three discussion forums, open to all AFHTO members and intended for asking questions and sharing ideas, advice and information resources among peers. Clarys Tirel will moderate and respond.  These are:

    • FHT Governance Forum: focuses on the roles, responsibilities, structures, policies, processes and leadership that all combine to promote good governance in FHTs.
    • Quality Improvement Planning Forum: is about developing and submitting QIPs, implementing the plans, collecting and reporting data, and other factors that contribute to advancing improvement.
    • General Forum:  for any other topics affecting Family Health Teams across Ontario

    Two secure forums have also been launched, with usernames and passwords issued to participants in these forums:

    • Executive Directors Forum: enables discussion on topics that could possibly be sensitive, such as operating plans, HR issues, relations with vendors and funders, risk management, etc.
    • Health Links Forum: for FHT leaders involved as the coordinating body for one of the early adopter Health Links.  Membership in this forum is restricted at the moment as Health Links work their way through the early “growing pains”.  Access to this forum will expand over time.

    Additional forums can be set up as interest emerges.

  • PSS Users: AFHTO-MDPS Working Group is being established

    AFHTO has developed an agreement with MD Practice Software LP (MDPS), vendor of the Practice Solutions Suite (PSS) EMR, to engage in regular meetings of a joint Working Group to resolve common problems faced by FHTs using PSS, in a mutually-agreed priority order. Click here for the terms of reference for the AFHTO-MDPS Working Group. All FHTs using PSS will have the opportunity to be engaged in the process; 4 – 6 FHT representatives are needed to participate at the table on behalf of all FHT PSS users. If you would like to be considered to serve on the Working Group, please click here to submit your expression of interest.  Clarys Tirel, former ED of a PSS FHT and AFHTO’s new Senior Project Lead – FHT Governance, Quality, and Operations, will organize and facilitate communications for this group. 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. Since FHT leaders were gathered for the AFHTO 2012 Conference in October, MDPS Assistant Vice President Andrea Holland agreed to host a customer relations session at the conference. After a number of follow-ups with MDPS, AFHTO is pleased to forward to you the two items:

  • Governing for Quality in Primary Care, a free one-day training program

    Registration for Effective Governance for Quality in Primary Care is now closed. Click here to go to the waiting list. The site also lists the objectives and full agenda for the day-long program.  The program has been approved for 3.25 credits for certified Canadian College of Health Leaders members. A corresponding application for CME credits has been submitted to the Ontario College of Family Physicians. If organizations have not been able to sign up for a session, sign up on the wait list as there will be a chance to be either 1) placed in one of the upcoming sessions; or 2) placed in a new session. Click here for the ministry’s message regarding the waiting list and possible additional training sessions.

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    This is a free one-day training program to be held in seven locations across the province, for boards of family health teams, community health centres, aboriginal health access centres and nurse practitioner-led clinics.

    To provide a common, evidence-based platform of governance training to support the quality agenda, the Ministry has partnered with the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario (AFHTO), the Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC), the Nurse Practitioner’s Association of Ontario (NPAO) and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) to develop and deliver the Effective Governance for Quality in Primary Care program.

    It is recommended that each organization send three participants including the Board Chair, Chair of the Board Quality Committee (or other board representatives) and the executive director or clinical lead.

    Click here for more information about the program and dates/locations for the one-day training sessions. To see this document in French, click here.

    Watch for the registration announcement next week. Space is limited – register early to avoid disappointment.