The following QIP submission tips were created by Health Quality Ontario on March 21, 2014. Click here for a PDF copy.

QIPs – Tips for a Successful Submission

Primary care organizations across Ontario are currently working on ambitious and innovative Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs). To support the development of these plans and to foster quality improvement learning and capacity, Health Quality Ontario (HQO) has compiled frequently asked questions about QIPs and answered them on our Quality Improvement Planning webpage. HQOs QIP Specialists have also identified a few tips for successfully submitting your organization’s plan this year:

• For each indicator that you are including in your organization’s QIP, please complete all of the fields in each row. In other words, the Current Performance, Targets, Target Justification, Change Ideas, Methods, Process Measures and Goals fields must be populated with data/information in order to submit your QIP.
• If you are collecting baseline data, it is still necessary to include an absolute target. This target can be based on what other organizations have chosen or achieved, based on internal targets, or based on your best estimate. A rationale for why the target was chosen can be included in the target justification column.
• If you are not including a priority indicator because the indicator is not applicable to your organization, please leave the entire indicator blank and include a brief explanation in the Narrative.

Should you have further questions about the QIP development and submission process, please view our FAQ, or contact QIP@hqontario.ca.

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PAQ – Tuyaux pour réussir votre soumission

Les organismes de soins primaires de la province travaillent actuellement à l’établissement de plans d’amélioration de la qualité ambitieux et innovateurs. Pour leur faciliter la tâche et encourager l’apprentissage et la capacité en matière d’amélioration de la qualité, Qualité des services de santé Ontario (QSSO) a compilé des questions souvent posées au sujet des PAQ et y a répondu sur son site Web à Plans d’amélioration de la qualité. Les spécialistes des PAQ de QSSO ont également quelques conseils à offrir à votre organisme pour l’aider à bien soumettre son plan de cette année :

• Pour chaque indicateur inclus dans le PAQ de votre organisme, remplissez tous les champs dans chaque rangée. Autrement dit, vous devez fournir des données/renseignements dans les champs Rendement actuel, Performance cible, Justification de la cible, Idées de changement, Méthodes, Mesures des processus et Objectif des idées de changement pour soumettre votre PAQ.
• Si vous recueillez des données de base, il est quand même nécessaire d’inclure un objectif absolu. Cet objectif peut être fondé sur ce que d’autres organismes ont choisi ou réalisé, compte tenu de vos objectifs internes ou de vos meilleures estimations. Vous pouvez inclure dans la colonne Justification de la cible la raison pour laquelle cet objectif a été choisi.
• Si vous n’incluez pas un indicateur prioritaire parce qu’il ne s‘applique pas à votre organisme, laissez l’indicateur en blanc et incluez une brève explication dans le champ Narration.

Si vous avez d’autres questions au sujet de l’établissement de votre PAQ et du processus de soumission, consultez notre FAQ ou envoyez un courriel à QIP@hqontario.ca.

There are many new resources and learning opportunities for AFHTO members, here is some reading for over the holidays to help prepare for the New Year (scroll down for further details):

• Quality Improvement Planning (QIP) – Navigator and Guidance Materials now available
• RNAO-MOHLTC Primary Care Fund to augment the Nursing Education Initiative
• Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialists’ (QIDSS) Symposium, January 20 to 22, 2014
• Prevent More to Treat Less: Public Health and Primary Health Care Conference, June 4 & 5, 2014

Quality Improvement Planning (QIP) – Navigator and Guidance Materials now available Login information for the Health Quality Ontario (HQO) QIP Navigator has been sent to all primary care organizations. All QIPs will need to be submitted through the QIP Navigator by April 1, 2014.  If you have any difficulties logging in or have not received your password please e-mail QIP@HQOntario.ca for assistance. QIP templates and guidance documents can also be accessed directly online: http://qipnavigator.hqontario.ca/Resources/PrimaryCareSector.aspx RNAO-MOHLTC Primary Care Fund The Ministry has provided additional one-time funding to augment the Nursing Education Initiative (NEI) to support Ontario’s primary care registered nurses to refine their knowledge, skills and competencies; as a step towards enabling full scope of practice. Full rules are online; however, if a primary care RN has completed an educational program within the past 90 days they are encouraged to apply. Primary Care RNs could be eligible for up to $1500 in reimbursement and do not need to be an RNAO member to apply. Note that this is only for 2013/14, so applications submitted after March 15, 2014 may not be considered for the special funding. For complete details on the NEI and to apply, visit: www.rnao.ca/NEI Upcoming Events: January 20 to 22, 2014, Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialists’ (QIDSS) Symposium The QIDSS symposium is a unique opportunity for professional development tailored specifically to Quality Improvement Decision Support Specialists (QIDSS). It aims to optimize the utility of the QIDSS position in supporting host and partner FHTs in their QI efforts and investments. QIDSS will learn from industry experts, EMR vendors, and colleagues on industry standard best practices. The symposium also facilitates peer learning among specialists from across the province to support the new and evolving QIDSS role. Registration and program information have been e-mailed to QIDSS and host employers. June 4 & 5, 2014, Prevent More to Treat Less: Public Health and Primary Health Care Conference For the first time, Public Health and Primary Health Care will be hosting a joint conference focused on the shared vision of promoting the best possible health and wellbeing for everyone living in Ontario. This conference will take place June 4 & 5, 2014 at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North. It will include inspiring presentations, panel discussions, learning and networking sessions that will enable representatives from both sectors to learn from each other and share best collaborative practices on shared priorities. Please visit: preventmoretotreatless.ca to see the Call for Participation details on the themes and sub-themes, the types of sessions, and the criteria that will be used to evaluate the submissions. The online submission form will be open in the New Year and a notification will be sent when it is live. In the meantime, please start brainstorming your presentations and reaching out to potential co-presenters.

Login information for the Health Quality Ontario (HQO) QIP Navigator has been sent to all primary care organizations. All QIPs will need to be submitted through the QIP Navigator by April 1, 2014.  If you have any difficulties logging in or have not received your password please e-mail QIP@HQOntario.ca for assistance. QIP templates and guidance documents can also be accessed directly online: http://qipnavigator.hqontario.ca/Resources/PrimaryCareSector.aspx

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

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

• In English – http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/ecfa/legislation/qi_primary.aspx
• En Franҫais – http://www.health.gov.on.ca/fr/pro/programs/ecfa/legislation/qi_primary.aspx

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.