6 Days Left. Submit Your Abstract by June 16!
Submit your abstract- deadline June 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM (EDT) The countdown is on. Abstracts due June 16 at 5:00 PM (EDT). If you’ve got an idea, insight, or innovation, now is the time to share it. Don’t wait. Submit your abstract for #AFHTO2025 today. Whether you’re in primary care, public […]
Got a bold idea? Submit your “Wild Card” abstract for AFHTO’s 2025 Conference by June 16!
Wild cards welcome to AFHTO 2025 Power of Primary Care Conference Every year we receive brilliant abstracts that defy categorization, and we welcome them. That’s why we created the Wild Card category under the conference theme: Meeting Needs, Advancing Equity: The Power of Comprehensive, Patient-Partnered Care. Instead of shoehorning them into a theme that […]
Call for abstracts – AFHTO’s The Power of Primary Care
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS NOW OPEN This is more than a showcase. It’s a design session for the future. Ontario’s primary care system is under a spotlight — and finally, under serious consideration. Investments are coming. Expectations are rising. And the window to shape what’s next is wide open. The Power of Primary Care is […]
Bits & Pieces: important step toward achieving team-based primary care for all Ontarians and more; RSV program and COVID vaccine memos
Your Biweekly News & Updates In This Issue News and updates including important step toward achieving team-based primary care for all Ontarians Reminder- CharityVillage course signup extended to April 18 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease quality standard implementation toolkit Sickle Cell Disease Community of Practice April webinar Osteoporosis toolkit Upcoming events including OMD Educates: Digital […]
Bits & Pieces: INQ Law webinars and more
Your Biweekly News & Updates In This Issue Lunch and Learn webinar series with INQ Law Member stories Health law professional development discount for AFHTO members News and updates including physicians eligible to join HOOPP in 2025 Complimentary tuition for Hospice Palliative Care Ontario education Thoughts of harm knowledge study Registration with CPSO opens […]
Bits & Pieces: member stories, walking pneumonia updates and more
Your Biweekly News & Updates In This Issue Member stories Join us at AFHTO News and updates including walking pneumonia resistance patterns Safespace Network Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory Upcoming events including Analysis Series – Interprofessional Primary Care 2024/25 QIPs Member stories Chatham-Kent FHT- CK family doctor from LaSalle recognized for outstanding […]
Bits & Pieces: early bird deadline today and fireside chat
Your Biweekly News & Updates In This Issue AFHTO 2024 Conference: early bird deadline today and fireside chat Member stories News and updates including adding Kinesiologists and over half of adults with PCC reported noticeable limitations in daily activities OntarioMD Managed Digital Health Services focus groups Survey on clinicians’ understanding of patient/client phenomenon of […]
Bits & Pieces: climate change webinar, immunization and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Climate change is a health issue: adopting a green health strategy at your team AFHTO 2024 Conference: abstract deadline this Friday Member stories OCDPA Queen’s Park Day 2024 News and updates including immunization recommendations for children previously immunized with oral poliovirus vaccine Reminder- the Ontario Health […]
Bits & Pieces: Pharmacy Appreciation Month and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Happy Pharmacy Appreciation Month Reminder- social prescribing in Ontario webinar April 3 Member stories Charity Village course deadline extended to April 15- only 3 courses available now 2024 OCFP Awards deadline is March 31, 2024 Socio-demographic QIP indicators and resources News and updates including OCFP measles […]
Bits & Pieces: conference materials and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue #AFHTO2023 materials now available to all members On- Demand sessions Improving vaccination rates is as easy as 1 2 3 materials available News and updates including Prevention System Quality Index Navigating parental vaccine hesitancy: primary care practitioners’ approaches to discussing covid-19 vaccination Upcoming events including 2024/25 […]
Bits & Pieces: Nurse Practitioner Week and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Nurse Practitioner Week Reminder- 40% discount on CPS Full Access available to members Member stories Connect with your peers using AFHTO’s IHP Directory News and updates including funding for leadership in compassion and artificial intelligence Upcoming events including 2024/25 Quality Improvement Plans Launch and more […]
Bits & Pieces: featuring your stories and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue AFHTO annual report featuring your stories Reminder – Improving vaccination rates is as easy as 1 2 3 webinar Nov. 13 News and updates including Ontario expanding prescribing powers for registered nurses Survey on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for women at risk for HIV National study […]
Bits & Pieces: improving vaccination rates is as easy as 1 2 3 and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Improving vaccination rates is as easy as 1 2 3: helping teams excel Expansion of the Ontario Breast Screening Program to people ages 40 to 49 News and updates including updated OCFP vaccine resources and IPAC guidance Seeking contribution to the design of an AI-Enabled encounter […]
Bits & Pieces: vote for your favourite conference sessions and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue AFHTO 2023 Conference: vote for your streaming sessions Changes to the Ontario Breast Screening Program Member stories and evidence of value regarding chronic pain framework Interested in adopting the MINT Memory Clinic model? New prediabetes and type 2 diabetes digital tools & supports GoodLife- you can […]
Information exchange and e-ordering EOI deadline Aug 11 and compensation survey update
To EDs/Admin Leads, lead clinicians and board chairs of AFHTO member teams On July 11, Primary Care Program, Ontario Health sent out a call for expression of interests in Primary Care Information Exchange (PCIE) Limited Production Release (LPR). The original deadline (originally July 26) has now been extended to August 11, 2023. Please see below […]
QI in Action eBulletin #130: Hypertension Awareness Month
In this Issue: Hypertension in Canada Hypertension Webinars Hypertension Resources Food for Thought Past Webinars Upcoming Events Hypertension in Canada In Canada, heart disease is the second leading cause of death after cancer, and is a leading cause of hospitalization. In 2017–2018, about 8.5% of Canadians 20 years and older were living with diagnosed ischemic […]
QI in Action eBulletin #129: Celiac Disease Awareness Month
In this Issue: Celiac Disease in Ontario Celiac Canada Webinars Celiac Resources Food for thought Past Webinars Upcoming Events Celiac Disease in Ontario May is Celiac Disease Awareness month and we join Celiac Canada in helping to bring this initiative to the attention of team-based Primary Care. The Ontario Ministry of Health has announced it is […]
QI in Action eBulletin #127: Nutrition Month
In this Issue: Nutrition month resources Food for thought NEW- Eating Disorders Quality Standard NEW- Surgical Site Infections Quality Standard Share your experience and inform future prenatal care innovations Upcoming Events Nutrition month resources This month we join our Registered Dietitians in celebrating the impact of good nutrition on our patients’ health outcomes. Examples […]
QI in Action eBulletin #126: The Health Equity Questionnaire
In this Issue: The Health Equity Questionnaire: Standardized Entry of Social Determinants of Health into EMRs Resources for social determinants of health Food for thought Updated Primary Care Data Reports for Ontario Health Teams Help shape the future of virtual health care in Ontario Phase I Guidance for Clinically Appropriate Use of Virtual Care for […]
QI in Action eBulletin #121: Primary Care Ontario Practice-Based Learning and Research Network (POPLAR)
In this Issue: What is POPLAR and How to Join Examining the Work Done by Interprofessional Healthcare Providers Pan-Canadian Study on Outpatient Interventions for Mild to Moderate COVID-19 CareCanvas: A New Tool to Support Practice Improvement Upcoming Events What is POPLAR and How to Join Content below developed by POPLAR The Primary Care Ontario […]
Bits & Pieces: Wellness Check – Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress, and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Wellness Check: Dealing with Transitions and Managing Stress Sep. 15 Farewell to Sombo Saviye Ontario Health seeking Regional Clinical Leads EMR queries for under 5 vaccines and more Deadline to nominate a partner or healthcare inspiration for an AFHTO Board award this Friday Upcoming events including […]
Infection Control Resources and Tools
Originally posted Mar 10, 2020. Last updated June 15, 2022 *NEW* We have created a list of infection prevention and control tools and resources. New and updated resources will be added to the top of each list as they become available. IPAC shareables #StoptheSpread campaign communications toolkit | OHA, October 14, 2020 Sharables for the […]
Bits & Pieces: Bright Lights coming soon and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Bright Lights nominations open soon- reviewers needed Reminder- Advancing equity in cancer screening for gender-diverse clients, June 17 Cyber Security Centre of Excellence updates Speak Up Ontario is now Advance Care Planning Ontario Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 and more Psychological impacts of COVID-19 […]
Monkeypox Update, Planning Vaccination for the Under 5 and Please Fill in a Quick Survey
Dear Members, We hope you are all doing well and staying safe as we all navigate through this current wave of COVID-19, while closely monitoring the situation concerning monkeypox cases that have been reported in Europe, the US and now in Quebec and Ontario. Please find attached the following information from the Chief Medical Officer […]
QI in Action eBulletin #115: Role of Primary Care in Vaccine Distribution, Funding Opportunities, Partner Updates
In this Issue: Understanding the Role of Primary Care in Vaccine Distribution Clinical Systems Renewal Funding Primary Care Data Reports for Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) Updates from eHealth Centre of Excellence NEW Online Smoking Cessation Program Upcoming Webinars New Research Project! We want to hear from you! AFHTO has partnered with Dr. Rachelle Ashcroft […]
COVID-19 Outpatient Therapies, Vaccination Updates and Other Updates
Dear members, January has been an incredibly difficult month, and we want to thank you and your teams for all that you have done, and continue to do, for your patients. Encouragingly, the latest update on COVID-19 projections from the Science Table indicates that while hospital and ICU admissions continues to be high, Ontario data […]
QI in Action eBulletin #114: Quality & Knowledge Translation Materials 2021 Recap and COVID-19 Vaccination Digital Tools
In this Issue: Quality Improvement & Knowledge Translation Materials – 2021 Recap Updated Omicron Guidance Ontario Health e-Reports Supporting EMR Documentation of COVID-19 vaccinations TELUS PSS Toolbar – Assisting in Reconciling Vaccinations Upcoming Webinars Within the AFHTO member portal, members can find the Quality and Knowledge Translation section. Under the Quality Improvement Tools […]
Bits & Pieces: member stories, virtual funding opps and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Member stories Reminder- virtual funding opportunities for primary care, Sep. 16 Reminder- COVID-19 malnutrition – how to identify and treat in team-based primary care, Sep. 20 AFHTO 2021 Conference: AI panel update & poster confirmations Additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine in immunocompromised individuals and more Relevant […]
QI in Action eBulletin #110: COVID-19 Vaccination Reports, Cancer Screening Summary and Quality Standard Placemat
In this Issue: COVID-19 Vaccination Reports Resuming Cancer Screening During COVID-19 Quality Standard Placemat Share your Thoughts on Addressing Patients’ Mental Health Needs as a Pharmacist Upcoming Webinars COVID-19 Vaccination Reports Currently COVID-19 Vaccination Reports are available to Primary Care Providers in a few ways that are summarized below: Health Report Manager (HRM®): As of […]
QI in Action eBulletin #109: Cancer Screening during the Pandemic and Onwards
In this Issue: Cancer Screening during the Pandemic and Onwards Tip Sheets for Primary Care Providers Breast Screening Cervical Screening Colorectal Cancer Screening Ontario Health’s Screening Activity Report EMR Tips to Help you Resume Cancer Screening Upcoming Webinars Cancer Screening during the Pandemic and Onwards Check out our recent Cancer Screening during the Pandemic and […]
QI in Action eBulletin #108: COVID-19 Vaccination Data & GeriMedRisk
In this Issue: COVID-19 Vaccination Data Workflow Updates COVID-19 Vaccination Information Available via the Digital Health Drug Repository (DHDR) Digital Health OHT Community of Practice (CoP) GeriMedRisk Upcoming Webinars COVID-19 Vaccination Data Workflow Updates As of May 18, 2021, and onwards, Health Report Manager (HRM) has been pushing data prospectively to physicians/nurse practitioners when their […]
Bits & Pieces: Astra-Zeneca pause supporting documentation, CMOH webinar and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Supporting documentation for Astra-Zeneca pause COVID-19 Education with Daniel Warshafsky, Office of CMOH, June 9 Happy Foot Health Month- plus article on initial diabetic foot screening COVID-19 vaccination clinic workflow update Provincial Antigen Screening Program – Intake Portal and more Relevant reports and studies- patient perspectives […]
Bits & Pieces: nursing week, EMR audit materials, vaccination workflow and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Nursing Week EMR/EHR Auditing Obligations video and materials COVID-19 vaccination clinic workflow and mass upload tips & tricks Member stories High-risk healthcare workers to get second dose sooner, VITT guidance and more IPHCC youth-produced social media and video series on vaccine promotion Message for pregnant individuals […]
QI in Action eBulletin #107: COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Workflow and Mass Upload Tips & Tricks
In this Issue: COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Workflow and Mass Upload Tips & Tricks Ontario Health Updates: Quality Standards (QS) Recent Research Publications Upcoming Webinars COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic Workflow and Mass Upload Tips & Tricks As teams move from pilot COVID-19 vaccination clinics to mass vaccination clinics, drive-thru vaccination clinics and in-clinic vaccinations, we […]
Q&A Refresher with Maria McDonald, vaccination roll-out CoPs and input for the next OHT webinar
Inside Managing and Supporting Staff throughout COVID-19: Q&A Refresher with Maria McDonald COVID@Home Primary Care Vaccination Quality Improvement Community of Practice (Ontario Health) – Next Meeting is April 22! OCFP community of practice Next webinar on OHT learnings! Reminder: Webinar on EMR auditing obligations COVID-19 and patient responsibility Hello Executive Directors and Administrative Leads, We’d […]
QI in Action eBulletin # 106: COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility – EMR Searches for Primary Care
In this Issue: EMR Searches for Primary Care eConsult Specialty Groups Share your COVID-19 Initiatives Upcoming Webinars EMR Searches for Primary Care To support primary care with COVID-19 vaccination during Phase Two of Ontario’s roll out strategy, the team at the eHealth Centre of Excellence can provide EMR searches that enable clinicians to more efficiently […]
April 5th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
In This Issue: Vaccinating in Primary Care COVaxON Primary Care Community of Practice COVID@Home Monitoring for Primary Care Provincial Antigen Screening Program COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility EMR Searches COVID-19 Learning Opportunities New Resources Relevant Ministry Guidance Documents for Primary Care Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care […]
March 19th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out
Dear Members, We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Collaborative (PC-VAC*). This week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here. The projections from the Ontario COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and Modelling Consensus update on COVID-19 Table on March 11 suggests […]
QI in Action eBulletin # 105: Ontario Health Submission March 2021
In this Issue: A new tool for primary care providers: Quality Standard Placemats Quality Improvement Plans – Update A Peoples’ Panel on how race and ethnicity data should be used for health data research in Ontario Upcoming Webinars Content below developed by Ontario Health A new tool for primary care providers: Quality Standard Placemats Quality […]
QI in Action eBulletin # 104 – Identifying Priority Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination from EMRs
In this Issue: What is POPLAR? POPLAR and COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization Data Security & Privacy How to Register? COVID-19 Cancer Screening Tip Sheet for Primary Care Providers Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey Upcoming Webinars What is POPLAR? The Primary Care Ontario Practice-based Learning and Research Network (POPLAR) is an initiative of Ontario’s six […]
Bits & Pieces: primary care virtual groups webinar, immunization for specific groups, and more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Primary care virtual groups – transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual Members’ stories Planning immunization for specific groups, complicated grief and more Online safety and data backup- tips from TechSoup Canada IBS/Low FODMAP diet: video series from Thames Valley FHT RDs Ontario […]
QI in Action eBulletin #103 – Moving Forward with Quality Improvement in the New Year
In this Issue: Quality Improvement on the Fly & QIPs QI Resources Upcoming Events Quality Improvement on the Fly & QIPs At this time, teams usually start to plan for their annual QIPs submission. We can expect an update in the upcoming weeks. In the meantime, the QI in PC Council has collaboratively gathered the […]
QI in Action eBulletin #99: Capturing Primary Care’s Response to COVID-19
In this Issue: Primary Care Patient/Client Experience Virtual Care Survey Responding to COVID-19: Understanding How Primary Care Teams Stepped up to Help Support Their Communities and Patients IHP Experience During the Early Phase of COVID-19 Upcoming Virtual Events Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey The rapid adoption of virtual care during the pandemic […]
Bits & Pieces: Dr. Rueben Devlin, June 11 webinar, COVID-19 Innovation grants & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Dr. Rueben Devlin, Chair of the Premier’s Council, has passed Team based care supporting patient communities through COVID-19 webinar COVID-19 Innovation grant program Member renewal – you can now send in your cheques! COVID-19 in Ontario – A Focus on Diversity: Public Health Ontario report Phase […]
Getting started on a COPD registry
This document explains how to use standardized queries in your EMR to start building chronic disease registries. The instructions below focus on COPD. The COPD query is intended for teams that do not yet have a reliable list of COPD patients and don’t have the time or resources to start from scratch in reviewing all […]
QI in Action eBulletin #98: Team-Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19
In this Issue: Team Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19 Webinar Virtual Visits: Beginning to End Q&A Document QI Resources Team-Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19 Webinar On June 11, 2020 (12-1pm EST) AFHTO, in collaboration with 3 primary care teams, will be hosting a webinar to share initiatives teams are currently doing […]
Bits & Pieces: members’ COVID-19 initiatives, updated case definition & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue ICYMI- members’ COVID-19 initiatives and vulnerable patient outreach queries World Family Doctor Day Videos for the pandemic from Niagara North FHT for patients and providers Members’ stories Updated case definition, symptom, and screening documents for COVID-19 Call for abstracts- Virtual ADHD Research Day Upcoming events including […]
QI in Action eBulletin #97: Quality Improvement on the Go
In this Issue: Team Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19 Quality Improvement in Primary Care Council Updates Primary Care Practice Reports Upcoming Webinars Team-Based Care Supporting Patient Communities Through COVID-19 Primary care continues to step up and ensure our patients get the care they need. From the beginning of this pandemic to now […]
EMR Communities of Practice Transition to OntarioMD
Originally posted March 31, 2020, updated on April 3, 2020. Dear AFHTO EMR CoP Members, As many of you are aware the EMR communities of practice (CoP) will be transitioning from AFHTO to OntarioMD effective March 31, 2020. AFHTO would like to thank all members for their continuous support and participation. We would also like […]
Getting started on a COPD registry (Archived)
This page has been archived. For the most recent version of this page, please click here. This document explains how to use standardized queries in your EMR to start building chronic disease registries. The instructions below focus on COPD. The COPD query is intended for teams that do not yet have a reliable list of […]
QI in Action eBulletin #96: Lung Health in Primary Care
In this Issue: Primary Care Lung Health Programs Electronic Asthma Management System Tool for Oscar Users Understanding Bronchiectasis Vaping Upcoming Webinars Primary Care Lung Health Programs In 2015, there were 60, 530 new Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) diagnoses for people in Ontario ages 35 and older and 883,400 Ontarians were living with a […]
Bits & Pieces: meeting the Minister, working together for change tools & resources & more
Your Weekly News & Updates In This Issue Meeting the Minister to discuss pre budget recommendations Working together for change Members’ stories Managing urinary incontinence in women: clinical tool Novel coronavirus updates Northern opioid learning community webinars, Mar. 5 & 26 Seeking volunteers for Early Chronic Kidney Disease priority panel OASW call for proposals […]
QI in Action eBulletin #95: Made-In Ontario High Impact Actions in Primary Care
In this issue Primary Care Virtual Community High Impact Action Items Local Change Ideas Upcoming Webinars Primary Care Virtual Community: The primary care virtual community is Ontario’s novel collaborative designed to unleash the power of primary care in health system change. As a community, they have co-defined a list of High Impact Actions that are […]
AFHTO response to public health modernization
As government undergoes public health modernization, AFHTO is pleased to provide a few recommendations to better align primary care with public health. Together with government, we will build more coordinated, integrated and person-centered health care for the people of Ontario. Strengthen the relationship between primary care and public health to better align with health system […]
QI in Action eBulletin #94: Quality and Measurement New Beginnings
In this issue Moving Forward with AFHTO’s Quality Agenda Formation of the Quality Improvement in Primary Care Council Mental Health and Addictions Support Support for Teams Tools and Resources (including standardized EMR queries) Webinar videos and slides (including opioid stewardship) Workshops, events and presentations (including focus on follow up) Upcoming Webinars Moving Forward with AFHTO’s […]
Members invited to participate in Communities of Practice for Telus PS, OSCAR, Accuro, and P&P EMRs
What is an EMR Community of Practice (CoP)? An EMR CoP is a group that seeks to optimize use of their EMR. We do this by continuously engaging EMR vendors, super-users, clinicians, QIDS Specialists and other team members to strengthen collective knowledge, expertise and problem solving capability in EMR offerings. Our EMR Communities of Practice collaborate closely […]
Standardized EMR Queries
Standardized Clinical Queries Algorithm Project Value of Consistent Clinical Data NOTE: All queries are tested and validated prior to release. However, changes that take place after the queries are released may affect how accurate they are. Such changes could include EMR software updates, new medications, and changes to standard clinical definitions. They may result […]
EMR tools and queries for phone encounters (to help you track 7-day follow-up)
Tracking Phone Encounters: An Essential Step in Tracking Follow-Up After Hospitalization In D2D 5.0, Follow-Up after Hospitalization was introduced as a core indicator. The D2D definition differs from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care definition, which is based on billing data, includes only in-office visits with physicians, and does not take into account that […]
EMR queries for D2D – EMR Data Quality: Coded Diagnosis – Depression
The EMR queries below were developed by QIDSS and the EMR Communities of Practice to help you extract data for submission to D2D. Telus PS Accuro Nightingale OSCAR P&P NOTE: All queries are tested and validated prior to release. However, changes that take place after the queries are released may affect how accurate they […]
EMR queries for D2D – EMR Data Quality: Coded Diagnosis – COPD
The EMR queries below were developed by QIDSS and the EMR Communities of Practice to help you extract data for submission to D2D. Telus PS Accuro Nightingale OSCAR P&P NOTE: All queries are tested and validated prior to release. However, changes that take place after the queries are released may affect how accurate they […]
EMR queries for D2D – EMR Data Quality: Coded Diagnosis – CHF
The EMR queries below were developed by QIDSS and the EMR Communities of Practiceto help you extract data for submission to D2D. Telus PS Accuro Nightingale OSCAR P&P NOTE: All queries are tested and validated prior to release. However, changes that take place after the queries are released may affect how accurate they are. […]
Individualized HbA1c Targets
Why? Better care for patients with diabetes Standardized HbA1C targets do not take into account the complexity and diversity of our patient populations. Even targets that vary by age may not be sufficiently flexible; for example, a frail elderly person should have a higher target than a relatively robust person, even if their age is […]
QIDS Specialists access to the EMR Progress Assessment tool: An AFHTO & OntarioMD collaboration
The OntarioMD/AFHTO EPA collaboration is a project designed to provide QIDS Specialists access to a customized version of the OntarioMD EMR Progress Assessment (EPA). The EPA can then be employed by physicians to assess their current and desired level of EMR maturity. The EPA helps identify areas of improvement and serves as a starting point […]
Getting started on a CHF registry
AFHTO has developed a standardized query to help you build a chronic disease registry for patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) in your EMR. A chronic disease registry is an important step towards identifying – and ultimately correcting – gaps in care. The instructions below will help you get started. Why CHF? Congestive heart failure […]
Medication reconciliation
Interpretive Notes Data Quality Actions Potential Actions Related to Quality of Care Information on this indicator related to D2D 3.0 can be found here. For technical notes, please see page 45 of the Data Dictionary. Interpretive Notes Tips to help you understand the data and put it in context. Data Quality Actions Tips to help […]
EMR Queries for D2D – Diabetes Care Composite Indicator
The queries below were developed by QIDSS and the EMR Communities of Practice. They will help you extract data to monitor diabetes care, and they can also help you prepare the data for submission to D2D. Why Diabetes? There are two reasons to include a diabetes care indicator in D2D. The main reason is […]
EMR queries for D2D – EMR Data Quality: Smoking Status Complete
Please find below EMR queries developed by QIDSS and the EMR Communities of Practice that will help you extract data for submission to D2D. Telus PS Accuro Nightingale OSCAR P&P NOTE: All queries are tested and validated prior to release. However, changes that take place after the queries are released may affect how accurate […]
EMR queries for D2D – Patients served
The EMR queries below were developed by QIDSS and the EMR Communities of Practice to help you prepare data for D2D submission. Telus PS Accuro Nightingale OSCAR P&P NOTE: All queries are tested and validated prior to release. However, changes that take place after the queries are released may affect how accurate they are. […]
Getting started with a registry for patients with depression
Get even better at tracking how well your patients with depression are doing. You can use the EMR tools shown below to get even better at tracking how well your patients with depression are doing. Why do we need to do better? Depression affects about 5% of adults in Canada each year and double that […]
Exploring Health Equity
Health equity is achieved when people are able to reach their full health potential and receive high-quality care that is fair and appropriate to them and their needs, no matter where they live, what they have or who they are. AFHTO is committed to helping members work towards this goal and to identify gaps and […]
Hire a Student: Funding & Placement Programs
Canada Summer Jobs 2016: Deadline Extended The deadline to apply for funding for a summer student through the Canada Summer Jobs Program has been extended to March 11, 2016. Private, public, and not-for-profit employers are eligible for this funding. Not-for profit employers can receive funding for up to 100% of minimum wage; public and private sector […]
Getting started on a diabetes registry
This document explains how to use a standardized query of your EMR to start building a diabetes registry. It is intended for teams that do not yet have a reliable list of diabetes patients and don’t have the time or resources to start from scratch in reviewing all their patients to generate such a list. […]
EMR queries for D2D – Childhood Immunization
The EMR queries below were developed by QIDSS and the EMR Communities of Practice to help you extract data for submission to D2D. Telus PS Accuro Nightingale OSCAR P&P NOTE: All queries are tested and validated prior to release. However, changes that take place after the queries are released may affect how accurate they […]
EMR data quality – Data quality actions
Updated as of January 22, 2016 Estimate impact of data quality The data are almost certainly not a definitive estimate of your team’s actual performance. However, they might be “good enough” to help you decide if your team needs to improve or not. To determine if the data are “good enough” for that, estimate how […]
Patient Contact System – Pilot Project
The goal of this project is to make it easier for teams to administer ongoing, consistent, patient experience surveys and otherwise engage patients in their care in meaningful ways. 10 teams are currently piloting the system. For more information check out the pilot project announcement and the FAQs or contact Marg Leyland. Keep an eye on […]
Volunteers wanted for free pilot of a patient contact management system
Is your FHT or NPLC interested in trying out – at no charge – a system to automatically call or email your patients? Up to 50 AFHTO-member teams can participate in a pilot to test this approach. The system will allow teams to contact patients in whichever way they want for whatever reason they want. […]
QIDS Update 2013-11-26: EMR Landscape Report + QIDS Innovation Funding
REMINDER: Opportunity to apply for QIDS Innovation Funding A few days ago AFHTO announced the availability of $95,000 in QIDS Innovation Funding. Note that this one-time opportunity is very time sensitive. Interested applicants will need to notify Tim Burns (tim.burns@afhto.ca) of their intent to apply by December 6, 2013. This initiative will serve as a […]
AFHTO 2013 Conference – EMR Users Meetings
EMR Vendors hosted information and knowledge sharing sessions for AFHTO member users with the aim of working towards responding to evolving measurement and reporting requirements. The EMR User Meetings give FHTs the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and share best practices for maximizing their use of the EMR system. AFHTO –TELUS Health: PS Suite […]
AFHTO Conference 2013 Poster Displays
Theme 1 – Leadership and governance for quality 1 The Role of an Interprofessional, Cross-Sectoral Planning and Priorities Committee in the Successful Function and Evolution of an FHT Theme 2 – Using data to improve care 2 Using EMR as a partner: Can an EMR system make you smarter about Diabetes care? 3 […]
AFHTO 2013 Conference – Meaningful Use of EMRs
Theme Description: “Meaningful use” goes beyond storing patient information in an electronic version of a paper chart. It includes using the data and functionality of the EMR to advance the clinical process of care and improve outcomes. The US Centres for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) has defined “meaningful use” as using EHR/EMR technology to: Improve quality, […]
Update from AFHTO-PSS working group: report from meeting with TELUS-HEALTH
The AFHTO – PSS working group continues to meet with the PS Suite team from TELUS-Health to address the FHTs issues with the EMR. Recently, representatives from the working group met with the leadership team at TELUS Health to ensure that the FHT priorities and concerns were being heard by TELUS and would be addressed. […]
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 […]
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. […]
Links to information technology and information management resources
Please find below toolkits and resources to support FHTs with managing technology and information: Western and Schulich – EMR/EHR User Guide Health Canada — The EMR Toolkit American Academy of Family Physicians — How to Successfully Navigate your EHR Implementation
FHT Practice Solutions EMR User Group Priorities – June 2012 survey results
The purpose of this survey was to identify priority issues common to all FHTs using Practice Solutions (PSS). The survey was distributed to all FHTs that had reported through a previous AFHTO survey that they use PSS in their clinics (n=57 FHTs). There were 3 elements to the survey: Identify common issues across FHTs Prioritize […]
Priority issues identified by PSS users in Family Health Teams
Click here to access the PSS User Group report on FHT PSS Priorities. It presents a list of the 10 most common issues experienced by PSS Users in terms of frequency of the problem and its detrimental impact on FHT operations. Following from these, the PSS Users identified the following four items as the priorities […]
AFHTO’s EMR survey – March 2012 survey results
The EMR survey was completed by 160 respondents from 121 FHTs (65% of all 186) in the period April 10 – 30, 2012. Thank you to all who took the time to respond. Click on the links below to find: A description of respondents and overall EMR usage A comparison of aggregate EMR ratings Findings […]
Using IT to Solve Process Problems
2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Dave Sellers, Director of Operations; Dr. Mark Fraser, Lead Physician FHT/ORG: West Carleton FHT ABSTRACT: This presentation will describe how innovative approaches within the FHT IT infrastructure have been used to solve process issues and improve efficiencies and data quality. The quality of the data in your EMR has […]
FHTs in the Intelligent Community
2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Tim Iredale, Stratford Family Health Team; Paul West, Rhyzome Networks FHT/ORG: Stratford FHT ABSTRACT: The Stratford FHT is located in a city that is one of the Top 7 Intelligent Communities of 2011. The Stratford FHT has partnered with Rhyzome Networks to improve its IT infrastructure which has resulted […]
Preparing for Electronic Labs
2011 AFHTO conference presentation PRESENTER (S): Katharine De Caire, RN (EC), MN; Katalin Ivanyi, MD, CCFP, FCFP FHT/ORG: McMaster FHT, Stonechurch Site ABSTRACT: Laboratory information systems are an important component of an electronic health record. The ability to electronically access laboratory test information assists health care providers to make faster, better patient care decisions, enables […]
Managing Medications
In 2008, the Queen’s Family Health Team began to wonder just how accurate its medication lists were in our EMR. A medical student audit conducted that summer found a lot of room for improvement, particularly for patients on multiple medications or those seeing multiple providers. Since then, Queen’s FHT has developed numerous processes and policies […]