Skip to main content
Back

Events

On November 6, 2015 Health Quality Ontario hosted the first Surgical Quality Improvement Conference, an opportunity for surgical teams from across Ontario to come together, share ideas and learn from others who are working towards improved surgical outcomes for Ontarians.

To view conference details, please click below:

Highlight

Thanks to everyone who participated in our inaugural Ontario Surgical Quality Improvement Conference on Nov. 6. We were extremely fortunate to have a very high-calibre, highly-motivated group of speakers whose experience and successes were very well received.

The day began with an introduction by HQO’s CEO Dr. Joshua Tepper and a keynote address by renowned surgeon and Director of the Division of Research and Optimal Patient Care at the American College of Surgeons, Dr. Clifford Ko who spoke of his experience and successes with the NSQIP initiative.iii Dr. Timothy Jackson, HQO’s Provincial Surgical Lead, moderated the sessions and lent his own experience by sharing his involvement with NSQIP at UHN to date.

Deputy Minister, Bob Bell, shared his insights into cultivating a culture of Quality Improvement noting: “the great ethos that NSQIP represents”.

The day continued with a series of panel discussions including “Using Data to Achieve Surgical Quality Improvement”, “Understanding Key Drivers for System Level Surgical Quality Improvement”, Quality Improvement Strategies to Improve Surgical Outcomes” and “Implementation of an Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (iERAS) Program”. Dr. David Schramm and Dr. Jack Kitts, CEO, both from the Ottawa Hospital, gave practical advice to participants on how to use NSQIP data to drive change and get buy-in from senior management and staff. iii

Many opportunities were given throughout the sessions for networking including a Surgeon Champion breakfast and Surgical Clinical Reviewer luncheon. HQO’s VP of Quality Improvement, Lee Fairclough, ended the day by highlighting the positive impetus early adopters have given this initiative and how surgical quality improvement aligns with Ontario’s common quality agenda.

The Ontario Surgical Quality Improvement Network looks forward to hosting the Ontario Surgical Quality Improvement Conference 2016!

Links to references from Dr. Clifford Ko’s presentation:

iDoes Surgical Quality Improve in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program: An Evaluation of All Participating Hospitals. Annals of Surgery: September 2009 - Volume 250 - Issue 3 - pp 363-376.

iiImproved Surgical Outcomes for ACS NSQIP Hospitals Over Time: Evaluation of Hospital Cohorts With up to 8 Years of Participation. Annals Of Surgery. Feb. 26, 2015.

Link to reference from Dr. Jack Kitts:

iiiImplementation of an integrated peri-operative quality management program at The Ottawa Hospital. Healthcare Management Forum. 24, Supplement, S34-S40, Jan. 1, 2011.

Let’s make our health system healthier

Join Our Patient, Family and Public Advisors Program

Patients, families and the public are central to improving health quality.


Man smiling

Sign up for our newsletter

Are you passionate about quality health care for all Ontarians? Stay in-the-know about our newest programs, reports and news.

Health Quality Connect - Health Quality Ontario's newsletter - on an iPad and a cell phone