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Quality Improvement

Close to Time of Discharge


Evidence-Informed Best Practices

Evidence-informed best practices are based on quality evidence and should be implemented into practice to optimize outcomes.1 These evidence-informed best practices for transitions are believed to be highly effective and commonly used practices for transitions between hospital and home. It is suggested that Health Links draw upon this collection of evidence-informed practices to create the foundation for supporting their processes and improving transitions for patients within their Health Link.

Document Links:


Innovative Practices

Using the Innovative Practices Evaluation Framework, Health Quality Ontario’s Health Links Clinical Reference Group has endorsed the following innovative practice or practices. Please click on the link(s) below to discover the steps for implementation, and to access resources that Health Links have used to successfully implement these practices.


Identify One Lead to Perform Medication Reconciliation in the Community

Innovative Practice

Innovative Practice Assessment2

Clinical Reference Group Endorsement for Spread

Identify one lead to perform medication reconciliation in the community.

PROMISING

Provincial spread with reassessment using the Innovative Practices Evaluation Framework2 in one year (September 2017).


Document Links:



Schedule Primary Care Visit Before Leaving Hospital

Innovative Practice

Innovative Practice Assessment2

Clinical Reference Group Endorsement for Spread

Schedule primary care visit before leaving hospital

PROMISING

Provincial spread with reassessment using the Innovative Practices Evaluation Framework2 in one year (Sept 2017).
This should be implemented in conjunction with the innovative practice to have a discharge summary available within 48 hours.


Document Links:




1 Grol R, Grimshaw J. From best evidence to best practice: effective implementation of change in patients' care. Lancet. 2003 Oct 11;362(9391):1225-30. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14568747
2 For more information about the Innovative Practices Evaluation Framework assessments, please go to the following link: http://www.hqontario.ca/Portals/0/documents/qi/health-links/innovative-practices-evaluation-framework-overview-en.pdf

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