For the CIUSSS Innovation team, improvement isn’t reserved for New Year’s resolutions—it’s an ambition they practice every day of the year.
In an era when problem-solving is an up-to-the-minute necessity, an innovation team has become an essential catalyst of ongoing improvement. “We encourage teams to share their pace-setting ideas, and are prepared to open those channels of communication,” says Associate Director Joanne Côté. “We’re here to help healthcare teams capitalize on one of the great benefits to belonging to a network—building on each other’s strengths.”
“Since our team formed last spring, we’ve been working closely with sites throughout CIUSSS West-Central Montreal to refine, implement and promote their initiatives,” says Ms. Côté. “That way, every point along the continuum of care contributes to our common goal of providing timely access to the highest possible quality of care for our users.”
Innovation team supports CIUSSS directorates on major projects
Patient transfers
The transfer of patients and residents, whether between units or from one site to another, is an undertaking that demands judicious planning, says Ms. Côté. Communications Specialist Julie Beauvilliers adds that the Innovation team remains in constant communication with the staff involved in the move or relocation. “The healthcare teams are most intimately aware of the needs and concerns of their patients, so we maintain an open dialogue every step of the way,” she notes. “With our support, they are able to carry on their work effectively and without unsettling disruptions, during and in the aftermath of the move.”
The Innovation team helped to plan and carry out the following transfers:
• The temporary relocation of 66 residents from the Henri-Bradet Residential Centre to the Jewish General Hospital
• The move of 25 patients from the Medical Short Stay Unit to higher floors at the JGH (from 6C to 7C and D)
• The grouping of 22 patients from Medical and Surgical units who no longer require acute care and are awaiting transfer to other institutions (moved from 6B to 6C)
Integrated Practice Units
CIUSSS West-Central Montreal is responding to the growing need for seamless care and services by pioneering an emerging model of care in Quebec known as the Integrated Practice Unit, or IPU.
In this unique approach, the entire cycle of care is designed around a specific medical condition, patient demographic, or patient profile. The IPUs are interdisciplinary, uniting teams from sites spread across the CIUSSS. Healthcare professionals are engaged to work cooperatively and share their expertise to determine the best course of treatment, rehabilitation and home care for our users. IPUs are configured to ensure that patients are transferred seamlessly to whichever facility is best able to help them at any particular point in their recovery.
In the months ahead, the Innovation team will accompany clinical teams to map and analyze existing patient trajectories. Their goal is to conceive the optimal ‘journey’ or paths—that are nevertheless fluid enough to adapt to the evolving healthcare needs of users—for that very specific medical condition or patient group.
They will also provide a framework for teams, through ongoing training and standardized tools and templates that can be customized as needed.
Unification of information systems
If uniting healthcare teams from various facilities leads to a more efficient and interconnected model of care for our users, the standardization of information systems has similar advantages. It allows staff and users more timely, secure and reliable access to all kinds of information.
The Innovation team continues to work closely with technological, clinical and administrative teams throughout the network to simplify and improve the services they provide and use. They also communicate any updates to the end-users, to keep everyone informed.
The Innovation team has assisted in consolidating and implementing the following systems:
• Material Resources Management (GRM)
• Financial Resources Management (GRF)
• Human Resources Management (GRH Payroll)
• CIUSSS Appointment system management
War rooms
War rooms are a dedicated meeting space for staff to gather regularly with team members to share information on ongoing projects, and analyze their effectiveness. The war room setting (more commonly known by the French, salle de pilotage) is designed to engage the participation of everyone involved in a given project or plan of action, to contribute their clinical or administrative perspective. Teams are encouraged to re-evaluate their priorities and performance at regular intervals so that they can propose and enact improvements.
As part of their exchange, teams also consider how closely their project conforms to the vision and priorities of our CIUSSS and the strategic plan and goals of the Ministry of Health and Social Services. This approach unifies groups that are spread across the network. It also ensures that any challenges or constraints are communicated to higher levels of management.
The Innovation team assists managers in organizing war rooms by providing training, coaching, and useful tools and templates that can be customized for their own purposes.
Read more about the role of the Innovation team in helping CIUSSS staff set up a war room in the July edition of 360.
To discover how the Innovation team supports projects throughout the CIUSSS, visit our intranet page under Administrative Departments > Innovation Team.
