CALGARY, Alberta, May 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Health Quality Council of Alberta (HQCA) has recognized four initiatives in the province that are making a positive impact on the patient experience.

“This year’s award recipients clearly demonstrate how their teams are engaging with Alberta patients in a meaningful way and consistently listening to their needs and values. Patients and families are having positive experiences because of their efforts and we want to acknowledge that,” states D’Arcy Duquette, Chair of the HQCA Patient and Family Advisory Committee.

The Patient Experience Awards were established by the HQCA and its Patient and Family Advisory Committee to celebrate initiatives that have been implemented with a focus on improving the patient’s overall experience in accessing and receiving healthcare services.

This year’s recipients are:

• The Northern Alberta Renal Program’s Conservative Kidney Management (CKM) Clinical Pathway was designed with and for patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) who are unlikely to benefit from dialysis and have chosen CKM to help them co-develop personalized, integrated care plans that reflect their health needs and personal values. 
• The Calgary Zone Community Paramedic Program’s (CPP) City Centre Team (CCT) Mobile Paramedic Program delivers timely, individualized care to people living with homelessness where they are. For example, in shelter, harm reduction sites, encampments, or curbside.     
• The Brenda Strafford Foundation’s End of Life Framework and Program leverages existing, validated tools; a multi-disciplinary approach; and ongoing education for program staff to provide a positive impact on the resident experience and engage family members in their loved ones’ palliative care.
• The Royal Alexandra Hospital’s Inner City Health and Wellness Program deftly coordinates a clinical consult team, research program, and education program to provide a wide range of services to patients with active substance use disorders and/or those dealing with social inequity.

Award recipients will share details about their program through a public webcast on June 1, 2018 at 12 p.m. MDT. This can be viewed online.

“What stands out to me about all four of this year’s recipients is how well they considered accessibility and acceptability, two very important dimensions of quality healthcare,” explains Andrew Neuner, CEO of the Health Quality Council of Alberta.

“These teams also found innovative ways to use and expand on existing resources to support Albertans. They are proving we don’t have to reinvent the wheel to achieve quality. Using resources and tools in a thoughtful, coordinated, and disciplined way can make a difference for Albertans.

“I would like to commend this year’s award recipients and all those who work hard on a daily basis to ensure the patient comes first.”

The Health Quality Council of Alberta is a provincial agency that pursues opportunities to improve patient safety and health service quality for Albertans. The HQCA’s legislative mandate is to measure, monitor, and assess health service quality.

For more information, please contact:
Lisa Brake, Communications Director
Health Quality Council of Alberta
Office: 403.297.4091 Cell: 403.875.0359