SHAPING QUALITY THROUGH VISION, STRUCTURE, AND MONITORING OF PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY INDICATORS: IMPACT STORY FROM THE QUEBEC TRAUMA NETWORK.

OBJECTIVES: The Quebec Trauma Care Continuum (TCC) was initiated in 1991 with the objective of providing accessible, continuous, efficient, and high quality services for all injury cases in the province. METHODS: The TCC design relied on three key components: (i) the designation of a network of acute care and rehabilitation facilities with specific mandates and responsibilities; (ii) the elaboration of transfer protocols, standing agreements, and governing structures to ensure fluid and optimal patient flow; and (iii) the close monitoring of several indicators to facilitate the continuous evaluation and improvement of the network. RESULTS: Between 1992 and 2002, in-hospital mortality following major trauma decreased from 51.8 percent to 8.6 percent, followed by an additional 24 percent drop between 1999 and 2012. We also observed a 16 percent decrease in average LOS but no change in the incidence of complications or unplanned readmissions. These changes translate into 186 lives saved per year and cost savings, due to shorter LOS, of 6.3 million CD$ per year. The risk-adjusted incidence of in-hospital mortality following major injury between 2006 and 2012 (7 percent) was the lowest of all Canadian provinces. CONCLUSIONS: Strategic transformation of a network's structure and processes, supported by continuous monitoring of validated quality indicators, can lead to significant and sustainable improvements in clinical outcomes. It is hoped that the Quebec trauma story will inspire other jurisdictions and other healthcare sectors.

Perceptions of a multidisciplinary team regarding a pediatric rehabilitation modified needs assessment.

BACKGROUND: Efficient service delivery models that optimize processes and human resources are required in the current health care climate. A family-centered care approach is recognized as a model that can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of pediatric rehabilitation. The objective of this study was to explore the perceptions of a multidisciplinary health care team regarding the use of the Préparation au plan d'intervention (PAPI), a modified needs assessment tool designed to facilitate a family-centered care approach among children with cerebral motor deficits (CMD) and their families. METHODS: One focus group was conducted with the multidisciplinary team (n = 10) of the CMD program at a pediatric rehabilitation center. It was audio recorded and transcribed verbatim for content analysis. RESULTS: Three overarching themes were identified from the analyzes: (1) a facilitator of open communication, (2) a way to gain the unique sense of the child and family and (3) parents as the experts of their child. CONCLUSIONS: Health care professionals value the use of the PAPI as a way of facilitating a family-centered care plan process, specifically with children with cerebral motor deficits.