We spend a lot of money on health care and yet our system is not always able to provide the care that people expect. Waits are long, access uneven and inefficiencies abound. Health system performance draws on the professionals, administrators, technologies, organizational structures and incentive systems that shape the activities of both providers and users. The articles in this section include case studies, papers and reports from discussion groups on measures that have been taken, in Québec, Canada and elsewhere to improve health system performance.
Health System Performance
Continuity, communication and community: A few thoughts on the Commissioner’s report on Quebec’s health system performance
Comparing performance in Montreal, Quebec and Canada
May 2014
Partnerships to enhance health system performance
Collaborations between industry and health institutions
March 2014
The Dutch health care performance report: seven-year analysis
Published in Health Research Policy and Systems, this article looks at the impact of the Report on policymaking.
February 2014
Better care for people with atrial fibrillation
This case study, prepared by Health Innovation Forum with contributions from Dr.Thao Huynh, Cardiologist, Ms. Caroline Boudreault, Clinical Research Nurse, MUHC, and Mr. Sébastien Désormeau, Health Care Affairs Manager, Boehringer-Ingelheim, looks at how Québec cardiologists have partnered with Boehringer Ingelheim to implement guideline-based protocols, patient education and care coordination. — Produced as part of the series: “Partnerships to Enhance Health System Performance.”
October 2013
Improving access to inpatient beds
This case study, prepared by Health Innovation Forum with contributions from Ms. Esther Leclerc, Assistant Director General at the CHUM, and Mr. Thierry Guyader, Director, Healthcare Improvement Division, McKesson, examines the Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CHUM) partnership with McKesson to implement real-time information displays for greater efficiency in patient flow. — Produced as part of the series: “Partnerships to Enhance Health System Performance.”
October 2013
A state-of-the-art hospital laboratory
This case study, prepared by Health Innovation Forum with contributions from Dr. Elizabeth MacNamara, Director of Diagnostic Medicine at the JGH, and Mr. Ian Parfrement, President and General Manager at Roche Diagnostics, traces how the laboratory at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital (JGH) integrates advances in Roche technology to improve access to tests and expand diagnostic capabilities. — Produced as part of the series: “Partnerships to Enhance Health System Performance.”
October 2013
Nursing in an evolving health system
As part of the 2009 program of the MUHC-ISAI, Health Innovation Forum assembled nursing leaders from within and outside the MUHC to look at how nursing roles are evolving to meet new needs and find out what stands in the way of progress. The discussion was chaired by Ms. Ann Lynch, Associate Director General of Clinical Operations and Nursing Affairs, MUHC. Participants were: Dr. Jeanne Besner, Director of the Health Systems and Workforce Research Unit with Alberta Health Services and Chair, Health Council of Canada; Ms. Madeleine Boulay-Bolduc, Associate Director of Nursing, Clinical and Professional Staff Development Service, MUHC; Dr. Francine Girard, Dean, School of Nursing, Université de Montréal; Ms. Patricia O’Connor, Associate Director of Nursing, Neuroscience Mission, MUHC; Ms. Andréanne Saucier, Associate Director of Nursing, Cancer Mission and Respiratory Services, MUHC; Dr. Jeremy Sturgeon, Director of Medical Oncology, MUHC; Ms. Linda Ward, President, Ordre de infirmières de Montréal/Laval, Associate Director of Nursing for Medical Services, MUHC
May 2009
New models of nursing: Collaborative practice at ThedaCare
Patricia O’Connor, Associate Director of Nursing, Neuroscience Mission, MUHC, presents a promising practice model instituted in Wisconsin
May 2009
Prevent the next heart attack
This case study was prepared by Health Innovation Forum with collaboration from Ms. Marla Gold and Dr. Mark Smilovitch from the McGill Cardiovascular Health Improvement Program. — Produced as part of the 2008 program of the MUHC-ISAI.
May 2008
One-stop shops for assessment and treatment: Alberta Hip and Knee Replacement Project gets results
This case study was produced by Health Innovation Forum with collaboration from Dr. Cy Frank, Executive Director, Alberta Bone and Joint Health Institute, Tracy Wasylak, Vice-President, South Health Campus, Calgary Health Region, Shawna Syverson, Director, Bone and Joint Health, Calgary Health Region, Joanna Pawlyshyn, Executive Lead, Bone and Joint Health, Capital Health, and Louisa Pothier, Regional Planner, Bone and Joint Health, Capital Health. — Produced as part of the 2008 program of the MUHC-ISAI
May 2008
Reduce wait time to see doctors
As part of the 2008 program of the MUHC-ISAI, Health Innovation Forum prepared this case study of a clinical practice redesign, in collaboration with Drs Carla Eisenhauer and Vicky Holmes, along with staff at the Health Quality Council.
May 2008
Operating room efficiency
This case study, produced by Health Innovation Forum in collaboration with orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Ken Hughes and project manager Cindy Roberts, examines how the Richmond Hospital staggers surgeries in a dedicated hip and knee unit to improve efficiency. — Produced as part of the 2008 program of the MUHC-ISAI .
May 2008
High quality ambulance service for all
This case study, produced by Health Innovation Forum with collaboration from Mr. Rock Marois from Emergency Medical Services, and Mr. Wayne Buffet from the Department of Health, looks at New Brunswick’s effort to consolidate and upgrade ambulance service by teaming up with Médavie Blue Cross. — Produced as part of the MUHC-ISAI’s 2008 program.
May 2008
Agents of change: Physician productivity in the Canadian healthcare system
This first ISAI round table, held in November 2007, takes a frank look at what’s happening on the front lines of medicine and how the situation might be improved. The session was chaired by Mr. Bernard Lord, Special Advisor to the MUHC-ISAI. Participants were: Dr. James Brophy, Director of the joint MUHC/CHUM Technology Assessment Unit; Dr. Jacques Chaoulli, Family Physician, President and CEO, The Chaoulli Group; Dr. David Eidelman, Chief, Department of Medicine, MUHC; Dr. Dennis Furlong, former Minister of Health for New Brunswick; Dr. Gilles Hudon, Director of Health Policy and Professional Development, FRSQ; Dr. Hugh Scully, Senior Cardiac Surgeon, Toronto General Hospital; Dr. Fernand Taras, President and CEO, Rockland MD; Dr. John Wade, Chair of the Board, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. All had strong opinions about what needs to be done. Presented here are some of the highlights of their discussion.
November 2007
