Island Health has been recognized as a Choosing Wisely Canada Hospital at the Quality Improvement Status level. This recognition reflects Island Health’s commitment to increasing high value care by taking deliberate steps to reduce overuse of tests and treatments, demonstrating action to optimize health care resources, and improve the quality and safety of patient care.

Founded in 2014, Choosing Wisely Canada is the national voice for reducing unnecessary tests and treatments in Canada. Choosing Wisely Canada works with national clinician societies to identify and develop recommendations on frequently overused tests and treatments that do not add value to patient care. It mobilizes health care providers and their organizations to adopt the recommendations and make them part of routine practice.

Earning this designation involved active engagement from staff to identify processes or areas to make improvements within their hospitals. Island Health staff have showcased their commitment to quality care by successfully implementing three key Choosing Wisely quality improvement initiatives:

• Becoming a Using Blood Wisely Hospital;
• Participating in Using Labs Wisely; and
• Taking on a self-directed Choosing Wisely QI project, namely Reducing antipsychotic prescribing in seniors with dementia in acute care.

“I am delighted that Island Health is one of seven organizations across Canada recognized through Choosing Wisely Canada’s Hospital Designation Program,” said Leah Hollins, Island Health Board Chair. “Our commitment to continuous quality improvement is one of our key organizational priorities aimed at ensuring excellent health and care for everyone, everywhere, every time.”

About Island Health:

Island Health provides health and care services to more than 885,000 people on Vancouver Island, the islands in the Salish Sea and the Johnstone Strait, and mainland communities north of Powell River. With more than 30,000 health care professionals, including more than 3,000 doctors, nurse practitioners midwives and dentists that make up our Medical Staff – as well as 1,500 volunteers, and the dedicated support of 12 foundations and 19 active auxiliaries, Island Health delivers a broad range of health services, including: public health services, primary health care, home and community care, mental health and substance use services, acute care in hospitals, and much more across a huge and  geographically diverse region.