This page showcases innovative quality improvement projects and patient safety initiatives led by our faculty, underscoring the department’s commitment to evidence-based practices and better patient care across our hospital sites.
►Publication: Comparison of Blood Transfusion Rates Before and After Implementation of a Quality Improvement Initiative for Transfusion Safety and Appropriateness
Authors: Todd C. Lee, MD, MPH; Nisha Almeida, PhD; Patricia Pelletier, MD; Emily G. McDonald, MD, MSc
About: This quality improvement study evaluated the impact of a hemovigilance training module for resident physicians at the McGill University Health Centre. Results showed an immediate reduction in transfusion rates, suggesting that standardized training can improve transfusion appropriateness and safety at the institutional level.
►Publication: Reduction of Chest Drain Overuse Through Implementation of a Pleural Drainage Order Set
Authors: Tajarernmuang, Pattraporn MD; Valenti, David MD; Gonzalez, Anne V. MD, MSc; Artho, Giovanni MD; Tsatoumas, Mary MD; Beaudoin, Stéphane MD
About: This quality improvement project introduced a pleural drainage order set in electronic medical records to guide appropriate use of chest drains. The intervention reduced unnecessary drain insertions, optimized procedure selection, and lowered direct costs without increasing complication rates or repeat procedures.
►Publication: Measuring family engagement in intensive care: Validation of the FAME tool
Authors: Jillian Kifell, Karen E.A. Burns, Julia Duong Kirsten Fiest, Catherine Gagné, Céline Gélinas, Karla Krewulak, Chella Price, Amelia Stephenson, Han Ting Wang, Michael Goldfarb
About: This multicenter cohort study developed and validated the FAMily Engagement (FAME) tool, demonstrating its reliability and predictive validity for measuring family engagement in the ICU. Higher FAME scores were linked to increased family satisfaction with care, supporting its use to evaluate engagement interventions.
►Publication: Optimizing use of an electronic medical record system for quality improvement initiatives in hemodialysis: Review of a single center experience
Authors: Noémie Laurier, Jorane-Tiana Robert, Alexander Tom, Jerrica McKinnon, Nancy Filteau, Laura Horowitz, Murray Vasilevsky, Catherine Weber, Tiina Podymow, Andrey V Cybulsky, Rita S Suri, Emilie Trinh
About: This review highlights how an electronic medical record (EMR) system was optimized to implement quality improvement initiatives in hemodialysis care, including real-time dashboards, clinical pathways, and automatic reminders. The EMR’s functionality enabled more efficient patient care, improved team communication, and targeted interventions to enhance patient safety and outcomes.
►Publication: Anticoagulation stewardship: Descriptive analysis of a novel approach to appropriate anticoagulant prescription
Authors: Maral Koolian, Daniel Wiseman, Helen Mantzanis, Nikki Kampouris, Ryan S Kerzner, Susan R Kahn
About: This study evaluated the impact of a multidisciplinary anticoagulation stewardship program (ASP) in a tertiary care hospital, showing that 84% of ASP recommendations, primarily concerning dose adjustments and drug interactions, were accepted by treating teams. The findings highlight how ASPs can improve the safety and appropriateness of anticoagulant prescribing in hospitalized patients.