Sooner, Safer, Smarter - Newsletter

How Saskatchewan therapists are making a difference for patients considering or recovering from surgery.

A look at how Clinical Practice Redesign helps patients and providers.

In this issue: Why Saskatchewan providers are paying more attention to patient feedback about health services received.

This month: How Saskatchewan is increasing its emphasis on patient safety in the surgical care system - and some of the surprising things we're learning from patients and international experts.

In this issue: The "Best Brains Exchange" presents an exciting opportunity for Saskatchewan health providers to focus on appropriateness of care.

A newer, more patient-friendly way to find a surgeon is unveiled, Saskatchewan makes a major investment in surgical capacity in Saskatoon, the province earns national recognition for patient- and family-centred care, and efforts to improve children's oral health gain momentum.

Details about an innovative discharge planning program in Prince Albert... a team approach to reducing seniors' falls... and a new framework for putting patients and families first. 

Details about new spine clinics open in Saskatoon and Regina, how access to CT scans is improving, and a visit by a pioneering group of health providers from Britain.

An update on progress made in Year One of the four-year Surgical Initiative, a recap of the Inspire Quality Summit, how Cypress Health Region is reducing falls among seniors, and a Saskatoon surgeon joins the Health Quality Council.

Accelerated training for operating room nurses, a new online tool that measures the quality of care, and how patient pathways are improving care and expediting orthopedic surgery.

How pooled referrals are improving access, giving 'long waiters' more choices, and the government's major new financial commitment to the Surgical Initiative.  

Better coordination of surgeries in Swift Current and Prince Albert, how "value stream mapping" helps providers, and Saskatchewan's use of third-party delivery.

A Moose Jaw surgical team excels, what Saskatchewan can learn from Britain, and the perspective of a former surgical patient.

In this issue: MRI patients receive more efficient service in Regina, physicians take a new course on assessment of back pain, SkSI leaders evaluate progress, and a chat with the Physician Recruitment Agency's new CEO.

This issue includes features on patient-centred care workshops, efforts to hire more OR nurses, improvements to women's health services, and an interview with Dr. Susan Shaw.

Articles on fall prevention, surgical wait time progress and electronic health records are included in this issue. 

Surgical checklists, a Specialist Directory and an interview with Dr. Peter Barrett are included in the first issue of this newsletter by the Saskatchewan Surgical Initiative.