Until 2017, drug benefits for First Nations individuals were provided by the federal government. When the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) transitioned that benefit program into the provincial PharmaCare program, they noticed something concerning: many Indigenous Peoples, particularly seniors, were prescribed a large number of medications. Polypharmacy, which is what it is called when individuals…
Patients on Vancouver Island who have end-stage kidney disease and require dialysis therapy as a means of life support often face the decision of either travelling to Nanaimo three times per week for the rest of their lives, relocating to another community where there is a community dialysis unit, or exploring a home-based dialysis option….
When Glenn McRae became the Executive Director for Quality and Patient Safety at Interior Health, he knew there was an opportunity to improve its person- and family-centred care culture. A key issue was that the Person- and Family-Centred Care Steering Committee’s influence was limited within the health authority, despite involvement from dedicated volunteers, and this…
Christine Wallsworth’s late husband had dementia and, as his cognitive abilities deteriorated, she often saw his voice ignored and that she needed to advocate on his behalf. After a support group volunteer told her how patients, families and caregivers can advocate for the care they receive and influence policies, she joined several patient engagement opportunities…
After realizing that gaps in coordination of care were leading to critical safety events for children with cardiac conditions during non-cardiac surgery, an interdisciplinary team at BC Children’s Hospital sprung into action. Together, they developed a protocol that has brought the number of critical safety events down to zero, ensuring safer care for their vulnerable…
As an OB/GYN, Stephanie Rhone understands that women’s health goes beyond the physical. The emotional aspects of reproductive health concerns add greater urgency to providing care that truly supports a patient. Through her leadership and innovation at BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, Stephanie has positively impacted countless women and people through innovative programs that…
Ten percent of people in BC believe they have a penicillin allergy. However, the vast majority of them are wrong: 90 percent of adults and 94 percent of children with a reported penicillin allergy can actually tolerate the antibiotic. This inaccuracy has serious implications, as these patients are likely to be given antibiotics which are…
Led by the BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre, the Provincial Perinatal Substance Use Project is leading the province in transforming perinatal substance use services to improve the experiences of women and people affected by substance use, as well as the experiences of their families. The ultimate deliverable of the project is a Provincial Blueprint…
After the heartbreak of her mother’s journey with prolonged delirium, Wendy Alston decided to dedicate herself to making health care better for everyone. With empathy, solidarity and tireless work, she has helped transform care for delirium patients and changed the culture of patient engagement at Eagle Ridge Hospital (ERH). Wendy’s volunteer trajectory was motivated by…
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We would like to acknowledge that we are living and working with humility and respect on the traditional territories of the First Nations peoples of British Columbia.
We specifically acknowledge and express our gratitude to the keepers of the lands of the ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, where our main office is located.
We also recognize Métis people and Métis Chartered Communities, as well as the Inuit and urban Indigenous peoples living across the province on various traditional territories.