FRANCAIS

May 20, 2004

To improve the safety and quality of health care services for patients, Health Minister Dave Chomiak today announced the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety (MIPS).

“Today’s announcement builds on the government’s efforts to improve patient safety in the health care system, and to create an environment of openness in reporting patient safety issues,” said Chomiak.  “Our top priority is that residents of this province feel confident and are safe when using our health care system.”

The Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety, a non-profit organization, will co-ordinate and promote activities that enhance patient safety and quality care.  These activities will:

·         promote, co-ordinate, and stimulate research and initiatives that enhance patient safety in Manitoba;

·         identify and monitor emerging issues related to patient safety and quality care;

·         encourage best practices related to patient safety and quality care;

·         raise awareness of patient safety and quality care issues; and

·         provide advice to health care stakeholders such as health authorities and their facilities, professional regulatory bodies, government, industry and the public.

Chomiak announced that University of Manitoba professor Dr. Paul Thomas will chair the board of directors that will serve as the advisors and experts of the institute.  Seven members will be elected by institutions and organizations that belong to the MIPS while five will be appointed by the minister of health, including two public members.

The initial board of directors will be drawn from the former Manitoba Patient Safety Steering Committee that recommended the creation of the institute as well as the appointments by the minister.  The institute will provide advice to the public, the regional health authorities, the provincial government, relevant regulatory bodies and other significant stakeholders.  An external evaluation on the effectiveness of the institution will be undertaken within five years.

“I am honoured to chair the board of the institute, which I am confident will, in collaboration with other institutions, contribute to safe, quality health care for all Manitobans,” said Thomas.

Chomiak noted that a number of health system improvements have already been implemented to enhance patient safety and the quality of health care.  Some of these stem from the report by Associate Chief Judge Murray Sinclair and the subsequent report by Thomas on pediatric cardiac surgery.

Some new policies include the creation of a critical occurrence and critical clinical occurrence reporting process, internal disclosure of staff concerns and a regional health authority guide to health services.  The Protection of Persons in Care Office was created through legislation.  A series of four conferences on patient safety have been held and a fifth is being planned for October of this year.  A workshop focused on health system process improvements will be held June 11 for regional health authorities.

“Health care institutions must be committed to providing quality patient care and at the same time must be accountable for their actions,” said the minister.  “Through the creation of the institute, Manitobans can look forward to improved patient safety and an even higher quality health care system.”

Chomiak extended his thanks and appreciation to the members of the Manitoba Patient Safety Steering Committee and to Dr. John Wade who chaired that committee.  The minister expressed his confidence that the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety will carry out the mandate to co-ordinate, facilitate and stimulate activities designed to enhance patient safety and quality care for the benefit of all Manitobans.

The institute is expected to be operational within the next two months.

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Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety Board

* Ministerial appointments