Provincial Clinical Networks
What is a Provincial Clinical Network?
Provincial Clinical Networks (PCNs) are mechanisms that empower teams, focus resources, and integrate Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) tools, processes, and people. PCNs will support work to align processes, improve health outcomes, innovate the care experience and add value across the province.
PCNs are ‘engines’ for change across complex systems of care. The PCN structure will connect and support people who are passionate about improving and innovating in a specific area of health throughout the province.
Provincial Clinical Networks will:
- Harness clinical expertise and leadership, as well as patient experience for specific health conditions and patient populations.
- Transform evidence into practice and decrease variation in care standards by engaging clinicians and care teams to align evidence-informed clinical care throughout the care continuum.
- Improve communication by knitting together pockets of good work to spread leading practices. Reduce re-work by connecting associated initiatives, task forces, and working groups.
- Accelerate innovation through partnerships and engagement of partners at all levels of the Health System. PCNs will be a mechanism to understand what opportunities exist, look at new ways of tackling problems/issues, and rapidly test and spread innovation.
Collaborative work has begun to build the first two Provincial Clinical Networks:
- Trauma
- Chronic Disease Management with an initial focus on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Trauma Care PCN resources
How can you get involved?
Do you have a passion for providing the best possible care for those living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
Register to join us Friday, September 27, from 1-4 p.m. for an interactive virtual workshop to kick off the Chronic Disease Management Provincial Clinical Network (PCN).
The workshop will include an exploration of:
- Why? Hear from PCN co-leads Dr. Erika Penz, Dr. Darcy Marciniuk, and Patricia Comfort on the current state of COPD care and experience in Saskatchewan.
- How? Learn how the PCN can become an “engine for change” in our complex system, connecting and supporting people who are passionate about improving and innovating COPD prevention and care
- What? We want to hear from you! What do you see and experience when it comes to COPD in Saskatchewan? What are your ideas for improvement and innovation?
Stay tuned for additional opportunities to participate in activities such as Communities of Practice and project groups!
Contact us if you have questions about Provincial Clinical Networks.
To receive email updates about Provincial Clinical Networks, sign up to the PCN Mailing List.
Guiding principles of Provincial Clinical Networks
While each PCN will focus on a specific clinical condition and will be developed by its own core team of leaders and staff members, all PCNs will be guided by common principles:
- People-centred care: PCNs are based in the patient journey, with their priorities driven by assessment of population needs. Data on patient impact and outcomes will accelerate service improvements and planning. Patient and family partners are part of the core team.
- Engagement and Collaboration: Each PCN will be led by a physician and operational team and will work to develop its own clear mandate and specific outcomes. PCNs leverage skill sets of many care providers to maximize the impact of teams on patient care.
- Communication: PCNs will be trusted and reliable sources of information. They will create communication channels to support information sharing and learning.
- Standards and Integration: PCNs are a catalyst for practice improvements using existing SHA practice support processes such as: pathways, clinical standards and procedures, order sets, medical directives, and advanced practices. PCN quality improvements include upstream, early intervention and prevention initiatives.
- Evidence and Innovation: PCNs will be influenced by data and transform care through evidence. PCNs will facilitate evaluation, testing, and implementation of clinical innovation.
Phases of a Provincial Clinical Network
PCN project work will cycle through three phases: Align, Improve, and Innovate.
Examples of project outcomes in each phase could include:
| Align | Improve | Innovate |
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Provincial Clinical Networks: Accelerating Clinical Collaboration
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