The implementation of the Delirium Health Quality Standard within Mental Health Care.

Delirium is one of the leading causes of preventable hospital harm in Ontario, impacting patient and provider safety, hospital access and flow, and increasing alternative level of care days. It is strongly associated with higher mortality rates, prolonged hospital stays, and additional costs of $11,000 per hospitalization (Ontario Health, 2024). The Ontario provincial government has made the implementation of the Delirium Health Quality Standard a priority, with a multiyear quality initiative aimed at reducing hospital-acquired delirium. Currently, Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care has limited data on delirium, as there is no formal screening for this condition. This project seeks to integrate delirium standards into the organization’s workflow. The primary objective is to improve patient safety, reduce unnecessary hospital stays, and lower the costs associated with delirium. By applying evidence-based interventions and enhancing the early identification of delirium, the project will contribute to the overall health and well-being of patients while reducing the burden on healthcare systems. 

Ethical Framework Use and Ethics Team Establishment

Hospital has an ethical framework however this is not well utilized.  This project is intended to create a guide to how to use the CGMH Ethical Framework.  The student will review frameworks from other organizations to identify tools and strategies that will support use of our framework.   CGMH is also interested in creating an ethics team.  The student will review the composition of Ethics Teams at other organizations to develop a plan.   Within the project the student will work with the VP Patient Services & CNE and have the ability to shadow a senior leader to understand the role of the CNE.

Speak Up on Patient Safety for Patients/Families

Engaging patients, and their families/caregivers, to speak up about their care and safety is an important aspect to improving patient safety. Using Canadian resources (ex. Health Excellence Canada, Patients for Patient Safety Canada, etc.) develop patient/family education on patient safety and how to speak up about concerns, as well as provide an implementation plan.

Safety Huddles to Support a Just Culture

To foster a just culture in an organization, develop a framework and implementation plan for nurse-led safety huddles on inpatient units. Students would be expected to work towards the above outcomes and deliverables, as well as meeting with Patient Safety Consultants at RVH to assist in mentorship/guiding the work. This can be done remotely. They may also be invited to Quality of Care Reviews to understand the outcome of patient safety reviews when safety items are brought forward/occur.