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That’s about six per one hundred acute-care admissions, up from rates of 5.3 to 5.4 before the pandemic began.","ed1df255-1c88-4f2d-af51-d5e022eec456",[335],{"_uid":336,"date":337,"image":338,"title":323,"author":343,"component":344,"description":345},"4208e99c-0928-4aa6-bd50-d59634fc40a1","2023-10-25 00:00",{"id":339,"alt":340,"title":16,"source":16,"filename":341,"copyright":16,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":342},114296477170802,"Older man smiling with a nurse's hand on his shoulder; text reads \"Canadian Patient Safety Week, October 23–27.\"","https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/9fcd115270/7898-hec-2023-cpsw-bloggraphics-730x486-en.jpg",{"alt":340,"title":16,"source":16,"copyright":16},"Jennifer Zelmer, Ph. D.  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That’s about six per one hundred acute-care admissions, up from rates of 5.3 to 5.4 before the pandemic began.","text",[246],[76],[356],{"_uid":357,"content":358,"component":512},"17207655-9cc7-4a92-8e4d-a74855615161",[359],{"_uid":360,"content":361,"component":511},"f656b2bd-4e9a-4f1e-b0a5-c26a80527bce",{"type":12,"content":362},[363,368,373,382,398,403,408,413,418,423,428,433,438,443,448,506],{"type":15,"attrs":364,"content":365},{"textAlign":53},[366],{"text":367,"type":352},"Like many families, mine has seen life-changing outcomes from unsafe care; and we’ve seen how concerted action can make care safer. My grandmother lived a very active life and ended up needing several hip and knee replacements. During one surgery, she was given a blood transfusion that was infected with Hepatitis C. We didn’t know it then, but in a few minutes, her life changed forever.",{"type":15,"attrs":369,"content":370},{"textAlign":53},[371],{"text":372,"type":352},"However, if I needed the same operation today, I wouldn’t face the same risk. A safer blood supply and surgical practices that reduce the need for transfusions are now the norm everywhere across the country, every day of the year. These outcomes were not created in a single stroke by one person or even one organization. Rather, they are the result of many, many actions by a large number of people, many of whom have never met.",{"type":15,"attrs":374,"content":375},{"textAlign":53},[376,378],{"text":377,"type":352},"Experiences like these are echoed in the theme we chose for Canadian Patient Safety Week 2023: ",{"text":323,"type":352,"marks":379},[380],{"type":381},"bold",{"type":15,"attrs":383,"content":384},{"textAlign":53},[385,387,396],{"text":386,"type":352},"It’s work that we need to continue to do because the dramatic improvements in safety between my grandmother’s generation and mine in the safety of the blood supply are not everyone’s experience. In fact, improvements in healthcare safety have not come as swiftly—or deeply—as many of us had hoped. ",{"text":388,"type":352,"marks":389},"Data from the Canadian Institute of Health Information ",[390],{"type":391,"attrs":392},"link",{"href":393,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.cihi.ca/en/hospital-staffing-and-hospital-harm-trends-throughout-the-pandemic","_blank","url",{"text":397,"type":352},"show that one in 17 hospital stays in Canada in 2022-23 resulted in unintended harm that might have been prevented through evidence-informed practices. That’s about six per one hundred acute-care admissions, up from rates of 5.3 to 5.4 before the pandemic began.",{"type":15,"attrs":399,"content":400},{"textAlign":53},[401],{"text":402,"type":352},"Canada is by no means alone in seeing these trends. Harm rates have also risen in the United States, United Kingdom and other countries. “The safety movement has, at best, stalled,” said Don Berwick recently, an international safety expert. He urges healthcare executives and boards to “push patient safety back to strategic prominence,” because “first do no harm” remains “a sacred obligation for all in healthcare.”",{"type":15,"attrs":404,"content":405},{"textAlign":53},[406],{"text":407,"type":352},"Getting unstuck means recommitting to a focus on safety – and rethinking how we can accelerate the move towards safer care. In recent months, we’ve connected with hundreds of people across the country to help shape the path forward. This year’s Canadian Patient Safety Week focus reflects what we heard, coupled with international frameworks that bring in global evidence.",{"type":15,"attrs":409,"content":410},{"textAlign":53},[411],{"text":412,"type":352},"Step 1 is championing a comprehensive approach to healthcare safety that takes a much wider lens. Safety is more than the absence of harm. The person in the hospital bed next to my grandmother might have been lucky enough to avoid infection but that does not mean they were safe. We need to balance the reduction of harm with proactively promoting safety.",{"type":15,"attrs":414,"content":415},{"textAlign":53},[416],{"text":417,"type":352},"Also, all forms of harm matter. Historically, we have tended to focus on physical harms that were easier to measure, such as falls or healthcare-acquired infections. We need to add consideration of other forms of harm, such as under- and over-treatment, delayed or incorrect diagnoses, dehumanization, and psychological harm. And it’s not yet true that everyone – regardless of what they look like, where they come from, who they love, the language they speak, or other characteristics – is equally likely to receive safe care.",{"type":15,"attrs":419,"content":420},{"textAlign":53},[421],{"text":422,"type":352},"We have work to do.",{"type":15,"attrs":424,"content":425},{"textAlign":53},[426],{"text":427,"type":352},"The good news is we have proven and promising approaches to do that work. Everyone contributes to patient safety. Together, we can learn and act to create safer care and reduce all forms of healthcare harm. This includes recognizing that the safety of those providing care is closely linked with patient safety.",{"type":15,"attrs":429,"content":430},{"textAlign":53},[431],{"text":432,"type":352},"The process is not always complicated. Recently, for example, I had periodontal surgery. When glue on a stent tore out some stitches, I bled. A lot. After dealing with the bleeding, I asked how we could reduce this risk in the future. The periodontist and I had a conversation about options, and we’ve agreed on what to do for my next round of surgery in the new year.",{"type":15,"attrs":434,"content":435},{"textAlign":53},[436],{"text":437,"type":352},"On its own, this is a small change. But an accumulation of small changes can add up to big impact and safer care.",{"type":15,"attrs":439,"content":440},{"textAlign":53},[441],{"text":442,"type":352},"Together, we can find ways to promote safer care by creating environments that encourage dialogue and promote exploration and curiosity for all. This includes looking upstream – exploring, learning and acting before harm occurs. Plus recognizing when, why and how things go well.",{"type":15,"attrs":444,"content":445},{"textAlign":53},[446],{"text":447,"type":352},"Let’s unleash the potential everyone has to contribute by thinking about steps we can take on an everyday basis to help make care safer:",{"type":449,"content":450},"bullet_list",[451,459,466,478,485,492,499],{"type":452,"content":453},"list_item",[454],{"type":15,"attrs":455,"content":456},{"textAlign":53},[457],{"text":458,"type":352},"How can we add curiosity and proactive inquiry to our daily practice, balancing assurance and accountability?",{"type":452,"content":460},[461],{"type":15,"attrs":462,"content":463},{"textAlign":53},[464],{"text":465,"type":352},"How can we enrich our safety metrics with “soft intelligence” gathered through listening, observing and perceiving?",{"type":452,"content":467},[468],{"type":15,"attrs":469,"content":470},{"textAlign":53},[471,473],{"text":472,"type":352},"How can we move from ‘safety as a project’ to safety as a way of thinking, responding and acting",{"text":474,"type":352,"marks":475},"?",[476],{"type":477},"italic",{"type":452,"content":479},[480],{"type":15,"attrs":481,"content":482},{"textAlign":53},[483],{"text":484,"type":352},"How can we include patients, families, and everyone working in healthcare in improving safety, not just quality and safety departments?",{"type":452,"content":486},[487],{"type":15,"attrs":488,"content":489},{"textAlign":53},[490],{"text":491,"type":352},"Are there opportunities to coach for safer care, rather than focusing only on retrospective auditing processes and practices?",{"type":452,"content":493},[494],{"type":15,"attrs":495,"content":496},{"textAlign":53},[497],{"text":498,"type":352},"How can action on patient safety help reduce health inequities and how can action on health inequities lead to safer care?",{"type":452,"content":500},[501],{"type":15,"attrs":502,"content":503},{"textAlign":53},[504],{"text":505,"type":352},"And can we move from a “rear-view mirror” approach to safety to one that is proactive?",{"type":15,"attrs":507,"content":508},{"textAlign":53},[509],{"text":510,"type":352},"Change is possible. Join us in exploring how small changes can add up to a big impact – ask questions, engage in safety discussions and take action proactively.","simple-richtext","wysiwyg-program",[115,143,122,129,136,150,157],"hec-page-update","small-changes-big-impact-safer-care","updates/small-changes-big-impact-safer-care",-8660,[],{"parent_slug":295,"umbraco_path":520,"umbraco_uuid":521},"/HealthcareExcellenceCanada/News/SmallChangesBigImpactSaferCare","ef1accd0-fe8a-4341-9b3a-a5c2469f1120","5ea2ec4e-e4aa-46a9-a44c-0e4ae9929f33","2025-12-15T17:40:09.667Z",[],[526],{"path":527,"name":528,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/de-petits-changements-de-grands-effets-des-soins-plus-surs","De petits changements. De grands effets. Des soins plus sûrs.",{"name":530,"created_at":531,"published_at":532,"updated_at":533,"id":534,"uuid":535,"content":536,"slug":755,"full_slug":756,"sort_by_date":53,"position":757,"tag_list":758,"is_startpage":286,"parent_id":300,"meta_data":759,"group_id":762,"first_published_at":763,"release_id":53,"lang":292,"path":53,"alternates":764,"default_full_slug":756,"translated_slugs":765},"Three ways to act on evidence-informed hope","2025-12-15T17:40:10.478Z","2026-02-26T01:24:36.027Z","2026-02-26T01:24:36.050Z",123415799788667,"bcadbb5f-afe1-4375-8dac-e8990461167c",{"seo":537,"_uid":539,"hero":540,"types":555,"topics":556,"Noindex":286,"content":557,"audience":754,"component":514},{"title":530,"plugin":331,"description":538},"Evidence-informed hope implies there are solid reasons to believe a desired change is possible. ","466559cc-c254-4324-90ef-3f59c42af1f1",[541],{"_uid":542,"date":543,"image":544,"title":530,"author":547,"component":344,"description":548},"58a778a6-3089-4a2e-9bc2-54f09978a177","2022-06-10 00:00",{"id":545,"filename":546,"fieldtype":284},114295289949002,"https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/cfc2d8255d/20220607-maria-blogheader.jpg","Maria Judd",{"type":12,"content":549},[550],{"type":15,"attrs":551,"content":552},{"textAlign":53},[553],{"text":554,"type":352},"Over the past several years, the pandemic has highlighted and deepened pre-existing gaps and inequalities in healthcare for people across Canada. For those in the healthcare workforce, the pandemic has been unrelenting. Yet people and systems have responded to pandemic challenges with tremendous innovation by focusing on workforce wellness, appropriate virtual care and patient safety during COVID-19 outbreaks in long-term care.",[246],[46,84],[558],{"_uid":559,"content":560,"component":512},"af3e4edd-67df-430d-8787-f1dc87f695ee",[561],{"_uid":562,"content":563,"component":511},"66e513e3-2c81-4750-b443-892585b27230",{"type":12,"content":564},[565,570,579,584,589,596,617,622,627,634,639,674,710,717,722,742,749],{"type":15,"attrs":566,"content":567},{"textAlign":53},[568],{"text":569,"type":352},"I had the opportunity to speak with people around the country as part of developing a new five-year strategy. Amid ongoing pandemic impacts and challenges, policy-makers, health system leaders, providers, patients and essential care partners were hopeful and looking for evidence that it was possible to shape a future where everyone in Canada has safe and high-quality healthcare. Together.",{"type":571,"attrs":572,"content":574},"heading",{"level":573,"textAlign":53},2,[575],{"text":576,"type":352,"marks":577},"What is evidence-informed hope?",[578],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":580,"content":581},{"textAlign":53},[582],{"text":583,"type":352},"Evidence-informed hope implies there are solid reasons to believe a desired change is possible. It helps build trust and inspires us to embrace innovation. It can guide new ways of organizing, funding and delivering healthcare that improve patient experience, provider well-being, health outcomes, value for money and health equity. It can give us energy and concrete ways to create real change – including change that will help us move forward through the pandemic. It also requires us to face hard facts and calls leaders to respond and act.",{"type":15,"attrs":585,"content":586},{"textAlign":53},[587],{"text":588,"type":352},"Evidence-informed hope comes in many forms at HEC. The work we do with partners helps us see that a better future is possible and the different pathways to getting there. Here are three examples of this work, that we invite you to join and act on with us.",{"type":571,"attrs":590,"content":591},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[592],{"text":593,"type":352,"marks":594},"Learn from the pandemic and build resilience together",[595],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":597,"content":598},{"textAlign":53},[599,601,615],{"text":600,"type":352},"Healthcare leaders and policymakers are working to renew health systems strained by the pandemic and better prepare for future health emergencies. That’s why we’re supporting them with our new ",{"text":602,"type":352,"marks":603},"Pandemic Recovery and Resilience Self-Assessment and Toolkit",[604],{"type":391,"attrs":605},{"href":606,"uuid":607,"anchor":53,"custom":608,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":611},"/resources/pandemic-recovery-and-resilience-self-assessment-and-toolkit","241d993a-73ab-46cb-8873-ef453d0297ae",{},"_self","story",{"name":602,"id":612,"uuid":607,"slug":613,"url":614,"full_slug":614,"_stopResolving":299},113881397305125,"pandemic-recovery-and-resilience-self-assessment-and-toolkit","resources/pandemic-recovery-and-resilience-self-assessment-and-toolkit",{"text":616,"type":352},". We’ve consulted with healthcare leaders across the country and synthesized evidence-informed approaches in nine improvement areas covering some of the most urgent and important issues in healthcare right now.",{"type":15,"attrs":618,"content":619},{"textAlign":53},[620],{"text":621,"type":352},"Whether you work in a regional health authority, healthcare delivery system, or a provincial, territorial or federal health department, the simple self-assessments help you identify what’s working well now, where the gaps are and what to prioritize next.",{"type":15,"attrs":623,"content":624},{"textAlign":53},[625],{"text":626,"type":352},"Meanwhile, the toolkit features more than 125 innovative approaches for addressing issues like health human resources, health equity, care for older adults and more. As healthcare organizations work through the phases of the pandemic, they can expand the reach of successful innovations to build a system that is resilient, responsive, sustainable and cares for all people equitably.",{"type":571,"attrs":628,"content":629},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[630],{"text":631,"type":352,"marks":632},"Make virtual care safer for patients and providers",[633],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":635,"content":636},{"textAlign":53},[637],{"text":638,"type":352},"Virtual care can improve how we provide healthcare across Canada, often as a complement to in-person care. Virtual care’s explosion in response to the pandemic is evidence that large-scale, rapid change is possible. Providers and patients value it and want to continue using it appropriately.",{"type":15,"attrs":640,"content":641},{"textAlign":53},[642,644,650,652,664,666,672],{"text":643,"type":352},"Virtual care policy and practice guidance is rapidly being assembled to provide evidence-informed support to ensure this type of care is delivered safely, appropriately and equitably. Clinicians need the right tools and training for this. We partnered with ",{"text":645,"type":352,"marks":646},"Canada Health Infoway",[647],{"type":391,"attrs":648},{"href":649,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.infoway-inforoute.ca/en/?gclid=CjwKCAjw14uVBhBEEiwAaufYx1xAGmqmjdW_Hs43pEBFT9DI6ykgoD33sQsM9BxYTSd6lWRfN00wKRoC0U4QAvD_BwE",{"text":651,"type":352}," to address this need through the ",{"text":653,"type":352,"marks":654},"Virtual Care Together",[655],{"type":391,"attrs":656},{"href":657,"uuid":658,"anchor":53,"custom":659,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":660},"/programs/virtual-care-together","abe0a0bc-0be7-42a7-8731-f2d31467f5e3",{},{"name":653,"id":661,"uuid":658,"slug":662,"url":663,"full_slug":663,"_stopResolving":299},123451304891595,"virtual-care-together","programs/virtual-care-together",{"text":665,"type":352}," design collaborative. Together with 25 teams across the country, we developed the ",{"text":667,"type":352,"marks":668},"Clinician Change Virtual Care Toolkit PDF",[669],{"type":391,"attrs":670},{"href":671,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.infoway-inforoute.ca/en/component/edocman/6378-clinician-change-virtual-care-toolkit/view-document?utm_source=website&utm_medium=hec&utm_campaign=change-management",{"text":673,"type":352}," that features synthesized information and evidence from trusted sources.",{"type":15,"attrs":675,"content":676},{"textAlign":53},[677,679,684,686,699,701,708],{"text":678,"type":352},"Download the ",{"text":680,"type":352,"marks":681},"toolkit PDF",[682],{"type":391,"attrs":683},{"href":671,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},{"text":685,"type":352},", read the ",{"text":687,"type":352,"marks":688},"policy lab report PDF",[689],{"type":391,"attrs":690},{"href":691,"uuid":692,"anchor":53,"custom":693,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":694},"/resources/supporting-health-leaders-to-further-the-delivery-of-appropriate-and-safe-virtual-care","5b147025-8478-4972-9b46-aefd64366725",{},{"name":695,"id":696,"uuid":692,"slug":697,"url":698,"full_slug":698,"_stopResolving":299},"Supporting health leaders to further the delivery of appropriate and safe virtual care",113880239844823,"supporting-health-leaders-to-further-the-delivery-of-appropriate-and-safe-virtual-care","resources/supporting-health-leaders-to-further-the-delivery-of-appropriate-and-safe-virtual-care",{"text":700,"type":352}," and keep checking the ",{"text":702,"type":352,"marks":703},"Virtual Care Together webpage",[704],{"type":391,"attrs":705},{"href":657,"uuid":658,"anchor":53,"custom":706,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":707},{},{"name":653,"id":661,"uuid":658,"slug":662,"url":663,"full_slug":663,"_stopResolving":299},{"text":709,"type":352}," for the upcoming learning series. Together we can improve safe and high-quality virtual care so more people can benefit.",{"type":571,"attrs":711,"content":712},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[713],{"text":714,"type":352,"marks":715},"Rapidly learn and improve care of older adults in retirement and long-term care settings",[716],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":718,"content":719},{"textAlign":53},[720],{"text":721,"type":352},"While the pandemic has taken its toll on many, there is little doubt those living in long-term care facilities bore a disproportionate share of the COVID-19 burden.",{"type":15,"attrs":723,"content":724},{"textAlign":53},[725,727,740],{"text":726,"type":352},"Through the ",{"text":728,"type":352,"marks":729},"LTC+ Acting on Pandemic Learning Together",[730],{"type":391,"attrs":731},{"href":732,"uuid":733,"anchor":53,"custom":734,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":735},"/programs/reimagining-ltc","940f2fdc-7a78-4749-acb8-14fd90d06467",{},{"name":736,"id":737,"uuid":733,"slug":738,"url":739,"full_slug":739,"_stopResolving":299},"Reimagining LTC",123451171984567,"reimagining-ltc","programs/reimagining-ltc",{"text":741,"type":352}," program, we’re bringing together long-term care and retirement homes to support the adoption of promising practices in pandemic preparedness and response. Over 300 teams, 1,500 homes and 160,000 residents across Canada have come together to rapidly learn and improve care in areas such as: infection prevention and control, experience of care, mental health (for staff and residents) and pandemic planning and preparedness.",{"type":571,"attrs":743,"content":744},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[745],{"text":746,"type":352,"marks":747},"Join us to act on evidence-informed hope",[748],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":750,"content":751},{"textAlign":53},[752],{"text":753,"type":352},"The pandemic’s effects will be felt in the health sector for some time. And yet, the pandemic has also shown us what we can achieve when we come together to rapidly share, implement and learn from promising policies and practices. Whether it’s care of older adults, care closer to home or pandemic recovery and resilience – the innovations and outcomes we’ve seen through our work with people across the country has given us evidence-informed hope it is possible to help shape a future where everyone in Canada has safe and high-quality healthcare.",[143,129,150],"three-ways-to-act-on-evidence-informed-hope","updates/three-ways-to-act-on-evidence-informed-hope",-8680,[],{"parent_slug":295,"umbraco_path":760,"umbraco_uuid":761},"/HealthcareExcellenceCanada/News/ThreeWaysToActOnEvidenceInformedHope","fca710bd-faf6-4e92-87a7-6ee946333b8f","436d9dbf-6902-490b-a15f-5b59ed0493c4","2025-12-15T17:40:10.692Z",[],[766],{"path":767,"name":768,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/trois-facons-d-agir-selon-un-espoir-eclaire-par-des-donnees-probantes","Trois façons d’agir selon un espoir éclairé par des données probantes",{"name":770,"created_at":771,"published_at":772,"updated_at":773,"id":774,"uuid":775,"content":776,"slug":998,"full_slug":999,"sort_by_date":53,"position":1000,"tag_list":1001,"is_startpage":286,"parent_id":300,"meta_data":1002,"group_id":1005,"first_published_at":1006,"release_id":53,"lang":292,"path":53,"alternates":1007,"default_full_slug":999,"translated_slugs":1008},"From workshop to action: takeaways on equitable access to palliative care","2025-12-15T17:40:11.806Z","2026-02-26T01:23:24.961Z","2026-02-26T01:23:24.982Z",123415805256828,"cfae4060-3740-44a5-b1d2-610422753c4e",{"Seo":777,"seo":781,"_uid":783,"hero":784,"types":809,"topics":810,"Noindex":286,"content":811,"audience":997,"component":514},[778],{"_uid":779,"Noindex":286,"component":780},"5d732357-c355-44e6-9f09-5a9a197a6885","Seo settings",{"title":770,"plugin":331,"description":782},"People experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing are inadequately served by traditional models of care, including palliative care. This population also has significantly worse health outcomes than their housed peers – up to five times more heart disease, four times more cancer, and a reduced life expectancy of approximately 30 years. First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are also eight times more likely to experience homelessness.","077891db-7d25-4218-bf5f-c87df1b21b9a",[785],{"_uid":786,"date":787,"image":788,"title":770,"author":793,"component":344,"description":794},"bfe24586-5070-4419-a767-cc4a5b3544fa","2023-05-12 00:00",{"id":789,"alt":790,"title":16,"source":16,"filename":791,"copyright":16,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":792},114295338818404,"A group photo of all the program coaches, including the blog authors Ashley, Kelli, Holly and Robyn.","https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/dd719645a1/20230510-may12-blogheader-virtual-care-1.png",{"alt":790,"title":16,"source":16,"copyright":16},"Ashley Mollison, Kelli Stajduhar, Holly Prince and Robyn Kyle",{"type":12,"content":795},[796],{"type":15,"attrs":797,"content":798},{"textAlign":53},[799,801,807],{"text":800,"type":352},"People experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing are inadequately served by traditional models of care, including palliative care. This population also has ",{"text":802,"type":352,"marks":803},"significantly worse health outcomes",[804],{"type":391,"attrs":805},{"href":806,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcdm5fEqJmk&t=273s",{"text":808,"type":352}," than their housed peers – up to five times more heart disease, four times more cancer, and a reduced life expectancy of approximately 30 years. First Nations, Inuit and Métis people are also eight times more likely to experience homelessness.",[246],[98,46,62],[812],{"_uid":813,"content":814,"component":512},"e502ad31-0071-4f4b-882e-74468a105d06",[815],{"_uid":816,"content":817,"component":511},"551869c4-cd83-4184-abfa-001b45511ff7",{"type":12,"content":818},[819,826,854,861,866,871,878,883,896,901,910,915,924,929,938,943,952,957,964,969],{"type":15,"attrs":820,"content":821},{"textAlign":53},[822],{"text":823,"type":352,"marks":824},"Caption: A group photo of all the program coaches, including the blog authors Ashley, Kelli, Holly and Robyn.",[825],{"type":477},{"type":15,"attrs":827,"content":828},{"textAlign":53},[829,831,844,846,852],{"text":830,"type":352},"This striking difference in access to care and health outcomes is a driving force behind the new ",{"text":832,"type":352,"marks":833},"Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care ",[834],{"type":391,"attrs":835},{"href":836,"uuid":837,"anchor":53,"custom":838,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":839},"/programs/improving-equity-in-access-to-palliative-care","a57a448f-4a8b-4c06-b2ad-a5872f325f97",{},{"name":840,"id":841,"uuid":837,"slug":842,"url":843,"full_slug":843,"_stopResolving":299},"Improving Equity in Access to Palliative Care",123451147150517,"improving-equity-in-access-to-palliative-care","programs/improving-equity-in-access-to-palliative-care",{"text":845,"type":352},"collaborative. As part of the Federal Action Plan on Palliative Care, over $2 million in funding from Health Canada was provided to assist communities in improving access to palliative approaches to care with – and for – individuals experiencing homelessness or vulnerable housing. The collaborative is comprised of 10 communities across seven provinces, supported by HEC and the ",{"text":847,"type":352,"marks":848},"Canadian Partnership Against Cancer",[849],{"type":391,"attrs":850},{"href":851,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/",{"text":853,"type":352}," (the Partnership).",{"type":571,"attrs":855,"content":856},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[857],{"text":858,"type":352,"marks":859},"What we do as coaches",[860],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":862,"content":863},{"textAlign":53},[864],{"text":865,"type":352},"As coaches of this collaborative, we mentor, guide and work alongside participants in the 10 communities to measurably improve access to palliative care using a health equity approach.",{"type":15,"attrs":867,"content":868},{"textAlign":53},[869],{"text":870,"type":352},"A health equity approach is about recognizing the social, political, and economic factors contributing to inequities in access and care experience, with the goal of ensuring that everyone in Canada receives safe and high-quality healthcare. It’s also about directing adequate resources to those with the greatest need, which includes those experiencing homelessness and vulnerable housing.",{"type":571,"attrs":872,"content":873},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[874],{"text":875,"type":352,"marks":876},"What we want to share from the EQUIP workshop",[877],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":879,"content":880},{"textAlign":53},[881],{"text":882,"type":352},"All coaches in the collaborative bring lived experience in homelessness, experience working with people experiencing homelessness, or both. We wanted to build on this experience to strengthen the collaborative’s health equity approach and the support we provide as coaches.",{"type":15,"attrs":884,"content":885},{"textAlign":53},[886,888,894],{"text":887,"type":352},"That’s why we recently participated in ",{"text":889,"type":352,"marks":890},"Equipping for Equity",[891],{"type":391,"attrs":892},{"href":893,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://equiphealthcare.ca/resources/equipping-for-equity-online-modules/",{"text":895,"type":352}," workshop (EQUIP Health Care) – a health equity intervention that “enhances organizational capacity to provide equity-oriented healthcare, particularly for those who experience significant health and social inequities.” The key concepts of the workshop included three core concepts of equity: trauma and violence-informed care, harm reduction, anti-racism and cultural safety. Various tools and modules were explored before the workshop.",{"type":15,"attrs":897,"content":898},{"textAlign":53},[899],{"text":900,"type":352},"This workshop was invaluable to us as coaches and to collaborative participants because we were able to walk away with tools and concepts that can be applied to our shared work. That’s why we wanted to share some of our key learnings and reflections, to support healthcare providers and leaders who are also working to address health equity.",{"type":15,"attrs":902,"content":903},{"textAlign":53},[904,908],{"text":905,"type":352,"marks":906},"Ashley: ",[907],{"type":381},{"text":909,"type":352},"We need to take the framing of this work off the people who need palliative care and onto the system. What shapes the ability of people to get care and support? How do environments of criminalization, discrimination and racism impact providers’ ability to provide care in the ways that people need and deserve it? Structural inequities impact the experiences of both those needing and providing care.",{"type":15,"attrs":911,"content":912},{"textAlign":53},[913],{"text":914,"type":352},"In this program, our work is equity in practice. What we learn from each other, this workshop and this program, helps to shift our thinking and actions and get to the root of equity work – the need for organizational and systemic change.",{"type":15,"attrs":916,"content":917},{"textAlign":53},[918,922],{"text":919,"type":352,"marks":920},"Kelli: ",[921],{"type":381},{"text":923,"type":352},"There may be great palliative equity work happening, but it’s not always underpinned by the things needed to do this work meaningfully. This workshop was a reminder that it’s important to understand core equity concepts, slow down, and be thoughtful so that we can do this work in a good way.",{"type":15,"attrs":925,"content":926},{"textAlign":53},[927],{"text":928,"type":352},"We must recognize that we can cause harm when we step in with solutions that are not co-created with the community. As coaches, we use our experience and learnings to help teams tailor interventions, concepts and tools to avoid causing these harms.",{"type":15,"attrs":930,"content":931},{"textAlign":53},[932,936],{"text":933,"type":352,"marks":934},"Holly: ",[935],{"type":381},{"text":937,"type":352},"In equity work, we need to recognize the structural inequities, violence and harms that First Nations, Inuit and Métis people in Canada experience because of the ongoing impacts of colonization. In identifying equity-oriented approaches for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people, we must acknowledge that they need to lead the way forward in developing models of care based on their worldviews, values and beliefs.",{"type":15,"attrs":939,"content":940},{"textAlign":53},[941],{"text":942,"type":352},"This workshop created the space to challenge colonial structural systems and provided opportunities to confront our power and privilege in creating more equitable and culturally safer spaces for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people within healthcare.",{"type":15,"attrs":944,"content":945},{"textAlign":53},[946,950],{"text":947,"type":352,"marks":948},"Robyn: ",[949],{"type":381},{"text":951,"type":352},"We can foster equity in this space by bringing different voices together to help us connect concepts to real life. My background is in housing, shelters and community work, and how I have seen trauma and violence-informed care differs from that of somebody working in healthcare. But how can we come together now to fill in the gaps for one another?",{"type":15,"attrs":953,"content":954},{"textAlign":53},[955],{"text":956,"type":352},"This workshop allowed us to create a shared, multidisciplinary understanding of these key concepts and tools, which will help coaches and teams act on equity-oriented healthcare for people experiencing homelessness effectively.",{"type":571,"attrs":958,"content":959},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[960],{"text":961,"type":352,"marks":962},"What’s next?",[963],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":965,"content":966},{"textAlign":53},[967],{"text":968,"type":352},"This collaborative and workshop reaffirm the importance of integrating equity throughout the healthcare system, with a strong focus on patient safety and quality. We invite others to consider what’s needed to engage in conversations around equity at the individual, organizational and system-level.",{"type":15,"attrs":970,"content":971},{"textAlign":53},[972,974,987,989,995],{"text":973,"type":352},"What action can you take within your context to implement more equity-oriented practices? Check out HEC’s ",{"text":975,"type":352,"marks":976},"Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Virtual Learning Exchange series",[977],{"type":391,"attrs":978},{"href":979,"uuid":980,"anchor":53,"custom":981,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":982},"/resources/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-virtual-learning-exchange","74913dfc-0b74-43e8-9925-85f546ba367a",{},{"name":983,"id":984,"uuid":980,"slug":985,"url":986,"full_slug":986,"_stopResolving":299},"Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Virtual Learning Exchange",113880244075992,"equity-diversity-and-inclusion-virtual-learning-exchange","resources/equity-diversity-and-inclusion-virtual-learning-exchange",{"text":988,"type":352},", or learn more about ",{"text":990,"type":352,"marks":991},"EQUIP Health Care",[992],{"type":391,"attrs":993},{"href":994,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://equiphealthcare.ca/",{"text":996,"type":352},".",[115,143,129,150],"from-workshop-to-action-takeaways-on-equitable-access-to-palliative-care","updates/from-workshop-to-action-takeaways-on-equitable-access-to-palliative-care",-8700,[],{"parent_slug":295,"umbraco_path":1003,"umbraco_uuid":1004},"/HealthcareExcellenceCanada/News/FromWorkshopToActionTakeawaysOnEquitableAccessToPalliativeCare","ff92fd63-952b-40a8-886c-8b1abed6f4c3","c160fdc4-20a9-4de2-9fb9-240b010d8b2a","2025-12-15T17:40:11.957Z",[],[1009],{"path":1010,"name":1011,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/de-la-theorie-a-l-action-points-a-retenir-sur-l-acces-equitable-aux-soins-palliatifs","De la théorie à l’action : points à retenir sur l’accès équitable aux soins palliatifs",{"name":1013,"created_at":1014,"published_at":1015,"updated_at":1016,"id":1017,"uuid":1018,"content":1019,"slug":1266,"full_slug":1267,"sort_by_date":53,"position":1268,"tag_list":1269,"is_startpage":286,"parent_id":300,"meta_data":53,"group_id":1270,"first_published_at":1271,"release_id":53,"lang":292,"path":53,"alternates":1272,"default_full_slug":1267,"translated_slugs":1273},"All Voices for Safer Care: Reflecting on Canadian Patient Safety Week 2025","2025-12-18T17:43:24.891Z","2026-02-20T14:08:37.532Z","2026-02-20T14:08:37.574Z",124478279288072,"a8764a72-1494-49ec-8475-a43d7e92bb62",{"seo":1020,"_uid":1023,"hero":1024,"types":1045,"topics":1046,"Noindex":286,"content":1047,"audience":1265,"component":514},{"_uid":1021,"title":1013,"plugin":331,"og_image":16,"og_title":16,"description":1022,"twitter_image":16,"twitter_title":16,"og_description":16,"twitter_description":16},"892bf91b-26ff-48e5-bf88-718408f29493","Safer care doesn’t happen by chance. It is something we create together. \n\nCanadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW) 2025 has come to a close, and we are filled with gratitude for everyone who added their voice to this year’s campaign. From clinicians and patient partners to community organizations and health leaders, thousands joined the conversation to make care safer for all. ","598bda84-35fd-432e-b86e-988a66b73da4",[1025],{"_uid":1026,"date":1027,"image":1028,"title":1013,"author":16,"component":344,"description":1033},"c48336ca-d1cc-43fa-accf-53bed475efbd","2025-11-27 00:00",{"id":1029,"alt":1030,"name":1030,"focus":16,"title":16,"source":16,"filename":1031,"copyright":16,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":1032,"is_external_url":286},124478413767486,"Photos of a team from Oak Valley Health participating in Safer Care in Action using materials from the CPSW 2025 campaign.","https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/1620x1080/23c8d2af3a/cpsw-blog-participants.png",{"alt":1030,"title":16,"source":16,"copyright":16},{"type":12,"content":1034},[1035,1040],{"type":15,"attrs":1036,"content":1037},{"textAlign":53},[1038],{"text":1039,"type":352},"Safer care doesn’t happen by chance. It is something we create together. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1041,"content":1042},{"textAlign":53},[1043],{"text":1044,"type":352},"Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW) 2025 has come to a close, and we are filled with gratitude for everyone who added their voice to this year’s campaign. From clinicians and patient partners to community organizations and health leaders, thousands joined the conversation to make care safer for all. ",[246],[76],[1048,1085,1102],{"id":16,"_uid":1049,"content":1050,"component":512},"3a3eec63-9195-44c5-8121-e178e4059c5e",[1051],{"_uid":1052,"content":1053,"component":511},"208a2123-325f-4611-b151-320a53e2ba16",{"type":12,"content":1054},[1055,1062,1073,1080],{"type":15,"attrs":1056,"content":1057},{"textAlign":53},[1058],{"text":1059,"type":352,"marks":1060},"Photos of a team from Oak Valley Health participating in Safer Care in Action using materials from the CPSW 2025 campaign. Photos submitted through LinkedIn. ",[1061],{"type":477},{"type":15,"attrs":1063,"content":1064},{"textAlign":53},[1065,1067,1071],{"text":1066,"type":352},"This year marked the 20th anniversary of CPSW, a meaningful milestone that invited reflection, learning and renewed commitment. Under the theme ",{"text":1068,"type":352,"marks":1069},"All Voices for Safer Care,",[1070],{"type":477},{"text":1072,"type":352}," we celebrated the power of listening, respect, trust and collaboration. We also worked to centre voices that have not always been heard, especially those most affected by health inequities. ",{"type":571,"attrs":1074,"content":1075},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1076],{"text":1077,"type":352,"marks":1078},"Listening, learning and amplifying voices ",[1079],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":1081,"content":1082},{"textAlign":53},[1083],{"text":1084,"type":352},"Throughout the campaign, we heard from people across the country who shared how safety shows up in their workplaces, communities and personal experiences. ",{"id":16,"_uid":1086,"items":1087,"component":1101},"5bab7945-79c0-4eb2-865b-fc7074f19a85",[1088],{"_uid":1089,"image":1090,"quote":1092,"author":1099,"component":1100,"author_title":16},"5c1a936f-eec3-4de0-889e-d6f553391977",{"id":53,"alt":53,"name":16,"focus":53,"title":53,"source":53,"filename":16,"copyright":53,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":1091},{},{"type":12,"content":1093},[1094],{"type":15,"attrs":1095,"content":1096},{"textAlign":53},[1097],{"text":1098,"type":352}," \"Everyone contributes to promoting safer care from patients, to different roles, departments, community and patients and families.\"","CPSW Participant  ","quote-item","quote",{"id":16,"_uid":1103,"content":1104,"component":512},"c617ef7a-d017-4987-91e2-aa02fe7e8833",[1105],{"_uid":1106,"content":1107,"component":511},"7cc0471c-1e5b-4c8a-8dc5-dc3ee1152491",{"type":12,"content":1108},[1109,1114,1121,1126,1131,1136,1144,1167,1172,1179,1184,1189,1229,1236,1241,1246,1260],{"type":15,"attrs":1110,"content":1111},{"textAlign":53},[1112],{"text":1113,"type":352},"Organizations hosted in-person and virtual events that explored what “feeling safe” means beyond the absence of harm. Together we saw that safety includes cultural, psychological and emotional well-being and that improvement happens when every voice is valued. ",{"type":571,"attrs":1115,"content":1116},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1117],{"text":1118,"type":352,"marks":1119},"Stories that inspire change ",[1120],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":1122,"content":1123},{"textAlign":53},[1124],{"text":1125,"type":352},"Storytelling was at the heart of this year’s campaign. We launched a new “All Voices for Safer Care” blog series highlighting champions from across Canada who are re-imagining what safer care can look like in their settings. These stories showed that change does not always come from large-scale initiatives. It often starts with one conversation, one reflection, or one small act that brings voices together for safer care. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1127,"content":1128},{"textAlign":53},[1129],{"text":1130,"type":352},"We heard about organizations building trust through open dialogue, teams using CPSW resources to spark conversation and individuals using their lived experiences to shape better systems. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1132,"content":1133},{"textAlign":53},[1134],{"text":1135,"type":352},"Across sectors from hospitals to long-term care, community health and administration, participants reminded us that safety is everyone’s responsibility and that improvements begin to happen when all voices are heard. ",{"type":571,"attrs":1137,"content":1139},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},3,[1140],{"text":1141,"type":352,"marks":1142},"By the numbers  ",[1143],{"type":381},{"type":449,"content":1145},[1146,1153,1160],{"type":452,"content":1147},[1148],{"type":15,"attrs":1149,"content":1150},{"textAlign":53},[1151],{"text":1152,"type":352},"Over 1,300 attendees registered for our two webinar sessions  ",{"type":452,"content":1154},[1155],{"type":15,"attrs":1156,"content":1157},{"textAlign":53},[1158],{"text":1159,"type":352},"There were over 1,750 downloads of our materials with the most accessed being the Celebrating Everyday Safety Acts Activity Card. ",{"type":452,"content":1161},[1162],{"type":15,"attrs":1163,"content":1164},{"textAlign":53},[1165],{"text":1166,"type":352},"Over 170 organizations hosted local or virtual events ",{"type":15,"attrs":1168,"content":1169},{"textAlign":53},[1170],{"text":1171,"type":352},"Behind every number are people who listened, learned and took action, reflecting their shared commitment to All Voices for Safer Care. ",{"type":571,"attrs":1173,"content":1174},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1175],{"text":1176,"type":352,"marks":1177},"Keeping the momentum going ",[1178],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":1180,"content":1181},{"textAlign":53},[1182],{"text":1183,"type":352},"Contributing to safer care doesn’t stop when Canadian Patient Safety Week ends. The conversations started this October will continue to shape how we design, deliver and experience care. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1185,"content":1186},{"textAlign":53},[1187],{"text":1188,"type":352},"Our campaign resources remain available for ongoing use: ",{"type":449,"content":1190},[1191,1210],{"type":452,"content":1192},[1193],{"type":15,"attrs":1194,"content":1195},{"textAlign":53},[1196,1208],{"text":1197,"type":352,"marks":1198},"Celebrating Everyday Safety Acts Activity Card",[1199],{"type":391,"attrs":1200},{"href":1201,"uuid":1202,"anchor":53,"custom":1203,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":1204},"/resources/celebrating-everyday-safety-acts-activity-card","99ca1263-4b6e-4885-b338-febbcf553aa1","[object Object]",{"name":1197,"id":1205,"uuid":1202,"slug":1206,"url":1207,"full_slug":1207,"_stopResolving":299},113880465575440,"celebrating-everyday-safety-acts-activity-card","resources/celebrating-everyday-safety-acts-activity-card",{"text":1209,"type":352}," – for individual and team reflection and dialogue ",{"type":452,"content":1211},[1212],{"type":15,"attrs":1213,"content":1214},{"textAlign":53},[1215,1227],{"text":1216,"type":352,"marks":1217},"Rethinking Patient Safety Guide",[1218],{"type":391,"attrs":1219},{"href":1220,"uuid":1221,"anchor":53,"custom":1203,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":1222},"/resources/rethinking-patient-safety-discussion-guide","515a6db5-7990-4f67-b458-811cab7e99cf",{"name":1223,"id":1224,"uuid":1221,"slug":1225,"url":1226,"full_slug":1226,"_stopResolving":299},"Rethinking Patient Safety Discussion Guide",113880292322786,"rethinking-patient-safety-discussion-guide","resources/rethinking-patient-safety-discussion-guide",{"text":1228,"type":352}," – explore how everyone contributes to safer care and the vital roles of cultural and psychological safety. ",{"type":571,"attrs":1230,"content":1231},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1232],{"text":1233,"type":352,"marks":1234},"Thank you for adding your voice ",[1235],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":1237,"content":1238},{"textAlign":53},[1239],{"text":1240,"type":352},"Thank you to everyone who took part in Canadian Patient Safety Week 2025. Your stories, reflections and actions show that creating safer care truly takes all of us. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1242,"content":1243},{"textAlign":53},[1244],{"text":1245,"type":352},"As we look ahead, let’s keep listening, learning and working together so every voice can be heard and every person can feel safe, respected and included in care. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1247,"content":1248},{"textAlign":53},[1249,1251,1258],{"text":1250,"type":352},"Stay connected by subscribing to our ",{"text":1252,"type":352,"marks":1253},"newsletter",[1254],{"type":391,"attrs":1255},{"href":1256,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1257,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://cd.healthcareexcellence.ca/cn/a7jlx/newsletter-subscribe",{},{"text":1259,"type":352},", following our social channels and using campaign resources year-round. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1261,"content":1262},{"textAlign":53},[1263],{"text":1264,"type":352},"Continue to ask yourself and those you work and partner with — including patients, caregivers and community members: How do you see safer care in action? ",[115,143,122,129,136,150,157],"all-voices-for-safer-care-reflecting-on-canadian-patient-safety-week-2025","updates/all-voices-for-safer-care-reflecting-on-canadian-patient-safety-week-2025",-8740,[],"080eee79-428e-4127-a0b4-4e6ceb902808","2025-12-18T17:45:08.219Z",[],[1274],{"path":1275,"name":1276,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/des-soins-plus-surs-portes-par-toutes-les-voix-retour-sur-la-semaine-nationale-de-la-securite-des-patients2025","Des soins plus sûrs, portés par toutes les voix : retour sur la Semaine nationale de la sécurité des patients 2025",{"name":1278,"created_at":1279,"published_at":1280,"updated_at":1281,"id":1282,"uuid":1283,"content":1284,"slug":1558,"full_slug":1559,"sort_by_date":53,"position":1560,"tag_list":1561,"is_startpage":286,"parent_id":300,"meta_data":53,"group_id":1562,"first_published_at":1563,"release_id":53,"lang":292,"path":53,"alternates":1564,"default_full_slug":1559,"translated_slugs":1565},"Progress and Possibility in Healthcare Excellence","2025-12-18T17:45:47.456Z","2026-02-16T15:20:29.318Z","2026-02-27T19:42:37.738Z",124478863258889,"05bcb91f-37df-4b73-9f44-8b6be76a9967",{"seo":1285,"_uid":1289,"hero":1290,"types":1313,"topics":1314,"Noindex":286,"content":1315,"audience":1557,"component":514},{"_uid":1286,"title":1287,"plugin":331,"og_image":16,"og_title":16,"description":1288,"twitter_image":16,"twitter_title":16,"og_description":16,"twitter_description":16},"0df35d91-587e-4a5b-bd5e-6e7d86f9ae77","Progress and Possibility in Healthcare Excellence ","Hundreds of teams are working to address these and other challenges every day. At Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC), we’re privileged to work with them to expand access to care and ease pressure on emergency departments, help more people age where they call home, advance safe, person-centred long-term care, and support people working in healthcare","348c4b80-6d0e-4a0d-8d72-d48ce6f9dd57",[1291],{"_uid":1292,"date":1293,"image":1294,"title":1299,"author":1300,"component":344,"description":1301},"4c93a839-23a2-4d2a-a6da-82fe21781b67","2025-12-18 00:00",{"id":1295,"alt":1296,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":16,"source":16,"filename":1297,"copyright":16,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":1298,"is_external_url":286},124479165375295,"An illustration of three people. In the centre is the patient. He is an older man who is smiling. With a hand on his shoulder is a woman, also smiling. She is looking at the doctor. The doctor is wearing scrubs, a stethoscope and a face mask.","https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/700x467/a3dfeb9515/holidayeblastgraphic-20231205-email.png",{"alt":1296,"title":16,"source":16,"copyright":16},"Progress and Possibility in Healthcare Excellence: A year-end reflection and look ahead to our next chapter","Jennifer Zelmer",{"type":12,"content":1302},[1303,1308],{"type":15,"attrs":1304,"content":1305},{"textAlign":53},[1306],{"text":1307,"type":352},"A friend recently waited more than five hours in the hospital emergency department – not because she needed emergency care, but because it was simply the only way she could get a time-sensitive prescription renewed.",{"type":15,"attrs":1309,"content":1310},{"textAlign":53},[1311],{"text":1312,"type":352},"She isn’t alone.",[246],[46,84,76,98,106,69,91],[1316],{"id":16,"_uid":1317,"content":1318,"component":512},"ab8691b1-cc66-47af-befd-abd8b3007c91",[1319,1497,1539,1548],{"_uid":1320,"content":1321,"component":511},"3dddbff3-5ad3-4e9d-a208-fa5b7e67d49a",{"type":12,"content":1322},[1323,1328,1389,1394,1399,1487,1492],{"type":15,"attrs":1324,"content":1325},{"textAlign":53},[1326],{"text":1327,"type":352},"The goal is always the right care in the right place. But too often, that’s not what happens. For example, recent data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) shows persistent challenges:",{"type":449,"content":1329},[1330,1350,1369],{"type":452,"content":1331},[1332],{"type":15,"attrs":1333,"content":1334},{"textAlign":53},[1335,1339,1341,1348],{"text":1336,"type":352,"marks":1337},"15%",[1338],{"type":381},{"text":1340,"type":352}," of emergency department visits could have potentially been managed in primary care (",{"text":1342,"type":352,"marks":1343},"CIHI",[1344],{"type":391,"attrs":1345},{"href":1346,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1347,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.cihi.ca/en/primary-and-virtual-care-access-emergency-department-visits-for-primary-care-conditions/measuring-primary-care-access-through-emergency-department-use",{},{"text":1349,"type":352},", 2025)",{"type":452,"content":1351},[1352],{"type":15,"attrs":1353,"content":1354},{"textAlign":53},[1355,1359,1361,1367],{"text":1356,"type":352,"marks":1357},"1 in 10 ",[1358],{"type":381},{"text":1360,"type":352},"new long-term care residents might have remained in the community with the right supports (",{"text":1342,"type":352,"marks":1362},[1363],{"type":391,"attrs":1364},{"href":1365,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1366,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.cihi.ca/en/indicators/new-long-term-care-residents-who-potentially-could-have-been-cared-for-at-home",{},{"text":1368,"type":352},", 2024)",{"type":452,"content":1370},[1371],{"type":15,"attrs":1372,"content":1373},{"textAlign":53},[1374,1376,1380,1382,1388],{"text":1375,"type":352},"More than ",{"text":1377,"type":352,"marks":1378},"3.2 million",[1379],{"type":381},{"text":1381,"type":352}," hospital days were spent waiting for care in another setting last year (",{"text":1342,"type":352,"marks":1383},[1384],{"type":391,"attrs":1385},{"href":1386,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1387,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.cihi.ca/sites/default/files/document/dad-hmdb-childbirth-2023-2024-data-tables-en.xlsx",{},{"text":1368,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1390,"content":1391},{"textAlign":53},[1392],{"text":1393,"type":352},"Across the country, people are proving that better care is not only possible; it’s their reality today.",{"type":15,"attrs":1395,"content":1396},{"textAlign":53},[1397],{"text":1398,"type":352},"Hundreds of teams are working to address these and other challenges every day. At Healthcare Excellence Canada (HEC), we’re privileged to work with them to expand access to care and ease pressure on emergency departments, help more people age where they call home, advance safe, person-centred long-term care, and support people working in healthcare. For instance:",{"type":449,"content":1400},[1401,1421,1448,1467],{"type":452,"content":1402},[1403],{"type":15,"attrs":1404,"content":1405},{"textAlign":53},[1406,1410,1412,1419],{"text":1407,"type":352,"marks":1408},"Neil’s Harbour, Nova Scotia",[1409],{"type":381},{"text":1411,"type":352},": Integrating a ",{"text":1413,"type":352,"marks":1414},"nurse prescriber in the primary care team",[1415],{"type":391,"attrs":1416},{"href":1417,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1418,"target":394,"linktype":284},"https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/4b8df980fe/pathways-from-emergency-to-primary-care-nova-scotia-health-neils-harbour-ns.pdf",{},{"text":1420,"type":352}," improved same- and next-day access to care and reduced lower-acuity emergency visits.",{"type":452,"content":1422},[1423],{"type":15,"attrs":1424,"content":1425},{"textAlign":53},[1426,1430,1432,1446],{"text":1427,"type":352,"marks":1428},"Laurentides, Quebec:",[1429],{"type":381},{"text":1431,"type":352}," A ",{"text":1433,"type":352,"marks":1434},"team supported people with serious lung disease",[1435],{"type":391,"attrs":1436},{"href":1437,"uuid":1438,"anchor":1439,"custom":1440,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":1441},"/programs/partnering-on-appropriate-virtual-care","b225212b-02dc-4fc8-903d-e34b8ce5ce8e","promisingpractices",{},{"name":1442,"id":1443,"uuid":1438,"slug":1444,"url":1445,"full_slug":1445,"_stopResolving":299},"Partnering on Appropriate Virtual Care",123451181208761,"partnering-on-appropriate-virtual-care","programs/partnering-on-appropriate-virtual-care",{"text":1447,"type":352}," to detect issues early, which reduced avoidable hospital visits and procedures",{"type":452,"content":1449},[1450],{"type":15,"attrs":1451,"content":1452},{"textAlign":53},[1453,1457,1458,1465],{"text":1454,"type":352,"marks":1455},"Huntsville, Ontario:",[1456],{"type":381},{"text":1431,"type":352},{"text":1459,"type":352,"marks":1460},"nurse practitioner-led clinic",[1461],{"type":391,"attrs":1462},{"href":1463,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1464,"target":394,"linktype":284},"https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/3e8a30602c/improving-primary-care-through-community-collaboration-algonquin-family-health-team-in-collaboration-with-nosm-university-on.pdf",{},{"text":1466,"type":352}," in the local library is providing primary care for people without an assigned care provider",{"type":452,"content":1468},[1469],{"type":15,"attrs":1470,"content":1471},{"textAlign":53},[1472,1476,1478,1485],{"text":1473,"type":352,"marks":1474},"Nunavut: ",[1475],{"type":381},{"text":1477,"type":352},"Introducing ",{"text":1479,"type":352,"marks":1480},"virtual after-hours support from nurses",[1481],{"type":391,"attrs":1482},{"href":1483,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1484,"target":394,"linktype":284},"https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/789d8dda2f/enhancing-health-centre-services-in-nunavut-government-of-nunavut-nu.pdf",{},{"text":1486,"type":352}," who know the communities, supported on-site staff, reduced turnover and improved patient safety.",{"type":15,"attrs":1488,"content":1489},{"textAlign":53},[1490],{"text":1491,"type":352},"Different needs. Different settings. A shared commitment to better care.",{"type":15,"attrs":1493,"content":1494},{"textAlign":53},[1495],{"text":1496,"type":352},"As we prepare to mark HEC’s fifth anniversary and launch our refreshed strategy in 2026, we want to shine a light on the people driving change and ensure their experience shapes what comes next.",{"_uid":1498,"content":1499,"component":511},"44a4d3c9-722f-45ba-a55f-9ade2515fd65",{"type":12,"content":1500},[1501,1506,1511,1534],{"type":571,"attrs":1502,"content":1503},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1504],{"text":1505,"type":352},"Help us celebrate healthcare excellence and accelerate progress. Add your voice!",{"type":15,"attrs":1507,"content":1508},{"textAlign":53},[1509],{"text":1510,"type":352},"We’re asking for your help to shape the future of care. What you’ve learned needs to guide what happens next. Add your voice so the progress you’re making becomes the progress everyone can count on. We’re asking you to share:",{"type":449,"content":1512},[1513,1520,1527],{"type":452,"content":1514},[1515],{"type":15,"attrs":1516,"content":1517},{"textAlign":53},[1518],{"text":1519,"type":352},"How you’ve worked with or learned from HEC",{"type":452,"content":1521},[1522],{"type":15,"attrs":1523,"content":1524},{"textAlign":53},[1525],{"text":1526,"type":352},"What healthcare excellence means to you",{"type":452,"content":1528},[1529],{"type":15,"attrs":1530,"content":1531},{"textAlign":53},[1532],{"text":1533,"type":352},"An example of collaboration, innovation or positive change in the quality and safety of care that you/your team have experienced",{"type":15,"attrs":1535,"content":1536},{"textAlign":53},[1537],{"text":1538,"type":352},"Text, video or photos – any format is welcome. We will reflect these stories back in the new year so we can all applaud and learn from experiences across the country.",{"_uid":1540,"file":1541,"link":1543,"label":1546,"linkType":391,"component":1547,"linkLabel":1546},"e2281ed3-eff2-44ce-896a-7b8f9b515366",{"id":53,"alt":53,"name":16,"focus":53,"title":53,"source":53,"filename":16,"copyright":53,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":1542},{},{"id":16,"url":1544,"target":394,"linktype":395,"fieldtype":1545,"cached_url":1544},"https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=apl0TcWDGEaKDTY2AtuBr2A3w-IWj09KhYHB_jvt_vVUNlVGU1lDTllTSDZEWjlQWUpXTU1CUjVENC4u&route=shorturl","multilink","Submit your story","banner-link",{"_uid":1549,"content":1550,"component":511},"7c85526d-147a-41d0-a4f5-896a278b9d62",{"type":12,"content":1551},[1552],{"type":15,"attrs":1553,"content":1554},{"textAlign":53},[1555],{"text":1556,"type":352},"You are part of this progress. Let’s celebrate healthcare excellence in action and accelerate progress, together. So that the next time someone needs care, they’ll be able to rely on safe and high-quality healthcare - every time, everywhere.",[115,143,122,129,136,150,157],"progress-and-possibility-in-healthcare-excellence","updates/progress-and-possibility-in-healthcare-excellence",-8760,[],"f464b849-f3d9-4284-8a59-8010aebbd5b3","2025-12-18T17:47:14.068Z",[],[1566],{"path":1567,"name":1568,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/une-annee-de-progres-un-avenir-de-possibilites-pour-l-excellence-en-sante","Une année de progrès, un avenir de possibilités pour l’excellence en santé",{"name":1570,"created_at":1571,"published_at":1572,"updated_at":1573,"id":1574,"uuid":1575,"content":1576,"slug":1692,"full_slug":1693,"sort_by_date":53,"position":1694,"tag_list":1695,"is_startpage":286,"parent_id":300,"meta_data":53,"group_id":1696,"first_published_at":1697,"release_id":53,"lang":292,"path":53,"alternates":1698,"default_full_slug":1693,"translated_slugs":1699},"Nova Scotia Health","2025-12-24T19:00:30.348Z","2026-02-26T01:22:19.775Z","2026-02-26T01:22:19.794Z",126620591600994,"05c9413b-49b6-4ceb-acc6-b4296fdd487a",{"seo":1577,"_uid":1581,"hero":1582,"types":1597,"topics":1598,"Noindex":286,"content":1599,"audience":1691,"component":514},{"_uid":1578,"title":1579,"plugin":331,"og_image":16,"og_title":16,"description":1580,"twitter_image":16,"twitter_title":16,"og_description":16,"twitter_description":16},"4144ad77-7397-4a8c-9d0b-a22d313c4220","Nova Scotia Health | All Voices for Safer Care Blog Series","Everyone plays a role in patient safety—leaders, providers, policymakers, patients, and caregivers. Healthcare Excellence Canada recognizes the vital work happening nationwide to ensure safer care. ","5d623f74-ef98-4d78-975a-2b7289fabfef",[1583],{"_uid":1584,"date":1585,"image":1586,"title":1570,"author":16,"component":344,"description":1591},"efbc58b0-b89b-4ed4-9d7c-496cf361050c","2024-10-28 00:00",{"id":1587,"alt":1588,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":16,"source":16,"filename":1589,"copyright":16,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":1590,"is_external_url":286},114296172510244,"A display titled \"Hands of Our Future\" features colorful hand-shaped cut-outs with messages by patients and staff, arranged on a wall on the Women and Children’s unit at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, N.S.","https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/82928a8589/nsh-photo.jpg",{"alt":1588,"title":16,"source":16,"copyright":16},{"type":12,"content":1592},[1593],{"type":15,"attrs":1594,"content":1595},{"textAlign":53},[1596],{"text":1580,"type":352},[246],[76],[1600,1671],{"id":16,"_uid":1601,"content":1602,"component":512},"1fad2c12-9566-4b78-8337-f3f1a0bf8f8c",[1603,1633],{"_uid":1604,"content":1605,"component":511},"8f0cf422-d381-48c5-a61b-c2f9164b068e",{"type":12,"content":1606},[1607,1612,1623,1628],{"type":571,"attrs":1608,"content":1609},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1610],{"text":1611,"type":352},"All Voices for Safer Care Blog Series",{"type":15,"attrs":1613,"content":1614},{"textAlign":53},[1615,1617,1621],{"text":1616,"type":352},"Safer care doesn’t happen by chance. The Canadian Patient Safety Week 2025 theme, ",{"text":1618,"type":352,"marks":1619},"All Voices for Safer Care",[1620],{"type":477},{"text":1622,"type":352},", reminds us that building safer healthcare systems isn’t the responsibility of one person or one role — it’s something we create together.",{"type":15,"attrs":1624,"content":1625},{"textAlign":53},[1626],{"text":1627,"type":352},"Throughout this blog series, we’re sharing the stories of champions for safer care from across Canada who are helping redefine what safer care looks like in their communities and settings: from point of care to leadership, from lived experience to learning systems.",{"type":15,"attrs":1629,"content":1630},{"textAlign":53},[1631],{"text":1632,"type":352},"Their insights show how building safer systems, supporting all roles, and listening with curiosity are essential steps toward safer, more equitable care for everyone.",{"_uid":1634,"content":1635,"component":511},"d5848ad0-65f2-4475-aa9b-9741973d1eac",{"type":12,"content":1636},[1637,1641,1646,1651,1656,1661,1666],{"type":571,"attrs":1638,"content":1639},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1640],{"text":1570,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1642,"content":1643},{"textAlign":53},[1644],{"text":1645,"type":352},"Patients as experts in their own care is a belief that exists at South Shore Regional Hospital (SSRH) Women and Children’s unit. Michelle Wile is the Health Service Manager for Women and Children’s, Midwifery and Ambulatory Care at SSRH in Bridgewater, N.S. and Rebecca Parks is a Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Leader in the Western Zone of Nova Scotia. This viewpoint, alongside a Healthcare Excellence Canada’s (HEC) Action Series focus on rewiring thoughts on harm, led to a discussion-based initiative within South Shore.",{"type":15,"attrs":1647,"content":1648},{"textAlign":53},[1649],{"text":1650,"type":352},"Rebecca and Michelle wanted to deepen their understanding of patients’ perceptions and experiences around harm and provide safer working conditions for their staff. Since they deeply value the knowledge and experiences, they decided a discussion-based approach would offer the most insight into their patients’ concerns and would be the natural starting point for reducing harm. The first step was daily staff safety huddles run by Wendy Young (Team Lead for Women and Children’s at SSRH), where they could openly discuss their concerns and help to focus on prevention of harm that was identified by staff. They then moved on to conversations with patients, asking them what they needed in order to feel safe.",{"type":15,"attrs":1652,"content":1653},{"textAlign":53},[1654],{"text":1655,"type":352},"Two main themes emerged from these discussions. They recognized that language barriers between patients and staff were creating challenges to safe and effective care, and more robust support was needed. Language identification cards are in the process of being printed, they connected with a language coordinator, and a language app is being installed on all Nova Scotia Health unit phones. Staff also reported an increase in diversity with their patient population and wanted to support cultural needs in terms of care. This led to education and collaboration with a Mi’kmaw Indigenous Patient Navigator and an Organizational Development Consultant, providing resources and support staff.",{"type":15,"attrs":1657,"content":1658},{"textAlign":53},[1659],{"text":1660,"type":352},"Some patients also reported a feeling of stigma around some of the medication and monitoring practices, particularly families with a history of opioid use disorders. Staff received and processed this information and worked to improve their communication and clarify expectations with patients at the onset of treatment. Staff were also more able to provide the necessary support and resources for patients and their families.",{"type":15,"attrs":1662,"content":1663},{"textAlign":53},[1664],{"text":1665,"type":352},"Asking patients and staff what they needed to feel safe led to simple yet impactful changes around the unit that improved communication between staff and increased patient satisfaction. Rebecca and Wendy shared their experience and findings at a Nova Scotia Health Western Zone Quality Summit in the hopes it will spread throughout their healthcare zone. They’ve continued their work within South Shore, gathering more stories from staff and patients. Their next goal is to make these safety questions standard at the time of admittance and to include the birthing unit so they can better understand what their patients need to feel safe at the time of delivery.",{"type":15,"attrs":1667,"content":1668},{"textAlign":53},[1669],{"text":1670,"type":352},"The team at South Shore embodies the principles of listen, learn and act. They’re a great example of including patients in the conversation about their own care and safety. By valuing patients as the holders of knowledge, they empower them to be active participants in their own care. This sense of collaboration and agency allows patients to feel confident and improves their emotional and psychological safety.",{"id":16,"cta":1672,"_uid":1679,"items":1680,"title":1611,"component":1690},[1673],{"_uid":1674,"link":1675,"label":1677,"component":1678},"4a4c6280-f493-4169-8d46-4aaa5d6d9092",{"id":275,"url":16,"linktype":610,"fieldtype":1545,"cached_url":296,"story":1676},{"name":270,"id":274,"uuid":275,"slug":295,"url":296,"full_slug":296,"_stopResolving":299},"See all updates","simple-link","36d09cf0-7d4d-4072-b893-ac0a15e18beb",[1681,1682,1683,1684,1685,1686,1687,1688,1689],"9d39a817-d54a-498a-a4d4-f831c8505fc5","ca43ed92-a3d8-4874-bf87-514113e2e8b7","64dcc28f-1fa1-4ea5-9cac-5c3ec8af9d9e","9b1ffd2e-db73-45d9-91a0-969f15712752","169e53e0-e775-4fa8-981e-51b649b49e7e","ae3a8679-a184-4300-81cf-ce469a9361fd","bb82f902-3f5d-4719-993c-74fbcc389c14","da8ef542-65fc-4cb8-93d3-cb30090bdd7e","8131a210-8b91-4ccf-ab3d-b40e8451444a","slider-redirection",[129,143,150],"nova-scotia-health","updates/nova-scotia-health",-8800,[],"db008d37-2ebd-45b5-95a2-1a903dc58046","2025-12-24T19:23:54.370Z",[],[1700],{"path":1701,"name":1702,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/sante-nouvelle-ecosse","Santé Nouvelle-Écosse",{"name":1704,"created_at":1705,"published_at":1706,"updated_at":1707,"id":1708,"uuid":1689,"content":1709,"slug":1918,"full_slug":1919,"sort_by_date":53,"position":1920,"tag_list":1921,"is_startpage":286,"parent_id":300,"meta_data":53,"group_id":1922,"first_published_at":1923,"release_id":53,"lang":292,"path":53,"alternates":1924,"default_full_slug":1919,"translated_slugs":1925},"Closing the Safety Gap","2025-12-24T19:02:32.149Z","2026-02-26T01:21:28.132Z","2026-02-26T01:21:28.152Z",126621090452843,{"Seo":1710,"seo":1713,"_uid":1581,"hero":1715,"types":1729,"topics":1730,"Noindex":286,"content":1731,"audience":1917,"component":514},[1711],{"_uid":1712,"Noindex":286,"component":780},"6ee796a1-4de1-4cc2-b378-1eda97ba2ba2",{"_uid":1578,"title":1714,"plugin":331,"og_image":16,"og_title":16,"description":1580,"twitter_image":16,"twitter_title":16,"og_description":16,"twitter_description":16},"Closing the Safety Gap: Improving Children’s Pain Management Across Canada",[1716],{"_uid":1584,"date":1717,"image":1718,"title":1714,"author":1722,"component":344,"description":1723},"2025-11-03 00:00",{"id":1719,"alt":16,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":16,"source":16,"filename":1720,"copyright":16,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":1721,"is_external_url":286},126636303831945,"https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/8010x4503/3e6ac79ed7/skip-blog-submission-accompanying-graphic.jpg",{},"Solutions for Kids in Pain",{"type":12,"content":1724},[1725],{"type":15,"attrs":1726,"content":1727},{"textAlign":53},[1728],{"text":1580,"type":352},[246],[46,76,39],[1732,1909],{"id":16,"_uid":1601,"content":1733,"component":512},[1734,1757],{"_uid":1604,"content":1735,"component":511},{"type":12,"content":1736},[1737,1741,1749,1753],{"type":571,"attrs":1738,"content":1739},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1740],{"text":1611,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1742,"content":1743},{"textAlign":53},[1744,1745,1748],{"text":1616,"type":352},{"text":1618,"type":352,"marks":1746},[1747],{"type":477},{"text":1622,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1750,"content":1751},{"textAlign":53},[1752],{"text":1627,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1754,"content":1755},{"textAlign":53},[1756],{"text":1632,"type":352},{"_uid":1758,"content":1759,"component":511},"506b24fa-3476-45f7-872c-ee0fc7f85057",{"type":12,"content":1760},[1761,1765,1770,1775,1780,1785,1792,1797,1802,1809,1834,1839,1844,1851,1856,1861,1866,1873,1878,1883,1904],{"type":571,"attrs":1762,"content":1763},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1764],{"text":1714,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1766,"content":1767},{"textAlign":53},[1768],{"text":1769,"type":352},"At the heart of safer care is the belief that everyone deserves to be heard and supported — especially children. When children visit the hospital, families trust that they will receive the best available care that treats their child’s illness and manages their pain. But too often, children’s pain is missed or minimized, presenting a safety gap that comes with serious, lasting consequences. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1771,"content":1772},{"textAlign":53},[1773],{"text":1774,"type":352},"Children in Canadian hospitals undergo an average of six painful procedures per day. For babies in neonatal intensive care, that number increases to fourteen.",{"type":15,"attrs":1776,"content":1777},{"textAlign":53},[1778],{"text":1779,"type":352},"Research shows that two-thirds of these procedures are performed without any pain management. On top of that, one in four children who have major surgery develop chronic pain. When children’s pain is ignored, it represents a silent safety failure that can follow them into adulthood. Poorly managed pain can delay healing, increase sensitivity, affect neurodevelopment, and lead to avoidance of healthcare later in life. It is also linked to depression, anxiety, suicidality, and harmful substance use.",{"type":15,"attrs":1781,"content":1782},{"textAlign":53},[1783],{"text":1784,"type":352},"These preventable outcomes reveal a broader, systemic issue in pediatric care. When pain is inadequately treated, children experience measurable and preventable harm and that constitutes a patient safety incident.",{"type":571,"attrs":1786,"content":1787},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[1788],{"text":1789,"type":352,"marks":1790},"Recognizing children’s pain as a patient safety incident",[1791],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":1793,"content":1794},{"textAlign":53},[1795],{"text":1796,"type":352},"A patient safety incident occurs when care is provided or omitted in a way that could lead to, or has already caused, unnecessary harm. Examples include not using topical analgesics before a vaccination or IV insertion or delaying pain relief after major surgery.",{"type":15,"attrs":1798,"content":1799},{"textAlign":53},[1800],{"text":1801,"type":352},"Canada now has a guideline to recognize unmanaged pediatric pain as equally critical to patient safety.",{"type":571,"attrs":1803,"content":1804},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[1805],{"text":1806,"type":352,"marks":1807},"Leading the way: Canada’s Pediatric Pain Management Health Standard",[1808],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":1810,"content":1811},{"textAlign":53},[1812,1818,1825,1827,1832],{"text":1813,"type":352,"marks":1814},"Pediatric pain management is essential to every child health encounter and key to delivering safe, high-quality, person-centered care. The release of the ",[1815],{"type":1816,"attrs":1817},"textStyle",{"color":16},{"text":1819,"type":352,"marks":1820},"Pediatric Pain Management health standard",[1821],{"type":391,"attrs":1822},{"href":1823,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1824,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://healthstandards.org/standard/pediatric-pain-management-can-hso-13200-2023-e/",{},{"text":1826,"type":352}," (CAN/HSO 13200:2023)",{"text":1828,"type":352,"marks":1829}," in April 2023 marked a significant milestone in Canadian healthcare. ",[1830],{"type":1816,"attrs":1831},{"color":16},{"text":1833,"type":352}," ",{"type":15,"attrs":1835,"content":1836},{"textAlign":53},[1837],{"text":1838,"type":352},"Developed by Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) in collaboration with the Health Standards Organization (HSO), this standard is the first of its kind globally. As a National Standard of Canada, it guides the delivery of quality, equitable pain care for children in all Canadian hospital settings, from children’s hospitals to rehabilitation and community hospitals. It applies across all areas of care, including inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic and emergency services. The standard emphasizes equity as part of quality care, including anti-racist, anti-oppression and trauma-informed approaches. Importantly, it also outlines criteria to classify under- and untreated pain in children as a patient safety incident.",{"type":15,"attrs":1840,"content":1841},{"textAlign":53},[1842],{"text":1843,"type":352},"Since its release, uptake has been strong. As of Sept 16th, 2025, it has been downloaded more than 2,900 times across 78 countries, with over 1,600 downloads from Canada alone, having been accessed in every province and two territories. This broad national and international interest signals a shared recognition that pediatric pain management is not only a clinical priority but a matter of health equity and patient safety. The standard directly responds to Health Canada’s 2021 ‘Action Plan for Pain in Canada’, which called for consistent access to timely, evidence-based and person-centred pain care for all people in Canada. By setting a national benchmark, the standard aims to close gaps in care and ensure that all children, regardless of where they live or receive treatment, have access to the best possible pain care.",{"type":571,"attrs":1845,"content":1846},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[1847],{"text":1848,"type":352,"marks":1849},"Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP): Accelerating change through collaboration",[1850],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":1852,"content":1853},{"textAlign":53},[1854],{"text":1855,"type":352},"Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) is a national knowledge mobilization network dedicated to improving children’s pain management. SKIP brings together patients, families, health professionals and decision-makers to drive change through coordination and collaboration.",{"type":15,"attrs":1857,"content":1858},{"textAlign":53},[1859],{"text":1860,"type":352},"SKIP has led a series of engagement and implementation activities involving more than one hundred families, health professionals and leaders from across the country. Their insights are helping shape an implementation roadmap that aims to bring high-quality pain management to children everywhere by equipping hospitals and communities with the tools they need.",{"type":15,"attrs":1862,"content":1863},{"textAlign":53},[1864],{"text":1865,"type":352},"This work includes developing a highly requested Implementation Guide and other tailored resources that help hospitals assess current practices and plan for improvement. SKIP is also fostering a coordinated, community-driven approach by sharing hospital success stories, centring patient and family experiences and supporting training through early adopters.",{"type":571,"attrs":1867,"content":1868},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[1869],{"text":1870,"type":352,"marks":1871},"Fueling a culture shift toward safer care",[1872],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":1874,"content":1875},{"textAlign":53},[1876],{"text":1877,"type":352},"Partnerships are a cornerstone of SKIP’s approach. Working in lockstep with its national network, patient and family partners, and organizations such as the Health Standards Organization, Accreditation Canada, and Children's Healthcare Canada, SKIP aims to fuel a broader culture shift that makes pediatric pain management synonymous with patient safety.",{"type":15,"attrs":1879,"content":1880},{"textAlign":53},[1881],{"text":1882,"type":352},"Everyone has a role to play in closing the safety gap for kids in pain. Whether you work in a hospital, care for a child living with pain, or shape healthcare policy, you can help raise awareness about this critical issue and the evidence-based tools available to improve care.",{"type":15,"attrs":1884,"content":1885},{"textAlign":53},[1886,1891,1898,1903],{"text":1887,"type":352,"marks":1888},"Visit ",[1889],{"type":1816,"attrs":1890},{"color":16},{"text":1892,"type":352,"marks":1893},"kidsinpain.ca",[1894],{"type":391,"attrs":1895},{"href":1896,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":1897,"target":394,"linktype":395},"http://kidsinpain.ca/",{},{"text":1899,"type":352,"marks":1900}," to learn more about the Pediatric Pain Management Health Standard and discover resources to help your team take action.",[1901],{"type":1816,"attrs":1902},{"color":16},{"text":1833,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1905,"content":1906},{"textAlign":53},[1907],{"text":1908,"type":352},"Together, we can make safer care for children a shared reality — one where every child’s voice, experience and comfort truly matter.",{"id":16,"cta":1910,"_uid":1915,"items":1916,"title":1611,"component":1690},[1911],{"_uid":1912,"link":1913,"label":1677,"component":1678},"d762adc9-1cf5-4230-965c-af9e5b05ac40",{"id":275,"url":16,"linktype":610,"fieldtype":1545,"cached_url":296,"story":1914},{"name":270,"id":274,"uuid":275,"slug":295,"url":296,"full_slug":296,"_stopResolving":299},"15a24df2-b2e4-4df4-94e4-7b17460da880",[1683,1684,1685,1686,1689,1681,1575,1682],[143,122,129,136,150],"closing-the-safety-gap","updates/closing-the-safety-gap",-8810,[],"fdd946d1-114b-4c76-99b9-e20771697f7c","2025-12-24T20:06:14.721Z",[],[1926],{"path":1927,"name":1928,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/combler-les-ecarts-en-matiere-de-securite","Combler les écarts en matière de sécurité",{"name":1930,"created_at":1931,"published_at":1932,"updated_at":1933,"id":1934,"uuid":1688,"content":1935,"slug":2089,"full_slug":2090,"sort_by_date":53,"position":2091,"tag_list":2092,"is_startpage":286,"parent_id":300,"meta_data":53,"group_id":2093,"first_published_at":2094,"release_id":53,"lang":292,"path":53,"alternates":2095,"default_full_slug":2090,"translated_slugs":2096},"Beyond Compliance","2025-12-24T19:01:55.033Z","2026-02-26T01:20:47.898Z","2026-02-26T01:20:47.940Z",126620938413418,{"seo":1936,"_uid":1581,"hero":1938,"types":1954,"topics":1955,"Noindex":286,"content":1956,"audience":2088,"component":514},{"_uid":1578,"title":1937,"plugin":331,"og_image":16,"og_title":16,"description":1580,"twitter_image":16,"twitter_title":16,"og_description":16,"twitter_description":16},"Beyond Compliance: Sandra Young on How Standards, Collaboration, and Curiosity Drive Safer Care | All Voices for Safer Care Blog Series",[1939],{"_uid":1584,"date":1940,"image":1941,"title":1945,"author":1946,"component":344,"description":1947},"2025-10-27 00:00",{"id":1942,"alt":16,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":16,"source":16,"filename":1943,"copyright":16,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":1944,"is_external_url":286},126635253617543,"https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/1688x1125/8cd0119919/cpsw-blog-sandra-young.png",{},"Beyond Compliance: Sandra Young on How Standards, Collaboration, and Curiosity Drive Safer Care ","Sandra Young",{"type":12,"content":1948},[1949],{"type":15,"attrs":1950,"content":1951},{"textAlign":53},[1952],{"text":1953,"type":352},"Everyone plays a role in patient safety – leaders, providers, policymakers, patients, and caregivers. Healthcare Excellence Canada recognizes the vital work happening nationwide to ensure safer care. ",[246],[76,39],[1957,2079],{"id":16,"_uid":1601,"content":1958,"component":512},[1959,1983],{"_uid":1604,"content":1960,"component":511},{"type":12,"content":1961},[1962,1966,1975,1979],{"type":571,"attrs":1963,"content":1964},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1965],{"text":1611,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1967,"content":1968},{"textAlign":53},[1969,1970,1973],{"text":1616,"type":352},{"text":1618,"type":352,"marks":1971},[1972],{"type":477},{"text":1974,"type":352},", reminds us that building safer healthcare systems isn’t the responsibility of one person or one role – it’s something we create together.",{"type":15,"attrs":1976,"content":1977},{"textAlign":53},[1978],{"text":1627,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":1980,"content":1981},{"textAlign":53},[1982],{"text":1632,"type":352},{"_uid":1758,"content":1984,"component":511},{"type":12,"content":1985},[1986,1991,1996,2001,2006,2011,2016,2021,2026,2031,2036,2041,2046,2051,2056,2061,2066],{"type":571,"attrs":1987,"content":1988},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[1989],{"text":1990,"type":352},"Beyond Compliance: Sandra Young on How Standards, Collaboration, and Curiosity Drive Safer Care",{"type":15,"attrs":1992,"content":1993},{"textAlign":53},[1994],{"text":1995,"type":352},"All Voices for Safer Care reminds us that safer health care is not created by a single person or organization – it’s built together. By elevating every voice, from patients and caregivers to providers and system leaders, we can create the trust, curiosity and collaboration needed for meaningful change. ",{"type":15,"attrs":1997,"content":1998},{"textAlign":53},[1999],{"text":2000,"type":352},"Sandra Young, Executive Director of Standards & Education at Health Standards Organization (HSO), is one of those voices. Her work is helping turn standards into resilient systems that keep patients, providers and communities safer and more equitable every day.",{"type":571,"attrs":2002,"content":2003},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[2004],{"text":2005,"type":352},"Tell us a bit about your role and the community or organization(s) you work with.",{"type":15,"attrs":2007,"content":2008},{"textAlign":53},[2009],{"text":2010,"type":352},"As Executive Director of Standards and Education at Health Standards Organization, I’m proud to work alongside a highly skilled team for Canada’s only Standards Development Organization dedicated to health and social services. National Standards of Canada truly are significant levers for system wide change and come to life through our affiliate Accreditation Canada. One of the things I value most about HSO is our inclusive and people-centred approach. At the heart of our work are our highly valued technical committee members, who lead the standards development process. On these committees, you’ll find not only clinicians, administrators and academics, but also patients, caregivers and community partners. All perspectives are essential to shaping our shared understanding of the health care system, so we can co-produce relevant and meaningful standards, grounded in the evidence.",{"type":571,"attrs":2012,"content":2013},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[2014],{"text":2015,"type":352},"What does safe care mean to you?",{"type":15,"attrs":2017,"content":2018},{"textAlign":53},[2019],{"text":2020,"type":352},"For me, safer care is about reducing the risk of harm. It’s not realistic to expect zero harm, but we can always strive for ongoing, continuous quality improvement and shared learning, while focusing on proactive, safe and reliable practices. Safe care recognizes that the experience of our patients and providers is inextricably bound, and to quote our CEO – there is no quality and safety without a healthy and safe workforce.",{"type":15,"attrs":2022,"content":2023},{"textAlign":53},[2024],{"text":2025,"type":352},"Safer care is also about recognizing that harm is not only physical but includes psychological and cultural harm. I cannot overstate the significance of active and visible leadership to cultivate a culture of safety where teams feel safe to speak up for safety and understanding what happened, not who did it, to support shared learning.",{"type":571,"attrs":2027,"content":2028},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[2029],{"text":2030,"type":352},"How has your understanding of safety evolved over time?",{"type":15,"attrs":2032,"content":2033},{"textAlign":53},[2034],{"text":2035,"type":352},"I have worked in health care for 36 years where reporting of hazards, close calls and safety events predominated safety procedures. It wasn’t until I became a Nurse Practitioner that I learned about optimizing human factors and received training in systems analysis. The first time I was exposed to safe and reliable practices was in 2012 from Allan Frankel. At HSO we have put patient safety on the front burner and balanced our approach to Patient Safety I – or retrospectively analyzing when things go wrong and Patient Safety II – proactively emphasizing what is going right - in the release of Required Safety Practices this past spring. Safety isn’t just about avoiding errors; it’s about building reliable and resilient people and systems.",{"type":15,"attrs":2037,"content":2038},{"textAlign":53},[2039],{"text":2040,"type":352},"This shift has been transformative. In the past, safety was often about compliance – making sure policies were followed and incidents were reported. Now, we’re focused on building systems that can adapt and thrive in complexity. For example, our Required Safety Practices (RSPs) are designed to help organizations anticipate challenges, rather than reacting to problems. We encourage teams to learn from what goes well, not just from mistakes, and to share those lessons across the system.",{"type":571,"attrs":2042,"content":2043},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[2044],{"text":2045,"type":352},"Can you share something you or your team has done that made care safer?",{"type":15,"attrs":2047,"content":2048},{"textAlign":53},[2049],{"text":2050,"type":352},"I come back to the Required Safety Practices (RSPs) as evidence-informed, measurable safety imperatives designed to prevent, respond to, and manage physical, psychological, and cultural harm. We have added accountabilities at all levels of the organization, as safety is everyone’s business, and included measuring and monitoring. While we have streamlined from 38 to 24 RSPs reducing operational burden for organizations, we have also added four new RSPs that address emerging and current safety risks: 1) opioid stewardship, 2) health equity, 3) early recognition and response to acute clinical deterioration, and 4) partnering with clients to improve safety.",{"type":571,"attrs":2052,"content":2053},{"level":1138,"textAlign":53},[2054],{"text":2055,"type":352},"What’s one action people in roles like yours can take to support a culture of safety?",{"type":15,"attrs":2057,"content":2058},{"textAlign":53},[2059],{"text":2060,"type":352},"Collaboration and integration. We are better together. When national organizations come together to influence change this provides standardization and reliability across the system. And in turn when these standards are scalable from the 15-bed hospice to the provincial health system then local outcomes roll up into broad impact. Integration of care across teams, sites, and sectors reduces fragmentation, improves outcomes and most importantly reduces harm. We all know the greatest risk for patients is at times of transition, when we learn from the patient and provider experience during information or care transfers - we can close the gaps of risks. Everyone has a role to play, and every voice matters.",{"type":15,"attrs":2062,"content":2063},{"textAlign":53},[2064],{"text":2065,"type":352},"Together, we can turn standards into action and build safer systems for everyone.",{"type":15,"attrs":2067,"content":2068},{"textAlign":53},[2069,2071,2077],{"text":2070,"type":352},"Explore HSO’s standards and join the quality improvement community at: ",{"text":2072,"type":352,"marks":2073},"www.healthstandards.org",[2074],{"type":391,"attrs":2075},{"href":2076,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":53,"target":394,"linktype":395},"http://www.healthstandards.org/",{"text":2078,"type":352},".  ",{"id":16,"cta":2080,"_uid":2085,"items":2086,"title":1611,"component":1690},[2081],{"_uid":2082,"link":2083,"label":1677,"component":1678},"c77edcee-bfb4-493f-8bf2-6e5d95d518e8",{"id":275,"url":16,"linktype":610,"fieldtype":1545,"cached_url":296,"story":2084},{"name":270,"id":274,"uuid":275,"slug":295,"url":296,"full_slug":296,"_stopResolving":299},"68ef298d-2c6a-4475-b158-df0ff1813b4b",[1681,1575,1682,1683,2087,1684,1685,1686,1687,1689],"49e488cf-7b74-4458-98b6-2855c1b1abc8",[136,143,150],"beyond-compliance","updates/beyond-compliance",-8820,[],"4416d25e-9a97-496b-ae8c-bf3151c82417","2025-12-24T20:02:57.505Z",[],[2097],{"path":2098,"name":2099,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/au-dela-de-la-conformite","Au-delà de la conformité",{"name":2101,"created_at":2102,"published_at":2103,"updated_at":2104,"id":2105,"uuid":1687,"content":2106,"slug":2395,"full_slug":2396,"sort_by_date":53,"position":2397,"tag_list":2398,"is_startpage":286,"parent_id":300,"meta_data":53,"group_id":2399,"first_published_at":2400,"release_id":53,"lang":292,"path":53,"alternates":2401,"default_full_slug":2396,"translated_slugs":2402},"From Silence to Safer Care","2025-12-24T19:01:45.111Z","2026-02-26T01:20:03.858Z","2026-02-26T01:20:03.889Z",126620897822057,{"seo":2107,"_uid":1581,"hero":2109,"types":2122,"topics":2123,"Noindex":286,"content":2124,"audience":2394,"component":514},{"_uid":1578,"title":2108,"plugin":331,"og_image":16,"og_title":16,"description":1580,"twitter_image":16,"twitter_title":16,"og_description":16,"twitter_description":16},"From Silence to Safer Care: Dignity and Inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ Older Adults | All Voices for Safer Care Blog Series",[2110],{"_uid":1584,"date":1940,"image":2111,"title":2115,"author":16,"component":344,"description":2116},{"id":2112,"alt":16,"name":16,"focus":16,"title":16,"source":16,"filename":2113,"copyright":16,"fieldtype":284,"meta_data":2114,"is_external_url":286},126634133865350,"https://a-ca.storyblok.com/f/850807391887861/1688x1125/18de0f2653/cpsw-blog-darren-usher.png",{},"From Silence to Safer Care: Dignity and Inclusion for 2SLGBTQIA+ Older Adults",{"type":12,"content":2117},[2118],{"type":15,"attrs":2119,"content":2120},{"textAlign":53},[2121],{"text":1580,"type":352},[246],[46,76],[2125,2386],{"id":16,"_uid":1601,"content":2126,"component":512},[2127,2150],{"_uid":1604,"content":2128,"component":511},{"type":12,"content":2129},[2130,2134,2142,2146],{"type":571,"attrs":2131,"content":2132},{"level":573,"textAlign":53},[2133],{"text":1611,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":2135,"content":2136},{"textAlign":53},[2137,2138,2141],{"text":1616,"type":352},{"text":1618,"type":352,"marks":2139},[2140],{"type":477},{"text":1622,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":2143,"content":2144},{"textAlign":53},[2145],{"text":1627,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":2147,"content":2148},{"textAlign":53},[2149],{"text":1632,"type":352},{"_uid":2151,"content":2152,"component":511},"cb43a3c4-ecc1-4a4f-aa81-61c43cf521cf",{"type":12,"content":2153},[2154,2159,2171,2176,2181,2188,2205,2210,2217,2247,2252,2257,2262,2269,2274,2279,2284,2289,2296,2301,2306,2311,2316,2323,2333,2338,2343,2348,2353,2360,2365,2370],{"type":571,"attrs":2155,"content":2157},{"level":573,"textAlign":2156},"left",[2158],{"text":2115,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":2160,"content":2161},{"textAlign":53},[2162,2168],{"text":2163,"type":352,"marks":2164},"Content note: This story discusses experiences of trauma, discrimination, and other sensitive topics that may be distressing to some readers.",[2165,2167],{"type":1816,"attrs":2166},{"color":16},{"type":477},{"text":1833,"type":352,"marks":2169},[2170],{"type":477},{"type":15,"attrs":2172,"content":2173},{"textAlign":2156},[2174],{"text":2175,"type":352},"Some wounds never show on the surface. They live quietly in the way a person lowers their voice or glances around before speaking their truth. ",{"type":15,"attrs":2177,"content":2178},{"textAlign":2156},[2179],{"text":2180,"type":352},"Darren Usher has dedicated himself to tending those invisible injuries, the ones left by decades of being silenced, shamed, and forgotten. As Chair of Dignity Seniors Society in British Columbia, he works with and for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors to make care safer, more inclusive and rooted in dignity. For him, safety begins with connection – with being seen, heard, and free to be yourself.",{"type":571,"attrs":2182,"content":2183},{"level":1138,"textAlign":2156},[2184],{"text":2185,"type":352,"marks":2186},"“Safer,” not “safe”",[2187],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":2189,"content":2190},{"textAlign":2156},[2191,2193,2197,2199,2203],{"text":2192,"type":352},"When asked what safe care means for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors, Darren takes a long pause before answering. “I’ve never liked the word",{"text":2194,"type":352,"marks":2195}," safe",[2196],{"type":477},{"text":2198,"type":352},",” he says. “It promises too much. I prefer ",{"text":2200,"type":352,"marks":2201},"safer.",[2202],{"type":477},{"text":2204,"type":352},"”",{"type":15,"attrs":2206,"content":2207},{"textAlign":2156},[2208],{"text":2209,"type":352},"Safety, he explains, grows with each person, shaped by trust, experience and care. “When care is culturally appropriate,” he adds, “it becomes safer by default. But that only happens when providers take the time to listen and learn. You can’t meet one trans person and assume you understand everyone – each person defines what safety means to them.”",{"type":571,"attrs":2211,"content":2212},{"level":1138,"textAlign":2156},[2213],{"text":2214,"type":352,"marks":2215},"Meeting people where they are",[2216],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":2218,"content":2219},{"textAlign":2156},[2220,2225,2241,2246],{"text":2221,"type":352,"marks":2222},"That belief underpins Dignity Seniors Society’s trauma-informed, strengths-based approach – especially through We Are Familee, a volunteer-led initiative that helps 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults to age in place, supported in part by Healthcare Excellence Canada through the ",[2223],{"type":1816,"attrs":2224},{"color":16},{"text":2226,"type":352,"marks":2227},"Enabling Aging in Place",[2228,2237,2239],{"type":391,"attrs":2229},{"href":2230,"uuid":2231,"anchor":53,"custom":2232,"target":609,"linktype":610,"story":2233},"/programs/enabling-aging-in-place","55ec5ec1-cdad-4ca3-8923-16d512d9201d",{},{"name":2226,"id":2234,"uuid":2231,"slug":2235,"url":2236,"full_slug":2236,"_stopResolving":299},123451159434422,"enabling-aging-in-place","programs/enabling-aging-in-place",{"type":1816,"attrs":2238},{"color":16},{"type":2240},"underline",{"text":2242,"type":352,"marks":2243}," collaborative.",[2244],{"type":1816,"attrs":2245},{"color":16},{"text":1833,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":2248,"content":2249},{"textAlign":2156},[2250],{"text":2251,"type":352},"“It’s about not making the participant fit your program, but making your program fit the participant,” Darren explains. “It requires flexibility. You build around the person’s pace and needs, not the volunteer’s schedule.”",{"type":15,"attrs":2253,"content":2254},{"textAlign":2156},[2255],{"text":2256,"type":352},"The change, he says, can be slow at first but deeply meaningful. “Some participants who were bed-bound at the start are now active and engaged months later. They rediscover that their community cares about them. That’s powerful.”",{"type":15,"attrs":2258,"content":2259},{"textAlign":2156},[2260],{"text":2261,"type":352},"For many, those small acts of connection – a weekly visit, a shared meal, a conversation – are not just kindness; they are lifelines.",{"type":571,"attrs":2263,"content":2264},{"level":1138,"textAlign":2156},[2265],{"text":2266,"type":352,"marks":2267},"The weight of isolation",[2268],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":2270,"content":2271},{"textAlign":2156},[2272],{"text":2273,"type":352},"Darren doesn’t soften the truth. Isolation, he says, leaves marks that go far beyond loneliness.",{"type":15,"attrs":2275,"content":2276},{"textAlign":2156},[2277],{"text":2278,"type":352},"“Our older adults lived through decades when being gay was illegal, when it was called a mental illness. You learn to protect yourself. You become invisible.”",{"type":15,"attrs":2280,"content":2281},{"textAlign":2156},[2282],{"text":2283,"type":352},"That instinct to hide doesn’t disappear with age. In long-term care, Darren often meets community members sitting quietly at the edges of rooms, listening while others share stories about children and grandchildren. “They edit themselves,” he says, “because they assume no one wants to hear their stories.”",{"type":15,"attrs":2285,"content":2286},{"textAlign":2156},[2287],{"text":2288,"type":352},"That invisibility, Darren explains, is not neutrality – it’s a response to harm. And when people silence themselves out of fear, it deepens the very isolation that endangers their wellbeing.",{"type":571,"attrs":2290,"content":2291},{"level":1138,"textAlign":2156},[2292],{"text":2293,"type":352,"marks":2294},"What service providers can do",[2295],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":2297,"content":2298},{"textAlign":2156},[2299],{"text":2300,"type":352},"For Darren, inclusion begins with something simple: giving people the space to say and be who they are. He believes safety grows from recognition, from being invited to share and trusted to be heard.",{"type":15,"attrs":2302,"content":2303},{"textAlign":2156},[2304],{"text":2305,"type":352},"“Provide that opportunity on intake forms, in documentation, in conversation,” he says. “And do it for everyone. When it’s a standard practice, it tells our older adults that you understand.”",{"type":15,"attrs":2307,"content":2308},{"textAlign":2156},[2309],{"text":2310,"type":352},"Many will not share right away. “They may not fill in the box the first time,” Darren says. “But each time you ask, you’re opening a door. You’re showing that you care. The more doors you open, the more trust you build.”",{"type":15,"attrs":2312,"content":2313},{"textAlign":2156},[2314],{"text":2315,"type":352},"Small gestures, he adds, can signal safety long before words are exchanged – introducing yourself with your pronouns, for instance, or acknowledging a person’s partner when you greet them. “It tells people you see them,” he says. “That you want to get it right.”",{"type":571,"attrs":2317,"content":2318},{"level":1138,"textAlign":2156},[2319],{"text":2320,"type":352,"marks":2321},"From the silent cohort to the pride cohort",[2322],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":2324,"content":2325},{"textAlign":2156},[2326,2328,2332],{"text":2327,"type":352},"Part of Dignity Seniors Society’s work is understanding generational differences. Darren describes many of the people they serve as belonging to what researchers call the",{"text":2329,"type":352,"marks":2330}," silent cohort",[2331],{"type":477},{"text":996,"type":352},{"type":15,"attrs":2334,"content":2335},{"textAlign":2156},[2336],{"text":2337,"type":352},"“They grew up before decriminalization, before homosexuality was removed from the DSM,” he says, referring to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, where it was once listed as a mental illness. “They learned to hide. They still call their partner of forty years their ‘friend’ or ‘flatmate.’ We often feel so much socially induced shame,” he says.",{"type":15,"attrs":2339,"content":2340},{"textAlign":2156},[2341],{"text":2342,"type":352},"He sees this as a matter of social justice. “We have a responsibility as a society to repair the damage we did in the 1950s and ’60s,” he says. “Many went through conversion therapy, electric shock therapy, even lobotomies. Those who didn’t still heard the stories. That fear stayed with them.”",{"type":15,"attrs":2344,"content":2345},{"textAlign":2156},[2346],{"text":2347,"type":352},"But change, Darren notes, is already taking shape. “The pride cohort – those who came of age after legalization – are entering the system now. They won’t hide. They won’t be silent. They’ll be activists. And our job is to prepare service providers to meet those activists, because they will demand change.”",{"type":15,"attrs":2349,"content":2350},{"textAlign":2156},[2351],{"text":2352,"type":352},"This shift, he says, will challenge healthcare systems to evolve – to design care with people, not for them, and to ensure that every interaction upholds dignity and equity.",{"type":571,"attrs":2354,"content":2355},{"level":1138,"textAlign":2156},[2356],{"text":2357,"type":352,"marks":2358},"Looking ahead",[2359],{"type":381},{"type":15,"attrs":2361,"content":2362},{"textAlign":2156},[2363],{"text":2364,"type":352},"For Darren, the work is both personal and collective – an act of repair and of possibility. Each conversation, each act of care, helps rebuild trust in systems that once caused harm.",{"type":15,"attrs":2366,"content":2367},{"textAlign":2156},[2368],{"text":2369,"type":352},"He knows change takes time. But he also sees proof every day that it’s happening – in the voices that no longer whisper, and in the quiet certainty that no one should have to hide to be cared for.",{"type":15,"attrs":2371,"content":2372},{"textAlign":2156},[2373,2378,2385],{"text":2374,"type":352,"marks":2375},"To learn more about Dignity Seniors Society and its work to support 2SLGBTQIA+ older adults, visit ",[2376],{"type":1816,"attrs":2377},{"color":16},{"text":2379,"type":352,"marks":2380},"dignityseniors.org",[2381],{"type":391,"attrs":2382},{"href":2383,"uuid":53,"anchor":53,"custom":2384,"target":394,"linktype":395},"https://www.dignityseniors.org/",{},{"text":996,"type":352},{"id":16,"cta":2387,"_uid":2392,"items":2393,"title":1611,"component":1690},[2388],{"_uid":2389,"link":2390,"label":1677,"component":1678},"586d7a19-0ac7-4486-ba22-9db365fb901e",{"id":275,"url":16,"linktype":610,"fieldtype":1545,"cached_url":296,"story":2391},{"name":270,"id":274,"uuid":275,"slug":295,"url":296,"full_slug":296,"_stopResolving":299},"34930f05-d378-433a-94e4-5c6cd167094e",[1681,1575,1682,1683,1684,1685,1686,1688,1689],[115,143,122,129,150],"from-silence-to-safer-care","updates/from-silence-to-safer-care",-8830,[],"011de6db-c20b-4bcd-8f96-5b8498e477ae","2025-12-24T19:58:11.437Z",[],[2403],{"path":2404,"name":2405,"lang":308,"published":299},"actualites-et-perspectives/du-silence-a-des-soins-plus-surs","Du silence à des soins plus sûrs",100,1776087595924]