Feb 15, 2023
Dr. Shaqil Peermohamed
In their own words:
CQIP participants discuss their projects
In January 2017, 16 Saskatchewan doctors became the first participants in the new Clinical Quality Improvement Program (CQIP), which was launched by the Health Quality Council (HQC) in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) and the provincial Ministry of Health. CQIP is an 11-month course designed to build capability for facilitating and leading successful health care improvement work in Saskatchewan. The program includes a mix of theory and experiential learning, along with individual coaching and a community of practice for physicians actively working in a clinical context.
CQIP is a sister program to the internationally recognized mini-Advanced Training Program, which was developed by Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah. Its content has been adapted by HQC for the Saskatchewan health care system. CQIP is accredited through both the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.
As CQIP continues through to November 2017, HQC will share information about the participants’ projects. Here, Dr. Shaqil Peermohamed answers questions about his project and about quality improvement in health care.
Dr. Shaqil Peermohamed, Saskatoon Health Region
Q: Why did you want to get involved in CQIP?
A: Antimicrobial stewardship and quality improvement are parallel concepts targeting appropriateness of care and the optimization of patient safety. As the Saskatoon Health Region’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Physician Lead, I strive to enhance my knowledge of quality improvement methodology. I am excited to be a part of the Clinical Quality Improvement Program’s inaugural cohort of physicians. Through this mentorship-based program, I will be equipped with the theory and tools needed to implement successful health care improvement.
Q: What is your project about?
A: Antimicrobials are among the most commonly prescribed medications in hospitals; however, up to 50% of antimicrobial use has been shown to be inappropriate. Such inappropriate use of antimicrobials is associated with the development of antimicrobial resistance, increased rates of Clostridium difficile infection, prolonged hospital stay, and patient mortality. In fact, by 2050, more people will die from antibiotic-resistant organisms than cancer and diabetes combined. So it’s critical that we recognize the consequences of inappropriately prescribed antimicrobials and the impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Our quality improvement project aims to assess the impact of antimicrobial stewardship rounds in Royal University Hospital’s intensive care unit on antimicrobial usage and a variety of patient outcomes.
Q: Why did you choose that topic?
A: Antimicrobial stewardship is a core strategy that can be used to enhance patient safety, optimize antimicrobial usage, and ensure the right patient receives the right antibiotic at the right dose and for the right duration. I am passionate about antimicrobial stewardship and this quality improvement study, in particular, as it emphasizes the importance of collaboration amongst health-care providers to work towards common goals of ensuring appropriateness of care and optimizing patient safety.
Q: What does quality improvement mean to you?
A: I believe quality improvement is a conduit to develop and implement innovative, collaborative, and sustainable strategies to improve our health care system, prioritizing patient-centred care.
Q: Why is quality improvement important for physicians and other health care professionals?
A: Our health care system is rapidly evolving and we, as health care workers, need to be adaptable and flexible; we are all working towards common goals of improving quality of care, optimizing patient safety, and ensuring appropriateness of care. We should continuously strive to incorporate quality improvement into daily practice, cultivating collaborative partnerships and successfully leading improvement in our health care system.
