Priority Access Initiatives

One of the priorities of the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region is to improve access to acute care services. The Priority Access Initiatives is working on five projects that include examining the reasons for bed closures and working to reduce closures, minimizing the length of time patients need to spend in hospital, and improving patient flow.

The Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region has been successful in more fully utilizing beds in acute care. This is due in part to a combination of factors such as better transitions to long term care beds, using best practices for infection control, and successful recruitment and retention efforts . In 2008, 259 registered nurses were recruited to work in the Region.

Employing best practices to minimize outbreaks of super bugs has resulted in fewer beds being closed due to infectious outbreaks. Best practices are also being used to ensure that care processes minimize the length of stay patients have in hospital.

Projects are monitored, revised, and added as progress occurs.