Choosing Wisely: Safer, more effective health care
In collaboration with Monfort hospital, Vitalité Health Network has developed an interactive tool designed to raise awareness among new physicians about the care approach used accross the Network.
Interactive training courses
Choosing Wisely
Choosing Wisely is a national program that contributes to improving the quality and accessibility of care by reducing the number of low-value tests and treatments in health care facilities. Its goal is to support health care providers and patients in making informed choices regarding tests and treatments.
Our facilities are proud to have received the Choosing Wisely Quality Improvement status, recognizing our commitment to more appropriate, compassionate and evidence-based medical practice. In addition, all our Network hospitals have been awarded the Using Blood Wisely distinction, and we are participating in the Using Labs Wisely initiative.
Why Choosing Wisely
Every day, thousands of decisions are made in health care facilities about examinations, treatments, tests, etc. However, some actions, despite good intentions, can be unnecessary, costly and even harmful at times.
Choosing Wisely seeks to reduce non-value-added care, ensuring that resources are directed where they are most beneficial to patients' health.
Integration into Vitalité Health Network
The Choosing Wisely program serves as a key pillar in improving the quality of medical care. It also makes managing resources more effective.
The medical community recognizes that the overuse of unnecessary clinical examinations and tests can cause unnecessary patient anxiety, adverse effects and even pose health risks.
The projects led by the Choosing Wisely team are among the Network's priorities. These projects aim to:
- Encourage evidence-based care;
- Avoid non-value added tests and treatments for patients;
- Minimize risks for patients and enhance quality of care;
- Promote care that is truly needed and grounded in best practices.
Benefits for patients
- Fewer non-value-added tests and treatments mean less stress, shorter wait times and reduced exposure to side effects and results that create unwarranted worry
- Personalized care based on the patient's real situation, not outdated habits or protocols
- Better communication between patients and health care professionals to support shared, informed decision-making
- Improved access to specialists (shorter wait times, fewer false positives)
- Reduced wait time for certain tests
Vitalité Health Network designation and certification
- Choosing Wisely designation, Quality improvement status for Edmundston Regional Hospital
- Network-wide Using Labs Wisely certification
- In 2023, Vitalité Health Network joined Canada's Using Blood Wisely campaign focused on reducing unnecessary blood transfusions. Since then, our four regional hospitals have met national benchmark standards and received the Using Blood Wisely designation.
- Participation in the Using Labs Wisely initiative, bringing together multiple sub-projects aimed at improving the appropriateness of certain laboratory test requisitions
