Quality improvement: The combined and unceasing efforts of everyone to make the changes that will lead to:
- better pharmacist and technician performance
- better patient outcomes
- better system performance
At ACP’s annual general meeting on June 15, Registrar Greg Eberhart confirmed this philosophy as the driving force behind all ACP initiatives. Unlike the “big brother” disciplinarian stereotype sometimes applied to regulatory colleges might suggest, ACP takes a supportive, educational approach except in the most extreme cases.
ACP was created through legislation to protect the public from harm and ensure Albertans receive top notch pharmacy care. Implicitly this includes maintaining the integrity of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians; and, through the Pharmacy and Drug Act, the operation of pharmacies.
We believe that the best way to serve the public, Alberta’s health system, and our registrants is through continuous improvement, with an ultimate goal of ensuring safety, while striving for high quality care.
In 2012, this focus lead to:
An enhanced Competence Program
- Listened to registrant feedback
- Updated philosophy and guiding principles
- Emphasis on partnership between the college and registrants to create a shared vision of practice excellence
- Program being designed to fit all stages of practice and all practice settings
- Focuses on education, mentoring, and support throughout all stages of the Competence Program
Improved practice supports
- More pharmacy practice consultants
- Coaching at practice sites, providing more follow up
- Streamlined APA application process
- Online pharmacy assessment and greater support for licensees throughout assessment
- Expanding library of practice tools
- The Systems Approach to Quality Assurance books and online presentations
- Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence: Guidelines for Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians
- Compounding, adapting, and prescribing algorithms and worksheets
Increased engagement
- Consulted registrants
- Registrant survey and consultations
- Regional meetings and webinars
- Input through council, ACP committees, hearing tribunals
- Public focus groups across province
- Province-wide public awareness campaign
- Plans to introduce social media, upgraded website, and distance education options in the coming months
Philosophy showing results
- Initial prescribers – up 33% from previous year
- Pharmacists with authorization to inject – up 42% from previous year
- High performing pharmacies – up 10% from 2011
- 175 technicians (8 in 2011)
