The Alberta Health Services Emergency Strategic Clinical Network™ Quality Improvement and Innovation Forum 2023

Abstract

Evidence-based research and quality improvement work are pivotal to health systems meeting their goals. Translating findings and disseminating innovative practices to new settings occurs in part through knowledge translation events, such as conferences and workshops. The annual Emergency Strategic Clinical Network™ (ESCN) Quality Improvement and Innovation Forum fills a gap between local and national events. It is devoted to sharing methods and results of emergency department projects in Alberta among those working in emergency care. The event provides an opportunity for those pursuing quality improvement initiatives in emergency medicine to network with one another, share innovative projects, share experience, and translate promising works to new settings. In addition, the event provides an opportunity to identify projects for potential development through local, provincial, or national funding opportunities. After providing only an online forum throughout the pandemic, this year’s event was held in-person in Red Deer, Alberta and live-streamed for those who wished to attend virtually. Nineteen oral presentations were delivered including a keynote address by Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer of Canada. Strong attendance shows the value practitioners see in the forum. In 2023, approximately 160 educators, managers, nurses, physicians, researchers, and patient advisors attended the forum. Post-event evaluation survey feedback suggests that most of the participants found the presentations helpful and that the virtual presentations were as effective as in-person presentations. Attendees indicated that many of the initiatives presented would be explored further. We are grateful to the Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing for publishing abstracts from the event.