Interior’s Golden Apple
Okanagan Edge Staff - Jul 04, 2017 - Biz Releases

The Interior Health Authority has received recognition for an innovative insulin safety operating in the Okanagan.

The authority was handed a Gold Apple award at the 2017 BC Health Care Awards last week. It’s recognition in the Collaborative Solutions category made it one of 16 individuals and organizations awarded at last week’s ceremony.

Presented by the Health Employers Association of British Columbia, the awards recognize British Columbians who are providing outstanding care and support.

Awards are given in 11 categories to projects improving healthcare delivery through “innovative and collaborative approaches,” and to people “making a positive impact and inspiring those around them.”

Interior Health’s Insulin Safety Initiative was a large, collaborative project designed to mitigate serious medication errors involving insulin.

Insulin is among a group of “high-alert” medications that can more easily cause patients harm if used incorrectly. A big part of the project was to implement a standardized, pre-filled insulin pen delivery system to replace the traditional vial and syringe.

Although the pens offer several practical and safety advantages, they do carry unintended patient safety risks if used improperly, so Interior Health implemented a number of safeguards and practice changes related to insulin ordering, dispensing, administration and documentation.

“The project serves as a model for inter-professional collaboration, effective knowledge translation and the adoption of system-wide best practices,” the Health Employers Association of British Columbia said.

More information about the BC Health Care Awards, as well as a complete list of last week’s winners, is available here.


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