‘Choosing Wisely’ pays off for RMH patients and healthcare providers

When it comes to testing, physicians and staff at Ross Memorial Hospital believe that the right test at the right time can make all the difference. The team recently received a ‘Level 1’ designation from Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC), a national voice that promotes reducing unnecessary tests, treatments and procedures.

Many forms of testing are no longer evidence-based and over-testing can even put patients at risk. At the very least, unnecessary testing is a strain on a system already facing significant pressures. Hospitals designated as Level 1 must show that they meet the 5 required ‘quick wins’ which include uncoupling common coagulation tests; removing outdated tests; eliminating automatic daily labs, and ordering chest x-rays only as needed in the ICU.

“The CWC Level 1 designation affirms that we have best practices in place, and reflects that rather than ordering many tests as a default, we carefully consider what is best for the individual patient first,” says Dr. Katie O’Reilly, General Pathologist. “It’s a more tailored approach that ultimately benefits the patient and reduces administrative burden on our lab and healthcare system. This designation took the cooperation of multiple disciplines and truly reflects a coordinated team effort and Ross’s mindset of patient-centered care.”

The team continues to look at ways to enhance their testing and procedure practices, working collaboratively with staff from across the hospital.