Table 1

Description of the Physician Learning Program projects including purpose, representative questions, whether a challenge was encountered, and databases used

ProjectClinical questionsChallenge encountered in answering the questionDatabases used
Adult Diabetes
(n=77 782 patient-visits, 11 714 unique patients)
Objective:
To understand the state of electronic medical record and administrative health data as the foundation for cocreating meaningful quality improvement projects.		(1) What are the demographic characteristics of patients seen in the outpatient diabetes clinics in the Edmonton zone?No

  • eClinician electronic medical record

  • Physician Claims

  • Alberta Health Services Labs

  • Pharmaceutical Information Network (PIN)

(2) What proportion of patients seen in the outpatient Edmonton zone have a comorbidity?Yes
(3) What is the breakdown of diabetes by diagnosis among the patients visiting the outpatient clinics in the Edmonton zone?Yes
(4) What are the processes of care for lab and biometric measurement at each of the diabetes clinics?Yes
(5) What medications have patients been dispensed from community pharmacies?No
(6) How well is diabetes being managed including lipids, blood sugar control, blood pressure control and renal protection?Yes
Paediatric Diabetic Ketoacidosis
(n=929 patient admissions)
Objective:
To evaluate the degree to which paediatric patients in Alberta are being managed according to the 2018 Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines.35		(1) How many admissions at Alberta hospitals are for diabetic ketoacidosis from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2018?No

  • Discharge Abstract Database

  • National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS)

  • PIN

  • Sunrise Clinical Manager

  • Alberta Health Services Labs

  • Diagnostic Imaging

(2) What are the demographic characteristics of patients being admitted for diabetic ketoacidosis?No
(3) Where are patients admitted to hospitals in Alberta with diabetic ketoacidosis being cared for and what are the referral pathways?No
(4) What medications, fluids, and electrolytes are administered during admission for diabetic ketoacidosis?Yes
(5) Is care for diabetic ketoacidosis concordant with national diabetes guidelines?Yes
Adrenal Insufficiency (n=211 207 patient visits)
Objective:
To estimate the prevalence of adrenal insufficiency in Alberta and visit rates among this patient population.		(1) What is the 5 year period prevalence of adrenal insufficiency in Alberta, Canada?Yes

  • NACRS

  • Physician Claims

  • PIN

(2) What are the rates of emergency room and outpatient healthcare utilisation among patients with adrenal insufficiency?Yes
(3) What proportion of patients with adrenal insufficiency have been dispensed a glucocorticoid and/or mineralocorticoid during the study period?No
Beta-Lactam Allergy and Surgical Prophylaxis (n=3 218 patient surgeries)
Objective:
To assess whether 2018 surgical prophylaxis recommendations, indicating use of cefazolin in patients with a beta-lactam allergy are being followed.36		(1) Are patients with a beta-lactam allergy receiving the correct antimicrobial prophylaxis in-hospital for their surgery according to guidelines?YesN/A
(Paper chart audit required)
(2) Are patients receiving antimicrobial prophylaxis within the guideline recommended timeframe?Yes
(3) Are patients receiving postoperative prophylaxis in accordance with local guidelines?Yes

  • N/A, not available.