Background

In September, 2001, the imperative need for a coordinated strategy to improve patient safety for Canadians was recognized. At its annual conference, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada held a one-day forum on patient safety, attended by domestic and international healthcare professionals and association members, as well as government officials.

The National Steering Committee on Patient Safety (NSCPS), chaired by Dr. John Wade, was the result of this one-day forum. The committee was supported by five working groups responsible for  addressing the following aspects of patient safety:

  • Education/Professional Development
  • Information/Communication
  • Legal/Regulatory Issues
  • Measurement/Evaluation
  • System Issues

Over the following year, the working groups consulted with Canadian healthcare organizations,  provincial and territorial ministries of health, Health Canada and other experts as they gathered information relevant to their group’s area of focus.

In September 2002, the NSCPS issued a comprehensive report, Building a Safer System, that proposed a national integrated strategy for improving patient safety in Canadian healthcare. One of its key recommendations was the establishment of a Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), intended to promote innovative solutions and to facilitate collaboration among governments and stakeholders to enhance patient safety.

The 2003 First Ministers' Accord on Health Care Renewal stated that "the implementation of a national strategy for improving patient safety is critical. Health Ministers will take leadership in implementing the recommendations of the National Steering Committee on Patient Safety." In response, the 2003 federal budget announced the provision of $10 million annually to support patient safety initiatives, including the creation of the CPSI.

An Interim Patient Safety Committee, made up of healthcare system stakeholders and federal, provincial and territorial governments, was established to oversee the planning of the Institute. Membership on the committee included senior representatives from:

  • Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada
  • Association of Canadian Academic Healthcare Organizations
  • Canadian Medical Protective Association
  • College of Family Physicians of Canada
  • Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation
  • Canadian Pharmacists Association
  • Canadian Medical Association
  • Canadian Nurses Association
  • Canadian Healthcare Association
  • Federation of Medical Regulatory Authorities of Canada
  • Federal/Provincial/Territorial (F/P/T) governments (Health Canada , Alberta , British Columbia

The Interim Committee worked closely with the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Advisory Committee on Governance and Accountability (ACGA) to achieve its mandate, including consensus on the key elements of the Institute: guiding principles, mandate, scope, governance structure and membership.

Health Canada establishes CPSI

In December 2003, Health Canada officially created and announced funding for CPSI. At this time, the Institute’s Founding Board of Directors was established, tasked with guiding the work of the Institute and developing its initial strategic direction.

Founding Board of Directors

Dr. John Wade, FRCPC – Chair
Dean Emeritus, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manitoba
Ms. Wendy Nicklin
President & CEO, Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation
Dr. James Nininger – Treasurer
Former CEO, Conference Board of Canada
Dr. Patricia Petryshen
Assistant Deputy Minister, BC Ministry of Health Services
Dr. Brian Postl, FRCPC – Secretary
CEO, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority
Dr. David Rippey (deceased May, 2005)
Senior Medical Advisor, Nova Scotia Department of Health
Dr. Denis Roy, FRCPC – Vice-Chair
CEO, Centre hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal
Ms. Bonnie Salsman
Pharmacy Consultant, BMS Consultants, Halifax
Mr. George Tilley
President & CEO, Eastern Regional Health Authority
 

CPSI