Ontario Critical Care Plan (2018-2021)
2018 | Reports
About
We offer System Solutions for Critical Care in Ontario.
Established in 2005, Critical Care Services Ontario (CCSO) was initially responsible for the early implementation of Ontario’s Critical Care Strategy and now centrally coordinates and develops integrated system solutions for critical care and associated specialty programs. CCSO’s work is the result of an ongoing collaboration between critical care providers, hospital administrators, and regional and provincial health system partners including the Ministry of Health.
Overview
CCSO has been an instrumental component in the evolution of an integrated critical care system for Ontario. Working closely with system partners, CCSO’s implementation of improvement initiatives has facilitated a stronger networked system of care, the development of knowledge translation and educational opportunities, and data analytics to support performance management and system standards.
We provide leadership to facilitate the system change and provincial alignment to advance critical care underpinned by a framework for system improvement. This has been applied across all CCSO program areas including Adult, Paediatric and Neonatal Critical Care, as well as speciality programs in Neurosurgery, Trauma and Burns, and the Life or Limb Policy.
Our work supports the critical care system and related programs to function in a complimentary and integrated manner ensuring timely delivery of quality care for Ontarians.
In a province of over 14 million people and 1 million square kilometers, Ontario’s critical care system is one of the largest of its’ kind providing care to 170, 000 adult, paediatric and neonatal patients in 250 critical care units in 2019. The ability to maintain an integrated system across the province is imperative to ensure high quality care can be provided in an efficient, effective and coordinated manner.
Mission
To identify critical care system needs and collaborate with healthcare partners to improve access, quality and integration for patients.
Vision
CCSO leading improvements and system innovation in Ontario’s Critical Care System.
Values
Patient-focus • Collaboration • Leadership • Credibility • Results • Innovation • Knowledge-based Improvement • Transparency
What is Critical Care?
Critical care is intended to meet the needs of patients facing immediate and potentially reversible life-threatening situations, especially those in which vital organ systems are at risk of failing. Using advanced therapeutic, monitoring and diagnostic technology, the objective of critical care is to maintain organ system functioning while treating the underlying injury or illness. The goal is to have patients improve with minimal morbidity and return to a prior level of functioning with a meaningful quality of life.
These services are provided by specialized teams of health care professionals in adult, paediatric, and neonatal intensive care units.
Providing system level planning, policy development and performance management to improve coordination across system partners and enable a high quality, accessible and integrated critical care system for adults, children and infants.
Our Team
The CCSO team is comprised of a clinical lead, director, managers, business analysts, decision support staff and administrative assistants with a broad range of experience including clinical roles, project management, data analysis and stakeholder engagement.
Our team is committed to collaborating with our cross-program and interdisciplinary partners throughout the continuum of care at the hospital and system level (regionally and provincially). Building connections and leveraging the expertise of our stakeholders is core to CCSO’s work to enable the critical care system to deliver timely, effective and patient centred quality care.
Our Strategy
Ontario Critical Care Plan 2018-2021
CCSO is actively working to deliver the Ontario Critical Care Plan 2018 – 2021. This plan was developed following extensive consultation with over 700 stakeholders and leaders within the critical care system in Ontario. Through these consultations, the following five goals emerged as priorities for action:
Patient & Family Partnerships
Advance patient and family partnerships to improve patient centred, team-based care.
Care Innovation
Lead the adoption of care innovation involving industry-leading practices and enabling technology and tools to progress safe and quality care.
Systems of Care
Build community partnerships, increase shared decision-making and improve transitions across the system.
Access & Flow
Improve fair access to critical care and associated services for all Ontarians.
People Strength
Lead a future-ready people strategy to deepen skills in collaborative change management and team-based care.
These priorities inform the work that CCSO leads, in collaboration with clinical and health system partners, to enhance an accessible, integrated, and high-quality critical care system in Ontario.