Quality Improvement: A Journey, Not a Toaster

At The Ontario Public Health Convention (TOPHC) earlier this year, a captivating Fireside Chat took place with Dr. Donald Berwick, facilitated by Dr. Ross Baker, Professor and Program Lead, University of Toronto. This energizing discussion on quality improvement (QI) includes examples from around the world, opportunities for public health and the power of invitation and collaboration.

Dr. Berwick, MD, MPP, FRCP, KBE, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), spoke in detail about the evolution and future of QI in health care. Most notably, he said that QI is a journey, not a toaster – meaning that QI isn’t a quick fix or a tool you simply plug in. But rather it is an ongoing journey of learning, adapting and collaborating to improve systems over time, that it requires continuous effort and not a one-time setup.

The discussion emphasized how QI has evolved from hospital-based interventions to broader, system-wide efforts that include public and population health. Dr. Berwick highlighted the importance of co-production, which is working with patients and communities as partners and the growing focus on equity and social determinants of health.

One of the most powerful takeaways was the story of the 100,000 Lives Campaign, an 18-month initiative launched by the IHI in 2004. The goal was to save 100,000 lives in U.S. hospitals by implementing evidence-based practices to improve patient safety. Approximately three-quarters of all hospitals in the U.S. enrolled in the campaign to voluntarily adopt simple, evidence-based changes with the lesson that “change is possible when we lead with respect, invitation and shared purpose”.

This fireside chat was very timely as PHO is actively advancing our commitment to QI by developing evidence-based tools, training and resources that support public health units in embedding QI principles into everyday practice. Through collaboration, knowledge exchange and system-wide partnerships, we’re helping build a culture of continuous learning and measurable improvement across Ontario’s public health sector.

You can watch this fascinating Fireside Chat with Drs. Berwick and Baker.