Implementing Change

Several hospital sites in NL are actively implementing Choosing Wisely principles.

Using Labs Wisely

Using Labs Wisely is a national consortium of hospitals committed to making a measurable impact on reducing low-value lab testing in Canada. Low-value lab tests can exhaust health care resources and lead to false positives, unnecessary follow-ups, and potential harm to patients. In NL, 12 hospitals in the Eastern Urban & Rural zones are part of the Using Labs Wisely initiative.

Using Blood Wisely

Using Blood Wisely, an initiative of Choosing Wisely Canada, Canadian Blood Services and Héma-Québec, is a national campaign to decrease inappropriate red blood cell transfusion practices in Canada. In NL, three hospitals are part of the Using Blood Wisely initiative: Carbonear General Hospital, Health Sciences Centre, and St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital.

Hospital Designation

Choosing Wisely Canada’s Hospital Designation Program recognizes hospitals that take deliberate action to reduce overuse and demonstrate organizational commitment to minimizing waste and harm. In 2024, the Health Sciences Centre in St. John’s was designated a Choosing Wisely Canada Hospital at the Quality Improvement Status level. The Health Sciences Centre is the first hospital in the country to receive this status within Choosing Wisely Canada’s new designation program.