Adopting Research to Improve Care (ARTIC) Program

CAHO launched the Adopting Research to Improve Care (ARTIC) program in 2010 with the objective of moving research evidence into practice from one hospital across the CAHO community to another, in order to drive quality improvement and benefit the health care system as a whole. The goal is to learn from this experience in order to help build a systematic and sustainable implementation pathway for evidence adoption across the province.

CAHO is committed to continuing our journey of learning through the ARTIC Program. CAHO believes the development of this knowledge should not be experienced by our community alone. Working with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC), Health Quality Ontario (HQO) and world-renowned experts in knowledge translation, we aspire to build a sustainable pathway for implementing evidence that can improve quality patient care and Ontario’s health care system.

Collectively, the CAHO community, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has funded six ARTIC Projects:

  • HandyAudit™ ARTIC Project: is an innovative auditing tool that measures hand hygiene compliance in a more effective and efficient way.
  • Canadian C-Spine Rule ARTIC Project: through the use of a clinical decision tool for ED nurses this project aims to reduce ED wait times and increase patient satisfaction by quickly identifying patients who do not require immobilization.
  • CAHO Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in ICU Project:aims to optimize the use of antimicrobials in intensive care units.
  • Mobilization of the Vulnerable Elderly in Ontario ARTIC Project: uses an interprofessional approach that focuses on early and consistent mobilization of older patients through their hospital stay.
  • Transitional Discharge Model ARTIC Project: supports the successful transition from hospital to the community for people diagnosed with a mental illness.
  • Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Guideline ARTIC Project: uses an innovative knowledge translation strategy to implement a range of interventions for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.