Quality and Innovation Awards

The Quality Award is presented to a program or initiative that best demonstrates the following evaluation criteria. The nomination must show measurable evidence of how the quality initiative improved outcomes.

We define and measure quality by these dimensions and outcomes:

• Increases safety
• Improves effectiveness
• Improves accessibility
• Improves responsiveness to patients, families and person-centredness
• Addresses an equity imbalance
• Improves integration or transitions of care
• Increases efficiency

Quality Award Evaluation Criteria

Quality Award nominations will be evaluated based on the following seven criteria. Each item will be scored on a scale of zero to four, for a maximum possible total of 28 points.

• Quality Dimension: The Quality Award defines, and measures quality based on the Institute of Medicine’s 6 quality dimensions. Does the initiative effectively address one or more of the quality dimensions used in the framework?
• Impact on Patients: Is there evidence that the initiative is meaningful from a patient’s point of view?
• Impact on resources and processes: Is there evidence of the impact of the initiative on resources and processes?
• Value for money: Is the initiative cost-effective? Is there an economic benefit apparent in a reduction of cost and money spent while maintaining quality of care?
• Sustainability: Is the initiative sustainable and well disseminated throughout the organization? Are there tools and strategies to facilitate the sustainability of the initiative? Are there champions of the initiative throughout the organization?
• Scalability: Is this initiative capable of being scaled up to benefit stakeholders and/or healthcare processes?
• Overall rating of initiative: Overall, how would you rate this initiative to improve the quality of patient care?

The Innovation Award is presented to a program or initiative that best demonstrates the following evaluation criteria. The nomination must show a plan for evaluation or measurable evidence of how the innovative initiative improved outcomes. The goal of innovation should be to improve the process, organization or product.

Innovation Award Evaluation Criteria

Innovation Award nominations will be evaluated based on the following seven criteria. Each item will be scored on a scale of zero to four, for a maximum possible total of 28 points.

• Originality and Boldness: Does the innovation refer to new and unique processes, products or organizations that are bold, experimental and far-reaching?
• Impact on Patients: Is there evidence that the initiative is meaningful from a patient’s point of view?
• Impact on resources and processes: Is there evidence of the impact of the initiative on resources and processes?
• Value for money: Is the initiative cost-effective? Is there an economic benefit apparent in a reduction of cost and money spent while maintaining quality of care?
• Sustainability: Is the initiative sustainable and well disseminated throughout the organization? Are there tools and strategies to facilitate the sustainability of the initiative? Are there champions of the initiative throughout the organization?
• Scalability: Is this initiative capable of being scaled up to benefit stakeholders and/or healthcare processes?
• Overall rating of initiative: Overall, how would you rate the innovative nature of this initiative?

The Equity Award is presented to a program or initiative that best demonstrates the following evaluation criteria, based on Ontario Health’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Framework. The Equity Award nomination must show measurable evidence of how the initiative improved outcomes.

Equity Award Evaluation Criteria

Equity Award nominations will be evaluated based on the following seven criteria. Each item will be scored on a scale of zero to four, for a maximum possible total of 28 points.

• Equity and Inclusion: Does the initiative effectively address one or more of the evaluation criteria?
• Reduction in health disparities: Is there evidence that the initiative reduces health disparities for patients, families, or providers? Has the initiative identified which populations are experiencing specific health disparities, engaged with and advanced the needs of those populations or communities to ensure the outcomes are culturally responsive?
• Partnership: Is there evidence of partnership with these equity-deserving groups or communities served to identify, design and deliver health services that meet their equity needs?
  • Black and/or racialized
  • Francophone
  • 2SLGBTQIA+
  • Newcomers to Ontario
  • Low income
  • Underhoused or vulnerable housed
  • Disabled
  • Other equity-deserving 
• Data: Does the initiative demonstrate use of data for planning, development and evaluation related to equity?
• Sustainability: Does the initiative demonstrate long-term sustainability? Are there tools and strategies to facilitate the sustainability of the initiative?
• Opportunity for expansion: Is there opportunity for the initiative to be expanded?
• Overall rating of initiative: Overall, how would you rate this initiative to improve health equity?

The Indigenous Health Award is presented to a program or initiative that best demonstrates the following evaluation criteria, based on Ontario Health’s Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Framework. The nomination must show measurable evidence of how the initiative improved outcomes.

Indigenous Health Award Evaluation Criteria

Indigenous Health Award nominations will be evaluated based on the following seven criteria. Each item will be scored on a scale of zero to four, for a maximum possible total of 28 points.

• Equity and Inclusion: Does the initiative effectively address one or more of the evaluation criteria?
• Reduction in health disparities: Is there evidence that the initiative reduces health disparities for patients, families, or providers? Has the initiative identified which populations are experiencing specific health disparities, engaged with and advanced the needs of those populations or communities to ensure the outcomes are culturally responsive?
• Partnership: Is there evidence of partnership with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous communities and leadership, to identify, design, and deliver health services?
• Data: Does the initiative demonstrate use of data for planning, development and evaluation related to Indigenous health?
• Sustainability: Does the initiative demonstrate long-term sustainability? Are there tools and strategies to facilitate the sustainability of the initiative?
• Opportunity for expansion: Is there opportunity for the initiative to be expanded?
• Overall rating of initiative: Overall, how would you rate this initiative to improve Indigenous health equity?