PAHO initiative aims to reduce overuse of health services

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) announced a partnership to address excessive or unnecessary testing and treatment in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The collaboration, which includes Choosing Canada Wisely, CWC, aims to promote evidence-based healthcare practices, improve quality of care and patient safety across the region.

Harm to people and health systems

Overuse of healthcare is a global problem characterized by the repeated use of tests and treatments that do not benefit the patient. This wastes resources for families and health systems and can cause harm to people.

For example, Canadian and international guidelines recommend that older adults use benzodiazepines, or sleeping pills, for no more than six weeks because of the risks of motor vehicle accidents, falls, and hip fractures.

However, a 2017 study by the Canadian Institute for Health Information found that one in 10 Canadian seniors use these medications regularly.

“This partnership represents an important step forward in our efforts to strengthen health systems in the Americas,” said Rhonda Seely-Thomas, Deputy Director of the Pan American Health Organization.

Resource optimization

For her, the main goal is to “improve the use of resources in hospitals and health centers across the region and improve patient outcomes.”

By creating “stronger networks,” collective efforts to “improve the quality and safety of care and promote best practices,” said CWC President Wendy Levinson.

The Deputy Director-General of the Pan American Health Organization and the President of the Chemical Weapons Convention signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize the five-year partnership beginning in July 2024.

Application of evidence

This document is valid until August 31, 2029, and provides a framework for continued cooperation between the two organizations.

A key activity within the partnership will be to create and support networks of experts and influencers committed to applying research evidence to reduce harmful and ineffective health interventions.

Other actions include supporting research agendas related to health care quality and safety and creating a learning community to share knowledge and resources about health care overuse.