Quality utilization management: preliminary results to a Canadian approach.

VI-CARE (Victoria Integrated Care Alternative Review and Evaluation) was introduced in 1988 to improve utilization of hospital services while matching patient needs to their care. Objective criteria were used to review admissions: examination of occupancy, waiting lists, the MedisGroup patient severity index and surgical hours indicate the preliminary success of the program. Formal research is underway, but article two of the two-part series suggests targeted utilization be implemented in conjunction with quality assurance activities.