A clinical pharmacist team from the Fraser Valley is one of six Fraser Health recipients of the 2026 Knowledge Translation (KT) Challenge awards.
A trip to the pharmacy is often one of the first things people do after leaving the hospital. With new medications to manage, it can be easy to make mistakes that may lead to adverse drug events or even a return to hospital.
To help make that transition safer, a Fraser Health team is creating a referral pathway that will connect patients discharged from Chilliwack General Hospital and Fraser Canyon Hospital with a primary care clinical pharmacist within days of returning home.
Photo, from left to right: Annie Lio, Vivian Yih and Charles Au.
The project is led by Charles Au, clinical pharmacist educator and Annie Lio, coordinator, Operations Support for Lower Mainland Pharmacy Services Primary Care Networks.
“Clinical pharmacists have the training and expertise to support people at home with their medications,” says Charles. “We work closely with hospital teams, family physicians, nurse practitioners and community pharmacists to ensure care is coordinated and everyone is informed, with the patient at the centre of care."
There are currently 18 primary care clinical pharmacists in Fraser Health and 58 across British Columbia.
The KT team will work with patient partners, hospital staff, and the Chilliwack Division of Family Practice and Chilliwack and Fraser Health Rural Primary Care Network to develop a coordinated approach that helps patients move safely from hospital to home. The goal is to build a sustainable model that can eventually expand beyond the Fraser Valley.
“Being part of the KT Challenge gives us the opportunity to work closely with our partners in a comprehensive way that reflects the needs of those involved,” says Charles. “We’re grateful to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation for supporting this project and helping us strengthen patient care.”
The Knowledge Translation Challenge helps frontline health care teams bridge the gap between research and practice. By providing training, mentorship and funding, the program supports clinicians in implementing evidence-based changes that improve patient care, enhance patient experiences and drive innovation across the health system.
Learn more:
- Applications are now open for the 2027 KT Challenge
- Comprehensive medication management - Fraser Health