Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Improving Patient Care in Small and Rural Hospitals
Champlain LHIN helping hospitals provide innovative, quality care
May 21, 2013 - The Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is providing new funding for hospitals in small, rural communities to improve patient care. Eight hospitals in the region will collaborate on six new initiatives in Renfrew County, North Lanark/North Grenville, and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry.
The projects will provide more coordinated quality care, and improve the transition of patients between hospital and community services. For example, one initiative involves upgrading and sharing electronic medical records. Another assists hospital patients to recover safely at home with enhanced home-care services in place.
A backgrounder with more details can be found below.
Quotes
“Small and rural hospitals play a crucial role in the health system, providing top-notch care to people close to where they live. The Champlain LHIN is supporting rural hospitals by investing in projects that will make a real difference to patient care. What’s most important is that eight small hospitals in our region are working together to achieve results.”
- Chantale LeClerc, CEO, Champlain LHIN
“The Champlain Alliance of Small Hospitals views this Transformation Fund as a unique opportunity to advance the goals of the collaborative to foster a truly integrated approach to patient care. These projects will serve not only the strategic priorities of each hospital but greatly benefit patients, families, communities and the local health system as a whole. Each initiative supports the heart of our efforts - the provision of safe, accessible, quality services that are responsive to fast-growing regional volumes.”
- Toni Surko, CEO, Carleton Place & District Memorial Hospital
“Patients in rural and small town settings sometimes face greater challenges with accessing services and follow-up treatments than those in urban centres. This investment, on the part of the new Ontario government, will help to improve the quality of health care and lower barriers to access for patients across the Champlain LHIN.”
- Grant Crack, MPP Glengarry-Prescott-Russell
Quick Facts
- The Champlain LHIN is providing $3.9 million in one-time funding to eight hospitals for six new initiatives.
- The eight hospitals are: Almonte General, Arnprior Regional Health, Carleton Place and District Memorial, Deep River and District, Glengarry Memorial, Renfrew Victoria, Kemptville District and St. Francis Memorial.
- Today’s allocation was part of the 2012 Ontario Budget.
- The 2013 Ontario Budget, if passed, will make the Transformation Fund for Small and Rural Hospitals an annualized source of funding.
Learn More
- To learn more about the Champlain LHIN, please click here.
Source: Champlain Local Health Integration Network
Email: champlain@lhins.on.ca
Website: www.champlainlhin.on.ca
Backgrounder – May 2013
The Champlain LHIN has eight small, rural hospitals. All of these hospitals are receiving funds to participate in each of the six project described below. The small, rural hospitals in the Champlain region are:
Almonte General
Arnprior Regional Health
Carleton Place and District Memorial
Deep River and District
Glengarry Memorial
Renfrew Victoria
Kemptville District
St. Francis Memorial
Description of projects
Electronic Medical Record Adoption
Hospital electronic records for patients are being upgraded, which will increase quality, improve efficiency and eliminate duplicate files for those being admitted, discharged or transferred.
Clinical Information Integration
Community-based health providers such as Family Health Teams will have real-time access to patients’ hospital clinical results. This will mean more seamless care for patients as they transition through the system.
Home First *
Home First is an approach that helps hospital patients continue their recovery safely and comfortably at home while receiving enhanced home-care services. The approach will now be implemented in rural areas of the Champlain region.
Course Repository
A web-based curriculum will be available to hospital staff, including a mix of education required by legislation and practical courses. Health professionals will add to their skills to better serve patients.
Patient Order Sets
Hospitals will put in place standardized, evidence-based checklists used by clinicians to ensure patients get the most appropriate treatment.
Regional Pharmacy
A study will be conducted to determine the feasibility of creating a regional pharmacy among small hospitals to improve coordination, quality and safety.
*Winchester District Memorial Hospital is also receiving funding for this initiative.
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