NEWS & UPDATES

REDUCING ED LENGTH OF STAY

Over the course of 2017/18, the Emergency Department (ED) at PRHC saw more than 87,000 patient visits – an increase of 4000 visits over the previous year. While our patient volumes continue to rise, PRHC has consistently been ranked among the top 10 of 72 Ontario hospitals participating in the provincial Pay-for-Results program, which awards additional funding to support projects intended to decrease ED wait times.

OPENING 24 NEW INPATIENT BEDS

With sustained patient volumes above

100 per cent of the hospital’s funded bed capacity last year, PRHC made the decision to open and staff an additional 24 inpatient beds in October 2017. Later that month, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care awarded one-time funding of $1.37 million to support the operation of 20 of these beds on a temporary basis throughout the surge season.

“MERITORIOUS” STANDING FOR SURGICAL QUALITY & SAFETY

Of nearly 800 hospitals across the U.S. and Canada participating in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), PRHC was internationally recognized in October 2017 with “Meritorious” standing for our surgical quality and safety results in the previous year. Among 66 hospitals recognized for this achievement were Sunnybrook Health Sciences, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins.

SENIORS CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE

In addition to investing in the ongoing growth and development of our Centres of Excellence for Cardiac, Vascular and Cancer Care, our 2017-2020 Strategic Plan identifies the development of a Centre of Excellence for Seniors Care as an organizational priority. Work has been underway at PRHC for several years to build a network of services to meet the needs of older adults. In response to the work we have done to date, the Central East LHIN’s Director of System Planning, Implementation & Quality has stated that: “PRHC is demonstrating significant leadership in planning improvements for the provision of senior-friendly care within the region.” Over the next several years, we will continue to work toward our vision of providing a regional Centre of Excellence that serves the diverse needs of the older adult patients we serve.

SENIORS’ SUPPORTIVE HOUSING

PRHC routinely has approximately 80 patients designated Alternate Level of

Care (ALC) in hospital beds who no longer require hospitalization, but who remain in hospital care because there is no safe, suitable alternative available for them. In 2017, PRHC and Peterborough Housing Corporation (PHC) jointly announced the opening of a new seniors’ supportive housing development in the Peterborough community, allowing residents to maintain their independence while receiving the necessary level of daily care. The housing initiative, jointly funded by PHC and the Central East LHIN, is expected to be ready for residents in 2019.

PROVINCIAL AWARD FOR GOVERNANCE EXCELLENCE

In October 2017, the Ontario Hospital Association awarded PRHC with the provincial Leadership Governance Excellence Award in recognition of our innovative collaboration with PHC to create safe, affordable living spaces for seniors in the Peterborough community.

CLINICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (CIS)

Over the past several years, a provincial strategy has been developed to standardize the Clinical Information System (electronic patient record), with input from an Expert Panel. PRHC’s Vice President and Chief Information Officer, Nancy Martin-Ronson, was invited to sit at this provincial table to provide input throughout the creation of this strategy. A regional Request for Proposal (RFP) was released in April 2018, formally launching the process to select a vendor to develop the CIS for PRHC and our six partner hospitals.

NATIONAL PATIENT SAFETY CHAMPION AWARD

Following the successful development and implementation of our Safe Handover and Clinical Cultural Competence initiatives, the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) recognized PRHC in 2017 with a Patient Safety Champion Award for taking a leadership role in ensuring that patients and their families are at the centre of our safety initiatives.

OUR PEOPLE STRATEGY

Our 2017-2020 Strategic Plan identifies our People Strategy as an organizational priority. PRHC has continued to focus on developing a work environment in which our people are supported and provided with opportunities for professional growth and development, as well as a robust learning program, which includes dedicated funding to support our leaders, healthcare professionals and staff in their pursuit of ongoing education and training. We have continued to enhance our staff and physician recognition program and to promote both physical and psychological health and wellness for our employees through a variety of available supports.

PRHC LEARNING CENTRE

Consistent with the goals of our People Strategy, the new Learning Centre at PRHC will offer a flexible meeting space for up to 100 people that will better accommodate the growing needs of the organization and our people. The Learning Centre is on track to open in April 2019, and has been made possible in large part through the generosity and support of PRHC Foundation donors.

Congratulations to everyone at PRHC who has been recognized for their tremendous efforts and achievements over the past year!