runnymede healthcare centre newsletter [ 1 ]

THE REpoRTERVolume 5 | number 2 | Fall 2014

newsletter

Achieving excellence in qualityquality is a top priority at runnymede healthcare centre. it informs the delivery of safe clinical care. it enhances the patient experience. it reinforces our focus on excellence. it supports our vision for the future of healthcare. and it keeps us leading-edge.

runnymede assesses the quality of care it provides based on access, effectiveness, integration and patient-centredness. to ensure quality improvement goals are met in these areas, the hospital tracks and publicly reports on its progress through an annual quality improvement Plan (qiP).

runnymede assesses the quality of care it provides based on access, effectiveness, integration and patient-centredness.

in this issue:

new partnership to enhance access to patient care [ pg. 3 ]

Golf tournament raises funds for runnymede [ pg. 3 ]

a patient-centred approach to care [ pg. 4]

28 staff members honoured with long service awards [ pg. 5 ]

enhancing the patient experience, one cup at a time [ pg. 7 ]

We make it possible.

[ continued on pg. 2 ]

runnymede healthcare centre newsletter [ 3 ][ 2 ] the rePorter | Vol. 5 | no. 2 | Fall 2014

aligned with best practice guidelines set by the ministry of health and long-term care (mohltc) and accreditation canada, runnymede’s qiP supports the organization’s strategic directions of operational excellence, growth and relationships, and ensures that the hospital continues to raise the bar on quality care.

President & ceo, connie dejak, along with senior executives and managers, made quality a top priority at runnymede by promoting it from the top-down. thanks to their ongoing leadership, the hospital met all of its qiP targets for 2013/14, in many cases exceeding the ambitious targets set and improving on overall performance from the previous year.

runnymede measures success by the quality of care it provides and the organization’s demonstrated commitment to fiscal responsibility, and is currently on track to meet or exceed all qiP targets for 2014/15.

continued from pg. 1...

Golf tournament raises funds for Runnymede

runnymede healthcare centre and trillium health Partners (thP) have formalized a new partnership to enhance access to healthcare services for patients requiring extended rehabilitation therapy.

this collaboration will see thP refer patients who require slow-stream rehabilitation after treatment or surgery to 33 protected beds at runnymede’s state-of-the-art facility. the hospital’s low tolerance long duration rehabilitation (ltld rehab) program offers a slower-paced, less intensive approach to rehab to help patients transition from acute care back into the community. this joint venture will build on the success of runnymede’s existing partnership with st. Joseph’s health centre in toronto.

“the continued growth and success of the ltld rehab program at runnymede speaks to the increased need that exists for this type of specialized care in the community,” said President & ceo, connie dejak. “Both runnymede and trillium health Partners share a strong commitment to excellence in clinical care, and this partnership provides us with another avenue to ensure that patients continue to receive the right care in the right place at the right time. we look forward to working in collaboration with thP to alleviate current healthcare system pressures and reduce wait times for patients most in need of rehabilitation therapy.”

since its inception in 2011, runnymede’s ltld rehab program has helped over 500 patients regain the skills, mobility and independence they need to return home. the program has also been successful in reducing the average length of stay of rehab patients to just 55 days, much lower than the typical duration of 90-180 days (Gta rehab network).

New partnership to enhance access to patient care

on wednesday, sePtemBer 24, 2014, the toronto Police service homicide squad hosted its 8th annual charity Golf tournament at royal woodbine Golf club to benefit runnymede healthcare centre.

over 140 golfers took to the links for a round of golf before enjoying a delicious dinner and participating in exciting silent and live auctions. detective sergeant Frank skubic served as emcee and oversaw the evening’s festivities.

the golf tournament was a great success, raising over $50,000 to support runnymede’s patient programs and hospital operations.

“i would like to sincerely thank the homicide squad for including runnymede in this special event,” said President & ceo, connie

dejak. “their overwhelming generosity and support of our hospital is commendable. this donation will allow us to continue to provide high-quality care to our patients and the community, and for this, i’m grateful.”

runnymede would also like to thank the event’s many corporate sponsors, donors, community partners, friends and volunteers for their continued assistance in helping the hospital reach its fundraising goals.

the toronto Police service homicide squad 8th annual charity Golf tournament benefit-ing runnymede was held at the beautiful royal woodbine Golf club.

runnymede healthcare centre newsletter [ 5 ]

at runnymede, taking a patient-centred approach to care is key to improving quality and enhancing the patient experience.

to demonstrate the hospital’s commitment to patient-centred care, therapy sessions were moved from the main floor up to the patient floors. as a result, speech-language pathologists (slP) and communicative disorders technicians (cdt) now provide therapy in a dedicated area on the second floor. the move will allow slPs and cdts to work more closely with patients, making therapy sessions more effective and efficient for everyone involved.

another welcome addition to the facility will be a new satellite therapy gym on the third floor to better serve patients in runnymede’s low tolerance long duration rehabilitation (ltld rehab) program. having a gym located closer to patient rooms will give physio- and occupational therapists the opportunity to work with ltld rehab patients more frequently, enhancing the recovery process.

“the new gym will help our therapists save time transporting patients to the main floor for therapy,” said lisa dess, vice-president of clinical programs. “the increased time they can spend working with ltld rehab patients in a dedicated space on the patient floor will enhance the recovery process and help get patients a step closer to home.”

runnymede would like to thank the generous donors who helped make the new satellite therapy gym a reality, most notably the hospital’s chief of medical staff, dr. stephen ng who matched each donation dollar for dollar. together, we make it possible.

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A patient-centred approach to care

take the Virtual hosPital tour

never been to runnymede but want to know what the hospital looks like? take the virtual tour!

available on runnymede’s website and youtube channel, the virtual tour will take users through the facility, providing them with the chance to see patient rooms, therapy areas, the outdoor courtyards and garden.

to take the virtual hospital tour, visit: www.runnymedehc.ca or www.youtube.com/runnymedehc.

a new satellite therapy gym on the hospital’s third floor will better serve patients in the low tolerance long duration rehabilitation (ltld rehab) program.

runnymede healthcare centre’s long-running Green thumb club not only helps enrich patient lives, it also supports the community.

For over 25 years, the hospital’s activation therapists have used gardening as a therapeutic tool by enabling patients to tend to an outdoor vegetable garden.

Participants are involved in the club year-round, sowing seeds in the winter and transferring the developing plants outside to the hospital’s courtyards when the weather warms up. Patients then tend to the garden regularly and harvest the vegetables at the end of the summer.

this year’s harvest, which included tomatoes, peppers and zucchini, was donated to sistering, a local charity that supports disadvantaged women by providing shelter, wellness programs and social aid. runnymede is proud to give back to the local community by supporting such a worthy cause.

Roots in the community

the high level of commitment demonstrated daily by runnymede staff is one of the hospital’s greatest strengths. when milestone years of dedicated service are reached by employees, the hospital considers it something worth celebrating.

on thursday, september 11, 2014, President & ceo, connie dejak honoured 28 staff members with long service awards at an event hosted by the hospital’s human resources team at the old mill in toronto.

the awards recognize staff who have contributed the equivalent of 5-, 10-, 15-, 20- and 25-years of full-time service, and thank them for their demonstrated professionalism and dedication to providing high-quality patient care.

congratulations to the hospital’s long service award recipients!

28 staFF memBers honoured with lonG serVice awards

margaret thomas, activationist (right) and a volunteer help a patient in the Green thumb club pick tomatoes from the garden.

chief Planning & communications officer, sharleen ahmed (left) and the activation therapy team show off the Green thumb club’s harvest.

President & ceo, connie dejak (front-right); hr director, tim mclellan; and chief Planning & communications officer, sharleen ahmed (back-right) with runnymede’s 25-year long service award recipient, Judy-ann moore (front-left).

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Volunteers enhance patients’ health and well-beingVolunteers at runnymede healthcare centre play an integral role in enhancing the patient experience at the hospital. assisting both clinical and non-clinical teams with the delivery of programs and services, the hospital’s volunteers ensure each patient’s day is smoother, happier and more productive by supporting patients through every step of their hospital journey, from the bedside to discharge.

adjusting to life in hospital can be difficult for some patients and may lead to feelings of anxiety, frustration and isolation. according to the toronto central local health integration network (tc lhin), approximately 30 to 50% of seniors experience a decline in their health during a hospital stay, due in part to lack of activity and social interaction. this can lead to longer hospital stays and potentially reduce an older patient’s chance of regaining his/her independence or returning home. since more than 90% of runnymede’s patients are over the age of 65 and experience longer hospital stays, it is imperative that they regularly engage in social activities in order to prevent mental and physical decline.

in addition to portering patients to individual therapy sessions or accompanying them on out-trips to museums and shopping malls, volunteers assist with the facilitation of activation therapy programs, including arts and crafts sessions, active games like bowling and gardening. these programs cater to a range of patient hobbies and interests, encourage social interaction and participation, and support all aspects of health and well-being. Further, volunteers interact with patients through friendly visiting, stopping by their rooms on a regular basis to engage in conversation, play a game or read a book. a number of volunteers also bring their pets along as interaction with animals is said to have a positive effect on patients, elevating spirits and helping to reduce stress.

as of q4 2013/14, 8.7% of runnymede’s patients experienced symptoms of delirium and 9.2% suffered from a worsened mood due to depression. social interaction, like friendly visits can be effective in the ongoing management of these mental health issues, leading to improved patient outcomes and enhanced quality of life. the hospital’s 2013 Patient satisfaction survey results are a testament to this with 90% of patients stating that the therapy they receive meets

their individual needs. the hard work, dedication and passion of runnymede’s volunteers is evident in these exceptional results.

“so much of what we do at runnymede would simply not be possible without the helping hands and open hearts of our volunteers,” said sharleen ahmed, chief planning and communications officer. “whether accompanying a patient to a therapy group or offering words of comfort, volunteers make meaningful contributions that enhance the patient experience at runnymede. in return, they develop essential skills like interpersonal communication, time management and problem-solving, while gaining confidence in their abilities and giving back to the local community.”

last year, more than 100 volunteers gave generously of their time and talents, donating nearly 7,700 hours of indispensable service to runnymede.

Volunteers at runnymede interact with patients in a number of ways, including portering them to therapy sessions.

like nearly one-third of patients at runnymede healthcare centre, Barbara hopkins has difficulty swallowing and requires a modified diet that includes thickened beverages.

Born in Britain, Barbara used to enjoy her tea time ritual every day. since her stroke over two years ago and subsequent admission to runnymede for rehabilitation, she has not been able to have a cup of tea.

recently, patients identified the selection of thickened hot beverages in their quality improvement wish list for the hospital. in response, runnymede’s interprofessional menu committee decided to develop a more enjoyable alternative for patients with swallowing difficulties, like Barbara.

after trying a number of flavoured formulas, the committee proposed an innovative solution: brewing real coffee and tea, and then mixing in the prescribed amount of thickener. the result not only tastes better, but the mixture can be custom-formulated to best suit each patient’s therapeutic needs.

the new thickened hot beverage program will be implemented across the hospital in the coming months, following the roll-out of education for staff.

a recent pilot project gave Barbara the opportunity to try a sample of the new thickened tea. the experience not only allowed her to regain a lost link to her past, but it also significantly enhanced her patient experience at runnymede.

Enhancing the patient experience, one cup at a time

healthy mind, Body & sPirit Fair

date: saturday, october 18, 2014 time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Place: st. John’s west toronto anglican church

healthcare providers from the local community will be available to discuss their services.

runnymede in the community

st. John’s road street Party

date: saturday, october 4, 2014 time: 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Place: st. John’s road between runnymede road and Gilmour avenue

Free BBq at 4 p.m. and outdoor movie at 7 p.m.

in october, runnymede will participate in two local community events to raise awareness about the hospital’s patient programs and services, and opportunities for volunteering. hospital representatives will be on-hand to meet with attendees and answer questions about runnymede and the difference it makes in the community. mark your calendars:

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runnymede healthcare centre has a patient relations process in effect at the hospital to support ongoing quality improvement and transparency.

if you have a specific issue to address or want to pay the hospital a compliment, please fill out a compliments and concerns form. Forms are located at reception and in the cafeteria, or can be downloaded and printed from the hospital’s website: www.runnymedehc.ca.

once completed, seal the form in the envelope provided and place it in the drop box at reception. all feedback will be taken seriously and responded to in a timely manner. For more information, contact patient.relations@runnymedehc.ca or 416-762-7316, ext. 2119.

note: anonymous concerns will not be addressed so please include your contact details.

emPloyment oPPortunities

runnymede is recruiting for the following positions:

hospital-wide supervisorresponsible for managing the hospital during evenings, nights, weekends and /or statutory holidays, which includes ensuring the safe and effective utilization of systems, protocols and resources in the delivery of high-quality patient care.

receptionistProvides professional and courteous reception and switchboard services to staff, patients and visitors, and plays an integral role in emergency procedures and communications.

For more information, contact human.resources@runnymedehc.ca or 416-762-7316, ext. 2102.

to view current job postings, visit: www.runnymedehc.ca/join-us.

patient relations process in effect at Runnymede

What’s happening at Runnymede...[ octoBer ]

occupational therapy (ot) month

[ oct 15 ]

Patient Family council meeting 7 p.m.

[ oct 20-26 ]

infection control week

[ oct 27-31 ]

canadian Patient safety week

[ noV 11 ]

remembrance day

[ dec 10 ]

Patient Family council meeting 2 p.m.

we want to hear From you!

your FeedBack is important to us as we continue to improve the quality of the reporter.

if you have questions, comments or story ideas, please contact communications@runnymedehc.ca or 416-762-7316, ext. 2109.

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