Hospital credits the use of leading best practices as key to becoming top performing hospital
Vaughan/Richmond Hill, ON – Mackenzie Health’s track record of achievements over the past three years has been nothing short of inspiring – shorter patient wait times, increased patient satisfaction, improved efficiency, and a sound financial management. Today, the regional healthcare provider adds a new piece to the growing body of evidence of its remarkable transformation with the announcement that it has earned top marks from Accreditation Canada resulting in Accreditation with Exemplary Standing - the highest rating that a Canadian healthcare provider can receive.
Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets standards for quality and safety in health care and accredits health organizations in Canada and around the world. The rigorous process requires documented and operational evidence of compliance with over 2000 internationally recognized standards and required organizational practices, and examines eight dimensions of quality. These dimensions include: client centred services (putting patients and families first), continuity of services, accessibility, safety, effectiveness, efficiency, work life, and population focus (working with communities to anticipate and meet their healthcare needs). We are extremely pleased with our results that showed 99.6% compliance with the standards and practices.
The five person accreditation team from Accreditation Canada conducted their evaluation of Mackenzie Health from January 28 to 31. During their visit, they met with hundreds of staff, physicians and volunteers from across the hospital as well as patients, families and community healthcare partners to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the organization and its programs and services.
Some of the strengths that Mackenzie Health was recognized by the Survey Team include:
Staff Ownership of Quality – In every department and service across the organization Mackenzie Health staff take personal ownership and pride in the quality of care provided to patients and know exactly how they contribute to that quality
Renewed Governance – Thanks to the adoption of governance best practices, Mackenzie Health has a strong, highly engaged and effective Board of Directors
Interprofessional Collaboration and Professional Practice – Staff/clinicians and physicians work collaboratively as teams displaying mutual respect and cooperation and a strong focus on professional practice
Strong Physician and Volunteer Engagement – Physicians and volunteers are passionate about the work that they do at Mackenzie Health and are considered integral to the delivery of quality health care
Amazing Fiscal Recovery – In the span of three short years, Mackenzie Health has gone from projected deficit to balancing its books and achieving a small surplus while continuing to enhance quality of care and grow service
Approval to Proceed to Stage Two and Issue Tender Documents – Development planning has moved forward at a very impressive pace and the government approval to go to tender on the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital in 2014 is a significant vote of confidence for the project
Rebranding of Organization – This was a crucial step in positioning Mackenzie Health for the future as a two-hospital organization supported by a comprehensive network of satellite service locations
Empowerment and Teamwork – The involvement of front-line staff in Lean and 5S has empowered staff to make changes that not only improve work life and efficiency, but make a valuable contribution to the quality of patient care
Mackenzie Health staff, physicians and volunteers are elated with the award and its validation of the quality of the care they provide patients in keeping with Mackenzie Health’s mission to relentlessly improve care to create healthier communities.
Quotes
“The Board of Directors is thrilled with the result of our accreditation survey,” says Dina Palozzi, Mackenzie Health Board Chair. “This award is a testament to the staff, physicians and volunteers who are working hard to create a world-class health experience for our community. It also recognizes the outstanding progress Mackenzie Health has made in a very short amount of time.”
“This level of award – Accreditation with Exemplary Standing - is solid evidence of the strong commitment to our patients and passion for excellence demonstrated everyday by the members of our healthcare team,” says Altaf Stationwala, Mackenzie Health, President and CEO. “We have an incredible team and this award is a credit to their hard work and commitment to quality.”
“This achievement is a clear demonstration of the commitment Mackenzie Health has made to ongoing quality improvement and patient safety. They have masterfully woven quality improvement right across the organization. That is what accreditation is all about”, said Wendy Nicklin, President and CEO of Accreditation Canada.
“I commend the staff, physicians and volunteers of Mackenzie Health on this outstanding accreditation award,” says Kim Baker, CEO, Central LHIN. “The Central LHIN has been particularly impressed with the partnerships Mackenzie Health has established with community-based healthcare providers. We commend them on working collaboratively to better meet the needs of patients and their families.”
Backgrounder on Mackenzie Health
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Mackenzie Health is a regional healthcare provider for Southwest York Region offering much needed healthcare services through the Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, as well as a network of community services located in Vaughan, Richmond Hill and the surrounding communities.
- With over 600,000 residents, Mackenzie Health is proud to serve the people of Southwest York Region, one of the fastest growing and most diverse communities in Canada.
- In October of 2009, the Government of Ontario designated Mackenzie Health (formerly known as York Central Hospital) to plan, build and operate the future Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital. Since that time, Mackenzie Health has moved quickly through the government-mandated planning process and has approval to issue tender documents in 2014/15.
- The new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be the first new hospital to be built in Southwest York Region in 50 years.
- Construction on the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital is scheduled to begin in 2015/16.
- Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be completed and operational in 2019.