What is a Best Practice Spotlight Organization?

Best Practice Spotlight Organizations®

The Best Practice Spotlight Organization® (BPSO®) designation was launched as a key knowledge translation strategy in 2003. It is targeted to support the uptake and sustainability of best practice guidelines (BPG) to optimize  outcomes at the individual, organizational and health system levels. BPSOs have been established across Ontario and throughout the world, in all sectors. BPSO designation is an opportunity for health service and academic organizations to formally partner with RNAO, or a Host organization over a three to four-year period (depending on the model) to achieve designation. Following this period, the partnership is renewed biennially, based on the achievement of required deliverables. The goal is to create evidence-based practice cultures through systematic implementation and evaluation of multiple RNAO clinical BPGs.

BPSO types and models

There are more than 1,500 BPSOs provincially, nationally and internationally. There are three main types of BPSOs, and several BPSO models to consider for organizations interested in applying to become a BPSO. 

Models of BPSOs
Types of BPSOs

BPSO Direct: Organizations sign a contract directly with RNAO/BPSO host to systematically implement BPGs.

Service BPSOs: focus on BPG implementation in their sector* to impact health outcomes.

*Public health, primary care, mental health and social services, acute care,  home care, long-term care and other sectors

BPSO Host: Host organizations sign a contract with RNAO to oversee the BPSO Directs in their jurisdiction.

National – e.g., government, regulatory body
Regional – e.g., geographic area, province
Specialty - e.g., Francophone, Long-Term Care

Academic BPSOs: focus on evidence based education, to impact faculty teaching, student learning, and patient/client outcomes.

BPSO OHT: Integrated systems of care such as Ontario Health Teams (OHT) sign a contract with RNAO to work across multiple sectors to collectively implement BPGs.

Indigenous-focused BPSOs: collaborate with RNAO to create a tailored BPSO program to honour Indigenous ways of knowing and to support holistic community wellness.

BPSO Consortiums

BPSO Consortiums: provide a forum for knowledge exchange, support and collaborative activities within specific jurisdictions. Currently include Latin America and China.

BPSO Hosts and BPSO Direct Organizations outside of Ontario, regardless of their location, are fully supported by RNAO with methodology, materials and ongoing mentorship; but do not receive any funding from RNAO.

More about BPSO Models

BPSO Direct Model

The direct model is best suited for single organizations wishing to apply to RNAO (or a BPSO Host organization) to engage in a three-year partnership. These organizations work directly with RNAO/BPSO Host to meet the BPSO requirements of designation.

BPSO Host Model (National, Regional or Specialty)

The host model is best suited for organizations that have a capacity to supervise, on behalf of RNAO, the full BPSO designation program for a group of health and/or academic settings within a country, region, community or particular specialty. In this model, the BPSO Host enters into a formal agreement with RNAO to deliver and oversee the RNAO BPSO designation in the country or region where it is located. The BPSO Host is responsible for selecting their BPSO Direct organizations; providing orientation, education and support; monitoring progress; and evaluating outcomes.

BPSO OHT

The BPSO model for Ontario Health Teams (OHTs) was established to respond to health system transformation in Ontario. The model helps OHTs advance all four pillars of the Quadruple Aim as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (see Figure 1). The goal is to optimize outcomes through the use of evidence-based practice and robust staff engagement. The BPSO OHT focuses its efforts on uptake of best practices across all sectors of the OHT ensuring spread and scale into cultures of excellence. Results are closely monitored and continuous learning is facilitated by coaches to ensure success and sustainability of achievements.

Figure 1. The Quadruple Aim together with the Sustainable Development Goals. 

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Quadruple aim model

The BPSO program supports the above framework which incorporates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (outer circle) together with the Quadruple Aim, addressing population health, supporting underserviced populations and promoting health equity. [Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO). (February, 2021). Nurse Practitioner Task Force Report: Vision for Tomorrow]

Multilevel and Multifaceted Implementation

RNAO provides a cutting-edge multilevel and multifaceted approach to implementing BPGs in order for BPSOs to achieve sustainable change in practice.

BPSO coaching and consultation

The BPSO Host Coaches, including the RNAO Coaches working with BPSOs directly, use the Leading Change Toolkit to guide their regular consultative sessions. This assists BPSOs in making progress to achieve the BPSO requirements and deliverables over the pre-designation period. These deliverables are monitored by the BPSO Hosts and by RNAO for their BPSO Directs.

BPSO Coaches use a variety of approaches to support BPSOs in both the pre-designate and designate period in their quality improvement efforts.  These include regular meetings with Coaches and BPSO leads, scheduled presentations to BPSO knowledge exchange networks, semi-annual MyBPSO reports and data submission to the Nursing Quality Indicators for Reporting and Evaluation (NQuIRE®) data system.

Best Practice Champion Network®

Established in 2022, the Best Practice Champions Network consists of thousands of nurses and other health providers, within Ontario and globally, in all roles and health sectors, who are passionate about evidence-based practice and improving care and health.  These champions are dedicated practitioners who raise awareness of BPG's, have an understanding of change management processes, motivate their colleagues, and influence the uptake of BPGs among workplace peers.

Get more information about the Best Practice Champions Network.

Leading Change Toolkit

The Leading Change Toolkit is a foundational resource for BPSOs. It is an online, open-access evidence-informed implementation resource designed to help change agents and change teams make lasting improvements in health care. It focuses on the uptake and sustainability of knowledge – or evidence – and uses two complementary frameworks to accelerate success: Social Movement Action and Knowledge-to-Action.

Access the Leading Change Toolkit

Clinical Best Practice Guidelines Institutes

RNAO delivers, locally and internationally, professional development programs that focus on guideline implementation and evaluation.  These institutes provide in-depth information on how to use RNAO's BPGs to create evidence-based cultures and others that focus on specific topics such as wound care and program planning

Get more information about the Clinical BPG Institutes.

Get more information about the Wisdom in Wound Care Webinar Series: Pressure injury assessment.

BPG Order Sets™

RNAO’s BPG Order Sets are evidence-based interventions and clinical decision support resources derived from the RNAO’s clinical BPGs. They enable the integration of the best available evidence into daily clinical practice using technology to facilitate access at the point-of-care. BPG Order Sets support the evaluation of guideline implementation by providing a mechanism to link specific interventions to corresponding evidence-based NQuIRE indicators.

Get more information about the BPG Order Sets.

Evaluation

The BPG Program monitors and evaluates – through NQuIRE and MyBPSO Reports – the process of guideline implementation, and the resulting patient, health provider, organizational and health system outcomes

Nursing Quality Indicators for Reporting and Evaluation® (NQuIRE®)

The NQuIRE data system consists of: a database, an on-line data entry system, a collection of data dictionaries, including a set of organization-level structural indicators as well as a set of process and outcome indicators for each BPG and data collection and reporting processes.

Through NQuIRE, RNAO collects, analyzes and reports quality indicator data submitted by health service organizations participating in the BPSO program. NQuIRE supports BPSOs to make effective and sustained practice improvements by providing organizational BPG-directed care processes and resultant clinical outcomes. With NQuIRE data reports, BPSOs are able to track their progress by linking evidence-based practice with quality-of-care outcomes, supporting rapid learning and quality improvement to optimize clinical, organizational, and health system outcomes.

By monitoring, evaluating and reporting quality improvements in evidence-based care across the globe, NQuIRE is producing BPSO-validated and endorsed quality indicators that will contribute to sustainability, and enhance understanding of the full impact of evidence-based practice on health quality outcomes.

Get more information about NQuIRE.

MyBPSO Reports

Another key element of the RNAO's BPSO Evaluation Model is the MyBPSO report that each BPSO, whether provincial, national or international, submits twice per year during the pre-designate phase and annually for designate organizations. These reports provide an opportunity for BPSO leads, champions and teams to reflect on their progress towards achieving the BPSO deliverables, and results in a documented story of their evolution as a BPSO. The standardized, online MyBPSO template asks questions about organizational demographics as well as key deliverables related to capacity development, implementation, evaluation, dissemination and sustainability planning. The database of qualitative data resulting from the submission of MyBPSO reports provides RNAO and its BPSO partners a mechanism to analyze qualitative outcomes, and identify areas to continuously strengthen the program. The RNAO BPSO team, including BPSO Coaches and evaluation specialists, review each report and meet with every BPSO individually to provide feedback and linkages to resources to support rapid learning and improvement.

Additional Resources

In addition to the BPSO Coaching and Consultation, Best Practice Champion Network, BPG Institutes, NQuIRE and MyBPSO Reports, all BPSOs have access to the following resources (click on the link for more information):

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Global BPSO network, 18 BPSO Hosts and over 1000 BPSO health care and academic organizations worldwide. Shown on map.

BPSO Organizations

A

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mushkiki
BPSO Direct
Anishnawbe Mushkiki

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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AON LTC logo
BPSO Direct
AON Long-Term Care

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2020.

B

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Baycrest logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.
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Bayshore logo
BPSO Direct
Bayshore Home Health

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.
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Bluewater health logo
BPSO Direct, BPSO OHT
Bluewater Health

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.
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Braemar logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2020.

C

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CAMA logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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Cambridge hospital logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2006.
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CarePartners
BPSO Direct
CarePartners

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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CBI logo
BPSO Direct
CBI Home Health

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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CWSDS logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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BPSO OHT logo
BPSO OHT
Chatham- Kent BPSO OHT

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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Chatham-kent health alliance

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2003.
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CHigamik logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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CHEO logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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china-japan friendship hospital

Continent: Asia

Joined the program in 2017.
BPSO Direct
Clinica FOSCAL

Continent: South & Central America

Joined the program in 2015.
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clinca las condos
BPSO Direct
Clinica Las Condes

Continent: South & Central America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Conestoga college
BPSO Direct
Conestoga College

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Elgin County logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.

D

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Dong Zhi Men

Continent: Asia

Joined the program in 2015.
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DRHC logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.

E

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BPSO OHT logo
BPSO OHT
East Toronto Health Partners BPSO OHT

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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Emily's House logo
BPSO Direct
Emily’s House

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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Errinrung LTC logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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Escuela de enfermeria

Continent: South & Central America

Joined the program in 2018.

F

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F.j. Davey Home
BPSO Direct
F.J. Davey Home

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
BPSO Direct
FJ Davey Home
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FCI logo

Continent: South & Central America

Joined the program in 2018.
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FOSCAL

Continent: South & Central America

Joined the program in 2015.

G

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The County of Bruce logo
BPSO Direct
Gateway Haven

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2017.
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GeraldtonDH_LOGO

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Grand River Hospital
BPSO Direct
Grand River Hospital

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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Grey Bruce Health Unit

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.
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Grove Park
BPSO Direct
Grove Park Home

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2016.
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Guelph Family Health team

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.

H

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HNHB logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2020.
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Hampton Terrace logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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holland bloorview

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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Holland Christian Homes logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2017.
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HGM logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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hopital montfort
BPSO Direct, BPSO Host, BPSO OHT
Hôpital Montfort

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
BPSO Direct
Hospital Del Trabajador

Continent: South & Central America

Joined the program in 2020.
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humber river hospital
BPSO Direct, BPSO OHT
Humber River Hospital

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.

I

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Idlewyld Manor
BPSO Direct
Idlewyld Manor

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2022.

J

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John Noble Home
BPSO Direct
John Noble Home

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.

K

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Hotel-Dieu-Hospital-web

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.
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Kingston_General_Hospital

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.

L

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UNAB

Continent: South & Central America

Joined the program in 2017.
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Lakeridge Health
BPSO Direct
Lakeridge Health

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Lanzhou university second hospital.

Continent: Asia

Joined the program in 2018.
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Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2015.

M

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Maamwesying logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2022.
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Mamaway

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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Maple View Lodge logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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Markhaven

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2017.
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Meadow Park
BPSO Direct
Meadow Park Chatham

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Middlesex Hospital Alliance logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Mnaamodzawin Health Services

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2015.

N

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Niagara Health System logo
BPSO Direct
Niagara Health System

Continent:  North America

Joined the program in 2003.
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Niagara Region Public Health Department logo

Continent:  North America

Joined the program in 2006.
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Nipigon District Memorial Hospital logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2017.
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Nipissing University logo
BPSO Direct
Nipissing University

Continent:  North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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BPSO OHT logo
BPSO OHT
Nipissing Wellness BPSO OHT

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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Nithview Home logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2020.
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North Bay Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.
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BPSO OHT logo
BPSO OHT
North Western Toronto BPSO OHT

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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Investén-isciii logo

Continent: Europe

Joined the program in 2010.

O

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ONWA

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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BPSO OHT logo
BPSO OHT
Ottawa East Health Team/ Équipe Santé Ottawa Est BPSO OHT

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.

P

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Peking University First Hospital logo

Continent: Asia

Joined the program in 2017.
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The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre logo
BPSO Direct
Perley Health

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2016.
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Pioneer Ridge logo
BPSO Direct
Pioneer Ridge

Continent:  North America

Joined the program in 2015.
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Primacare Living Solutions logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.

Q

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Quest Community Health Centre logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Quinte Health logo
BPSO Direct
Quinte Health

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.

R

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 Renfrew Victoria Hospital logo

Continent:  North America

Joined the program in 2015.
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Bruyere logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2015.
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Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2003.

S

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Saint Elizabeth Healthcare logo
BPSO Direct, BPSO OHT
Saint Elizabeth Health

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2006.
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Sandy Lake

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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BPSO OHT logo
BPSO OHT
Sarnia Lambton BPSO OHT

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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Scarborough Health Network logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2015.
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SGMT

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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Shibogama

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2022.
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Silliman University College of Nursing

Continent: Asia

Joined the program in 2018.
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Silliman University Medical Center Foundation Inc.

Continent: Asia

Joined the program in 2018.
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SLMHC logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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BPSO OHT logo
BPSO OHT
Southlake Community BPSO OHT

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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Southlake Regional Health Centre logo
BPSO Direct, BPSO OHT
Southlake Regional Health Centre

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2015.

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2022.
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Spectrum Health Care logo
BPSO Direct
Spectrum Health Care

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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St. Joseph's Health Care, London logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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St. Joseph’s Care Group logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2015.
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St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke logo

Continent:  North America

Joined the program in 2014.

T

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Care Company logo
BPSO Direct
The Care Company

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids)

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2006.
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The Region of Peel logo
BPSO Direct
The Region of Peel

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2014.
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Halton Region logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2016.
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The Regional Municipality Of Niagara logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2016.
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Toronto Grace Health Centre logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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The University of West Indies, School of Nursing, Mona (UWISON) logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2016.
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The Wexford Residence Inc logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Thunder Bay District Health Unit logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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TMU logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.
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Toronto Public Health logo
BPSO Direct
Toronto Public Health

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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Trillium Health Partners logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.
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Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.

U

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St. Michael's logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2009.
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UniversalCare Canada logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2016.
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university of Calgary

Continent: Asia

Joined the program in 2017.

V

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VHA Home HealthCare logo
BPSO Direct, BPSO OHT
VHA Home HealthCare

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.
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VON logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2003.
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Villa Colombo logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.

W

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Watford QCC logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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West Park Healthcare Centre logo
BPSO Direct, BPSO OHT
West Park Healthcare Centre

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2003.
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Westmount Gardens LTC
BPSO Direct
Westmount Gardens LTC

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2019.
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William A. George Extended Care Facility logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2016.
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WOHS logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2021.
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Women's College Hospital logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2012.

Y

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York Region Public Health logo

Continent: North America

Joined the program in 2018.