Ontario Best Practice Spotlight Organizations highlight commitment to evidenced-based patient care at series of Nursing Week celebrations

The knowledge nurses use in their everyday practice will be proudly on display at media events taking place during National Nursing Week (May 6-12).

Registered nurses, nurse practitioners and registered practical nurses representing five health organizations that have adopted best practice guidelines (BPG) developed by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) will explain how BPGs are producing high quality care outcomes for patients and residents.

Humber River Hospital, Lakeridge Health, The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre, Maple View Lodge and The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre are Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSO), a designation they earn by signing formal agreements with RNAO to implement evidence-based practice guidelines and evaluate their impact on patient health outcomes within their organizations.

The guidelines are clinical tools, based on the latest research, to optimize patient care. They cover topics such as falls prevention, pain management, prevention of elder abuse, caring for persons with delirium, dementia and depression, wound care, person and family-centred care, and transitions in care.

“We applaud these organizations for their commitment to nursing practice and for actively supporting nurses and other health workers to implement the most current and relevant evidence in the day-to-day care they provide,” says Dr. Doris Grinspun, RNAO’s chief executive officer and the founder of the BPG program.

“The care needs of Ontarians must always come first and BPGs put patients first and lead to better patient, organizational and health system outcomes,” says Dr. Angela Cooper Brathwaite, RNAO’s president, adding these organizations are among 500 in Ontario and more than 300 around the world that are implementing best practices.

Members of the media are welcome to attend.

Nurses from health-care organizations in Toronto, Oshawa, Athens and Ottawa will take part:

• Humber River Hospital
Monday, May 6, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
1235 Wilson Avenue, Toronto, Ont. M3M 0B2 (Command Centre, third floor)
Contact: Joe Gorman
(416) 949-6316
jgorman@hrh.ca

• The Salvation Army Toronto Grace Health Centre
Monday, May 6, 2:30 – 3 p.m.
650 Church Street, Toronto, Ont. M4Y 2G5 (Weston Family Welcome Centre)
Contact: John McAlister
416-467-3186
John_McAlister@can.Salvationarmy.org

• Lakeridge Health
Wednesday, May 8, 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
1 Hospital Court, Oshawa, Ont. L1G 2B9 (LHEARN Reception Area)
Contact: Sharon Navarro
905-435-7889
snavarro@lh.ca
Media photo opportunity and availability from 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

• Maple View Lodge
Thursday, May 9, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
746 County Road 42, Athens, Ont. K0E 1B0 (Brookside Activity Room)
Contact: Linda Chaplin
613-924-2696, ext. 6080
Linda.Chaplin@uclg.on.ca

• The Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre
Friday, May 10, 9:30 – 11:45 a.m.
1750 Russell Road, Ottawa, Ont. K1G 5Z6 (Main Cafeteria)
Contact: Jay Innes
613-526-7170, ext. 2207
jinnes@prvhc.com

RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines Program is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. It was conceived in 1998 and launched in 1999 to provide the best available evidence for patient care across a wide range of health settings. The 54 guidelines developed to date represent a substantial contribution towards building excellence in Ontario’s health system. Health-care facilities that successfully implement multiple guidelines receive special recognition from RNAO as Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSO).

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is the professional association representing registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses’ contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve. For more information about RNAO, visit our website at RNAO.ca or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

During Nursing Week, RNAO will be promoting its BPSO program using the hashtag #BPSONursingNow.

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