Abouts Us
Board Meeting Highlights
Board Highlights
October 29, 2009
At last night’s meeting of the Tri-Board of St. Joseph’s, Public General and Sydenham District Hospitals, Directors:
- Received a presentation by Linda McGivern, Manager, Utilization and Performance Improvement, highlighting CKHA’s adoption of Lean / Six Sigma methodology to improve patient care (timeliness, efficiency, patient centeredness, efficacy, safety, equity and satisfaction). To date, staff-led audits and process improvements in the Medicine Program have resulted in significant savings of nurses’ time, walking distance and supplies. Additional project priorities are identified and rollout continues.
- Supported the organization-wide continuation of hand-hygiene programs to raise awareness and compliance amongst patients, visitors, families, and healthcare providers. Hand hygiene helps prevent hospital acquired infections which can delay healing and lengthen hospitalization. CKHA is participating in the Clean Hands Protect Lives, and the Clean Your Hands provincial campaigns. By Spring 2009, Ontario’s hospitals will begin posting hand washing performance on websites.
- Noted that a proposal has been jointly submitted by CKHA and London Health Sciences Centre to LHINs 1 and 2 for three additional Dialysis chairs to the current six chairs at CKHA, expanding local Dialysis capacity by 50%.
- Congratulated the Complex Continuing Care team at Sydenham campus on its reduced rate of catheterization, resulting in greater patient satisfaction, earlier transfers to nursing homes or back home, reduced complications from urinary tract infections and reduced expensive antibiotic regimes.
- Acknowledged that CKHA is a beta site for implementation of new software that supports better detection, management, prevention and control of infection risks, making healthcare safer for patients, staff, physicians, volunteers and visitors while reducing overall costs.
- Noted expansion of Diabetes Clinics to Bkejwanong First Nation in partnership with the Home and Community Care Program of Walpole Island.
- Received financial statements for the six months ended September 30th noting that the deficit continues to improve and overtime costs reduce. Efforts to analyze and implement further cost savings are underway via an Operational Review to restore CKHA to better financial health.
- Congratulated the Central Ambulance Communications Centre on its seamless transition to the new $2 million, state-of-the-art facility located behind CKHA’s Sydenham campus at 150 Dora Drive.
- Noted CKHA’s launch of an Energy Savings and Facility Renewal Program in partnership with Honeywell, to find additional ways to save energy, reduce costs, and reduce carbon emissions. Resultant energy and operational savings, expected to be up to $350,000 per year – will help fund facility improvements. CKHA’s Green Team successes include earning the Pollution Prevention award from the Ontario Hospital Association in 2006.
- Endorsed the formation of a Health Information Technology Executive Committee (HITEC) to guide CKHA’s IT plan. HITEC reports to Executive Leadership Council and the Medical Advisory Committee.
- Encouraged the Tri-Board’s Mission and Quality committee to annually seek Top 100 Employers in Canada status through Mediacorp’s application process.
- Responded to the results of the Tri-Board Effectiveness Survey (2007-08) by offering additional educational sessions throughout the year for Board volunteers, Board Chairs, and Board committees.
- Supported best practice in hospital board governance by re-adopting an Annual Declaration Form for completion by Tri-Board volunteers each year affirming their commitment, fiduciary responsibilities and expectations for participation in continuous education.
- Congratulated the Foundation of CKHA on achieving $1.9 million towards the Making the Right Investment – MRI Campaign.
- Noted the upcoming Service Recognition and annual Tri-Board Awards for Excellence celebration.
The next regularly scheduled Tri-Board meeting is November 25, 2008 beginning at 6:30 pm in the Education Centre at CKHA’s Chatham campus. Staff and public are welcomed - kindly RSVP 519-437-6001.
'Board Highlights' is published by the Communications & Community Relations Department for the information of staff, media and community and is posted on the Alliance’s website, www.ckha.on.ca