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4 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday,June 14, 2011 Hospital gets cash for wait times By LISA TALLYN Staff Writer Georgetown Hospital is receiving funding to help further reduce Emergency (ER) wait times. The hospital will receive $139,300 as part of the Ministry of Health's Pay for Results program. Georgetown Hospital is one of five hospital sites in the Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), and 24 in the province to receive the funding. The hospital will use the funds by implementing initiatives such as short-stay beds, which will reduce the time admitted patients spend in the ER. "Mississauga Halton is leading in wait time reductions and we're excited about continuing to improve the flow of patients through the ER and finding appropriate community care for ALC (Alternative Level of Care) patients, " said Bill MacLeod Mississauga Halton LHIN CEO. "We look forward to continued success in reducing ER wait times this year." Since 2008 Georgetown Hospital's ER wait times have reduced by 1.1 hours or 19 per cent, meaning that a full 97 per cent of ER patients are seen within provincial targets. "That is an excellent result," said Janine DeVito, Mississauga Halton LHIN spokesperson. "That is one of the best numbers in the province." "We've had tremendous results in reducing the Emergency wait times at Georgetown Hospital," said Halton Healthcare CEO John Oliver. He said it's been a team effort from the doctors and nurses in the ER department and other areas of the hospital to "make sure we have good, safe and efficient care provided and timely transfers in the ER department and into other parts of the hospital." Cindy McDonell, Chief Operating Officer of Georgetown Hospital concurred, adding all the staff in the hospital had bought into the program and she's really proud of what they've been able to accomplish. McDonell said the success is partly due to the Rapid Assessment and Fast Track unit initiated at the hospital about a yearand-a-half ago. The unit-- consisting of a doctor and nurse-- work together during peak times in the ER department to handle patients who are less ill, freeing up the ER for other patients. McDonell said the funding from the Province, will be used to staff seven additional beds in the inpatient unit in response to demand. Only patients admitted through the ER will have access to the beds, where they may stay up to 72 hours before being discharged or transferred to another unit in the hospital. The beds will help improve the flow of the ER by ensuring patients receive the right care in the right setting and are transferred out of the ER sooner. TRIAL MEMBERSHIPS NOW AVAILABLE Great Golf, Good Friends... No Commute. For membership information, please email mfrazer@nhgcc.ca Register at www.northhaltongolf.com/FreeRound to win a round of golf for you and two friends at our championship course. Draw will take place August 30, 2011. 363 Maple Avenue West, Georgetown ON 905-877-5236 · www.northhaltongolf.com TD Canada Trust New Small Business Advisor Marco Palermo 289-924-0016 marco.palermo@td.com Bring in this coupon and receive: COOLING SYSTEM EXCHANGE FUEL ECONOMY SPECIAL Bring in this coupon and receive: REMOVE 100% of old coolant and replace it with NEW! The only system that completely replaces all of your coolant. MOTORVAC - FUEL SYSTEM SERVICE! Cleans Fuel Injectors, Fuel Rail, Decarbon Engine, and more!! Improves performance and fuel economy! We'd like to introduce Marco Palermo as your New Small Business Advisor. Marco understands the pressures of owning and operating a business and is committed to helping you by: · discussing your business banking needs · offering professional banking and investment solutions · delivering excellent personal service Drop by one of our Georgetown branches to talk to your Small Business Advisor and discover how we can make your business banking easier. We look forward to seeing you soon. FREE A/C CHECK GREEN LIFELONG FREE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SCAN $ 10999 $ 13999 $ 8999* * for most vehicles 4 Licenced Technicians. Top diagnostics Service Team. Complete Diesel Service and Tuning ­ Ford, Chrysler, GM. We offer custom upgrades from Economy Mileage improvements to All out Turbo upgrades. 231 Guelph St. 29 Main St. S. 361 Mountainview Rd. S. (at Argyll Rd.) COME AND SEE WHY WE ARE GEORGETOWN'S FAVOURITE GARAGE ­ HONESTY, INTEGRITY, COST-SAVING, GUARANTEED WORK. 20 Armstrong Ave., Georgetown (near Mountainview Rd. N) 905-877-8731 WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD!