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Hospitals' ranking a result of `culture of care' Continued from pg. 1 HSMR compares the actual number of deaths in a hospital to the number that would have been expected based on the types of patients that hospital treats. The calculation adjusts for various factors that affect hospital mortality rates such as age, gender, transfers, diagnoses and admission status of patients. Halton Healthcare HSMR's score in 2009-2010 was slightly lower at 63. "The slight increase (in 2010-2011) over the previous year reflects the reduction of complex continuing care beds at Halton Healthcare Services over the past year resulting in more palliative patients dying in the acute care setting," said Sylvia Rodgers, chief nursing officer for HHS. The rate was 78 in 2008-2009, 109 in 2007-2008 and 107 in 2006-2007 (the year that Georgetown Hospital became part of Halton Healthcare Services). Hardene said, "HHS's score of 74 for 2011 is significantly lower than the Canadian experience and our trends indicate that HHS has continued to show improvement from the 2007 results. The scores are reported on a corporate level, so no specific ranking was available for Georgetown Hospital. "We can attribute these positive results to our strong culture of safety and care in an environment that is constantly driven by a multitude of continuous quality improvement initiatives," said Hardenne. HHS president and CEO John Oliver said it was very encouraging to know that HHS has ranked so well on this key patient safety indicator among hospitals across the GTA. "HHS is a strong supporter of the CIHI HSMR report. In addition to providing a high-level statistical measure of patient outcomes over time, the report helps us monitor our trends and guides us in implementing strategies to reduce mortality. It helps us understand the factors that contribute to our rates so we can continuously enhance the culture of safety and care throughout the entire organization," said Oliver. HHS has implemented a number of safety initiatives over the past few years including: · Surgical safety checklist · Pressure ulcer prevention · SaferHealthcareNow initiatives for prevention of central line infections, ventilator associated pneumonia and surgical site infections · The use of standardized order sets through partnership with Order Sets Inc. · Medication reconciliation HHS was one of five healthcare organizations awarded a Platinum Quality Healthcare Workplace Award in November 2011 by the Ontario Hospital Association and the Ministry of Health and LongTerm Care- HealthForce Ontario. A copy of the complete report is available on the CIHI website www.cihi.ca. 3 Independent & Free Press, Tuesday, December 20, 2011 Please visit our new website at www.georgetownbreadbasket.ca: to conveniently make your donation for the holiday season! CHRISTMAS HOURS Open to accept FOOD and MONETARY DONATIONS: Monday, December 19 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Tuesday, December 20 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Wednesday, December 21 8:30 am - 12:00 noon 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm Thursday, December 22 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, December 23 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. - Author Unknown December 2011 The goal of the Georgetown Bread Basket is to continue to make a difference in the lives of people who need assistance. With the help of generous donations from supporters such as you, we will continue to see improvements in the lives of members of our own community. Please accept our heartfelt thanks on behalf of our clients and their families whose Christmas will be a little merrier because of your kind gift. We couldn't do it without you! Merry Christmas and best wishes!! Board of Directors, Georgetown Bread Basket 55 Sinclair Avenue · Unit 12 · Georgetown · Ontario · L7G 4X4 Phone: 905-873-3368 Charity Reg. # 881229561 HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Isa & staff Come to Shoeless Joe's to watch the Leafs on our big screen TV's!! WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT GOOD FOOD! 367 Guelph St., Georgetown 905-873-3157 www.georgetowntoyota.com 15 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN 905-877-2296 Voted Favourite Auto Import Dealership Finance 2.9% up to 36 Mos. * 2012 Camry LE $ 23,700.00 + 1625.00 MSRP FREIGHT + AIR TAX CASH PURCHASE PRICE BF1FLT-AA Merry Christmas from everyone at Georgetown Toyota $ 25,325 $ + HST *All low km. lease payments are plus tax and based on 20,000 km per year, at a rate of 5.3% over 60 mos. P.O.P. $10,190. an excess mileage charge may apply of 10¢ per km. 324 33 + Tax 60 Mo. LEASE $0 down payment