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2! To prepare for the accreditation visit, OTMH worked with written standards and guidelines that describe the manner in which good quality care is provided. Then, a team of health professionals-doctor, nurse and an administrator-from the Accreditation Council visited our hospital. During this visit, patients, families and staff were interviewed. Following the visit and full evalua- tion, a report and award were sent to the hospital. In today’s economic environment it is an ongoing chal- lenge for health facilities to provide the best possible care to their patients, with limited existing resources. However, at OTMH, staff work hard to meet your expectations for good quality care, and we continuously strive to improve our services through listening careful- ly to what our patients have to say. We have placed a major emphasis on identifying and responding to the health care needs of the individual and the community we serve. Therefore, we have intro- duced a Patient Survey to help us identify areas which may need improvement. Survey responses remain con- fidential and will be invaluable for ensuring that we are offering the best patient care possible at OTMH. On behalf of the staff at OTMH and the Accreditation Council, a sincere thank you to our patients, their families and visitors who assisted throughout this process. Your continued support will help us become one of the most advanced community generalhospitals in Southern Ontario. Dieter Kuntz President C.E.O. NEWS AND INFORMATION FROM OAKvuLEmAFALGARX/mfibRâ€"IAL HOSPITAL ASTHMA EDUCATION :9; Wevaolutil a good health Tip from OTMH 3 The Canadian Council on Health Facilities Accreditation has granted Oakvilleâ€" Trafalgar Memorial Hospital a three year accreditation. The final report stated that OTMH has demonstrated a great deal of interest in meeting patient/client needs, in working to develop community linkages, and in ensuring quality improvement. The Accreditation Council is a non-profit organization that helps hospitals and health centres across Canada to take a closer look at the services provided to their patients and to find'ways for improving the quality of care. A At OTMH, we care about the environment. An enthusiastic group of staff, called the Wastewatchers. has helped the hospital to implement a varety of new initiatives. Some highlights of our accomplishments include: *a hospital wide paper recycling program that has saved 1617 trees over the past three years. *we have cut back on corrosive cleaners by using more environmentally friendly products for cleaning. *”condemned linen" - which is beyond repair and unfit for patient use - is re-used as dusters. *wood chips from the Town are used in our landscaping program *we sort and recycle aluminum pop cans, steel cans, newsprint, fine paper, diapers, cardboard, food (for compost) and glass. *we save unused disposable items from medical trays and send > them for use in third world countries. We continue to look for ways to reduce, reuse and recycle here at OTMH. Where you make the first move. If you or someone in your family has asthma, this program is for you. Through education and hands- on practice, you will learn to take control of your asthma and optimize the quality of your life. Asthma, always a common condition, has become epidemic in the last 30 years. It is estimated that 20% of children and 10% of adults are affected by asthma. Education and coun- selling have been shown to reduce visits and repeat visits to emergency departments, admissions and readmissions to hospitals. It can also greatly improve the quality of life of those affected by asthma and their families through the development of a comprehensive lifestyle program. The OTMH Asthma Education Clinic is supported by the Department of Paediatrics, family physicians and internists. Patients will learn the best method for taking medications, how to monitor their Asthma to help improve the quality of their life. When you get in touch...We keep in touch. This is an education program made posâ€" sible through contributions from the OTMH Charitable Corporation. CENTRE THE OTMH WASTEWATCHERS ., this ands- your COIIlC For further information, contact the Asthma Education Clinic, Respiratory Therapy Department, OTMH. Coâ€"ordinator Renata Reaâ€"Castellarin, R.R.T can be reached at (905) 338-4679. Bookin s Extended to undays .The out-patient hours for ultrasound tests and mammographies have been extended to evenings and weekends. Bookings are now avail- able Monday through Thursday from 4 pm. to 8 pm. and Saturday mornings from 8 am. to 12 noon. Ultrasound tests can now be booked on alternate Sundays! .We hope this extra ser- vice will assist those patients who are not readily available to make daytime appointments. .Ultrasound and mam- mography examinations can be booked with a 1 physician referral, direct- ly with Diagnostic Imaging at OTMH by calling (905) 338-4604.