Joint Statement from the OHA and the OMA re: Windsor-Essex Hospital Review

TORONTO, Aug. 4 /CNW/ - Today's report on surgical care and pathology, deriving from an investigation into Windsor-Essex area hospitals, provides valuable recommendations that will be used to further improve patient safety and quality of care within Ontario's hospitals.

The Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) and the Ontario Medical Association (OMA) will carefully review the recommendations made in the report and are committed to continuing to work together to build a trusted and safe healthcare system for all Ontarians.

The OHA and the OMA also look forward to learning more about the role a provincial facilitator will play in overseeing the implementation of the report's recommendations and are committed to working with this individual to ensure quality and timely care for Windsor patients.

Specifically, the development of a provincial quality assurance system for pathology practices is a welcomed step in assuring quality of care. We are committed to working collaboratively with other healthcare stakeholders including Path2Quality; a joint initiative of the Section of Laboratory Medicine, of the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario Association of Pathologists; to affect appropriate changes which will positively impact and enhance the quality of surgical pathology services in our province.

In addition, the OHA and the OMA thank Dr. McLellan and his team for the report and acknowledge the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care's direct response in addressing areas of concern within the health care system.

The report's recommendations, the recent public reporting of surgical safety checklist compliance, the government's new Excellent Care For All Act and efforts already underway at both the OHA and the OMA to improve the way in which hospitals and physicians work together are all measures that are strengthening healthcare and ensuring that patients receive the safe, high quality care they deserve.

For further information: At the OHA, Amy Ouellette at 416-205-1433 or [email protected]; At the OMA, Leianne Musselman at 416-340-2862 or [email protected]