Mackenzie Health Officially Launches Innovation Unit: First-in-Canada Project Transforms the Delivery of Care

RICHMOND HILL/VAUGHAN, ON, June 20, 2014 /CNW/ - Mackenzie Health knows that it takes a dedicated healthcare team, supported by an innovative practice setting, to create a positive healing environment and provide exceptional patient care. To achieve this goal, Mackenzie Health has launched an Innovation Unit, a first-in-Canada project which features a unique integration of advanced technology that transforms the delivery of care.

Improving Patient Safety and Experience of Care
The Innovation Unit is a 34-bed medical unit within Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital that has been transformed into a living and breathing laboratory for innovations to support the implementation of evidence-based practice and further enhance patient experience.

The Innovation Unit features a streamlined approach to care, designed to improve patient safety and experience through the integration of advanced technologies. Ultimately, it enables nurses and other inter-professional team members to spend more time at the bedside, providing hands-on care.

The concept, design and implementation of the Innovation Unit have been developed by Mackenzie Health in collaboration with Hill-Rom Canada, a leading provider of medical technologies for the healthcare industry.

Mackenzie Health has also partnered with the International Centre for Health Innovation at the Ivey Business School to assess the impact of the integration of technology on quality, safety and patient care. Once the evaluation of the Innovation Unit has been completed, the findings will inform plans for the future expansion of this new and innovative approach to care across Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital, as well as the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and beyond, at the health system level.

Integrated Technologies to Improve Patient Care
By implementing technologies that are designed and integrated to improve the patient experience and clinical outcomes, doctors and nurses are better able to perform their role and deliver safer, more efficient care to patients. The new technologies include:

• "Smart" beds help communicate safety alerts to staff to help prevent adverse events such as falls. Safety protocols can be setup for patients at risk to ensure that side rails, brakes and bed exit alarms are set up prior to the caregiver leaving the room. Other features include a built-in scale which allows for more accurate and timely weighing of patients.
• "Smart" stations, installed in every room, provide patient information to caregivers where and when they need it. This technology allows caregivers to respond faster to patients' needs, therefore improving patient outcomes and providing a better patient experience.
• "Smart" badges identify staff's location on the unit, alert them of any patient calls, enable staff communication and record the response time and direct patient care time provided.
• Hand hygiene support solution utilizes a system that proactively alerts staff of potential "missed" hand-hygiene opportunities and monitors hand hygiene events through proximity sensors.

QUOTES

"The Innovation Unit is about transforming the delivery of care. Mackenzie Health is proud to be part of this transformation in care delivery and we are confident that this new and innovative approach will change the way care is delivered across the hospital, at the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and beyond, at the health system level."
Dina Palozzi, Chair, Mackenzie Health Board of Directors

"Mackenzie Health has embarked on an Innovation Journey where collaboration, partnerships and evidence-based practice set the stage to provide the best patient-centred care. At Mackenzie Health, we view innovation as a key factor for our organization going forward and strongly believe that pioneering projects such as the Innovation Unit will help us achieve our vision to create a world-class health experience for our community."
Altaf Stationwala, President and CEO, Mackenzie Health

"The Innovation Unit, a first step in Mackenzie Health's Innovation Journey, is a streamlined approach to care designed to improve the patient safety and experience through the integration of advanced technologies. Ultimately, it enables nurses and other inter-professional team members to spend more time at the bedside, providing hands-on care. Our technology partner has been instrumental in developing the Unit and we look forward to the review of our academic partners."
Tiziana Rivera, Chief Nursing Executive and Chief Practice Officer, Mackenzie Health

SOURCE: Mackenzie Health

Melina Cormier, Chief, Communications and Public Affairs, Mackenzie Health, Tel: [phone] ext. 7492, E-mail: [email protected]