Mackenzie Health Transformation Earns Top Accreditation Award

Hospital credits the use of leading best practices as key to becoming top performing hospital

VAUGHAN AND RICHMOND HILL, ON, Feb. 19, 2013 /CNW/ - Mackenzie Health's track record of achievements over the past three years has been nothing short of inspiring - shorter patient wait times, increased patient satisfaction, improved efficiency, and a sound financial management.  Today, the regional healthcare provider adds a new piece to the growing body of evidence of its remarkable transformation with the announcement that it has earned top marks from Accreditation Canada resulting in Accreditation with Exemplary Standing - the highest rating that a Canadian healthcare provider can receive.

Accreditation Canada is an independent, not-for-profit organization that sets standards for quality and safety in health care and accredits health organizations in Canada and around the world. The rigorous process requires documented and operational evidence of compliance with over 2000 internationally recognized standards and required organizational practices, and examines eight dimensions of quality.  We are extremely pleased with our results that showed 99.6% compliance with the standards and practices.

The five person accreditation team from Accreditation Canada met with hundreds of staff, physicians and volunteers from across the hospital as well as patients, families and community healthcare partners to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the organization and its programs and services.

Some of the strengths that Mackenzie Health was recognized by the Survey Team include:

			Staff Ownership of Quality - In every department and service across the organization Mackenzie Health staff take personal ownership and pride in the quality of care provided to patients and know exactly how they contribute to that quality
			Renewed Governance - Thanks to the adoption of governance best practices, Mackenzie Health has a strong, highly engaged and effective Board of Directors
			Interprofessional Collaboration and Professional Practice - Staff/clinicians and physicians work collaboratively as teams displaying mutual respect and cooperation and a strong focus on professional practice
			Strong Physician and Volunteer Engagement - Physicians and volunteers are passionate about the work that they do at Mackenzie Health and are considered integral to the delivery of quality health care
			Amazing Fiscal Recovery - In the span of three short years, Mackenzie Health has gone from projected deficit to balancing its books and achieving a small surplus while continuing to enhance quality of care and grow service
			Approval to Proceed to Stage Two and Issue Tender Documents- Development planning has moved forward at a very impressive pace and the government approval to go to tender on the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital in 2014 is a significant vote of confidence for the project

Quotes:

"The Board of Directors is thrilled with the result of our accreditation survey," says Dina Palozzi, Mackenzie Health Board Chair.  "This award is a testament to the staff, physicians and volunteers who are working hard to create a world-class health experience for our community.  It also recognizes the outstanding progress Mackenzie Health has made in a very short amount of time."

"This level of award - Accreditation with Exemplary Standing - is solid evidence of the strong commitment to our patients and passion for excellence demonstrated everyday by the members of our healthcare team," says Altaf Stationwala, Mackenzie Health, President and CEO.  "We have an incredible team and this award is a credit to their hard work and commitment to quality."

"This achievement is a clear demonstration of the commitment Mackenzie Health has made to ongoing quality improvement and patient safety. They have masterfully woven quality improvement right across the organization. That is what accreditation is all about", said Wendy Nicklin, President and CEO of Accreditation Canada.

"I commend the staff, physicians and volunteers of Mackenzie Health on this outstanding accreditation award," says Kim Baker, CEO, Central LHIN. "The Central LHIN has been particularly impressed with the partnerships Mackenzie Health has established with community-based healthcare providers.  We commend them on working collaboratively to better meet the needs of patients and their families."

SOURCE: Mackenzie Health

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