Nine Ontario health-care organizations selected to join the ranks of RNAO's Best Practice Spotlight program to advance excellence in patient care

TORONTO, March 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Ontario's top professional nursing body is preparing to salute the new cohort of Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSOs). The nine organizations, selected through a rigorous competitive process, have signed partnership agreements to implement the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario's internationally recognized guidelines.

RNAO will formally announce the results of its selection process at a special launch next Tuesday. The new BPSO candidates are: Brockville General Hospital; Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit; Mnaamodzawin Health Services; Pioneer Ridge Home for the Aged; Renfrew Victoria Hospital; Residence Saint-Louis Bruyère Continuing Care; Southlake Regional Health Centre; St. Joseph's Care Group and The Scarborough Hospital.

The Best Practice Guidelines (BPG) Program, supported by Ontario's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, focuses on developing and actively supporting uptake of current research in patient care. More than 50 clinical and healthy work environment guidelines have been created, including ones focused on preventing falls, smoking cessation, wound care, preventing and treating childhood obesity, diabetes, stroke, hypertension and asthma.

Health-care facilities select guidelines they determine will greatly impact the health and well-being of their patients. During the three-year partnership, each organization will implement several guidelines, identify ways to sustain their implementation, and evaluate their impact on patient and organizational outcomes.

After the three-year mark, eligible organizations graduate from the program and are designated as BPSOs. They then continue in the program taking on new guidelines and mentoring new BPSOs.   

"We're extremely proud of Ontario's BPSO. They are supporting nurses and other health professionals so they can provide the highest quality of care patients need and deserve," says Irmajean Bajnok, Director of RNAO's International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines Centre.

Doris Grinspun, RNAO's Chief Executive Officer and founder of the program, says "we're confident that these evidence-based tools lead to better health outcomes and patient satisfaction. They also improve our health system efficiency and cost-effectiveness." 

WHO:

• Dr. Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer of RNAO
• Dr. Irmajean Bajnok, Director of RNAO's International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines Centre program
• Representatives from the nine BPSO candidates

WHAT:  

• Best Practice Spotlight Organization Launch

WHERE:

• Radisson Admiral, 249 Queen's Quay West (Admiral Ballroom)

WHEN: 

• Tuesday, March 24, 2015   - 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m.

RNAO's Best Practice Guidelines program is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and was launched in 1999 to provide the best available evidence for patient care across a wide range of health-care settings.  The guidelines developed to date are contributing towards excellence in Ontario's health-care system.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) is marking its 90^th anniversary this year.  The professional association represents registered nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve. For more information about RNAO, visit our website at RNAO.ca. You can also check out our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter.

SOURCE Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

To arrange an interview, please contact: Marion Zych, Director of Communications, RNAO, Cell: 647-406-5605 / Phone: [phone], [email protected]; Daniel Punch, Communications Officer/Writer, RNAO, 416-408-5610, [email protected]