Osler Celebrates Accreditation with Exemplary Standing Designation

BRAMPTON/ETOBICOKE, ON, Oct. 25, 2012 /CNW/ - William Osler Health System (Osler) is among only a few elite hospitals across Canada to receive the highest possible designation from Accreditation Canada. Osler has been accredited with Exemplary Standing, receiving the designation immediately following its onsite survey.

"This is a remarkable achievement for our organization thanks to the tremendous efforts of the entire Osler community - our employees, physicians and volunteers," said Kay Blair, Osler's Board Chair. "We should be particularly proud of this accomplishment as it speaks to our culture of patient safety, our focus on continuous quality improvement, and our reputation as a leading community hospital in this province and beyond."

Osler met 100 per cent of Accreditation Canada's Required Organizational Practices (ROPs) and 98.4 per cent of the 2,710 standards. In addition, Osler achieved three Leading Practice designations for:

• The use of iPads to capture patient satisfaction data following their ED visit;
• Osler's work on falls prevention, "Beyond the Traditional Approach to Falls Prevention" and
• Osler's efforts in "Embracing Diverse Practices in Palliative Care".

The formal Accreditation report highlighted a number of Osler's accomplishments, including staff support of the organization's quality and patient safety initiatives, its commitment to patient-centred care, and its position as an "innovative, quality-improving organization that is providing excellent health care services to the communities of Brampton and Etobicoke and beyond".

"What makes this great achievement even more meaningful for Osler and its community is that the results were shared just as we are set to enter into a week-long celebration of our hospitals' milestone anniversaries," said Matthew Anderson, Osler President and CEO. "During the memorable and creative public events that are planned across our hospital sites, we have the unique opportunity to celebrate our successes with our employees, physicians and volunteers, as well as our patients and their families."

The communities of Brampton, Etobicoke and the surrounding areas are invited to take part in Osler's anniversary week activities and events. At Etobicoke General, a multi-faith sunrise ceremony will be held on October 29 and a hospital-wide celebration including the unveiling of an Osler Anniversary Mosaic on October 30. Brampton Civic's Mosaic unveiling will take place on October 31, with its multi-faith sunrise ceremony on November 2. At Peel Memorial, a special time-capsule opening along with an exciting government announcement about the new Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness will be held at the Peel site on November 1. The events will culminate in a benefit concert for Osler on Saturday, November 3, at the Rose Theatre in Brampton.

For more information about Osler, visit www.williamoslerhs.ca.

SOURCE: William Osler Health System Foundation

Cara Francis
External Communications Specialist
William Osler Health System
905-494-2120 ext. 59467