Friday, May 08, 2015
London Health Sciences Centre
LHSC to Implement Changes to Improve Patient Experiences in a Better System of Care
Renovations will soon commence at both of the city’s Emergency Departments (EDs), signaling the start of sweeping changes planned to improve clinical service delivery at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) over the coming year.
“After comprehensive work over the past two years to map a new course and redesign key care processes, LHSC will soon begin to introduce a series of changes in practice and process across the hospital, including a new model of care in the EDs,” says Murray Glendining, President and CEO, LHSC. “Our goal is to significantly improve several key hospital performance metrics, such as reduced time to see an ED physician, reduced wait times when hospital admission is required, and reduced length of stay in hospital as a result of improved processes.”
Before implementation can begin, renovations are needed to modify layouts to support the new ED model of care [for more information about the new ED model of care, see attached media backgrounder]. This work will begin at Victoria Hospital on May 26 and at University Hospital on June 16, with each project lasting approximately six weeks. This timing compresses the work as much as possible and takes advantage of the typically lower patient volumes in the summer months. Both EDs will remain open through renovations, and while patients may be inconvenienced, they can be assured that contingencies will be in place to manage patient volumes during this period in as timely a manner as possible.
“The changes planned across all clinical services will ensure that patients are better served and the staff and physician experience is improved, through a high quality, safe, integrated, streamlined and sustainable care system,” says Dr. Mark MacLeod, Chief Medical Officer at LHSC. “As an outcome of this work, the hospital has targeted an average occupancy level of 95% while maintaining or improving quality and safety, to ensure that we create a system that provides the right care, the right way, every time.”
Once the renovations are complete, modeling of the new ED model of care will resume within the new, purpose-designed ED layout and refinement will continue, with phased implementation planned for fall 2015.
“A key component of this work has been engagement of many of our front line staff and physicians, as well as patients and families and community and health system partners,” adds Glendining. “Their active support has been pivotal in helping develop the most effective solutions for a better system of care. There is much to do and we will take a measured approach, but we are excited about our new direction, which we believe will result in a far better experience for the patients we serve once fully implemented.”
Media Contact:
Mandy Gelinas
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500 ext 75157
mandy.gelinas@lhsc.on.ca
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