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LHIN sees funding for ER Strategy

NE LHIN News Release *************************** The North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) is receiving funding through the province’s ER Strategy for a number of initiatives to reduce emergency room wait times and improve patient sat
Kate Adams
NE LHIN News Release

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The North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) is receiving funding through the province’s ER Strategy for a number of initiatives to reduce emergency room wait times and improve patient satisfaction.

Of the $82 million province-wide investment for 2009/10, the NE LHIN will benefit through:


- $1,434,800 to provide funding incentives to Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH) which is facing significant ER challenges. The hospital will receive the funding if they can meet specific targets and reduce the time patients spend in the ER.

- Three physician assistants to work in local ERs (Kirkland and District Hospital, Timmins and District Hospital and Hôpital régional de Sudbury Regional Hospital (HRSRH).

- Funding for the City of Greater Sudbury for a dedicated nurses to care for patients, who arrive at ERs by ambulance, to ease ambulance offload delays.

- Investments in community projects to help patients with chronic or palliative conditions receive care in the community and avoid frequent ER visits.

- An emergency room process improvement program that will deliver coaching teams and tools to help select hospitals improve processes and patient access in ERs.

- Continued investments for helping the people of North East Ontario identify health care options in their communities – such as walk in clinics or family health teams – that are appropriate alternatives to ERs.

Today’s announcement builds on the initiatives announced earlier this week to expand access to home and community-based services which will help some patients avoid unnecessary ER visits and lengthy hospital stays.

QUOTES

“We have made significant progress working with hospitals in our area to reduce the time people spend in ERs,” said Remy Beaudoin, NE LHIN CEO. “We look forward to continuing to work with our hospitals to ensure the very best emergency care for patients.”

QUICK FACTS

- In February, the government began publicly reporting the time people spend in ERs while setting targets of four hours for patients with minor or uncomplicated (90 per cent of patients) conditions and eight hours for patients with complex conditions (90 per cent of patients).

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