Best Practice Spotlight Organization
The Sandwich Community Health Centre is the first CHC selected by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) to implement and evaluate a series of internationally-recognized nursing best practices. The aim of the Spotlight Organization initiative is to create a working environment where the most current evidence is used in day-to-day practice by all staff. Implementing Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) at the Centre will expose all members of the interprofessional team to the RNAO best practices.
The implementation of these best practices will help Sandwich Community Health Centre better meet the needs of our clients. The Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) selected are based on staff interest in the subject matter, a desire to build on and augment current SCHC initiatives and an awareness of Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MoHLTC) priorities. The Centre will receive funding for the next three years to support the implementation of the best practice guidelines.
SCHC has chosen to introduce one clinical practice guideline and three healthy work environment guidelines in Year 1. We believe supporting the implementation of three Healthy Work Environment Guidelines sends a strong message about supporting a culture to effect change. Supporting a cultural change will help to establish a foundation upon which the introduction of additional clinical and healthy work environment BPGs can be sustained.
Best Practice Guidelines for Year 1:
Screening for Delirium, Dementia, and Depression in Older Adults:
Seniors age 65 and older represent 13% of the 2006 population in West Windsor. SCHC has the luxury of having a full-time Seniors Programmer on staff.
Implementing these guidelines will prove to be a useful tool to educate nurses, nursing students and other health care providers including medical students about the differences between delirium, dementia and depression.
Integrating Smoking Cessation into Daily Nursing Practice:
Twenty-five percent of the respondents of our 2008 Community Needs Assessment indicate that they smoke. This is a higher rate than Ontario overall. Most people want to make a lifestyle change to reduce/quit smoking. Implementing this guideline will help eliminate the barriers that clients may face.
Preventing and Managing Violence in the Workplace:
The SCHC Executive Director participated in the RNAO Preventing and Managing Violence in the Workplace stakeholder review in October 2008. Safety at SCHC is "top of mind".
Embracing Cultural Diversity in Health Care: Developing Cultural Competence:
SCHC wants to ensure it is culturally competent to offer the populations most in need of health care, health promotion, disease prevention and screening/immunization; (i.e. immigrants, refugees, non-Canadians, and aboriginals), the opportunity to access health care in a comfortable, welcoming environment.
Best Practice Guidelines for Year 2:
Supporting and Strengthening Families through Expected and Unexpected Life Events:
Focusing on family is an integral component of practice. We will use this guideline to further build upon, improve and increase the knowledge of our interdisciplinary staff so we can meet the needs of our clients and their families.
Nursing Management of Hypertension:
Expanding on the success of the Heart and Stroke Hypertension Management Initiative Study we will continue to implement and educate in this area.
Developing and Sustaning Nursing Leadership:
SCHC supports the vision that every staff member can be a "leader".
Promoting Asthma Control in Children:
Collaborating with the Windsor Allergy Asthma Education Centre to provide our clients and their families with the tools to stay healthy.
Best Practice Guidelines for Year 3:
Oral Health: Nursing Assessment and Interventions:
Implementing this guideline at Street Health, the team has provided their clients with consistant oral care, education tools, and dental kits.
Reducing Foot Complications for People with Diabetes:
Working in conjunction with the Diabetes Programme to implement this guideline into the clinical practice.
Primary Prevention of Childhood Obesity:
Working with our Health Promotion team to incorporate this guideline in our community programs as well as our Clinical Services.
Women Abuse: Screening, Identification and Initial Response:
Incorporating the Organizational recommendations so that staff are educated in order to better care for the clients.
Best Practice Guideline Goals for Our Organizations:
- To create a culture where all staff implements best practices as the foundation of our daily work.
- To build future capactiy among nurses and other health care providers of the organization.
- Transfer knowledge from one best practice to another.
For more information, please contact:
Carol D., R.N.
Best Practice Project Coordinator
(519) 258-6002 ext. 240.
Click here to go to the RNAO Best Practice Spotlight website.
SCHC's BPSO Breakfast Launch Photos:
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