OLTCA CEO commends OHQC report on long-term care
Bisanz cites resident satisfaction, reduction of falls and pressure ulcers, as highlights
Friday June 26, 2009 -- Deron Hamel
MARKHAM, Ont. - Christina Bisanz, CEO of the Ontario Long Term Care Association (OLTCA), is commending the recently published Ontario Health Quality Council (OHQC) annual report, which acknowledges a 90-per-cent rate of resident satisfaction, as well as celebrating successes in areas of falls reduction and pressure-ulcer mitigation.

According to a survey conducted as part of the report, nine out of 10 residents living in Ontario long-term care homes say they are pleased with the quality of care they’re receiving in the long-term care home where they live.

Bisanz says this is an indication of the success the sector is seeing as a whole. She adds that it’s especially important to have residents in long-term care homes declaring a high level of satisfaction.

“I think that this is strong validation of the things that we have been saying, but to hear it from the residents themselves is even more critical,” says Bisanz.

Bisanz says she’s pleased with the report for highlighting “innovative practices in long-term care.” She adds that case studies outlined in the report illustrate the great strides the sector is making in providing the safest possible environment for residents.

In its report, the OHQC outlined successes Kensington Gardens, a Toronto long-term care home, has had reducing falls over a two-year period. In 2005 there were 788 falls at the home. In 2007, there were 450.

The report cites the home’s adoption of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) guidelines for falls prevention as a key factor to this success. The guidelines include education for all staff members about falling risks and providing assessment tools to mitigate falls.

Wellesley Central Place, also in Toronto, was mentioned in the report for its success reducing the occurrence of pressure ulcers. In September 2007, the home recorded 15.2 per cent prevalence of pressure ulcers amongst its 150 residents. By October 2008, the rate was .02 per cent.

The report notes the home’s educational initiative, aimed largely at front-line staff members, as being an important element in the effort to reduce pressure ulcers. A pressure-ulcer prevention team formulated to help reduce risks is also mentioned as a vital part of the success story.

For more information on the report, click here.

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