Report to the Community

National Info Rehab Study page Strategic 4 Plan

MHA Quality Award

Hip & Knee Replacement page 6 Physicians at MHA

page 5

see page 10

Connecting with the Future of Care

see inside

REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY 20112010 REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY

Healthcare

Mission, Vision and Principles renewed Delivering New General Jain moms and their families at the MHASurgeon Dr. Vipan

joins the Middlesex Hospitalappreciate Alliance the special care they receive in

n o i s i V r u HE MIDDLESEX O T l Alliance ex Hospita The Middles st place for be will be the oviding red care; pr patient-cent quality, people, in e nc lle ce ex financial service and r patients, ce.

Safety for ouitors performan staff and vis in our Excellence ce performan r everyone Respect fo all the time that we do Value in all as our Enthusiasm way of life

Hospital Alliance (MHA) is pleased to welcome Vipan Jain, MD FACS, to S Services team in our Surgical E August, 2011. He joins fellow R Dr. Akram general surgeon’s V Elgamal and EDr. Ian Ferguson.

a healthcare setting close to home,

where low volumes can allow for an excellent nursing care/patient ratio. A significant in keeping with the MHA’s percentage of delivering moms at SMGH are returning moms, which strategic plan. indicates a high level of patient satisfaction. Dr. Philip Vandewalle, a family physician in Strathroy who delivers Dr. Jainbabies, performs says,endos“Moms often copy andremark general on surgical the friendly and procedures such nursing as gallbladavailable care during der removal, hernia repair, and after delivery, one mom saidbowel it wassurgeries. the next best thing breast and to being at home.”

His practice specialty is in

Our Mission

Minimally Invasive Surgialthcare he e th cal Techniques. This surgical Dr. Jain completedTo his ide prov our expect for we would s. ilie approach is performed using residency at the University own fam Read the full laparoscopes to avoid large of Western Ontario and is a page 6 This incisionsstory whenonpossible. welcome addition to the department of surgery. The sur- decreases the patient recovery time and shortens hospital gical program has expanded full story on page 10 stay for patients. in Read order the to provide improved patient care in core services

What’s Inside What’s Inside

One South . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

FCHS & SMGH Foundations “Play Together” . . . . . . . . 8

Message from the Chair of the Board . . . . . . . . . . . 3

SMGH Foundation - Together We WILL . . . . . . . . . . 9

Message from the CEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Volunteer Appreciation Evenings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

New General Surgeon

Message the .Chair Healthcare thefrom Dutch Way . . . . . of . . . the . . . .Board . . . . . 5

Mission, Vision and Principles renewed at MHA . . . . 10

SMGH ED Getsfrom Lean . .the . . . .President . . . . . . . . . .& . .CEO . . . . . 5 Message

Mental Health Providers Meet to Network . . . . . . . 11

Special Delivery – Obstetrics at SMGH . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Respirology Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

New Surgeon at Strathroy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Diabetes Education Centre Coordinator Awarded . . 12

National InfoRehab Study

Financial Health of MHA New Faces at FCHS Foundation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Auxiliary Opens Java Hut at Strathroy Hospital . . . . . . 8 and more!

Strathroy Hospital at the Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Emergency Prep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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New Surgeon at Waters Message from Cheryl Strathroy Chair of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance Board of Directors

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R. VAISHNAV RAJGOPAL WAS WELCOMED AS THE think NEWEST e automatically of hospitals ADDITION TO SUCCESSFUL HIP & KNEE JOINT as places to seek immediate mediREPLACEMENT PROGRAM team at the MHA, cal attention. While this remains vitally last fall. Dr. Rajgopal is an orthopaedic surgeon important, also know that our two sites and graduate we of the University of Western in Newbury and Strathroy are unique hubs Ontario where he received his medical degree of wellness and healtha fellowship for the communities and recently completed in adult that we serve. reconstructive joint surgery.

The MHA Hip & Knee Program has received Our Professional much praise from peers and patients since it Staff work as aIt colstarted in 2006. has been commended for laborative using excellent waitteam times, compared with both the provincial averages and targets, and it has been their expertise and praised for patient satisfaction. leverage new techThe success of the MHA Hip & Knee Program nology to provide relies on a team approach including the MHA high quality patient physiotherapy and nursing staff care as we work to and external partners such as meetwho the demands of preCCAC assist patients an post-operatively. ageing population and Dr. Paul in our region.

Ferner, chief of staff at SMGH, says, “The program continues Highlights of the to thrive at the MHA.” past year include Mike Mazza, MHA CEO, says, continued enhance“A community hospital such as ments through Strathroy has the capacity to provide this sort of program ‘LEAN’just initiatives successfully and to enhance theefficiently. way we serve patients by Patients can be referred for and safety; the improving access, quality Total Joint Replacement surgery merging of our Professional Medical Staff here – close to home – instead of at our two hospital sites; expansion of our having to travel to more distant hospitals.”

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Cheryl Waters Board Chair

Dr. Pravin Shah retired on December 31, 2011 after more than 37 years of service. Dr. Valdine Pusey also retired in October 2011 following a dedicated career in paediatrics.

We thank them both for their dedication to patients and wish them all the best in retirement.

“Our Professional Staff work as a collaborative team using their expertise and leverage new technology to provide high quality patient care as we work to meet the demands of an ageing population in our region.”

surgical services program and the use of minimally invasive surgical techniques leading to shorter hospital stays and quicker The successful Hip & Knee Joint Replacement Program patients; ourtheHip & Knee Total atrecovery Strathroy for hospital welcomed newest addition to the JointDr.Replacement program wassurgeon. highlighted team, Vaishnav Rajgopal, orthopaedic If the when it surpassed thefather, 1000th patient to name sounds familiar, Vai’s Dr. C. Rajgopal, isreceive a well-known surgeon in also London surgery; and theOntario, achievement where Vai grew up. of our Rehabilitation department when it was selected to participate in the National Inforehab Research Study.

The MHA Board, the Executive and staff are grateful to the community for its ongoing support of our organization.

I would also like to thank and recognize our two Chiefs of Staff - Drs. Jon Dreyer and Paul Ferner, our Chief Executive Officer Mike Mazza and his administration team.

Improving health care quality is an ongoing team effort that all of us have a role to play. Patients, physicians, nurses, staff, volunteers and Board members can help to make decisions, we can all care about our health together.

Cheryl Waters Board Chair Middlesex Hospital Alliance

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Healthcare focus page 4 Surgeon ANew Message fromatMichael A. Mazza Strathroy Chief Executive om Michael A. Mazza, Officer, Middlesex Hospital Alliance

ive Officer, MHA

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R. VAISHNAV RAJGOPAL WAS logged ontoAS from outside the hospitals by board WELCOMED THE NEWEST members and off-site staff, working ADDITION TO SUCCESSFUL HIPfor&example, KNEE JOINT from home.

REPLACEMENT PROGRAM team at the MHA, Many who work at the MHA start their day last fall. Dr.logging Rajgopal orthopaedic surgeon onto is thean Insider to check email, look at the cafeteria menu, check for updates and graduate of the University of Western on team or department “web his pages” and even look to the Ontario where he received medical degree calendar and events page for news and activities and recently completed a fellowship in adult available to staff. It’s a bit like a digital bulletin reconstructive joint surgery. board.

The MHA In Hip Knee has technology received the&world of Program communication an from Intranet is a “pull” thansince a “push.” much praise peers and rather patients it This means people come to it for information and started in 2006. It has been commended for news rather than having it pushed to them, for excellent wait times, with don’t bothneed the to be example via compared email. Documents provincial averages and targets, hasbetween been attached and emailed backand and it forth Instead they can be “posted” to the Mike Mazza praised fordepartments. patient satisfaction.

Insider for the appropriate department members The success of the MHAand Hip & Knee Program President & CEO People make to viewhistory, or for the group to not work the on. In some relies on a ways, teamthe approach including the MHA Intranet is periods like an interactive, wellVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS other way around.

In where physiotherapy and nursing staff indexed filing cabinet.

THE MHA HAS RECOGNIZED THE there is noBut leadership, we haven’t updatesstands to our and external partners suchignored associety ORTANCE – THE NECESSITY – OF BEING external MHA website.

Since its redesign in NNECTED.” The concept is in our tagline, CCAC who assist patients prestill. Progress occurs when coura2006, we continue to expand it, recognizing necting with the future of care,” andand we post-operatively.

Dr. Paul us connect with its importance in helping geous, seize the opporinvested in technology and partnered with skillful leaders Ferner, chief of staff stakeholders. at SMGH, community r regional organizations (the Thames Valley tunity to program change things forforthe better.

This Community Report, instance, is says, “The continues h Partnership, TeleHealth Ontario) to ensure available on the MHA website – saving money

to thrive at the MHA.”- Harry S. Truman we are connected to medical resources and trees. And, this year we open a new “portal” nd our own two sites. In this way we are Mike Mazza, MHA CEO, says, on the MHA website – Health Info Online – an to access, for example, off-site radiologists “A community as information. Here onlinehospital library ofsuch healthcare ad CT scans and off-site psychiatrists for Strathroy has the capacity to you can view hundreds of digital entries on oconference patient consultations. everything from rabies to dressing wounds and this sort ofsuitably program hisjust quote very describes owever, we also recognize the valueprovide of baby care, all from trusted healthcare sources. municating internally. One of the most successfully and efficiently. the operating year of 2010/11 for the e communications links at the MHA these Patients canHospital be referred for Middlesex Alliance (MHA). We is our growing Intranet. Last summer, the Total Joint Replacement surgery partment at the MHA held a “Namecommend our all of our staff, physicians and net” contest. The winning name: Thehere MHA– close to home – instead of volunteers for their flexibility as we transier! having to travel to more distant hospitals.”

“I can think of no other organization in our region that has touched the lives of so many people. When you mention either of our hospital sites, most people have an immediate positive reaction.”

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tion to new ways of providing the care that Intranet is an internal website. It works website that is built by and for a defined we each would expect for our own family. p, in this instance, the staff, physicians and d members of the MHA. The MHA Insider The successful & Knee Joint Replacement Program Under the Hip Board of Director’s guidance, ailable to all staff when at work and at canStrathroy be hospital welcomed the newest addition to the our two hospital sites have met the perforteam, Dr. Vaishnav Rajgopal, orthopaedic surgeon. If the mance standards for 2010-2011; continued name sounds familiar, Vai’s father, Dr. C. Rajgopal, to develop our annual Quality Improveis a well-known surgeon in London Ontario, ment Plan and are actively engaged with where Vai grew up. the South West Local Health Integration Network (SW LHIN) in working towards voluntary integration.

I can think of no other institution in our region that has touched the lives of so many people from all walks of life. When you mention either of our hospital sites, most people have an immediate emotional and positive reaction.

We must continue to evaluate and manage operations so that our longer term role and vision revolve around regional population demographics, market share analysis, emerging best practices in Canada and other counties, technological advances and sustainable clinical services built on evidence based medicine in order to ensure that the MHA is a viable ‘organization of excellence’, addressing the healthcare needs of its community - now and in the future.

Mike Mazza President & CEO Middlesex Hospital Alliance

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New Participates Surgeon atin National Info Rehab National Research Study MHA Strathroy

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very year, about 145,000 therapists and nurses. Their Canadians are hospitalcare journey often takes them ized because of hip fracture. to several settings such as acute Over the last year, the Middlecare, rehabilitation, home care R. VAISHNAV RAJGOPAL WAS sex Hospital Alliance began parand long-term care. This means WELCOMED AS THE NEWEST ticipating in a ADDITION 5-year research we can learn about information TO SUCCESSFUL HIP & KNEE JOINT project called REPLACEMENT InfoRehab, fundhealth care proPROGRAMflow teambetween at the MHA, ed by the Canadian of is an viders within and between setlast fall.Institute Dr. Rajgopal orthopaedic surgeon Health Research (CIHR). tings, as well as and graduate of the University of Western communication Ontario where his medical degree patients and This study looks at how a he receivedbetween providers, and recently completed a fellowship in adult patients need for information their reconstructive joint surgery. changes as they receive care for family The MHA Hip & Knee Program their hip fracture injury from mem- has received much praise from peers and patients since it different health providers and bers,” started in 2006. It has been commended for throughout their recovery. said Dr. excellent wait times, compared with both the Ches-and it has been provincial “In this research, we’reaverages not and targets, worth. for patient looking at the praised actual care these satisfaction.

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“We’re excited about being part of this project and providing the rural perspective. At our hospital sites we are faced with unique challenges related to information flow, distance, availability of services and expectation about personalized care,” said Loretta Bourke, Manager Rehabilitation, Middlesex Hospital Alliance.

On May 25th, results were shared with the The success of the MHA Hip & Knee Program folks receive, rather we want to The commurelieshow on athey teamuse approach results including the MHA learn more about nity by physiotherapy and nursing staff information,” explained Dr. Bert showed Strathroy and external partners such as Chesworth of CCAC the University that Middlesex who assist patients preof Western Ontario at a recent famGeneral and post-operatively. Dr. Paul open house presentation ily inHospital Pictured above (left-right): Dr Bert Chesworth; Loretta Ferner, chiefat of staff at SMGH, Bourke, Manager Rehabilitation MHA; Helen Johnson Strathroy Middlesex General volve(SMGH) says, “The program continues Hospital (SMGH). ment is and Jacobi Elliot Masters of physical therapy. staff, and to thrive at the MHA.” Mike Mazza, MHA CEO,essential says, partners Data has been collected from “A community hospital such as during times when the patient from the University of Westfive hospitals across Canada Strathroy has the capacity to is moved home, to a long-term ern Ontario including Dr. Bert including Vancouver, Kitchener, provide just this sort of program care facility, retirement home or Chesworth. The SMGH physio Waterloo and successfully the two hospital and efficiently. short-term placement. gym was filled with displays sites managedPatients by the Middlesex can be referred for about the research project to Hospital Alliance: They also noted that establishTotal Four Joint CounReplacement surgery facilitate a two-way exchange here – in close to home – instead of and respect is essential ties Health Services Newbury ing trust of information with activities to travel to more distant hospitals.” and Strathroy having Middlesex Genbetween patients and health designed to gather further opineral Hospital. care providers. ions and ideas.

“Previous research projects Finally, “Best Practices” for The successful Hip & Knee Joint Replacement Program “The turnout was amazing show that information transfer sharing of patient information at Strathroy hospital welcomed the newest addition to the – 75 people came by to learn and communication a ma- Rajgopal, orthopaedic was developed team, Dr.isVaishnav surgeon.within If the a hospiabout the project,” said Bourke. jor issue for patients and familiar, their Vai’s father, tal setting.

However, this may name sounds Dr. C. Rajgopal, families. Hip fracture patients not necessarily apply to rural is a well-known surgeon in London Ontario, Vai grew are interestingwhere to study for up. two patients with hip fractures who reasons. They usually receive move from hospital to home or care from numerous health care other facilities as research has providers including surgeons, not yet been completed for this physiotherapists, occupational type of transfer yet.

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New at - 1000th Patient Total Joint Replacement Celebration It’s HipSurgeon to be Healthy Strathroy

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“JOINT” CELEBRATION Before the hip and knee joint held by the Middlesex replacement program was startHospital Alliance (MHA) ed in December of 2006, most marked an orthopedic milestone patients in the area would wait R. VAISHNAV RAJGOPAL WAS or the organization. an average of two years. StatisWELCOMED AS THE NEWEST tics show the average wait time The 1,000th ADDITION orthopaedic TOjoint SUCCESSFUL HIP & KNEE JOINT REPLACEMENT PROGRAMfrom team consultation at the MHA, to surgery has replacement surgery was comto surgeon just over 120 days.

Dr. Rajgopal orthopaedic pleted during last the fall. summer, and is an dropped

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graduate ofthat the University of Western an open houseand to celebrate Many who attended were Ontario where he his medical degree accomplishment was held on receivedformer patients and recently completed a fellowship in adultwho had joint Thursday, Sept. 22. replacements.

replacement was at least 50 months.

“That access to joint replacement surgery and the subsequent care needed for patients was impeded because people were required to travel to other hospitals,” said Waters. “Those statistics are the reasons MHA was called to act.”

Having achieved 1,000 surgerreconstructive joint surgery. ies in five short years, the MHA Theof MHA received A capacity crowd overHip 200& Knee Program hasher MHA much praise from peers and During patients sinceremarks it board is hopeful that funding spilled into the hospital lobby chair Cheryl Waters said started in 2006. It has beenboard commended for for this program will continue. that included a presentation by she was excellent wait times, compared withshocked both the to learn that orthopedic surgeon Dr. Vaishfive years provincial averages and targets, and itago, has wait been times for nav Rajgopal. praised for patient satisfaction. someone needing a hip or knee Article continued on next page...

The success of the MHA Hip & Knee Program relies on a team approach including the MHA physiotherapy and nursing staff and external partners such as CCAC who assist patients preand post-operatively. Dr. Paul Ferner, chief of staff at SMGH, To view Dr. Rajgopal’s presentation on says, “The program continues arthritis from the Total Joint Replacement to thrive at the MHA.” Celebration last September, please visit: Mike Mazza, MHA CEO, says, http://www.mhalliance.on.ca/news/ “A community hospital such as Strathroy has the capacity to joint-replacement-celebration/ provide just this sort of program successfully and efficiently.

HAPPY PATIENTS - By raising their hand, dozens of people Patients can be referred for indicated they had received either a new hip or knee through the joint replacement program at the Middlesex Hospital on Septembersurgery 22nd during the Hip & Knee Joint Community Celebration Total Alliance Joint Replacement here – close to home – instead of having to travel to more distant hospitals.”

Watch Arthritis Video Online

The successful Hip & Knee Joint Replacement Program at Strathroy hospital welcomed the newest addition to the team, Dr. Vaishnav Rajgopal, orthopaedic surgeon. If the name sounds familiar, Vai’s father, Dr. C. Rajgopal, is a well-known surgeon in London Ontario, where Vai grew up.

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New Surgeon at Strathroy Article continued...

help, the better,” said Maltby. “Base funding will allow us to do that.”

“The MHA will be formally reR. VAISHNAV questing the Southwest LHIN RAJGOPAL WAS WELCOMED NEWEST Dr. include funding for this pro- AS THE According ADDITION TO SUCCESSFUL HIP & KNEE JOINT Rajgopal, arthritis gram as part of the hospital’s REPLACEMENT PROGRAM team at the MHA, is one of leading base funding so there is no last fall. Dr. Rajgopal is an orthopaedic surgeon causes for knee and chance that residents in our reand graduate of the University of Western hip replacement. gion will lose this vital service, ” Ontario where he received his medical degree said Waters. “MHA has become “The main reaand recently completed a fellowship in adult a leader in providing total hip reconstructive joint surgery. son a patient might and knee joint replacement for& Knee Program The MHA Hip hasreplacereceived have joint those who need them. ” from peers and much praise patients since ment surgery isitto

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Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Vaishnav Rajgopal

started in 2006. It has been commended for reduce pain,” said Dr. Rajgopal. (middle) was joined by Middlesex Hospital For MHA chief operating offiexcellent wait times, compared with both the “One’s quality of life improves cer Nancy Maltby, base funding Alliance staff including COO Nancy Maltby provincial averages and targets, and it has been greatly when they are pain free.” (left), as well as MHA board chair Cheryl is vital to the program. praised for patient satisfaction.

The success of the MHA Hip & Knee Program “The more patients we can relies on a team approach including the MHA physiotherapy and nursing staff and external partners such as CCAC who assist patients preand post-operatively. Dr. Paul Ferner, chief of staff at SMGH, says, “The program continues to thrive at the MHA.” Mike Mazza, MHA CEO, says, “A community hospital such as Strathroy has the capacity to provide just this sort of program successfully and efficiently.

Patients can be referred for Total Joint Replacement surgery here – close to home – instead of having to travel to more distant hospitals.”

Waters (right), along with Maria Van Bommel and Loreena Dixon, representing local MP Bev Shipley.

FCHS Foundation Cash That Cares Lottery

Congratulations to all the $200 each. Winners of the winners of the Cash That Cares $200Replacement prize draws include Bruce The successful Hip & Knee Joint Program Lottery winners!at Strathroy hospital welcomed Parks, Jennifer Grover, the newest addition to theRuth Griffiths & Shannon Hagle team, Dr. Vaishnav Rajgopal, orthopaedic surgeon.

If the Margaret Stenger of Bothwell familiar, Vai’s (shared father, Dr. ticket C. Rajgopal, purchase), Tom won the $15,000name cashsounds grand is a well-known surgeon in London Ontario, Jeffery, and Mary Bodnar. prize. Doug & Barb Reycraft where Vai grew up.

won the $8,000 cash secondary prize and David Maika won the third cash prize of $5,000. Dan & Marie Webb won $1,000.

There were also 5 prizes of

Greg Beecroft, Donald Cox, Kevin Bell, Trudy Visetin and Joan Horvat each won $100 early bird prizes.

“We truly appreciate the over-

whelming support that these ticket sales represent for FCHS Foundation. Thank you to all supporters for buying a ticket in our exciting sweepstakes during its first year,” says Debbie Munn, Development Officer, FCHS Foundation.

Get ready for the 2012 Cash that Cares Lottery, for more info visit www.cashthatcares.ca.