VON Ontario Newsletter - May 2010
VON has recently completed a pilot project on medication reconciliation through the Safer Healthcare Now! campaign. The overall goal of the pilot was to develop a framework that assists homecare providers in integrating a medication reconciliation process into their care delivery.
VON is undergoing massive technological change and system upgrades, charting the future direction for the home and community care sector in Canada. VON has begun a series of projects that will improve organizational efficiency and data availability. The implementation of the new technology platforms and the streamlined processes that will accompany these upgrades are happening under the Leveraging Information, Forging Excellence (LIFE) project banner. Read more about how LIFE will bring increased access to quality client-centred care, more efficient services, greater integration, and data collection and dissemination opportunities.
Lack of standard assessment tools within the Community Support Services (CSS) Sector has meant that it is often difficult to provide truly integrated client-centred care to CSS clients. VON is pleased to be participating in the introduction of the interRAI Community Health Assessment tool in two LHINs within Ontario. This assessment tool brings a common language that will be shared between CSS providers within the sector, and with the greater healthcare system. Greater data on CSS program use informs individual client care plans and can also be used to inform wider policy decisions regarding the sector. VON’s participation in this process directly aligns with the core values laid out in our Care and Service Model: putting the client at the centre of all care provision; and placing emphasis on evidence based practice and outcome measurement. Read more about this groundbreaking collaborative work.
VON’s Ontario operations will soon have one central location for all intake and assignment functions. From our experience with past consolidation, we know that centralizing services will help us to more easily provide quality care to our clients, and meet the current and future expectations of our funders. Read more about how VON will soon service all Ontario sites from our South West Corporate Centre in London, Ontario.