Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Improves ER Wait Times

McGuinty Government Recognizes Hospital’s Success

May 28, 2010 Orillia: Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) is being recognized for significantly reducing emergency room wait times and improving patient care in its emergency room (ER).

Soldier’s Memorial Hospital has reduced wait times by 50 per cent since April 2008 for patients whohave serious medical issues but who don’t need to be admitted to hospital. As part of its Pay-for-Resultsprogram, the McGuinty government is providing the hospital with one-time performance funding of $495,900 for sharing best practices with other hospitals to help them improve their emergency room
performance.

Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital was able to make this significant improvement by:
• creating a real-time picture of patient flow in the ER – who has been waiting for how long, and for what;
• getting blood work and x-rays started before the doctor arrives; and
• adopting best practices to improve patient flow on inpatient units.
Reducing ER wait times is part of the government’s Open Ontario Plan to provide more access to health care services while improving quality and accountability for patients.

QUOTES
“Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital took real and meaningful steps to drive down ER wait times and improve the patient experience. I’m encouraged that they’re going to be able to share their success and innovation with other hospitals in Ontario.”
- Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care

“Congratulations to OSMH on this significant contribution to the North Simcoe Muskoka healthcare system. The LHIN Board and staff are proud of Soldiers’ leadership, physicians and front-line staff, whose hard work and commitment to patient care made this happen.”
- Ruben Rosen, Chair, North Simcoe Muskoka LHIN

“I am very pleased that our team of staff and physicians has been recognized for their tremendous effort on this project. The Pay-for-Results program gave OSMH a kick start to look at process improvement not only in our emergency department but throughout our hospital. Receiving the one-time funding is just an added bonus for doing the right thing and making it successful. It has also been the springboard that has allowed us to take on the challenge of the LEAN methodology for the PIP process. ”
- Elisabeth Riley, President and CEO, Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital

QUICK FACTS
• Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital will be using the bonus funding to teach other hospitals about its successes and lessons learned and to take steps to further improve ER wait times.
• April 2008 wait time data showed patients with complex conditions spent 10.8 hours in the emergency room for treatment, today they are spending 7.2 hours.
• April 2008 wait time data showed patients with minor or uncomplicated conditions spent 3.5 hours in the emergency room for treatment, today they are spending 3.5 hours.