Media Advisory: Nursing leaders from across Ont. meet to advance excellence in patient care

TORONTO, March 20, 2013 /CNW/ - One hundred and thirty nursing leaders representing 60 health-care organizations from around the province gather today (Wednesday) in Toronto to share their patient care success stories.

The meeting, organized by the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), includes representatives from different sectors of the health-care system that have implemented the association's nursing best practice guidelines (BPG).

The guidelines are evidence-based tools nurses and other health-care team members use in their practice to provide patients with the highest possible care. Forty-eight BPGs have been developed to date to assist health-care professionals to prevent and treat conditions such as pressure ulcers, diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. Other guidelines cover pain management and the prevention of falls.

"These nurses really represent the top tier of nursing excellence because their organizations have embraced our guidelines and by implementing them, they have really raised the bar in offering higher quality care," says Irmajean Bajnok, Director of RNAO's BPG Centre.

"We're extremely proud of these health-care facilities, which we call Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSO) because they are committed to nursing excellence, which translates into excellence in patient care," says Doris Grinspun, RNAO`s Chief Executive Officer, adding this year`s meeting has special significance because it`s the 10^th anniversary of  the BPSO program.

The day-long meeting will include a visit from Health Minister Deb Matthews, who will talk about her government's commitment to evidence-based patient care.

WHO:  

• The Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
  
  
• Doris Grinspun, Chief Executive Officer, Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO)
  
  
• Irmajean Bajnok, Director, International Affairs and Best Practice Guidelines Centre, RNAO
  
  
• 130 representatives from 60 health-care organizations

WHAT: 

• RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization Knowledge Exchange Symposium

WHEN: 

• Wednesday, March 20, 2013, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (*Minister Matthews will speak at 8:00 a.m.)

WHERE:

• The Hyatt Regency Hotel, 370 King St., Street West, Toronto (King I)

In addition to being grateful for Ontario`s support for the BPG program, RNAO is also pleased with the recognition its program is getting nationally.  Premiers and territorial leaders recently selected RNAO`s BPG on diabetic foot ulcers, as part of a working group examining innovations in health care. The leaders, members of the Council of the Federation, have pledged to implement the best practice guideline across the country.

RNAO's ambitious Best Practice Guidelines Program is funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and was launched in 1999 to provide the best available evidence for patient care across a wide spectrum of health-care areas. The 48 guidelines developed to date are a significant contribution towards building excellence in Ontario's health-care system. BPGs are available to nurses and other health-care professionals across Canada and abroad. To learn more about RNAO's Nursing Best Guidelines Program or to view these resources, please visit www.rnao.ca/bestpractices.

The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario is the professional association representing registered nurses in Ontario. Since 1925, RNAO has advocated for healthy public policy, promoted excellence in nursing practice, increased nurses' contribution to shaping the health-care system, and influenced decisions that affect nurses and the public they serve.

For more information about RNAO, visit our website at www.rnao.ca. Follow us on Twitter or Friend us on Facebook.

SOURCE: Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

To arrange an interview with a nurse or for more information, please contact:

Marion Zych, Director of Communications, RNAO
Cell: 647-406-5605 / Phone: [phone]
Toll free: 1-800-268-7199 ext. 209
[e-mail]