Centennial Place Earns World Class Designation

Photo Karen Graham.
Nursing staff celebrate Centennial Place’s recognition as member of the prestigious Best Practices Spotlight Organizations which are dedicated to excellence in patient care and health outcomes through ongoing education.

In July 2020, the world was in the thick if finding ways to navigate the pandemic which had arrived a few months earlier.

During this challenging time, Centennial Place and its sister long term care home, Moira Place in Tweed, looked to the future.  They embarked on a three-year journey to join an international body of hospitals, clinics and long term care homes that have demonstrated a commitment to providing world class care to their patients through an international program called Best Practices Spotlight Organizations (BPSO).

In Ontario, this program is managed by the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO), which is the professional body representing nurses, nurse practitioners and nursing students.  It advocates for healthy public policy and the promotion of excellence in nursing practice and seeks to boost the influence of nurses in shaping decisions that affect the profession.

Membership in this group is very limited.  These organizations utilize evidence-based nursing practices designed to improve patient care and satisfaction from a growing list of more than 50 “best practice” programs.  These are clinical, system and healthy work environment guidelines that include toolkits outlining the framework, tools and strategies to inspire and support change.   Each year, member organizations commit to adopting several new best practices programs.  The designation can be renewed every two years after meeting specific targets.  Member organizations have demonstrated improved patient experience and health outcomes, reduced care costs through the prevention of complications and higher levels of staff satisfaction.

During the pre-designation period, Centennial Place implemented three programs: Preventing and Addressing Abuse and Neglect of Older Adults; Preventing Falls and Reducing Injury from Falls; and Delirium, Dementia, and Depression in Older Adults.  According to Director of Care Victoria Woudsma, these programs have been met with enthusiasm by staff with several departments and nursing students seeking to participate.  There has been a noticeable improvement in the communication between staff, family members and residents in the long term care home.

Centennial Place earned their official BPSO designation last June, but for a variety of reasons they were unable to celebrate the achievement as a group until this June.  They are now implementing three more Best Practice programs: Person and Family Centred Care; End-of-life Care During the Last Days and Hours; and A Palliative Approach to Care in the Last 12 Months of Life. The objective is to improve the end of life and palliative approach experience for residents, which would not only improve quality of life, but death for residents and their loved ones.

Best Practice Guidelines help organizations optimize health outcomes by providing nurses with education and techniques that help them deliver better care.  As they continue to implement these practices, Woudsma expects that Centennial Place staff will become more engaged and confident which will translate into an enhanced therapeutic relationship between residents and staff.

Centennial Place is now one of more than 1500 international BPSO members that include Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, Sunnybrook Health Care and Women’s College Hospital.  Through their ongoing investment in the skills and knowledge of their nursing staff , these organizations enhance their ability to attract and retain nursing staff and improve the quality of care of their residents.  Congratulations to all involved!  KG

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