Friday, December 9, 2005

TBRHSC is proud to announce the winning of a special grant from The Change Foundation to test a model of care where patients requiring cardiac rehabilitation will not have to travel to Thunder Bay to receive their care.

At a special ceremony sponsored by the Change Foundation, the Minister of Health and Long Term Care, the Honourable George Smitherman, presented the President and CEO of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Ron Saddington, with the award to trial a “Multi-Site Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Proposal” utilizing Telehealth.

Telehealth, is an innovative, cost-effective way to treat patients. It enables people to stay in their own community and yet receive timely care. Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is recognized as a world-leader in Telehealth. Essentially, rehabilitation and nursing staff from four partner hospitals will be trained by TBRHSC to monitor cardiac rehabilitation patients during the exercise portion of their programs. Patients can then exercise in their home community and be connected by Telehealth to participate in TBRHSC group activities, as well. Ongoing education and support will be provided to each partner.

Given the prevalence of cardiac disease and with 50% of the population of Northwestern Ontario currently residing outside of Thunder Bay, if the program is successful access to cardiac rehabilitation will become more readily available.

Members of the Multi-Site Program include Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, Nipigon District Memorial Hospital, Atikokan General Hospital, Manitouwadge General Hospital, Wilson Memorial General Hospital, Lakehead University, North Network, and Lakehead University.

Ron Saddington, TBRHSC President and CEO, applauded the efforts of the Cardiac Team as “they find new ways to serve the patients and families needing our acute care. Making that care more accessible is paramount to us achieving world-class standards”.

Lori Marshall is Senior Vice-President of Patient Care Services at TBRHSC. She says, “the Multi-Site Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is just one of many healthcare applications where a shortage of resources in outlying districts would benefit from a creative, fresh approach to meeting the needs of patients and families”.

Gwen Third, Manager of Cardiac Services at TBRHSC says, “everyone will benefit because we will be able to care for more patients at any one time. Our partnership with the hospitals in the region, and with education and technology support, we will have the ability to monitor the progress of each patient”.

Caterina Kmill - Program Coordinator Cardiac Educ/Rehab, Gwen Third - Manager Cardiology, Lori Marshall - Sr. VP Patient Care Services

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