Mackenzie Health Insider: Delivering the ultimate in care

Delivering the ultimate in care

Soon we’ll have not one but two hospitals to serve Vaughan, Richmond Hill and King. This will provide our community with more access to care as well as ease pressure on our neighbouring hospitals. We already have one of the busiest emergency departments in Ontario and the capacity pressures we face continue to grow. The good news is we have a tangible solution to solving hallway medicine in York Region: Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, the first net new hospital in York Region in more than 30 years. We’re also launching a new pilot at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital to help us prepare for opening day at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital and construction at the new site continues to progress with courtyards complete at the Mental Health Inpatient Unit. 

We just launched the Ultimate Campaign and we’re excited to get the word out about the incredible work our staff, physicians and volunteers do each and every day to deliver the ultimate in health care.

These updates and more in the latest Insider.

One of the most efficient Emergency Departments in the province

You may have seen in the news that hallway medicine and long emergency department (ED) wait times are pressing issues facing all Ontario hospitals. Mackenzie Health is also experiencing these capacity pressures – we have one of the busiest emergency departments in Ontario and there’s not enough space, beds or resources to care for the number of patients. Despite these challenges, we’re still a top performing urgent and emergency care provider.

With flu season just around the corner, finding efficiencies now is critical to helping hospitals care for patients when they need us most. Despite the challenges of hallway medicine, in most cases, 90 per cent of patients at Mackenzie Health see an ED physician within two hours and we’re ranked one of the top 10 most effective EDs in Ontario.

MyCare patient bedside technology will be tested soon at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and will be in place at the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital when it opens.

Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be a leader in smart technology. A “smart” hospital is about more than having the most up-to-date technology and systems. It’s about using technology and information to anticipate the needs of patients and health care professionals and identifying health issues before they become serious. Mackenzie Health has already been recognized for our investment in technology – we’re the first Canadian acute-care hospital to receive HIMSS EMRAM Stage 7 – the highest certification for electronic medical record adoption – and we were recently honoured with the Davies Award of Excellence for our use of health information and technology to improve delivery of care and patient outcomes. But we’re not stopping there.

Ahead of the opening of Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital, we’re piloting some new technologies at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. One example is MyCare, a new patient bedside technology that will provide patients with a personalized health experience at their fingertips.

During this pilot phase, staff and health care teams can become familiar with how the technology works and patients can get a sneak peek into how we’re using this technology to create a positive patient and caregiver experience. Patients in our surgery unit will use bedside tablets to learn more about their condition and the medications they have been prescribed. For example, if a patient is admitted for hip replacement surgery, MyCare will connect with their electronic medical record and health care team and provide educational videos on upcoming procedures as well as information on their medication and treatment to help patients be more involved, informed and comfortable in their care. MyCare will also give patients the opportunity to watch TV and movies, access the Internet, order meals and be more involved in their health care journey.

Through the pilot, we’ll be able to assess ways to ensure MyCare has the best impact possible on opening day at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.

Bringing the ultimate in mental health care to York Region

Construction at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital (left) continues to progress; two new courtyards (right) connected to the new mental health inpatient unit will offer peaceful outdoor spaces for patients and their families and will provide direct views to the outdoors for patients in the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) and other patient care areas.

We’ve seen the need in our communities for mental health treatment increase by almost 30 per cent in recent years. In particular, seniors in York Region are experiencing unique mental health challenges where diagnosis and treatment can be complicated by other chronic conditions like dementia. Teenagers are also struggling with their mental health at high rates and we need to be prepared to support them with mental health care that makes a meaningful difference in their lives.

Our mental health team consists of 15 psychiatrists and more than 80 health care professionals. Soon, mental health care will be provided at two hospitals: Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital will become the new home of mental health outpatient care, including child, youth and family service programs. Inpatient services, the medication clinic and the Stepping Stones Mental Health Day Hospital – where adults can attend individual and group treatments, take part in education programs and receive care when experiencing an acute mental illness – will be relocated to Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital.

The 32 inpatient rooms at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be private, each with a built-in closet, desk and TV unit in each. Most safety windows in each of the patient rooms have already been installed and will feature views of a green roof.

Patients who require intensive mental health support will be admitted to the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital which is designed for minimal stimulation and continual monitoring and assessment. The PICU will double our current capacity with eight beds designated for higher-risk patients.

Access to natural light is known to help in healing and recovery and the new space at Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will have plenty of windows to bring the outside in. Two secure and peaceful courtyards centrally located within the PICU and general care areas will include seating areas for patients and families to connect while being surrounded by natural vegetation. Construction of these courtyards is nearly complete. Greenery and plants will be installed closer to opening day.

Physical therapy is another important part of mental health recovery. Therapy spaces and a physical activity room will be available for mental health patients to use treadmills, exercise bikes or to quietly stretch and practice yoga. The physical activity room is one of the rooms made possible by the generosity of the Mackenzie Health Volunteer Association.

The new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will include a designated family lounge in addition to social spaces where patients can have some quiet time or spend time with family members and friends. Construction of these lounges is progressing with drywall now installed.

The ultimate suits you

Members of our world-class team of physicians like Dr. Kogon, Division Head of Urology (left), and Dr. Passaperuma, Oncologist (right) are featured in the Ultimate campaign.