Inside this edition of the Insider:

• Mackenzie Health staff prepare to support the community through a tough fall respiratory season
• MackenzieHelps provides seamless, connected care to seniors
• Ride for Mackenzie Health raises more than $388,000 for our highest-priority needs
• Skip the pre-cut foods, eating healthy without breaking the bank

Mackenzie Health staff prepare for a tough fall respiratory season

^{After a busy summer, our Emergency Departments at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital (above) and Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital are expecting a rise in visits this fall.}

With experts projecting a longer cough, cold, flu and RSV season this fall, our team at Mackenzie Health is mobilizing to make sure we are prepared for what’s ahead. To address the potential increase of visits, our teams are implementing innovative solutions including a short stay pilot in the Emergency Department at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and a Family Practice clinic pilot.

After a busy summer without a slowdown in Emergency Department visits, staff are preparing for numbers to jump in the coming months.

An expected rise in Emergency Department visits, along with an early uptick of COVID-19 cases in the community, has experts urging the community to get their flu vaccine and COVID-19 booster to protect themselves.

Last fall, we saw many parents and their little ones arrive to the Emergency Department in search of children’s cold medication due to the shortage on store shelves. We’re hopeful that the drug shortages have been resolved, lessening the number of families we see in our Emergency Department in comparison to last year.

To address the potential increase of visits, our teams are implementing innovative solutions including our short stay pilot in the Emergency Department at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. Ten beds will be available for patients who need to be admitted for less than 48 hours. Having this option available will allow us to provide faster care to our patients, as only those who need longer care will be admitted to our inpatient units.

We’ll also be launching a Family Practice Clinic pilot. The clinic will be staffed by a family practice physician and a nurse navigator who will see complex patients referred by our Emergency Department who don’t currently have a family doctor for their follow-up care. The nurse navigator will help connect patients with a family physician in the community so the next time they’re seeking medical care, they’ll be able to visit their new family doctor instead of arriving to the Emergency Department. This Family Practice Clinic is by referral from our Emergency Department only for patients who are at risk for repeat visits.

With these additional supports in place for our community, we’re hopeful that our Emergency Department visit numbers remain steady. Thank you in advance for your patience if wait times are longer than we hope. We are doing the best we can and appreciate your patience and support.

Returning patients to home with co-ordinated care

^{Laura Vacca, a Physiotherapist at Mackenzie Health, works directly with a patient, guiding their foot down to the next step on a set of stairs. Physiotherapy is one of many services provided to our patients through the MackenzieHelps program as they transition from hospital to home.}

When 77-year-old Mir Baqueri woke up in the middle of the night to head to the bathroom, he never expected his trip would land him in hospital. Baqueri fell and fractured several ribs. He was hospitalized and then later referred to the MackenzieHelps program. A collaborative partnership between Mackenzie Health, LOFT, SE Health, Community and Home Assistance to Seniors (CHATS), as part of the Western York Region Ontario Health Team, the MackenzieHelps program supports patients in their transition from hospital to home, arranging all necessary health care services, transportation and caregiver supports.

Launched in 2019, the MackenzieHelps program provides a comprehensive 16-week program for patients undergoing the transition from the hospital to their home. The program orchestrates all essential health care services, transportation arrangements and caregiver assistance, ensuring a seamless journey for patients and their caregivers.

In addition, the MackenzieHelps Plus program offers an extended 26-week support period tailored to complex patients. In both the MackenzieHelps and MackenzieHelps Plus programs, patients have access to expert professionals and services including program navigators, community care leads, nurses, personal support workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, caregiver support groups, social workers and dieticians.

The MackenzieHelps Plus program incorporates specialized behavioral support and case management, thoughtfully administered through LOFT Community Services – a community support provider that provides mental health services, addiction support and supportive housing for youth, adults and seniors in Ontario. This holistic approach ensures that each patient receives the tailored care and attention they deserve as they are supported in returning to their previous level or current level of functioning.

Since November 2019, over 500 patients, including 77-year-old Baqueri, have benefited significantly from the program. Baqueri expressed appreciation for the support he received, highlighting the exceptional co-ordination by his MackenzieHelps team. The team efficiently organized all aspects of his care and provided him with the necessary support, ensuring a smooth transition from hospital to home.

The goal of MackenzieHelps is to guarantee that seniors receive the safe and high-quality care they require, tailored to their health care needs and delivered in the most appropriate setting for them. Safe, effective and seamless transitions not only enhance the well-being of individuals like Baqueri but also play a vital role in freeing up hospital resources to focus on those individuals in urgent need of hospital care.

Read more about Baqueri’s experience with MackenzieHelps, published in the Richmond Hill Liberal.

Mackenzie Health receives the HIMSS Davies Award of Excellence for a second time

Mackenzie Health recently became the only organization outside of the United States to receive the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence twice. The award recognizes our innovative application of health information and technology to improve the way care is delivered, create more positive patient outcomes and support the overall health of the broader population. Read more.

Ride for Mackenzie Health raises $388,641 to help fund our highest-priority needs

^{Riders cycled 40, 70 and 100 kilometres in support of funding Mackenzie Health’s highest-priority needs, raising a total of $388,641.}

Our ninth annual Ride for Mackenzie Health, presented by CIBC, raised a total of $388,641 to help fund our highest-priority needs at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital and Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital.

This success was made possible thanks to dedicated riders, sponsors, donors and volunteers. We began the day at Westlin Farms, enjoyed a scenic ride through York Region, and had many local vendors offering refreshments, activities and entertainment – all in support of building a better, bolder future for the health of everyone in our community.

Great communities don’t just happen – they’re built through partnership, teamwork and community spirit – and this is a great community! It’s because of our collective efforts and steadfast support that patients like Carmine have access to an accomplished team of clinicians as well as leading-edge surgical tools and technology, both of which he credits to saving his life. By working together, Mackenzie Health was able to purchase life-saving equipment and technology that helped Carmine and countless others. 

We are grateful to celebrate all we have achieved together and look forward to seeing you in 2024 for our next ride! 

To view event day photos, please visit MHFRide.ca. Be sure to check out our event recap video and share it with your family and friends.

How to eat healthy without breaking the bank

^{Samantha Reid, a Dietitian at Mackenzie Health, holds a plate of fruits and vegetables as she shares tips with our community on how to eat healthy on a budget.}

Higher grocery prices, combined with current interest rates and inflation, make it feel like a real challenge to eat healthy on a budget.

We asked Samantha, one of our dietitians, for some tips. Here’s what she had to say:

• Keep an eye out for in season fruits and vegetables. This is when they’ll be at their cheapest. If something you want isn’t in season, consider buying it frozen. It will often be cheaper but still provide the same nutrients.
• Consider using a flyer app like Flipp to find the best prices for groceries. Apps like this can be used to price check items as well as create a grocery list based on what’s on sale.
• Always make a grocery list before you go shopping and stick to it to prevent wasting money and food. This will help you from overbuying.
• Avoid paying “convenience fees” that come with buying pre-cut/shredded/chopped food like pre-shredded cheese. Doing this yourself will add up over time.
• Consider choosing generic brands. These are typically cheaper but still provide the same nutrition.
• Try to avoid the aisles when shopping and stick to the perimeter of the store. This is where you will find your healthier options.
• If you do go shopping down the aisles, remember that stores will usually place the more expensive options at eye level. Try looking up and down to see if a cheaper option is available.

Eating healthy is an important part of staying healthy. Our dietitians, like Samantha, play an integral role in the health of our patients.

For more Health Hacks, visit our Instagram and Facebook pages.