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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday December 19, 2008 - 5 Jo Brant has lower death rates than Halton Healthcare hospitals By Tim Foran METROLAND WEST MEDIA GROUP Halton's two hospital corporations have recorded different death rates than the national average, according to statistics released last week. Halton Healthcare Services Corporation (HHS), which operates hospitals in Oakville, Milton and Georgetown, had a mortality ratio of 109 between April 2007 and April 2008, while Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington recorded a much lower ratio of 86 during the same period, according to information gathered by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). The ratio is determined by examining the actual number of in-hospital deaths compared to the number of deaths that would have been expected "based on the types of patients a region or hospital treats." Though CIHI has made the information public, a spokesperson for the independent, non-profit organization said statistics shouldn't be used to compare the quality of care at the hospitals. The mortality ratio "is an indicator that is intended for hospitals to monitor how they're doing over time," said Brooke Kinniburgh, a senior analyst for CIHI. "Comparing hospitals is very difficult and we don't encourage it." It's the fourth straight year HHS has had a death rate higher than the Canadian average, but has always remained in what's considered to be the statistical average, Kinniburgh said. The statistics weren't broken down for the corporation's three individual hospitals in Oakville, Milton and Georgetown. HHS officials didn't return calls for comment. Joseph Brant has had a death rate below the statistical norm for three of the past four years. Elizabeth Wensley, a spokesperson for Joseph Brant, said the hospital expects its 2008/09 performance to also be "very good." Wensley said the hospital has undertaken a number of measures over the past few years that might have contributed to its positive mortality ratio, including an infection prevention and control program and involvement in initiatives sponsored by the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. Those programs aim to reduce surgical site infection, ventilator associated pneumonia, central line infections, and ensuring that hospital patients are given the same medication they had been prescribed previously. Wensley said the hospital has also recently launched two new preventative measures. On is to reduce complications due to some surgical procedures and immobility while in the hospital, and infections acquired while in the hospital. "We think some of these measures have had an impact but it's hard to quantify," she said, adding, "It's not a guide to choosing a hospital and I think it would be dangerous to use it that way." Across the province, 13 hospitals received ratings over 100, Morrison said. KENNEDY FORD OAKVILLE'S ORIGINAL DEALER Only A Few Days Left To Get Your Best Deal Of The Year On Remaining 2008s & 2009s 2008's 2008 FORD EDGE ONLY 3 LEFT $ $ $ Interior Upgrade, 18" Chrome Wheels, Leather Heated Seats, Sirius Radio, Ambient Lighting ONLY 2008'8 REMAI s N Stk. #EG6VW8. $43,600 32,628 28,311 24,749 Stk. #EG5930. $34,099 Stk. #EG6134. $34,439 0% PURCHASE FINANCING 60 MONTHS 2009s 2009 FORD FOCUS SE Stk. #FS6278 $66.14/WEEK / $ 17,399 SUPER SAVINGS PRICE 2008 FORD TAURUS X * ONLY 1 LEFT · · · · · V6 automatic 7 passenger reverse sensing Safety package Stk. #TA5443 2009 FORD FUSION Stk. #FN6330 $112/WEEK / $ 23,995 SUPER SAVINGS PRICE $ 2008 FORD F150 Stk. #F5571. $25,984 $ $ IN REBATES 15,000 $72.09/WEEK / $ 21,069 SUPER SAVINGS PRICE 14,995 14,995 2009 FORD RANGER Stk. #R6362 Stk. #F5601. $25,948 2008 FORD ESCAPE LTD.* ONLY 1 LEFT · · · · · Charcoal leather Trailer tow V6 automatic 4-wheel drive Stk. #EC5740 WE MAKE YOUR FIRST $54.59/WEEK / @ 1.99% $ 15,999 SUPER SAVINGS PRICE $117/WEEK / $ 24,385 SUPER SAVINGS PRICE 2008 CHIP FOOSE F150 Stk. #F6150. $58,097 TWO PAYMENTS GREAT LEASE DEALS!!! DORVAL VAL QEW WYECROFT 2009 FORD ESCAPE XLT Stk. #EC6219 $83.49/WEEK / @ 1.99% $ 24,486 SUPER SAVINGS PRICE $ 37,031 SUPER SAVINGS PRICE $2600 SPECIAL A/Z PLAN OFFER QEW @ DORVAL OAKVILLE 905.845.1646 ALL PRICES HAVE REBATES ASSIGNED, VEHICLES ARE COMPANY DEMONSTRATORS AND NOT SUBJECT TO FREIGHT AND AIR TAX, PRICES, PLUS FREIGHT (EDGE $1250, F150 $1300, FOCUS $1300, FUSION $1300, RANGER $1300, ESCAPE $1300). * ARE COMPANY DEMOS. PAYMENTS ARE 72 MTHS, WITH FREIGHT AND AIR TAX DOWN, PLUS ADMIN, GAS TAX, PPSA, TAXES AND LICENSE FEES. SEE DEALER FOR DETAILS. VEHICLES MAY NOT BE EXACTLY AS SHOWN. 750 Grad $ www.kennedyford.ca Rebate