4 - The Canadien Champion, Frkiay, December 24, 1999 Meiqrry Motorlng Dear Patrons, We're proud to know you as our good friends and customners. With sincere appreciation, we say, Thanks and Happy Holidays Holiday Hours Friday Dec. 24 Closed Wednesday Dec. 29 7-6 Saturday Dec. 25 Closed Thursday Dec. 30 7-6 Monday Dec. 27 Closed Friday Dec 31 7-1, Tuesday Dec. 28 7-6 -Saturday Jan. 1 Closed Stroke patients' length of stay only concern: report 0 rom HHS on pagei "We haven't gone backwards at ail in this amalgamation." Compiled by the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA), the Hospital Report '99 rated 89 hospi- tais, hospital corporations or groups of hospitals in four areas - patient satisfaction, financial per- formance and condition, clinical utilization and outcomes, and sys- tem integration and change. The report is meaningful because it's the first to compare the perfor- mances of Ontario hospitals, said HHS public relations manager Trish Carlton. "It's apples to apples," she said. We're very happy With it.", But one area of concern is the length of stay of stroke patients, the report showed. And that problemn bas already been addressed with -the September, 1999 opening of a new rehabilitation unit at tIhe Oakville site, said Mr. Shannan. "That certainly will take care of that," he said. "That's the area we'oe obviously focusing on." A March release of a follow-up technical report by the OHA will provide greater details on how HHS fared in the score card. "It's work in progress," said Mr. Sharman. "We'll be working to make a good report an excellent one.,, "It's work ini progress. We'II be working to miake a good report an excellent one:' But a thumbs up in patient satis- faction is particularly pleasing, he addedL "As you know, it hasn't been easy with thse amalgamation," said Mr. Shannan. "We didn't want to be one of those hqspitals which are having to defend themmselves." Staff should be proud of thse report card resuits, said HHS board of directors chair Cluista Wessel . "Halton Healthcare Services had some of the highest scores in the GTA in the patient satisfaction cat- egory," she said. "This is a significant achieve- ment in these challenging times. The results are a credit to the staff, physicians and volunteers at both hospital sites." The report inspired spontaneous applause from HHS staff when its results were announced last Thursday, said Ms Carlton. "It's something the staff have beén reahly pleased with." The report showed.HHS per- formed above average in the low re-admission rates of asthma patients and the use of clinical data, strategies for altemnate level of care patients and in the housekeeping portion of the patient satisfaction class. And HHS will continue to work toward top notch care, said Mr. Sharman. "We know there's stilI a lot more w-e can do," he.said. Streamlining Oakville's hectic emergency department is high on the priouity list. "We're very conoemned that peo- ple are waiting dte or four hours (in non-critical cases)," he said. And putting ambulances on redi- rect to other hospitals when the emergency roomn is snowed under is becoming an unpleasant reality at the site, said Mr. Sharman. '"It used to be ararity,"hesaid. HHS wiIl also attempt to ensure that hospital stays are'the appropui- ste length for patients. "ICertain lengths of stay can be too short," said Mr. Sharman. "I think the optimal length of stay is what we're looking for." And purchasing technology to improve patient care is an pricey part of the 2000-2001 to-do list. "Looking at the equipment list for next year, it's long and really quite expensive," he said.