The Lakeshore General Hospital, a facility of the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montreal, is proud to announce the results of its efforts to reduce infections through implementation of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) with financial support from the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation. This American program, which aims to measure and improve the quality of surgical care, was implemented three years ago.
The Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation makes a vital contribution to the wellbeing of patients at the Lakeshore General Hospital through the dedicated and devoted staff. Each Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation financing campaign serves to directly the quality of the care and services patients receive at the Lakeshore General Hospital, explained Ms. Lynne McVey, President & CEO of the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montreal.
A program to improve patients’ hospital stays
The assessment and improvement program collects data on surgical care to reduce risks related to complications, reduce the duration of hospital stays, and, in so doing, improve the quality of care and services patients receive.
The Foundation is very proud to support this leading-edge program and we are very pleased with the absolutely incredible results we have seen. We thank the CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Île-de-Montreal for their collaboration in implementing this project at the Lakeshore General Hospital. We are also grateful to our donors, whose generosity allows us to improve healthcare services in our community, stated Heather Holmes, Managing Director of the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation.
Lakeshore General Hospital reduces its infection rate
Following a surgical procedure, the nurse assigned to this program completes an evaluation grid that transmits the information into the NSQIP database. By comparing the results with those of other participating hospitals, the nurse can work with the clinical team to implement scientifically proven measures to improve practices during surgical interventions.
Those measures include covering the patient with a heated blanket before long surgical procedures, which helps to stabilize body temperature, prevent hypothermia, and lower the risk of infections. Small measures that make all the difference!
Over the past three years the program at the Lakeshore General Hospital has helped to reduce the infection rate by 35%. The Lakeshore General Hospital is the only community hospital in Quebec currently participating in this research program, which is active in 73 hospitals in Canada and 685 hospitals across North America.
