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Midwestern

Wellington Stroke Care Receives Top Marks

The Ontario Stroke Network has recognized Waterloo Wellington's Local Health Integration Network as a leader in stroke care.

The organization released annual report cards that rated the Waterloo Wellington LHIN as a top performer in the province in six categories.

The LIHN says that means residents are returning home sooner, and healthier after a stroke, and fewer are being transferred to long-term care.

The Institute for Clinical Evaluative Services report compared the effectiveness of prevention programs and the access to them.

It also looked at the effectiveness of acute care, and rehabilitation services for Ontarians who suffered a stroke in 2014-2015.

However, the report found some areas in need of improvement. The LHIN will work to reduce the number of residents having strokes, hospitalization rates for stroke, and stroke mortality rates.

The report also found significant improvements in eight areas.

According to the LHIN, Stroke care in Waterloo Wellington continues to improve as a result of a 2013 Board of Directors’ decision to integrate stroke services in the region.

The LHIN also recognized the great work of physicians, nurses, therapists and staff involved in the stroke program. Public Awareness and Education (provincial leader):

• More residents are aware of stroke signs and symptoms and are arriving by ambulance to be connected quickly with the life-saving care they need.

Access to Care (provincial leader):

• Access to specialized acute care for stroke patients continues to grow, ensuring better patient outcomes - up to 80% from 62.8%.

• Waterloo Wellington stroke patients are waiting less time for rehabilitation care, contributing to better outcomes, increased functional ability and an increasing number of patients who are able to return home instead of to long-term care - down to eight days from ten.

Quality of Care (provincial leader)

• More patients are going home within the optimal length of stay, as a result of receiving best-practice rehab care - up to 78% from 46.7% with more patients gaining increased independent functional ability.

• Waterloo Wellington’s integrated stroke system allows all residents to receive timely and consistent high-quality care based on best practice which has created improved patient outcomes.

“Residents can expect to receive the same high-quality, best practice care from our health system no matter where in Waterloo Wellington they suffer a stroke. From timely interventions to the best care and rehabilitation, more residents are gaining improved health, increased functional independence and a better quality of life to support their transition home. Thank you to the physicians, nurses, therapists and all the staff involved in the stroke program whose dedication and hard work is helping to deliver improved patient outcomes," says Toni Lemon, acting CEO, WWLHIN

“Fast access to care and rehab based on best-practice provides the best chance for recovery and quality of life for stroke patients and that’s what we’re seeing in Waterloo Wellington. This success is a result of hard work across all organizations who are coming together as a collaborative team to work constantly to reassess patient cases and care practices to ensure that we’re getting the right patients in the right programs for the best outcomes," says Andrea Guth, director, Waterloo Wellington Stroke Program

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