Innovation situation at CKHA

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CKHA’s Lori Marshall, president and CEO, left, and Greg Aarssen, chair of the hospital board, lead a press conference Friday to discuss the latest developments at the alliance.

An investment of $50,000 is paying big dividends for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, according to its CEO and president.

Lori Marshall said innovation grants – four of $10,000 each and 10 of $1,000 each – led to about 100 submissions from CKHA personnel.

“We’re tapping into the wisdom of staff, physicians and patient advisors,” Marshall said. “The goals were to make improvements to the quality of patient care, the patient experience or to improve the work environment.”

She said she was “overwhelmed, but not surprised” by the support, adding there was both quality and quantity.

“Less than 0.01 per cent of our budget is going towards this, but when I saw the enthusiasm in the room, it was tremendous,” she said.

Ideas that will receive funding from the grants include video conferencing through Ontario Telehealth, which will allow for expansion of services at the Wallaceburg hospital.

As well, investing in newer technology for enhanced nurse call screens will allow patients and family members to program items into the call. Marshall said specific requests, such as a glass of water, can be made. Staff can also program in reminders.

Virtual reality can be used to help in rehabilitation from stroke.

“An example we saw was grocery shopping. The person moves their arm to reach for an item off the shelf in virtual reality,” Marshall said, adding the motor skill training through virtual reality will help patients get back to living their lives faster.

Creating a more therapeutic environment at the mental health in-patient unit also made the list.

Marshall said the response over the innovation grants has moved administration to make them an annual affair.

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