Two Ontario hospitals receive Choosing Wisely honours

BRAMPTON and NIAGARA FALLS, Ont. – William Osler Health System and Niagara Health have each been recognized as a Choosing Wisely Canada Hospital at the Leadership Status level – the highest achievement awarded under the national program. Both hospitals have demonstrated organizational leadership in reducing the overuse of low-value tests, treatments or procedures that do not improve patient care.

Uncovering and modifying these processes takes time, the involvement of multiple stakeholders, and a commitment to continuous quality improvement. Both Osler and Niagara Health have demonstrated to Choosing Wisely Canada’s Review Committee that they have successfully undertaken quality improvement projects, mentored other hospitals, and made Choosing Wisely a key part of their ongoing organizational strategy.

“We are incredibly impressed by the efforts of these hospitals to drive system improvements in practice,” says Dr. Christine Soong (pictured), the clinician lead for Choosing Wisely Canada’s Hospital Designation Program. “William Osler Health System and Niagara Health have both demonstrated significant leadership through their willingness to share learnings as mentors with other hospitals, as well as a continued commitment to sustain these efforts in the future.”

Choosing Wisely Canada congratulates the teams at Osler and Niagara Health on their dedication to patient care and experience and their achievement.

Hospitals participating in the Choosing Wisely Canada Hospital Designation Program implement quality improvement projects to earn credits toward the designation. Hospitals can participate in our national quality improvement programs Using Blood Wisely and Using Labs Wisely to earn two credits towards becoming a Choosing Wisely Canada Hospital. Alternatively, hospitals can implement self-directed quality improvement projects relevant to Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations.

Hospitals that meet requirements, demonstrate change, and sustain efforts are awarded a Quality Improvement Status or Leadership Status depending on the designation stream selected.

Interested in becoming a Choosing Wisely Canada Hospital? Sign up here https://choosingwiselycanada.org/hospitals/cwc-hospitals/#sign-up.

About William Osler Health System and Foundation
William Osler Health System (Osler) is a hospital system which includes Brampton Civic Hospital, Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health and Wellness and Etobicoke General Hospital, and serves 1.3 million residents of Brampton, Etobicoke and surrounding communities within the Central region. Nationally recognized for its commitment to patient safety, Osler is also Accredited with Exemplary Standing, the highest rating a Canadian hospital can receive from Accreditation Canada. Osler’s emergency departments are among the busiest in Canada and its Mental Health Program is one of the largest in the province. William Osler Health System Foundation seeks to create a healthier community through giving by inspiring its communities to invest in exceptional health care close to home.

About Niagara Health
Niagara Health is a regional, multi-site hospital providing a full range of acute care services to more than 450,000 residents throughout the Niagara region. The Niagara Health team is made up of more than 7,300 employees, physicians, volunteers and patient partners contributing to our purpose of Extraordinary Caring. Every Person. Every Time. In addition to operating one of the busiest emergency medicine programs in Ontario, Niagara Health has regional centres of excellence in mental health and addictions, as well as cancer, cardiac, kidney, children’s health, and women’s and babies care.