Ontario to invest $9 million in wound care in LTC

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing in skin and wound care training for up to 400 long-term care home staff and is helping homes purchase diagnostic equipment as part of the Your Health plan to connect residents with faster, more convenient access to care, while reducing avoidable emergency department visits and hospital stays.

“Our government is working to ensure long-term care residents get the high-quality care they need in the convenience of their own home,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta (pictured), minister of Long-Term Care. “Getting treatment at home where they are most comfortable will enhance quality of life and reduce the need for hospital visits.”

Due to age, health conditions, and chronic illnesses, long-term care residents may be more susceptible to skin and wound issues. That is why Ontario is investing $1 million in education programs for up to 400 long-term care staff this winter, including:

• $329,400 to Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence Canada (NSWOCC) to deliver the Skin Wellness Associate Nurse (SWAN) program to 90 nurses.
• $671,900 to Wounds Canada to deliver the Wound Care Champion Program to 100 regulated health care providers and the Skin Health Program for Personal Care Providers to 200 personal care providers.

The government is also investing up to $9 million in the Equipment and Training Fund, which helps long-term care homes buy diagnostic equipment and train staff so they can provide better care for residents.

Investments are targeted to help buy equipment that can detect and prevent conditions that most often lead to preventable hospital visits, such as urinary tract infections, falls, pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

Ontario’s previous investment of $10.5 million in the Equipment and Training Fund last year helped more than a third of all long-term care homes connect residents to care in the comfort of their own homes.