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TCI Hospital becomes Best Practice Spotlight Organisation Pre-designate
The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO) has selected the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization® (BPSO®) predesignate. The hospital has committed to the RNAO partnership to become a BPSO® over the next three years. The designation is an internationally recognized mark of excellence in health care.
The BPSO® program was officially launched at the health care facility on Thursday, May 13th, 2021, during a virtual event held in observance of International Nurses Week. The hospital aims to enhance nursing care and sustain a culture of evidence-based nursing and management decision-making practices. The virtual event featured special remarks from Dr. Denise Braithwaite-Tennant Chief Executive Officer at TCI Hospital, Jackurlyn Sutton - Chief Nursing Officer at the TCI Ministry of Health, Doris Grinspun - Chief Executive Officer at The Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO), Morgan Hoffarth - President at the RNAO, and Nurse Carol Reid - Site Director at Cockburn Town Medical Centre.
Associate Director of Guideline Implementation and Knowledge Transfer at the RNAO, Susan McNeill stated: "At RNAO, we are delighted to have the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital join our global social movement of health-care excellence. It is clear that your hospitals are already committed to doing the very best for your patients and we look forward to supporting you to successfully achieve BPSO Designation over the next three years. "
Three international practice guidelines best are chosen.
Virtual presentations were delivered by Susan McNeil Associate Director of Guidelines, Implementation and Knowledge Transfer at the RNAO, Mikette Been - Chief of Clinical Services and BPSO Lead at TCI Hospital, Maureen Brown - Inpatient Services Manager, Nurse Sarah Henry BPSO Champion at TCI Hospital, and Nurse Michael Williams - Deputy Site Director at Cockburn Town Medical Centre and BPSO Champion at TCI Hospital.
Patient and family-centered care, falls prevention, and pressure ulcers are the three international Best Practice Guidelines (BPG's) selected for the hospital over the next three years.
The senior nursing leadership, clinical nurse educators, patient care leadership council, interprofessional team, and the national nursing council were a part of the BPG selection process. The selected areas align with the hospital's strategic plan and quality improvement indicators. The hospital proposal to the RNAO outlined several areas. These included the strategy to implement the necessary guidelines, the benefits for patients, providers, and the organization, and how clinical outcomes will be measured and evaluated. The hospital completed the orientation process in midFebruary and is now required to submit an online report to the RNAO every six months and other responsibilities.
BPSO® is an opportunity for health service and academic organizations to formally partner with the RNAO to achieve the designation. Following the three years, the partnership can be renewed once the objectives are accomplished.
Chief of Clinical Services at TCI Hospital, Mikette Been, stated: "Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital is pleased to partner with the RNAO to become a Best Practice Spotlight Organization. The BPSO program will provide a system-based approach to elevate the nursing standards across the TCI hospital through evidence-based practices. As a hospital, we are committed to the ongoing development of highquality programs and providing the support necessary to implement these programs successfully. " Chief Nursing Officer at the TCI Ministry of Health, Jackurlyn Sutton, stated: "High-quality care does not occur automatically, but is the result of critical, independent judgment and action (Donabedian, 2003). The TCI hospital has selected three (3) best practice initiatives for implementation through the BPSO program. ”
She continued: “Best practice is more than practice based on evidence; it represents quality care, which is deemed optimal based on a prevailing standard or point of view. Specific best practices in nursing are significant because they serve to direct nurses regarding solutions to identified problems/needs. Best practices can be implemented in the area of education, administration, clinical and theoretical concepts. I wish to congratulate Nurse Been, Chief of Clinical Services, and the entire Board of Directors at the TCI hospital for their ongoing vision in striving for excellence in the provision of quality health care for the people of the TCI and visitors to our shore. "
ACCREDITATION COUNTDOWN
During the final months before an international health care accreditation assessment, there is even stronger internal cohesion and motivation to ensure there remains a continued adherence to clinical and administrative service standards and required organizational practices. Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital has been accredited at the Diamond level since March 2012 and is currently one of the few Diamond accredited hospitals in the Caribbean. This is the highest level achievable under the international accreditation program.
TCI Hospital receives additional Dialysis Nursing Support
The TCI Government cabinet approved portions of a request submitted by InterHealth Canada - Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital to expand the hemodialysis service. The approval was granted during the first quarter of this year.
The private health care management company submitted a request to the TCI Government seeking additional infrastructure, equipment, and human resources to support the growing number of dialysis patients. The recent cabinet approval was to recruit two additional full-time dialysis nurses to serve 12 months as an interim measure and on an emergency basis.
The increase in the number of patients presenting to the Turks and Caicos Islands Hospital with chronic diseases complicated by renal failure has been the catalyst for an expanded hemodialysis service. There is an average of six to eight new patients per annum who require dialysis treatment. There are 55 patients currently on dialysis across both medical centres, and dialysis is a life-saving treatment.
According to the Pan American Health Organization, chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been identified as an increasing public health issue worldwide and deserves focused attention in the Americas.
Globally, diabetes mellitus and hypertension are the major causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A similar picture is also accurate for the Turks and Caicos Islands. The recently approved additional human resources will expand the department's capacity to cover treatment shifts for the next 12 months. The Hemodialysis Service consists of ten (10) Specialist Nurses and one (1) Dialysis Technician. A full-time Nephrologist supports the service. There are six dialyzer machines and four back-up machines at Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. Cockburn Town Medical Centre has three dialyzer machines and two back-up machines.
Chief of Allied Services at TCI Hospital, Eleanor Hall, stated: "We are thankful for the approval of the additional nursing staff for the dialysis unit. The treatment session for a dialysis patient is four hours in duration and occurs three times per week. The additional nurses would help us adjust treatment shifts to better hours, prepare for new patients, and reduce the extended working hours currently required to deliver treatments. The hospital's senior management team will continue to proactively discuss and seek support from TCI Government on long-term measures to meet the growing patient demand."
Consultant Nephrologist at TCI Hospital, Dr. Vancelee Forbes, stated: "The dialysis unit welcomes this muchneeded increase in staff as an interim measure to improve safety and increase the capacity of the dialysis unit at the Cheshire Hall Medical Centre. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Turks and Caicos Islands Government to improve services, including facilitating the growth of the home dialysis program and increasing opportunities for kidney transplantation."
