VHA Home HealthCare Receives Best Practice Spotlight Organization Designation

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 21, 2015) - VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) is pleased to announce that on April 15, 2015 it was awarded Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) designation from the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario (RNAO). This designation recognizes VHA's success in implementing and evaluating five Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) developed by the RNAO over a three year period.

"This designation is a big achievement for VHA and I would like to congratulate our incredible team for their support and ongoing commitment to delivering best practices in client care," says Carol Annett, VHA President and CEO. "Becoming a BPSO designate aligns seamlessly with VHA's core beliefs -- that our care must be spectacular and continuously focused on quality improvement and safety, as well as client-driven."

"As we celebrate this achievement we recognize that our commitment to ensuring VHA provides the highest level of professional practice and delivering evidence-based care across all disciplines is paramount," notes Bea Mudge, Vice President Best Practices, Research and Education and CNE. "We are very proud of the great work that has already been done and are excited to use the BPSO model to help us continue to realize our mission of creating possibilities for more independence."

The BPSO candidacy program seeks to make a positive impact on client care though evidence-based practice. VHA chose to implement the following five BPGs for better client outcomes, continuity and consistency of care, quality improvement and patient safety which undoubtedly benefits the clients we serve:

• Client Centred Care
• Assessment and Management of Pain
• Assessment and Management of Stage I-IV Pressure Ulcers
• Prevention of Falls and Fall Injuries in the Older Adult
• End-of-Life Care During the Last Days and Hours

VHA has long been a champion of evidence-based practices and decision making at the point of care. The BPSO partnership has not only helped us build on work already being done, but also supports new initiatives to help further demonstrate VHA's commitment to excellence in home care.

About VHA Home HealthCare

VHA Home HealthCare -- a not-for-profit, charity -- has inspired Ontarians to create possibilities for more independence since 1925. VHA's professional team of over 2,000 caring, compassionate people support clients and their families in eight Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) regions. We're proudly:

• Accredited with Exemplary Standing by Accreditation Canada.
• An RNAO Best Practice Spotlight Organization designate.
• A founding member agency of United Way Toronto.