Feature
Ontario aiming to deliver more transparent healthcare system
Healthcare in Ontario is changing in a very good way
Monday July 14, 2008
A number of initiatives are unfolding that are aimed at providing the patient with a safer, more transparent healthcare experience. Many ventures are targeting improved 'transparency'.

What can patients expect from a more transparent healthcare system? Well, with the Canadian Disclosure Guidelines, developed by the Canadian Patient Safety Institute in conjunction with a number of partners, patients can expect healthcare providers to be more open and honest with them when it comes to their care.

The guidelines encourage physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals to tell patients about mistakes, both minor and major, in relation to their care. While patients should be entitled to this information, the disclosure guidelines and new Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care legislation are aimed at ensuring this happens.

In addition, if legislation proposed by Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti is passed, patients can expect apologies when care goes awry. The 'Apology Act' is intended to promote apologies between providers and their patients by removing the fear their apology could be used in court. Proponents of the bill say it will foster a better patient-caregiver relationship and restore confidence in the province's healthcare system.

“The current status quo isn't healthy for disclosure and building relationships," says Doris Grinspun, executive director of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario. Open and transparent dialogue without fear is “absolutely essential. It both sustains and perhaps deepens the human relationship.”

It's encouraging several Ontario hospitals already operate under an honesty-is-best policy.

It's also promising hospitals already have procedures in place to share near-misses or adverse events with patients and/or their family members.

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is also increasing hospital's obligations to report rates of hospital-acquired illnesses, such as C. difficile, a common cause of diarrhea and other illness in healthcare settings.

While the government and hospitals are in the midst of figuring out the details, essentially it means data about C. difficile rates at Ontario's acute-care hospitals will be posted on a public website by September. The requirements were unveiled by the Province May 28 and will be introduced in three phases starting Sept. 30, 2008. Public reporting requirements are aimed at creating an unprecedented level of transparency in Ontario’s hospitals.

With the above projects and requirements in place and with healthcare provider buy-in, patient satisfaction is about to be taken to a higher level.