Health Quality Ontario Recommendations re: Remote Monitoring of Cardiac Devices and Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
Late last year, Health Quality Ontario, under the guidance of the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee, recommended publicly funding remote monitoring for patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy devices with or without a defibrillator, and permanent pacemakers. For more information, click here: https://bit.ly/2F5oRiZ.
HQO also recommended publicly funding transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with severe, symptomatic aortic valve stenosis who are at intermediate surgical risk. For more information, click here: https://bit.ly/2CQXIy1.
In both cases, HQO asked the OAC to provide experts in these fields to assist with the health technology assessment and consulted us on the draft recommendations before they were finalized.
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EQI Program Abstract Presented at Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2018
The OAC was pleased to be associated with “Ontario Echocardiography Quality Improvement Program: Lessons Learned” abstract presented at the Canadian Cardiovascular Congress 2018 on Monday, October 22nd in Toronto.
To review the poster, click here: CCC 2018 EQI Collaborative FINAL
Statement from Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has undergone an organizational realignment, as part of our government’s plan to tackle the ongoing hallway healthcare crisis in our health care system. Some divisions and branches will be merged to better serve patients. These changes will clarify and simplify lines of accountability and allow our organization to be more nimble and outcome-focused.
These changes will streamline patient care and are the first steps towards enhancing the quality and efficiency of our health system. Our government will continue to listen to and consult with patients and the people who work on the front lines of our health care system to develop an integrated, modern and effective model of care that Ontarians need and deserve.
This organizational change will help ensure our government is able to fulfill our promise of developing a patient-centered health care system that is effective and provides the highest quality of care for all Ontarians.
Read MoreStatement by the OMA regarding negotiations with the Ontario government of the Physician Services Agreement
Following the election of the new Government, the OMA agreed to return to the bargaining table to see whether the two sides could agree on a PSA without going to arbitration. Unfortunately, the differences between the two sides have proven to be too great and so, mediation ended today.
The OMA and the government will now resume arbitration. Arbitration dates are the scheduled for entire week of October 22-26th. While this is a frustrating development, the OMA is committed to supporting its doctors so that they in turn can take care of their patients.
Ontario’s Government for the People Taking Immediate Action to End Hallway Health Care
Province securing more than 1,100 beds and creating 6,000 new long-term care beds to ease hospital gridlock in communities that need it most
October 3, 2018 12:30 P.M.
TORONTO — Ontario’s Government for the People is delivering on its promise to end hallway health care by taking urgent action to expand access to long-term care, reduce the strain on the health care system in advance of the upcoming flu season and work with front line health care professionals and other experts to transform the province’s health care system.
Today, Premier Doug Ford and Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, announced that Ontario is moving forward with building 6,000 new long-term care beds across Ontario.
These 6,000 new long-term care beds represent the first wave of more than 15,000 new long-term care beds that the government has committed to build over the next 5 years.
As an immediate measure, Ford and Elliott also announced that Ontario will create over 640 new beds and spaces and continue funding beds and spaces already operating in the hospital and community sectors across Ontario to help communities prepare for the surge that accompanies the upcoming flu season.
Taken together, these actions will ease pressure on hospitals, help doctors and nurses work more efficiently, and provide better, faster health care for patients and their families.
“One patient treated in a hallway is one patient too many. It’s unacceptable that people are still waiting hours before seeing a doctor, or are forced to lie on stretchers in hospital hallways when they do finally get care,” said Ford. “Patients are frustrated, families are frustrated, and doctors and nurses are frustrated. We told the people of Ontario we’d make our hospitals run better and more efficiently, and we’d get them the care they deserve. Today, we’re keeping that promise.”
“Hallway health care is a multi-faceted problem that will require real and innovative solutions,” said Elliott. “Our government will continue to listen to the people who work on the front lines of our health care system as we develop a long-term, transformational strategy to address hallway health care.”
Ford and Elliott made their announcement at the inaugural meeting of the Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine. Under the leadership of Dr. Rueben Devlin, the Council will recommend strategic priorities and actions to improve Ontario’s health outcomes and improve patient satisfaction, while making Ontario’s health care system more efficient.
“To address the problem of overcrowded hospitals, we must have a long-term vision, planning and stable funding,” said Dr. Devlin. “I look forward to working with Premier Ford, Minister Elliott and this exceptional group of leaders to bring more integration, innovation, and better use of technology to transform our health care system for the people of Ontario.”
QUICK FACTS
The additional $90 million investment to address hallway medicine will create over 640 new beds and spaces and continue funding beds and spaces already operating in the hospital and community sectors, including:
- Sinai Health System – Bridgepoint
- North Bay Regional Health Centre
- Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Hogarth Riverview Manor
- Pine Villa
- Bayshore
- Cooksville Care Centre
- Humber River Hospital – Church Street site
Some facilities will receive additional funding immediately to address current capacity
pressures and the remaining will receive funding in the fall/winter for flu season.
The following individuals will sit on the Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine:
- Dr. Rueben Devlin, Special Advisor and Chair
- Dr. Adalsteinn Brown, Professor and Dean, Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto
- Connie Clerici, CEO, Closing the Gap Healthcare
- Barb Collins, President and CEO, Humber River Hospital
- Michael Decter, President and CEO, LDIC Inc.
- Peter Harris, Barrister and Solicitor
- Dr. Jack Kitts, President and CEO, The Ottawa Hospital
- Kimberly Moran, CEO, Children’s Mental Health Ontario
- David Murray, Executive Director, Northwest Health Alliance
- Dr. Richard Reznick, Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences at Queens University
- Shirlee Sharkey, President and CEO, Saint Elizabeth Health
Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine Announced
On behalf of Ontario’s cardiologists, the Ontario Association of Cardiologists congratulates and looks forward to working with Dr. Rueben Devlin in his role as Chair of the newly created Premier’s Council on Improving Healthcare and Ending Hallway Medicine to improve Ontario’s health care system and make it work for patients and their families.
The OAC welcomes the opportunity to share its ideas for improving cardiac care service delivery throughout Ontario with Dr. Devlin and the new Council and to put in place a plan that ensures all patients can continue to have access to the cardiac care services they need, close to home, regardless of where they live in the province.
Read MoreOntario’s cardiologists encouraged by the new Ontario PC government’s “Olive Branch” regarding physician services agreement negotiations
Last week, barely one week after winning a massive majority government and even before the Premier-designate and Cabinet have been sworn-in, the new Ontario PC government expressed its desire to “reset the relationship between doctors and government”.
Read MoreOAC congratulates Doug Ford and the Ontario PC Party on Election Win
Today, on behalf of Ontario’s hard-working cardiologists, the OAC offered congratulations to Doug Ford and the Ontario PC party on their victory in the June 7th provincial election.
Read MoreOntario’s doctors at impasse with province in talks for new contract – Toronto Star
After four years without a deal, Ontario doctors will send stalled contract talks to binding arbitration.
Read MoreDr. Jim Swan: Presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs
Legislative Assembly of Ontario
December 14, 2017
New Cardiology EMR Specification Released in Ontario
New Cardiology EMR Specification Released
EMR Cardiology 1.0 Gives EMR Vendors Information They Need To Meet the Clinical Practice Needs of Ontario’s Cardiologists
OAC Recognizes World Heart Day: 29 September 2017
Today, 29 September 2017, the Ontario Association of Cardiologists recognizes World Heart Day (#WorldHeartDay).
Read MoreFederal Government’s Tax Reforms: Media Coverage
A look at the latest updates on federal tax reforms.
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2nd Annual Education Day in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) – September 25, 2017
The Toronto Congenital Cardiac Centre for Adults (TCCCA) is holding its second annual Education Day in Adult Congenital Heart Disease (ACHD) on September 25, 2017 at the MaRS Discovery District, Conference Room CR-3.
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