Lakeridge Health Oshawa earns Stroke Distinction accreditation

Lakeridge Health has earned a Stroke Distinction designation from Accreditation Canada for achieving excellence with its acute and inpatient rehabilitation stroke services at the Oshawa Hospital.

“I’m incredibly proud of the Lakeridge Health team,” said Cynthia Davis, President and CEO, Lakeridge Health. “These exceptional results build on our vision of One System. Best Health. They are a testament to our relentless focus and unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, safe, and timely stroke care close to home.”

The program is a rigorous assessment that aligns with the Canadian Stroke Best Practice Recommendations and recognizes excellence and commitment to leadership in stroke care. The Stroke Distinction designation was achieved after three surveyors from Accreditation Canada visited teams at the Oshawa Hospital December 5-7 to observe stroke services in action. While onsite, the surveyors evaluated Lakeridge Health against more than 200 standards and essential practices that organizations must have in place to enhance patient or client safety and minimize risk.

According to the report, Lakeridge Health:

• Engaged leaders, physicians, and staff who demonstrate commitment to quality stroke care.
• Demonstrated a culture of quality improvement and active participation in research and innovation.
• Collaborated in stroke care across the organization and with community partners.
• Displayed teamwork among key stakeholders, including Patient and Family Advisors, and with a focus on inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility and anti-r

Stroke patients are brought directly to Lakeridge Oshawa – a District Stroke Centre – by local paramedics to the Emergency Department where stroke physicians can administer the clot-busting drug, tissue plasminogen activator (tpA). Emergency departments at the Ajax, Bowmanville, and Port Perry hospitals have established processes to support rapid assessment and transfers of stroke patients to Oshawa.

Oshawa also has an Integrated Stroke Unit for in-hospital care and a Stroke Prevention Clinic for those who have had a stroke or are at high risk for having a stroke.  In addition, there is a neurological Ambulatory Rehabilitation Centre at Lakeridge Health’s Whitby location.

The Stroke Distinction designation builds on the results of Lakeridge Health’s 2022 Accreditation Canada survey of programs and services across the organization when ‘Exemplary Standing’ – the highest level – was achieved.

Lakeridge Health is also a Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO), which reflects the organization’s implementation of evidence-based guidelines impacting the health and well-being of patients.

“Accreditation and BPSO work are powerful tools in our efforts to embed quality improvement into every aspect of the care we provide as part of an exceptional patient and family experience,” adds Dr. Randy Wax, Chief of Staff, Lakeridge Health. “We look forward to participating in ongoing assessments to support best practices and informed planning.”