Translating the strategy into reality
How will the vision for the Toronto Central LHIN translate into reality? What will be different for individuals and families in the LHIN, and for staff and volunteers working in the 177 health service provider organizations within the LHIN? How will work satisfaction be improved?
Below are a few examples of how the Toronto Central LHIN of the future might function and feel.
"The new online tool allows us to access the information simultaneously from a variety of inter-professional staff. It does provide a more thorough picture of what the client's status is in the hospital, which translates into better services being rendered in the community."
– Joseph Brubaker, Patient Care Manager, St. Joseph's Health Centre, on the benefits of the Resource Matching and Referral system
- One access point to all services. In the Toronto Central LHIN of the future, people will be able to get the health services and support they need through a single point of access. Patients admitted into hospital will be looked after by care management teams that will create a personalized care and discharge plan for each patient. When these patients leave the hospital, a network of community health and support services providers will be ready to help ease them back into their homes or supportive housing.
- Technology-driven system improvements. In the future, a LHIN-wide Resource Matching and Referral system will ensure patients are connected promptly to the most appropriate services. In this system, physicians and other health care professionals will be able to view the same up-to-date, comprehensive information about their patients on their computers including lab results, prescription records, and diagnostic and screening tests. The diabetes registry will have been expanded to include other chronic conditions, allowing patients to better manage their disease and communicate online with their physicians and other health care professionals. Physicians and other health care workers will have access to convenient and reliable information about the variety of health, wellness and support services that exist in the community.
- Electronic health records that can be accessed system-wide by authorized users will also promote collaboration and enhance the quality of care by providing health care professionals with comprehensive knowledge of their patients’ health histories.
- Enhanced efficiency through shared systems and functions. The Toronto Central LHIN’s future health system will make the most of health care dollars by sharing, where possible, functions such as human resources, support services, and infection prevention and control, and by using technology to yield greater efficiencies and cost savings. Health care providers will share information and work together to eliminate duplication of services and to ensure quality care is offered in the most affordable settings.