OHA Welcomes Report on Emergency Department Care and Applauds Provincial Investment in Critical Care
Ontario Hospital Association
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Monday, January 30, 2006
OHA Welcomes Report on Emergency Department Care and Applauds Provincial Investment in Critical Care
Toronto – Today the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) welcomed Improving Access to Emergency Services: A System Commitment, the Report of the Hospital Emergency Department and Ambulance Effectiveness Working Group, as well as the Government of Ontario’s announcement of $96 million to reduce wait times at hospital emergency departments across the province.
“Emergency care is a critical service that all Ontarians rely upon”, said Hilary Short, President and CEO of the OHA. “The recommendations made in the report, along with today’s investment in emergency services are important steps forward in ensuring patients get the timely care they need once they reach the hospital”.
“Over time, this funding should help to relieve emergency room pressures, and it will help hospitals strengthen wait times initiatives in these areas for continued accountability to Ontario’s taxpayers”, added Short.
The Report released today endorses the OHA and Ontario hospital position that the principal cause of Ambulance Offload Time delay is a lack of capacity to treat hospital inpatients, which leads in turn to prolonged Emergency Department (ED) Length of Stay and ED overcrowding. The report also makes several “best practice” recommendations.
“The OHA recognizes that this is an important report for our hospitals, and for all Ontarians”, concluded Short. “Ontario’s hospitals will continue to work with the government, Emergency Medical Services, and with community health providers to help address the issues, and implement the report’s recommended best practices.
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