EXCELERATOR

Issue 65, February 2024

Preparing for the Future: CEO Dr. Kathryn Nichol Shares VHA Home HealthCare's Priorities for 2024

It is an exciting year ahead at VHA Home HealthCare (VHA) as we aim to fully realize the plans we set out in VHA’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025: Care to Transform and engage broadly to set a new plan to guide us into the future.

Alongside strategic planning, we have several key priorities this year in support of our mission of creating possibilities for more independence, championing the needs of clients and families and delivering high quality, integrated care. As ever, we aim to develop evidence-based solutions for clients, families and providers. VHA is committed to helping increase the availability of contemporary homecare data through research and innovation at a time when this has never been more important and we are proud to have contributed the “Most Read Article for 2023” to Longwoods Healthcare Policy Journal that offers the economic evidence that an investment in home care personal support worker wages will retain staff, reduce the number of clients waiting for long term care beds and result in cost savings.

Ontario continues its health system transformation agenda toward a more integrated model. We look forward to working collaboratively with partners to expand existing integrated care initiatives. 

Client Voice Matters at VHA: Read our 2023 Client Voice Report

VHA’s client partner engagement is central to our commitment to providing spectacular care to promote health and independence. Our client partners’ dedication to excellence and unwavering contribution to our mission continues to be a driving force to ensure services are client-centric with a focus on what matters most. Their involvement has not only enhanced the quality of care we provide, but has also left an indelible mark on the lives of those we serve by being involved in key initiatives. 

Once again in 2023, client partners, along with the Client & Carer Advisory Council, have brought their unique skills, talents, innovative ideas and lived experiences to continue to transform service experiences.

VHA is pleased to share our  2023 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Report

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become a foundational part of the work we do at VHA . 2023 has been a year of resilience and expansion for our DEI program as we work toward being leaders in making DEI a priority in homecare, and across the province.

We have not been working alone. As the host of a DEI Community of Practice for health and community care organizations, VHA is becoming a hub for meaningful examination of areas where gaps exist and identification of thoughtful ways forward to improve equity in our communities. We aim to address the needs of our workforce, while also working to solve prominent concerns across the sector, ultimately striving to enable diverse populations access to equitable healthcare.

Increasing Black Representation in Leadership: A Key Priority for VHA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Team

When collecting data for VHA Home HealthCare (VHA)’s second Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Survey in 2022, the organization looked specifically at the experiences of Black, African or Caribbean, East Asian and South East Asian staff and service providers. The findings, highlighted in VHA’s 2022 DEI Report published early last year, indicate that Black, African or Caribbean employees were less likely to report feelings of inclusion within the organization compared to other participants.

“Although VHA is a proudly diverse organization, we recognize that the experiences of inclusion are not the same for all of our staff and service providers and that there is work to be done,” said Adam Benn, Director of DEI at VHA. “There were several priorities identified as a result of this survey, including our commitment to retaining, developing and promoting Black employees into leadership positions.”

In Canada, there is longstanding evidence of health inequities for racialized groups and this disproportionately affects Black communities. Inequities stem from decades of racism, microaggressions and overt forms of discrimination, which leads to a lack of trust in the system and decreased health outcomes.

“Increasing racial diversity and inclusion in leadership roles in healthcare organizations helps staff, care providers and clients/patients see themselves reflected in the health system and is an important step to address systemic racism,” Adam said.

“This encourages a culture of anti-racism within our organization, begins to address these health equity challenges and supports and values our diverse workforce—which is one of our greatest strengths,” Adam added.

 VHA launches InnoVHAtion Advisory Committee to fuel Age Tech in the Community

Every VHA innovation endeavour aims to bring people together to improve the lives of clients and families and transform how care is delivered in the community.

With the launch of VHA’s InnoVHAtion Advisory Council, the organization is taking a concrete step into the Age Tech space. The council supports the establishment and future direction of InnoVHAtion at VHA by evaluating emerging technologies and their alignment with organizational goals and potential impact. Many of these technologies may be deployed through the Community InnoVHAtion Lab program, which bridges a gap between tech startups and end users by enabling technology testing in real world situations and in people’s homes.

“By bringing together subject matter experts from across the VHA community, including our client partners, we want to foster a culture of openness to new ideas, experimentation, and a willingness to embrace positive change,” says Jordan D’Souza, VHA’s Head of Innovation.

VHA's 2023 Client Experience Survey Results

VHA is deeply committed to staying connected with the clients and families we serve about the service we provide, collecting their feedback to improve care experiences. We conduct satisfaction surveys to gather insights and to help focus quality improvement efforts where they are needed most.

With responses from over 1,000 clients, we are pleased to share the 2023 results from feedback. The data was collected from clients, recently discharged from service, from across our occupational therapy, physiotherapy, nursing, and personal support programs.

New Partnership with Acute Wound Care Clinic Aims to Reduce the Risk of Diabetes-Related Amputations

Approximately 1.5 million Ontarians are living with diabetes. Compared to the general population, diabetics are over 20 times more likely to undergo a toe, foot or lower leg amputation. Evidence shows that 85% of non-traumatic lower-limb amputations occur following a diabetic foot ulcer and most of these are considered preventable.

To help address rising amputation rates across the province, VHA Home HealthCare and CANES Community Care’s Malton Integrated Care Clinic recently partnered with the William Osler Acute Wound Care Clinic. As a Central West Ontario Health Team initiative, this pilot is providing limb-saving care in VHA’s Central West region.

“Amputation is a fearful and debilitating complication of diabetes,” said Vicki MacCallum, Manager of Client Care and Operations at VHA. “This is because minor issues can escalate so quickly and the effects are life-altering.”