Staff in picture (from left to right): Julie Burrows, Darlene McCall, Rhonda Ridgeway, Jennifer
Woodroffe, Kim Masur, Alissa Davis
Restorative Care Unit at Chesley Hospital Celebrates a Very Successful One Year Anniversary
Earlier this year Sarah*, a patient in her 80’s, resumed her independence (including self-medication)
within 6 days of arriving to the 10-bed Restorative Care Unit (RCU) at Chesley Hospital.
She is one of the many success stories of the Restorative Care program, which supports a “home first”
philosophy and is designed for individuals who would benefit from a short period of transitional care (to
improve strength, endurance and independence) so that they may safely return home. Too often the
decision to apply to Long Term Care is made right after an acute episode and is based on the patient’s
weakened current state.
Since the opening of the unit a year ago on November 1st, the numbers tell the story: of the 93
admissions to RCU, 72 patients were discharged home and only 10 patients returned to acute care.
“During that same time period, we had an average of 74% improvement in self-assessment scores at
discharge from HOBIC (Health Outcomes for Better Information & Care),” says Rhonda Ridgeway,
Director of Patient Care at Chesley Hospital. “That score is very important as it is how the patients score
themselves. We were hoping for 10% so are very excited about this high score.”
They surpassed all of their target goals: improvement in self-assessment score; percentage of patients
discharged home (actual was 87%, target was 75%) and our average length of stay – they expected 2-8
weeks while the average length of stay was only 28 days.
In order for an individual to be part of this restorative care program, there are a number of criteria they
must meet. For example, they must be 18 years of age and a resident of Grey or Bruce County;
medically stable and they can’t be discharged to a Long Term Care Facility. They must also be able to
participate in the program:
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physically (i.e. be able to dress self with minimal assistance)
cognitively (able to follow instructions and delirium/dementia issues resolved or medically
managed)
and by being medically stable and be assessed for their ability to self-medicate
The readiness for discharge is determined by the physician and the team, which is composed of a
physiotherapist, occupational therapist, nurses, pharmacist, personal support workers and rehabilitation
assistant.
The initiative is an excellent example of the collaboration between health care providers in Grey and
Bruce counties to integrate care in order to support the ability for patients to remain safely in their own
homes as long as possible.
“The proof is in the referrals”, says Ridgeway. “The program is so successful that families are now asking
for family members to be sent to the RCU.”
*Sarah is not the real name of the patient
South Bruce Grey Health Centre (SBGHC) is a hospital corporation located across Grey and
Bruce counties with a budget of in excess of $42 million. SBGHC has four rural hospital sites
located in Chesley, Durham, Kincardine and Walkerton. Our staff of close to 400 provides high
quality care and all of our sites offer 24-hour emergency care. Other services include acute
care, coronary care, obstetrical, surgical and a full range of diagnostic and ambulatory care
services.
For more information contact:
Loretta Dunn, Communications Coordinator
South Bruce Grey Health Centre
21 McGivern Street
Walkerton, ON
N0G 2V0
Phone: (519) 370-2400 ext. 2281
Email: ldunn@sbghc.on.ca