Published Date
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) has partnered with 15 healthcare organizations across Ontario to lead a Community of Practice as part of facilitating the implementation of Health Quality Ontario’s Schizophrenia Quality Standards at these partnering organizations.
The Schizophrenia Quality Standards for care in hospitals and in the community include a series of 11 to 15 statements that are actionable, measurable and grounded in the best available evidence. The statements help patients and families know what they should expect around medications and psychotherapies, including family intervention therapy.
Ontario Shores first implemented the Quality Standards in 2016 and since that time has developed expertise in its application of the Standards with an ongoing focus on monitoring, quality improvement and sustainability in delivery of the most effective treatments for Schizophrenia.
Through the creation of a Schizophrenia Quality Standards Spread Initiative Community of Practice, Ontario Shores is sharing its implementation strategies, key learnings and tools to help other organizations with their implementation of these treatment approaches to individuals with Schizophrenia across Ontario.
Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental illness that is associated with premature mortality and high disease burden. Despite the well-established evidence for the care of adults with Schizophrenia, there continues to be gaps in services that support these individuals.
Evidence indicates it can take up to 17 years for research to reach frontline care. Initiatives such as this Community of Practice can increase the rate at which this evidence-based care can be implemented to ensure greater quality and consistency across the health care system.
“Through the Schizophrenia Quality Standard, we have been able to improve the quality of care, ensure consistent care is being delivered across our programs and that patients are receiving the best combination of treatment approaches that support their recovery,” says Karim Mamdani, President and CEO. “We look forward to our continued work with our partners to advance the quality of care across the mental health care system.”
The partners will learn more about how to effectively implement the Schizophrenia Quality Standards in their respective organizations, share knowledge and further collaborate with partners across the province.
“We welcome any opportunity to work together with healthcare partners to advance the care we provide our patients,” Simone Papernick, Patient Care Manager, Mental Health Program. “Mackenzie Health is excited to join this Community of Practice to bring greater standardization to the treatment offered to individuals with Schizophrenia.”
The 15 partners consist of 13 hospitals and 2 community service providers:
- Health Sciences North
- Joseph Brant Hospital
- Kenora Canadian Mental Health Association Branch
- Lake of the Woods District Hospital
- Mackenzie Health
- Markham Stouffville Hospital
- Northumberland Hills Hospital
- Ottawa Canadian Mental Health Association Branch
- Peterborough Regional Health Centre
- Southlake Regional Health Centre
- St. Joseph's Care Group (Thunder Bay)
- St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
- Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
- Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care
- Windsor Regional Hospital
About Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences:
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (Ontario Shores) is a leader in mental health care, providing a range of specialized assessment and treatment services for people living with complex mental illness. Patients benefit from a recovery-oriented environment of care, built on compassion, inspiration and hope. Ontario Shores engages in research, education and advocacy initiatives to advance the mental health care system.
For more information, please contact:
Andrea Marshall
Director, Communications, Volunteers and CEOD
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
905-430-4055 ext. 6581 or Cell: 905-439-0224
@email
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