Letters to the Editor

December 9, 2016Editor:Regarding your article of November 23, 2016 entitled ‘Humber River Regional (sic) Hospital: new site, same problems’… I thought I would share a few facts about the hospital with you.First, like all hospitals, not every single one of the more than 2,800 patients we treat on an average day leaves feeling completely satisfied with their experience. And while we work very hard to prevent that, no hospital has a 100% patient satisfaction score – no hospital.That’s why, among other available resources, we have a Patient Representative – someone dedicated to helping patients and family members voice their concerns to hospital leaders when they have them, ensuring they get information in a timely manner, and a forthright, timely response. Her work is reported through a Board Committee directly to the Board of Directors of the hospital – in effect, the community’s representatives. We take complaints about care and service very seriously.But there’s a reason why Humber received Accreditation Canada’s highest quality award, Accreditation with Exemplary Standing, in its last survey. In fact the hospital scored a 98.1% compliance rate with more than 2,000 Accreditation Standards; and a 100% compliance rating with all Accreditation Canada Required Organizational Practices.There’s a reason why visitors are coming to Humber from countries around the world – Brazil, China, the U.K; Australia; the U.S.A. and others. They are coming to learn, going home to emulate some of the amazing work going on at Humber.There’s a reason why in our October 2016 staff and physician survey, over 86% of the Humber team strongly agreed with this statement: “I would recommend this organization to friends and family who require care.” This was a completely confidential survey, by the way.There’s a reason why the independent National Research Corporation’s latest survey of Humber’s inpatients shows Humber scoring over 10% better than the average for GTA hospitals (81% vs. 73%). Again, this was a completely confidential survey.There’s a reason why our Emergency Department wait times until the first assessment by an ED physician is among the best in the province.There’s a reason why no Humber clinical area has had an infectious disease outbreak for over two years (and counting).There’s a reason why, on November 12th, a Humber physician was honoured at the Ontario Association of Gastroenterology (OAG) Gala Dinner with the OAG’s Distinguished Service Award.There’s a reason why, on November 18th, a Humber ICU nurse received the CARE Centre for Internationally Educated Nurses (IEN) Joan Lesmond IEN of the Year Award. The award is named to honour the late Dr. Joan Lesmond, a champion of diverse and inclusive nursing.There’s a reason why Humber River is the GTA hospital of choice for Queens University Medical School.There’s a reason why Humber is home to the first bariatric surgery program outside the USA to be certified by the American College of Surgeons.There’s a reason why Humber is home to the first robotic surgery program in any Canadian community hospital.And, yes, there’s a reason why Humber is home to North America’s first fully digital hospital.That reason is a simple one: the great men and women who work at our hospital are dedicated to the patients and families they care for, and are committed to the highest standards of care delivery. Every day.And every day we hear from patients and families grateful for the compassionate, professional, respectful care they receive at Humber River Hospital.Sincerely,(via email)Barbara CollinsPresident & CEOHumber River Hospital