Mnaamodzawin Health Services first Aboriginal agency to be named a best practice spotlight organization

Used with permission from the Manitoulin Expositor

MNAAMODZAWIN HEALTH SERVICES FIRST ABORIGINAL AGENCY TO BE NAMED A BEST PRACTICE SPOTLIGHT ORGANIZATION BY THE REGISTERED NURSES ASSOCIATION OF ONTARIO

MANITOULIN – Mnaamodzawin Health Services In Aundeck Omni Kaning First Nation (AOK) has been selected as one of the nine health care agency in Canada to be identified as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) and is the first Aboriginal agency of its kind to receive this distinction.   Mnaamodzawin Health Services celebrated its pre-designation with a launch event.   Mnaamodzawin Health Services will implement five best practice guidelines over the next three years before officially being designated as a BPSO.

The launch event consisted of honour song by the Sheguiandah Drum Group following by Thanksgiving prayer by Leona Nahwegahbow.

Opening Remarks by Vice-President, Leonard Genereux stating “we are delighted to hear from the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) and to be the first aboriginal agency to be identified as a BPSO.  The Board of Directors has every confidence that the staff will achieve this goal in the next three years.”

AOK Chief Patsy Corbiere remarks “I am privileged and honoured to be here today to attend the Mnaamodzawin Health Services official launch as the RNAO BPSO.   This is a fantastic opportunity that will have positive impacts on patient care.  Through consistence use of evidence based practices we can learn and teach one another to continuously improve on the care we provide to the people. From a humble beginning, I’ve seen the growth of our health care system from one health nurse to a team of 26 quality health care professional under the Mnaamodzawin Health Services umbrella.  Walking four miles into Little Current to see the health nurse in the early days was a norm, but unacceptable.  Today, we have nursing services offered right in our homes and communities.  Health Care has definitely changes over time.  For this reason, I am extremely proud of Mnaamodzawin Health Services and their accomplishment and most importantly, their capacity to deliver the project requirements of the BPSO program.  I’ve seen progress in this health organization through the years and I believe the new initiative will only strengthen our abilities to refocus and implement best practice guidelines to better service our people.”

There are currently 92 BPSOs world wide with a total of 450 sites.    Best Practice Spotlight Organizations (BPSO) are healthcare and academic organizations selected by the Registered Nurse’s Association of Ontario (RNAO) through a proposal process to implement and evaluate the RNAO’s best practice guidelines.  It’s a partnership that focuses on making a positive impact on patient care through evidence based practice.  It provides support to the organization that has formally agreed to implement and evaluate multiple RNAO best practice guidelines over a three year period.

Mnaamodzawin Health Services Director of Care, Debbie Selent will lead the BPSO plan and timelines.   Debbie Selent explained that Mnaamodzawin has identified five best practice guidelines that will be implementing over the next three years including:

1)      The assessment and management of venous leg ulcers

2)      The assessment and management o foot ulcers for people with diabetes

3)      Maintenance to reduce vascular access complications

4)      Client centered care

5)      Client care in the last days and hours of life

Mnaamodzawin Health Services Executive Director, Julie Morin, shared that a financial contribution of $105,000 will be received over the next three years to assist in the development of polices.  As part of the designation, Mnaamodzawin Health Services will maintain best practices and work to develop two additional best practices each year to maintain BPSO identification”

Mnaamodzawin Health Services Inc. is a non-profit organization that was established in 1995 and incorporated in 1999. It is considered a regional health authority for five First Nation communities: Aundeck Omni Kaning, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Whitefish River and Zhiibaahaasing First Nations. These are rural First Nation communities located on or near Manitoulin Island in Northeastern Ontario