Toronto East General Hospital Receives Full Accreditation, July 2009.
TEGH is delighted to announce that Accreditation Canada awarded the hospital Full Accreditation with no recommendations in its forecast report, validating its efforts to provide the best care and service to its community.  Only a very small number of organizations receive full accreditation immediately following the on-site survey.  The surveyors' described TEGH "as an organization that has worked diligently to achieve a high level of success.  It has much to be proud of and should celebrate its accomplishments."  Full Accreditation Canada Forecast Report 2009.

2008 OHA Healthy Hospitals Innovator Award, November 2008.
This award recognizes Toronto East General Hospital for achieving the prestigious National Quality Institute Organizational Quality and Healthy Workplace Level Four Award.  In its letter of recognition the OHA states:  "This is an amazing achievement indicating that your organization has sustained positive improvements in areas of leadership, strategic planning, client focus, people engagement, process management, and partnerships," and for "innovative approaches and commitment to the continued development of a healthy healthcare workplace."

Achieved Canada Awards for Excellence - GOLD LEVEL for Organizational Quality and Healthy Workplace.
On September 9^th, 2008, the National Quality Institute (NQI) announced that Toronto East General Hospital was one of only two hospitals in Canada to achieve the Canada Awards for Excellence - Gold Level for Organizational Quality and Healthy Workplace.   Kevin Dougherty, Board Chair, NQI, describes the award recipients as "outstanding role models of effectiveness and leadership."  Letter of congratulations from Allan Ebedes, President & CEO, NQI.

First in Canada to Achieve National Quality Institute's Progressive Excellence Program Level 4 status.
On May 8^th 2008, Toronto East General Hospital (TEGH) proudly become the first organization in Canada to successfully achieve the National Quality Institute's (NQI) PEP Level 4 Status, the highest level of organizational quality and wellness within their Progressive Excellence Program for the health care sector.  This achievement offers the highest level of external validation of quality and recognizes TEGH for developing and sustaining a culture that focuses on continuous quality improvement and a healthy workplace.

Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) & Cancer Quality Council Quality Award, November 2007.
This award was presented to TEGH's Time to Treat team for their submission "Improving Access through Innovation:  Time to Treat," the model of care which has successfully reduced the wait time from suspicion of lung cancer to the beginning of treatment by 71% for residents of east Toronto.  The CCO's Quality & Innovation awards were established to recognize and encourage those who exhibit leadership in developing projects that will improve the performance of cancer care in Ontario.

OHA Innovation in Clinical Practice Team Award, November 2007.
This award, recognizing excellence in clinical practice among Ontario’s Health Professionals, was presented to TEGH’s Progressive Weaning Centre (PWC) at this year’s OHA HealthAchieve Convention.  The PWC was chosen for its innovative practice model which provides care to ventilated patients who are relatively stable and do not need to be cared for in a critical care setting.  Since its inception, the PWC has demonstrated excellent outcomes when compared to similar programs in the United States, has freed up much-needed ICU beds in the system, and provides an excellent example of what can be accomplished when an interdisciplinary group works together to achieve a common goal.

Canadian Healthcare Excellence in Quality Award (CHEQA), October 2007.
TEGH was named the winner of the CHEQA award for “Improving Access Through Innovation:  Time to Treat – A System Redesign for Patients with Suspected Lung Cancer,” an innovative, simple and cost-effective model, which successfully redesigned the processes for referral and treatment of patients with suspected lung cancer, resulting in a reduction of wait time from suspicion of lung cancer to the beginning of treatment by 71%.  The TEGH model was chosen from five other finalists for achieving the following three objectives: inspiring positive change, demonstrating excellence and promoting best practices.  For more information about the award:  http://www.hiroc.com/AxiomNews/2007/October/October16.html.

TEGH Recognized as Baby Friendly ä, September 2007.
TEGH became the first member of the Child Health Network for the GTA and the second hospital in Ontario to attain official Baby Friendly ä status.  The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFI) is an internationally recognized program based on the “Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding” developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).  The program is the only existing evidence-based global strategy designed to promote an optimum environment for a women’s birth experience and for the promotion, protection and support of breastfeeding. 

TEGH Recognized as  Provincial Centre of Excellence in Long-Term Ventilation Strategy, September 2007.
TEGH's Progressive Weaning Centre was named a Provincial Centre of Excellence, responsible for providing clinical leadership and improving weaning practices across Ontario.  TEGH developed expertise in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation to independent breathing after establishing its innovative Progressive Weaning Centre in January 2004.  At that time it was one of only two known programs in Canada.  TEGH's expertise will contribute to the overall Provincial strategy, which will not only help people achieve independent breathing but will help to increase access to ICU beds across the province.

TEGH's Time to Treat Project Featured in MOHLTC Health System Accountability and Performance Division Bulletin, September 12, 2007.
Time to Treat:  Overcoming Barriers in Patient Flowis the title of the article published in the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's September 12, 2007 bulletin.  The article highlights TEGH's 'Time to Treat' program which has successfully reduced wait times from suspicion of lung cancer to diagnosis and treatment by 71% or 11 weeks.

The E. Amy Eck Award from the Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists (Ontario Branch), November 2006.  
Presented to Kelly Walker, TEGH Pharmacist, for her work, accomplished in collaboration with Tracey Beech-Gauthier, Dr. Carmine Simone and Dr. Marcus Kargel.  The team was recognized for their innovative project addressing the development of standardized references for critical care medications that were reinforced through "safety" programming of infusion pumps, pre-printed order sets and staff education.  The project’s outcomes have ensured better patient safety in administering high-risk medications.

2006 OHA Healthy Hospital Innovators Award, November 2006.
TEGH was one of four Ontario hospitals recognized for committing to the development and sustainability of a healthy workplace.  Some examples of achievements recognized:  leadership commitment to healthy workplace concepts and goals; training programs; focus on OH&S and compliance mechanisms; healthy workplace policy addressing stress/psychosocial impact on healthy workplace; strategic priorities that focus on transformation of staff experience and a business plan that focuses on retention and recruitment; and, an openness to knowledge transfer and networking.

Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation Recognized Diana Stepko, TEGH Child Life Specialist,  as a ‘Superhero’, November 2006.
In their ‘Salute to Superheroes’ Diana was honoured for helping to change the lives of children living with chronic and terminal illnesses.  Diana makes a difference to children every day at TEGH, educating, reassuring and comforting.  In her work at TEGH she embodies the organization's mission of brightening the lives of seriously ill children and their families.  Notes Diana, "The privilege that comes from making a difference in the life of a child and their family as a Child Life Specialist is truly humbling.  I am so blessed to be able to do what I do for a living."

Certification of Recognition from the "Internationally Educated Social Work (IESW) Professionals Bridging Program" at Ryerson, October 2006. 
This award recognized the involvement of TEGH social workers in helping to develop this new and exciting program during its inaugural year.  The program provides individuals from other countries with social work degrees with an opportunity to study social work in a Canadian context and to develop Canadian experience through job placement.  TEGH social workers assisted with mock interviews, attended workshops and events and offered coaching to IESWs prior to an interview. The program was a success in its first year; of 22 who completed the program, half have currently found employment in their field.

TEGH First in Canada to Receive Canada Award for Excellence:  Health Care Sector Criteria, October 2006.
TEGH was named a silver recipient in this year's Canada Awards for Excellence by the National Quality Institute (NQI), who presents awards annually to organizations that have displayed outstanding performance in the areas of Quality and Healthy Workplace.  TEGH is the first health care organization in Canada to achieve the Canada Award for Excellence (CAE) for Organizational Quality and Wellness:  Health Care.  This top recognition acknowledges TEGH's commitment to quality and the creation of a healthy workplace.  This award is a continuationof a trend of achieving outstanding milestones in organizational quality and wellness.  Last September, TEGH was also the first hospital in Canada to receive NQI's Performance Excellence Program Level III.

Toronto East General Hospital Successfully Achieves Three-Year Accreditation, June 2006.
TEGH is pleased to announce that it has once again aimed for excellence and hit the accreditation target by successfully achieving another three year accreditation from the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA).   TEGH was recognized for its commitment to delivering the highest quality of service to its community and for its culture of quality improvement.  In its report, the Accreditation Surveyors commended the high quality of services offered, the collaboration among staff and services areas, the strength of TEGH’s relationships with its community partners and the integration of its Accountability Framework in all aspects of its operation.  They also noted the congruent effort of all staff to work together toward a common goal of best patient outcomes. The Hospital is particularly proud of the fact that it was identified as having two leading practices  – its preparation and sterile processes and comprehensive recycling program.

TEGH and Its Community Partners Receive First Ever Minister's Award in Innovation, April 2006.
Solutions – East Toronto’s Health Collaborative, was awarded the first ever Minister’s Award in Innovation for Meeting Community Needs through Integrated Care. Solutions is a voluntary network of health care organizations, of which Toronto East General Hospital is a partner, that has been working collaboratively to create a coherent, well-integrated, coordinated and appropriately funded system of care and support for the people of South East Toronto.  The Innovations Expo was designed to highlight achievements, partnerships and innovations in Ontario that provide leading edge local solutions to specific health care delivery challenges.  Minister Smitherman presented the award to the Solutions’ Community Referrals by EMS (CREMS) project, which was selected from 600 submissions to receive the award.  “This innovative project will result in more appropriate use of 911, EMS services and Toronto East General Hospital emergency department resources by enhancing the ability of local paramedics to connect at-risk community members with the community health and support services that exist in South East Toronto. Most importantly, it will increase the quality of life for adults in this community,” notes Dean Shaddock, Coordinator, Community Medicine Program, Toronto EMS.