Centre de santé communautaire de l'estrie

On April 17th 2012, the CSCE Diabetes Education Program was proud to receive a certificate from the Canadian Diabetes Association in recognition of dedicated service in leading the fight against diabetes by helping people with diabetes live healthy lives.

In this context, we would also remind you that the CSCE Diabetes Education Program allows all people with diabetes or prediabetes in the counties of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and Russell to learn skills they need to take an active role in managing their condition daily.

Click here to learn more about the CSCE Diabetes Education Program.

The Bourget, Crysler and Embrun CSCE accepts clients! For additional information, click here (French only).

A new study that compares the performance of Ontario’s primary care models demonstrates Ontario’s Community Health Centres (CHCs) are the most effective model keeping people out of emergency departments – even though the populations they serve have more complex health care needs.

The study, conducted by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), investigated seven models which have different methods for compensating family physicians. The study zeroed in on differences in demographics of the populations served, as well as well as how often their patients/clients used the emergency department.

• Based on CHC client’s characteristics, the study found that visits by CHC clients to emergency department visits was 21 per cent less than what was expected. Here in the Champlain LHIN, visits to emergency departments by clients of 11 CHCs was 22 per cent less than expected. More precisely at the CSCE, the average was even lower than anticipated by approximately 30 per cent.
• Meanwhile emergency department use by people served by other models was higher than expected. For example, emergency department use by Family Health Teams (FHTs) was 13 per cent more than expected, even though the study showed FHTs serve healthier and wealthier populations.
• In contrast, the study’s demographic analysis confirmed CHCs are proactively connecting services with populations who have traditionally faced barriers accessing primary care and whose living circumstances leave them vulnerable to poor health. According to the study: “CHCs served populations from lower income neighbourhoods, had higher proportions of newcomers and those on social assistance, had more severe mental illness and chronic health conditions….”

“This study demonstrates Ontario’s Community Health Centres are effective taking pressure off the acute care system. And this effective quality of care is being applied to populations whose health is most at risk,” said Adrianna Tetley, Executive Director of the Association of Ontario Health Centres which represents the province’s 73 Community Health Centres.

Tetley noted many of the populations CHCs target are the very same populations referenced in the recent Drummond report as being heavy users of Ontario’s acute care system. She echoed calls from ICES for more study into Ontario’s primary care models, and added there is a special need to examine the potential benefits of a strengthened role for Community Health Centres as the province builds new primary care plans. Currently CHCs serve less than four per cent of the province’s population.

“Primary care is the foundation of our entire health care system so it’s very important to get the right mix of primary care models,” said Tetley. “What this research seems to suggest is that health of individuals, families and entire communities will significantly benefit if Ontario’s Community Health Centres play a strengthened role in the province’s primary care planning.”

CHCs’ comprehensive services and their focus addressing the social determinants of health are two potential reasons for CHCs strong results in the study. Along with the province’s 10 Aboriginal Health Access Centres, they combine primary care with a wide range of counseling, health promotion and community development services. Here at the CSCE, programs such as exercises groups, Green Food Box, community gardens or Diabetes Education Program are especially designed to improve the health of people and keep them out of hospital. And in addition to physicians and nurses, CHCs ‘ interprofessional teams include dietitians, therapists, social workers, health promoters, chiropodists and many other types of health providers. In contrast to other primary care models, all members of the team, including physicians, are on salary.

Quick facts:

• A total of 73 CHCs serve approximately 357,000 people in 110 communities throughout Ontario. Not all the new CHCs announced in 2004 and 2005 are fully operational. When they are, a total of 440,000 people will receive benefit form CHC programs and services. Here in the Champlain LHIN, CHCs serve 24580 people.
• CHCs are proactive directing services to those whose health is most at risk and are focused on lessening avoidable visits to hospital emergency departments. According to the most recent figures supplied by the Canadian Institute for Health Information, in 2005 the average visit to an emergency department in Ontario cost $148. The cost today is likely closer to $180.
• Other studies have confirmed CHC effectiveness. According to recent research conducted by the Élisabeth Bruyère Institute , compared to other models, CHCs deliver superior health promotion services and chronic disease prevention and management. They also do a better job orienting services to community needs.
• Governed by community members, CHCs give people a voice and a choice about the health services they receive. CHCs are also key connectors: interprofessional health teams partner with other health and social service agencies.
• CHCs are key contributors to the sustainability of our healthcare system. By creating community-based hubs where a wide range of services are integrated under one roof, they provide excellent value for money. The average capital cost to build one CHC as a hub with several services under one roof is $6M. To build over 100 hubs across the province would cost much less than cost of construction for one hospital.

The ICES study can be found here

Contact: Mary MacNutt – marym@aohc.org or 647-992-2642

The Association of Ontario Health Centres (AOHC) applauds Ontario’s new action plan for health care, especially its commitment make primary care a cornerstone of health system transformation.

Primary health care, or what the government calls family health care, is care from family physicians and nurse practitioners, ideally delivered in a coordinated way with health promotion and illness prevention activities.  The Association was especially pleased with a number of specific measures the new plan lays out for primary care services:

• Investing in community, bringing services closer to home;
• Calling on primary care to help individuals and their families to navigate the system, particularly those with multiple complex conditions;
• Expanding same day service and house calls;
• Enabling non-physician health providers to use their full range of skills that they are trained and qualified to do;
• Integrating evidence-based best practices.

Click here to read the complete statement from AOHC.

The full plan can be found at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/ms/ecfa/healthy_change/docs/rep_healthychange.pdf

With snow in the forecast, be safe this winter and follow these practical guidelines to prevent injuries while shoveling:

• If you are over 40, overweight and have associated risk factors such as diabetes, heart problems or hypertension talk to your health care provider before shoveling.
• Do some warm up exercises – for example, take a 5 minute brisk walk – before you begin shoveling.
• Start slow, especially in extreme weather when it may be harder to breathe.
• Dress in layers and keep your head and ears covered.
• Avoid eating, smoking, and caffeine before beginning.
• Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
• Bend your knees, keeping your shovel close to your body as you lift.
• Lift smaller amounts of snow rather than heavy shovelfuls which put more strain on the heart.
• Avoid twisting movements.
• Take frequent breaks.
• Stop if you feel pain or tightness – especially in the arms or chest.

Remember to consider your overall health, and know your limits before shoveling that first heavy snowfall!

Source:
http://ottawa.ca/health_safety/

As of November 1st, 2011, you will be required to show acceptable ID to receive prescription narcotics and controlled substance medications.

Few examples of approved forms of identification you can use:

• Ontario Health Card
• Valid Driver’s Licence or Temporary Driver’s Licence
• Ontario Photo Card
• Birth Certificate from a Canadian province or territory
• Government-issued Employee Identification Card
• Valid Passport – Canadian or other country

Ontario’s Narcotics Strategy is promoting the proper use, prescribing and dispensing of prescription narcotics and other controlled substance medications, while ensuring that people who need them continue to have access. This is being done to help reduce the misuse, addiction, unlawful activities and deaths related to these medications.

To learn more about which medications are being monitored and for additional information:

• Visit the ministry’s website at http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/public/programs/drugs/ons/
• Phone the ServiceOntario INFOline toll-free at 1-866-532-3161 (ATS : 1-800-387-5559)

Attention: Recipients of Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program (including Trillium Drug program recipients)

The Drug Profile Viewer (DPV) is a secure electronic information system that will be launch at CSCE Cornwall on October 26th 2011.

Participating health care providers have access to the drug claims history of ODB recipients, so it improves patient care through the reduction of harmful drug reactions.

For additional information, please click here.

In the lead-up to the October 6th provincial election, we will be asking all three political parties to make commitments to ensure the Ontario’s Community Health Centres (CHCs) access continues increasing.

When many more people living in the province have access to Ontario’s CHCs, population health will improve and our health care system will be more sustainable now and in the future.

You can play a crucial role by signing the petition.

Click here to sign the online petition and for more information.