WRHA Annual Report 2007/2008 - Winnipeg Regional Health ...

Strategic Directions:Achievements and Challenges - Treatment and Support (continued)nurses of patients residing in remote communities of northernManitoba.This program targets patients diagnosed with diabetes whoare at risk of vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy and screensthem for this treatable disease. After the three dimensionalphotos are read, Misericordia coordinates referrals asnecessary.By using digital photography the centre can examine a greaternumber of patients and prioritize those who need to travel toWinnipeg for treatment. It reduces unnecessary travel forpatients and, with specialists able to detect diseases at earlierstages and initiate treatment, reduces blindness or emergencytrips to Winnipeg.Service and Facility EnhancementsSeveral other initiatives have been introduced or are underdevelopment that will improve access to a variety of services,positively impact patient length of stay and improve wait times.These include:• Creation of the Manitoba HIV program, includingexpansion of test sites and access to diagnosis andtreatment• Increased volume in kidney transplants• Early intervention program for children living withAttention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder inpartnership with Child and Adolescent Health• Expanding access to MRI referral services for familypractitionersHospitals. Patient volumes are expected to be between five and10 patients per day.In late 2006, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Medicine andRespiratory Therapy Programs undertook a major restructuringof sleep disorder services in Winnipeg. The restructuring teamapplied significant process improvement and reengineeringtechniques to address wait list issues in both the diagnosis andtreatment of sleep disorders. In July 2008, the existing eightbedsleep lab, respiratory therapy services and follow-up clinicat Health Sciences Centre will be relocated to an expanded 10-bed Sleep Disorder Centre at the Misericordia Health Centre aspart of its redevelopment project. The new clinic will consolidatediagnosis, treatment and follow-up in one location. Theenhanced capacity and new processes will help eliminate theexisting wait list over the next two years.Diagnostic Imaging EnhancementsSeveral facilities in the Winnipeg Health Region will be receivingsignificant upgrades in diagnostic imaging technology as partof the provincial government’s $6.5 million investment forreplacement diagnostic equipment in Manitoba. This includesmore that $2.3 million toward a new magnetic resonanceimager (MRI) and more than $915,000 for a replacementThe new Pediatric Ophthalmology Clinic and expansion ofthe Asthma Education Centre at Children’s Hospital weresuccessfully initiated in 2007/2008. Both services will enhancecare to children throughout Manitoba. The expansion of asthmaeducation is expected to enable an additional 300 families toaccess this care and decrease wait times.The expansion of the Prehabilitation Program at Pan Am Cliniccontinues to help ensure patients are “fit and ready” for surgery.This approach optimizes outcomes for patients, and can helpreduce length of stay. So far, the program has been focused onorthopedic patients from Grace, Victoria and Seven Oaks Generalwww.wrha.mb.ca