(photo credit: Kevin Kelly)
In 2010, Mount Sinai Hospital officially named geriatric care as a core strategic priority, understanding that changing demographics were leading increased numbers of older patients to more frequently use health care services that weren’t always built for their needs.
Since then, through strong partnerships that have been forged with our patients, their families and internal and external health care providers, Sinai Health has brought together geriatric specialists in medicine, nursing psychiatry, therapy, pharmacy, social work, primary, home and community care to redefine how care can be best delivered for Sinai Health’s older patients and their families where they need it most. Sinai Health, in partnership with University Health Network (UHN), has now helped to create the largest integrated continuum of geriatric care in Canada.
Now celebrating our tenth anniversary, our Healthy Ageing and Geriatrics program continues to expand, and is recognized as a leader in the care of older adults with many of our models now being replicated globally, as well for our considerable research and education opportunities.
Throughout the month of January, we’ll be sharing some of the exceptional stories of our geriatrics program, and our commitment to helping older adults age in good health.
We are leaders
• In 1954, Mount Sinai Hospital became the first known hospital in Canada, and possibly North America, to establish a four week geriatric medicine rotation for all of its interns that was delivered in partnership with Baycrest Hospital and the Jewish Home for the Aged.
• Our Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Strategy has been recognized with provincial and national awards, including the Ontario Minister’s Medal Honouring Excellence in Health Quality and Safety, three Accreditation Canada Leading Practice Designations, the National Patient Safety Quality Award and the 3M National Quality Team Award, as well as international recognition from the OECD and the Commonwealth Fund.
Our geriatrics program welcomes over 200 medical and other trainees at all levels every year through our clinical rotations, and over 500 additional learners through our growing portfolio of professional development opportunities
Volunteers in our award-winning Maximizing Aging Using Volunteer Engagement (MAUVE) Program performed more than 39,371 visits and 33,800 interventions to 2,703 older patients, dedicating 8,757 hours or 250 work weeks in 2019 helping frail older adults better manage while receiving care in our ED, and acute and rehabilitative inpatient settings.
Our models of care have helped us achieve a 99% satisfaction rating from our older patients and their family members while delivering excellent patient and system outcomes.
To learn more, stay tuned here and across our social media channels throughout the month and follow the hashtags #SinaiStories and #SinaiResearch.