This article describes what the Queen's University Care Delivery Network project, a multidisciplinary, applied research project, learned about facilitating clinically focused integrated service delivery. Lessons learned include the importance of teamwork, resources, skills, planning, communication, leadership, education and ongoing commitment to ensure successful outcomes. It was also learned that people are prepared to change and collaborate to improve the process and outcome of patient care.
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References
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Community care access centres (CCACs) were established in the late 1990s in Ontario as gatekeepers to, and coordinators of, long-term care facilities and in-home health and support services. CCACs represent the merger of home care programs (previously sponsored by public health units in most of Ontario) and placement coordination services.
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The Healthcare Network of Southeastern Ontario is a voluntary partnership of the seven hospital corporations; three community care access centres; three public health units; the Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University; the Southeastern Ontario District Health Council; the Kingston Regional Cancer Centre and Cancer Care Ontario Regional; and the Health Information Partnership, Eastern Ontario region. It was founded in 1995 and meets regularly to address issues of common concern. For more information see http://www.seohealthnet.com
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Health Services Restructuring Commission.Looking back, looking forward: A legacy report 1996–2000. The Commision; March 2000; p. 2.
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Ontario Hospital Association.Pathway to integration: Identifying systemic barriers. The Association; October 1998. Available at www.oha.com.
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Care Delivery Network Project, Queen's University.What we heard: A report of meetings held with health service providers throughout Southeastern Ontario to discuss condition-specific integration, May through August, 1998. The University; September 30, 1998.
The Care Delivery Network project has produced two reports that profile the lessons learned throughout the project. What we learned (the long version): Health Service Integration lessons of the Care Delivery Network project team, July 4, 2000. What we learned: The health service integration lessons of the Care Delivery Network project team, March 2000. (This is a summary report).
