North York General Hospital's breast cancer program winner of 3M Health Care Quality Team Award

Dr. Nancy Down talks to a patient on stretcher before surgery

The Canadian College of Health Leaders and 3M Canada Company has selected the Breast Cancer Integrated Care Collaborative (ICC) at North York General Hospital (NYGH) for the 2019 3M Health Care Quality Team Award (Across a Health System). NYGH was chosen for its innovative approach to providing high-quality care to breast cancer patients.

“We are honoured to receive this award,” says Anna Tupis, Program Director of Ambulatory, Cancer and Transitional Care Programs at NYGH. “Thank you to the Canadian College of Health Leaders and 3M for recognizing our incredible team and their dedication to providing compassionate care so that patients feel safe, valued and respected.”

The NYGH Breast Cancer ICC was created in 2012 by more than 40 experts, including patients and families, who came together, and through extensive consultation co-designed the new care model. Using an innovative approach to link medical and support services together, with evidenced-based practice as a lever for change, the ICC was developed to provide a seamless, integrated patient- and family-centred care approach from diagnosis to survivorship.

members of the breast cancer team
Members of the NYGH Breast Cancer Integrated Care Collaborative

The NYGH Breast Cancer ICC model brings together all the health care professionals who are involved in a patient’s journey. The team provides seamless care in a supportive, compassionate environment.

“The Breast Cancer ICC achieves these goals by breaking down the silos that exist between health providers, both within the hospital and in the community,” says Dr. Nancy Down, Medical Director of the Breast ICC and Division Head of General Surgery at NYGH. “By recognizing that coordination, communication, collaboration and patient-centred care lay the foundation for the patient experience, NYGH has been able to create a new standard for health care services”

Not only does NYGH provide access to state-of-the-art diagnostic tests and advanced surgical techniques such as oncoplastic surgery and immediate breast reconstruction, all patients and families have access to a patient navigator. The patient navigator is a dedicated contact and resource, providing emotional support, coordination of care, and education every step of the way.

Quick facts:

  • The NYGH Breast Cancer ICC is one of the very few programs in Canada that reviews every single breast cancer case by a multidisciplinary team.
  • NYGH has received, for the fifth year in a row, the Cancer Care Ontario (CCO) award for top performing hospital for wait times 2 (decision to treat to treatment) and for the second year in a row, the CCO award for meeting all targets for wait times 1 (time from referral to consult), a new CCO quality indicator.
  • NYGH is the first hospital in the GTA to provide as its standard of care, radioactive seed localization for patients needing breast surgery.

“This award is not only a source of pride for the hospital, but also serves as an opportunity to share our knowledge and expertise in creating an Integrated Collaborative Care model,” says Dr. Joshua Tepper,President and CEO of NYGH. “All patients benefit when we spread practices that ensure care is accessible, safe and reflective of their needs.”

In addition to being recognized with the 3M award, the NYGH breast cancer program is also the only Canadian site to receive full accreditation from the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons.

NYGH has a history of recognition for success in quality improvement has been presented with this award previously.

The 3M award will be presented on June 11 during the 2019 National Health Leadership Conference (NHLC) in Toronto. Read more about the 3M Health Care Quality Team Award (Across a Health System).

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