Prairie North Regional Health Authority board of directors met in Lloydminster Nov. 30.
Topics discussed fell under the broad strategic goals of better care, better health, better team, and better value.
Prairie North's chronic disease management (CDM) team is making a difference in the lives of many region residents, according to a report from the meeting.
Joan Wentworth, manager of Chronic Disease Management Services, and other members of her team reported on program improvements and successes.
The Strides to Better Health exercise and education program expanded in September 2011 to accept higher-risk patients, including those with cardiac problems. The physician-referral requirement was also dropped, opening the program to many more residents.
Shared medical appointments are being used in Meadow Lake, bringing patients with diabetes together to support each other while they meet with educators and other health professionals at the same time.
Looking at data from the first group of patients using this model, health outcomes improved greatly and patients indicated a 98 per cent satisfaction rating, the report states.
Strengthened services for stroke include more co-ordinated prevention and rehabilitation services.
Collaborating with the Canadian Diabetes Association, Prairie North has been conducting diabetes screening and education at the food banks in North Battleford and Meadow Lake.
Craving Change, a group program for people who struggle with their relationship with food, will continue to be offered throughout the region. It's a series of four facilitated workshops led by dietitians, nurse educators, and mental health staff.
A comprehensive plan for primary health care in the Lloydminster service area was approved by the board. The plan outlines eight priorities, with key results, performance measures, and strategies for achieving each: improve access to 24/7 primary health care; develop Lloydminster as a teaching centre for family physicians and other primary health care providers; improve access to mental health and addiction services; enhance chronic disease prevention and management services; improve access to rehabilitation services; increase focus on sexual health and harm reduction; enhance maternal and early childhood development services; and increase focus on health promotion and disease and injury prevention.
The Primary Health Care Service Plan and implementation plan was prepared by Western Management Consultants after collaboration and consultation with many community stakeholders, including physicians and Lloydminster residents.
The next step is to firm up the implementation plan and identify what can be done now within existing resources, what can be planned for next year, and what will need additional approvals and resourcing.
Physician recruitment continues in the area, with seven family physicians scheduled to start practising in the city in 2012.
Prairie North, according to the release, is breaking new ground in the area of falls prevention. Last year, the province's only falls prevention co-ordinator was hired in the region. Darlene Clarke described work she's done to implement a falls prevention strategy in each of the region's facilities and in home care. She said she has introduced best practices and is continually working with staff to prevent falls to improve the quality of life of residents.
Vice-President of Medical Services Dr. Bruce Murray shared recommendations on improving physician credentialing as presented in a report by Dr. Jim Cross.
The recommendations point to standardizing the process and establishing better processes to collect and confirm physician credentials.
Two borrowing resolutions were passed by the board. Financial statements to the end of October 2011 were also approved. The summary of operating revenues shows a surplus of $4,510,272.
