Registered | Nurse Vai Rollett: cares. for. Shelley. McLean and
infant zon Chevy during a home visit:.Over 490 mothers, -
who have had: ‘a-normal labour:and delivery, have chosen. to
‘go home a2 s00n-as'6 hours after giving birth since the:
“Matemity Early Discharge. Program was. started in the -
‘doctor suggested the program to. me
suse both of us’ were. doing wali ¢

lid quite a bit of research into how to set up an Early
Dischange Program,’" says ‘Maternity Head Nurse’ Rosemary ~
dale, “ard started a trial in May 1989 in conjunction with the
aternity ward renovations. The program has been extremely
well received and we've never looked back!”

: Designed: to help ease the demand for post-partum beds during

extensive maternity. ward renovations, the Mat ternity Early

: Discharge Program continues to offer.an increasing number of
“eligible moms a. greater choice of service.

“Some: ‘people just ‘don't like coming to hospital, and 1 no matter

> how well we feel we care for them while they’re here, they are
‘happier and more comfortable at home. If they don't need the

- extra ‘hospital services provided to higher risk moms and babies,
and their birth and recovery have been normal and healthy, then

there's .no reason for them not to go home and have the same
.... teaching and care provided by our nurses if that’s their
_. preference. .

_ ‘We've also found that our nursing staff really enjoy getting out of

‘the hospital environment.and meeting families in their homes,”

~ adds: Rosemary. “it’s a more relaxed atmosphere, and other

*. family members, especially young: siblings, get a better

. Opportunity to be a part of the newborn's care. This program ©
works well towards keeping the family in focus, and supporting
the family. in adjusting to their new addition.”

_. Most moms hear about the program through their physicians, at

"prenatal. classes.or during the hospital tour. Many moms have

_ chosen early discharge more than once, and find they get more
rest at home than in a busy hospital ward, especially if they have
some support available to them at home.

‘Moms can choose to go home right from the Labour/Delivery
ward on ‘day zero, the day they’ve given birth. Most moms,
_however, have chosen to go home the day after birth, or day 1.
Home visits are made on days 1,2,3,5 and, when necessary, day
10. Each visit fasts 1-3 hours, and LGH maternity nursing staff
provide the same post-partum maternal and infant care and
education as given on the ward. Moms find the home visits
provide the kind of personalized information they need in a
relaxed environment. in addition, families are welcome to phone
the ward 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with any questions or
concerns.

SH ORE

Sunday, June 14, 1992 — North Shore News ~ 34

from page 2

On the operations side | am
pleased to report that the hospita!
has been able to operate within
the funds made available by the
provincial government. This is a
commendable result of an efficient
team of professional staff within
Lions Gate Hospital and their
ability to work well together within
the available resources.

The medical staff revised and
updated theit Medical Manpower
Plan and the Board approved its
implementation. However, the pian
has led to some controversy
amongst those applying for
privileges at the hospital and this
issue will need the attention of the
Board over the coming year. Work
is now underway to revise the
Medical Staff Bylaws and the Rules
and Regulations of the Medical
Staff.

The Communications Committee
continues to look for opportunities
to improve external contact
between the hospital, the
Foundation and our North Shore
communities, even though
available manpower and financial
resources are severely restricted.
Their strategies will be essential in
developing a succes....w! capital
campaign.

The Human Resources Committee
endeavoured to stay current with
the complex issues associated with
the latest round of collective
bargaining by the Health Labour |
Relations Association. The current
climate of public sector wage
increases and fiscal restraint have
made the bargaining process
particularly difficult and the
community is well aware that a
twenty-five day labour disruption
occurred during March and April
1992.

The Planning Commitiee was
successful in working with hospital
staff and Council of the City of

COMMUNITY "91-5 9 2

North Vancouver to consider Lions
Gate Hospital’s Master Plan.
Community discussions, both at
the hospital and within City
Council Chambers, have led to the
important recommendation that
the hospital expand to the East
and, in so doing, close a portion
of St. Andrews Street. The timing
of our expansion remains
uncertain and will require the
investment of funds from both
provincial and regional
governments before we can
proceed further.

Finally, but importantly, our
Quality Assurance Committee
worked to ensure that Lions Gate
Hospital was ready for its review
by the Canadian Council on
Health Facilities Accreditation. The
comprehensive survey by this
national body took place at the
end of October and once again
Lions Gate Hospital was awarded a
three-year Accreditation. This
important process assures your
governing board, and in turn the

community, of the hospital’s ability

to meet and exceed Canadian
standards of quality assurance for
all facilities. We can be very proud
of our record.

The success of Lions Gate Hospital
flows from the dedication of its
2500 staff, 540 hospital volunteers
and 213 physicians, who all strive
to provide exemplary health care
within the financial resources ~~
available. On behalf of the Board
of Directors and the communities
we serve, cur sincere thank you.

! look forward to continuing to
work on your behalf as we address
the important issues of health care
in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Victor Bennington
Chairman, Board of Directors