Highlights of the Board of Directors public meeting
Bathurst, February 25, 2014 – The Board of Directors of Vitalité Health Network held its regular public meeting on Tuesday, February 25, 2014 in Bathurst.
Priority given to quality care and services
Surveys on the experience of inpatients
President and CEO Rino Volpé presented the key results of the most recent monthly inpatient satisfaction survey.
The results show that the Network obtains very high levels of satisfaction (90% and over) for 18 of the 20 indicators, especially for appropriateness of care received (98%) and the fact that care contributed to improving patients’ health (98%). The overall levels of satisfaction are lower for some indicators, including meals (72%) and peace and quiet (86%). The Network intends to work on increasing the survey response rate to 20%, as well as on implementing action plans to make the necessary improvements in some facilities, namely as regards peace and quiet during the night.
New quality management accountability framework
The Network presented a new quality management accountability framework designed to better identify the responsibilities and accountability of the various stakeholders in the area of quality management. We are accountable to patients, the population, and taxpayers and the purpose of the framework is to gain trust, meet regulatory requirements, instil a measurement culture, and finally improve processes and results. The President and CEO insisted on the fact that this accountability framework was being developed first and foremost for patients. “This is why it includes the patient credo, placing the latter at the center of our actions,” he said. The plan is accompanied by a 2014-2015 Quality Plan based on Accreditation Canada’s eight dimensions of quality. Objectives were developed for each of these eight dimensions.
For a better performing organization
Excellent financial and operational performance – 6.4% reduction in operating expenditures
The Network’s operating expenditures (before salaries and benefits) for the first ten months of the current fiscal year (from April 2013 to January 2014) saw a 6.4% reduction compared to the same period last year. To January 31, the Network achieved an operating surplus of $10.8 million (before physicians’ salaries). This surplus is primarily due to a 274 reduction in the number of full-time equivalents (FTEs), a 19% reduction in overtime, and an $8.3 million reduction in operating expenditures compared to the same period last year.
Continuous performance improvement
According to the President and CEO, implementation of the Network’s three-year plan targeting a 2% annual increase in performance and productivity is unfolding as planned. The Network has developed new performance standards for care teams setting for instance the productive hours per patient day (HPPD) at 6.06. At this time the Network’s performance is 6.76 HPPD. "We will work on bridging the 11% gap between our current results and the target standard,” said Volpé. “This represents potential savings of $12 million.” Changes to improve the Network’s performance are being made while maintaining the quality of care and services to patients.
2014-2015 capital budget
Total investments of $172.6 million in 2014-2015 for Vitalité Health Network
The Network facilities and programs will benefit from total investments of $172.6 million in 2014-2015 following the announcement of the capital budget of the Province of New Brunswick.
Investments include:
- $13 million for the surgical suite at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre;
- $3.8 million for the integrated breast health centre at the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre;
- $2.3 million for the expansion of the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst;
- $4.5 million for Addiction Services Centre in Edmundston;
- $149 million for the construction of the Restigouche Hospital Centre.
