Spotlight

The Network has released guidance for Ontario Health Teams to help them identify patients who require specialized rehabilitation and refer them appropriately. Specialized rehabilitation is required for some rehabilitation populations to ensure good patient outcomes and efficient care. These specialized rehabilitation programs are provided regionally or provincially because they require a specially trained interprofessional team, a critical mass of patients to maintain expertise and clinical...

Data analyzed by the Network suggest that patients who had COVID-19 are responding well to inpatient rehabilitative care. The conclusion is based on analysis of 2020/21 data reported by 15 rehab/complex continuing care members. The data provide a clearer picture of this new population group, the rehabilitative care these patients require and their outcomes. Members reported close to 1,400 COVID-19 rehab/CCC discharges from March 2020 to March 2021. The period covers the first wave of the...

A Network analysis of 2020/21 outpatient rehab data shows a dramatic drop in patient volume due to COVID-19. The Network has been collecting and analyzing quarterly outpatient rehab data in the Toronto region for primary hip and knee replacement, stroke and hip fracture populations since 2014. The analysis allows Network members to compare their performance against best practice recommendations and other organizations. This year, the Network focused on monitoring the impact of the pandemic...

The Network is actively supporting members in their pandemic and post-pandemic planning and continues to respond to needs as they emerge. This includes regularly convening leaders from rehab/CCC hospitals to share information on COVID-19 planning and to explore ways to coordinate care across the system. Other pandemic initiatives include the following: Ensuring safe surge capacity: To support planning for COVID-19 surges in acute care, the Network has developed a safety risk tool to...

The Network’s COVID-19 rehab resource has been updated with a new listing on post COVID-19 condition (formerly known as long-COVID). The resources that are included reflect the evolving knowledge about the long-term effects of COVID-19 and the important role rehab will play in helping individuals regain function. The extensive list identifies Canadian sources for easy reference and includes the following:  Understanding Long COVID-19: Briefing note by the Research, Analysis, and...