Orthopaedic-Trauma Experience Group Demonstrates Incredible Collaboration

Congratulations to the Orthopaedic-Trauma Experience Group who recently received Lakeridge Health’s inaugural Quality and Person-Centred Care Partnership Award for their efforts to improve the experience for patients and their Essential Partners-in-Care (EPCs). 

The Quality and Person-Centred Care Partnership Award was created to recognize a team that has developed and implemented a collaborative or Experience Based Co-Design (EBCD) solution that has led to a clear and measurable improvement to how patients and families experience health-care services at Lakeridge Health. EBCD is a quality improvement methodology where patients, families, and team members work together to design health-care services that positively impact the experience for everyone involved. 

In their project, the Orthopaedic-Trauma Experience Group worked to enhance the surgical care journey for patients and their EPCs. Co-led by surgeon Dr. Samir Chhabra and Patient and Family Advisor (PFA) Laura Tymcuk, the team’s overarching goal was to close existing gaps pertaining to communication, patient education, and pain management that existed within the orthopedic-trauma surgical care pathway. 

“The Orthopaedic-Trauma Experience Group was formed based on areas our patients identified as opportunities to improve their experience,” said Heather Lithgow, Director of Surgery. “Our team values the voices of patients and engages them in the care pathway to ensure high-quality care for all.”  

“Actively seeking input from patients and their families provides insight into their needs and helps create interventions that are truly beneficial to them,” added Dr. Chhabra. “This award showcases our teamwork and is a testament to the compassionate care we provide to patients.” 

At Lakeridge Health, many initiatives are co-designed with PFAs. These projects are easily identified by the “in partnership with Patient & Family Advisors” logo.

To learn more about how to become a PFA, click here.