We’ve changed the way we care for our patients.

We call our new approach circles of care. Imagine yourself at the centre of the circle. Now imagine a team of healthcare professionals around you, listening to you, communicating with each other and working together to ensure that you get the best care possible.

Every member of your care team plays an important role and brings vital expertise to the circle, but by far the most important member is you. You’re the expert in the most important subject of all: you. You know about your history, your family, your preferences and your

needs. By listening to you and your loved ones and putting your voices at the centre of our circle, we ensure that you get the care you need, in the way that makes the most sense for you.

The whole point of our new approach is to get you healthy, home and back to your normal life as quickly as possible.

One of the first things we’ll ask you to do is fill out a questionnaire. Your answers will help us build your care team, ensuring that you get all the services you need – and nothing you don’t need. By assembling your team early,  we can start you on your journey to recovery the minute you get here.

Another thing you’ll notice right from the start is that every member of your care team takes the time to introduce themselves. We do this because we’ve learned that when you know our names, you’ll be more comfortable asking us questions.

Once you arrive in your room, you’ll find a white message board at your bedside. We’ll update your board at every shift change. That way you have easy access to the latest information –your nurse’s name, your expected discharge date, changes to your diet and more. Your board also has a place for you to leave messages and ask questions about your care.

You’ll also notice that we’ll be dropping by your room more frequently. Your care team members build these extra visits into their schedules to check in on you, read your message board and answer your questions.

Our recent shift to flexible visiting hours is the last piece of the circle of care puzzle. We know how important it is for you to visit with your loved ones. And we know that allowing visitors in at set times isn’t always best for you. That’s why we now allow you to set your own visiting hours, based only on your condition, your care needs and your preferences.

You: The circle of care revolves around you. That’s why we put you right in the middle.

Your family: Because your family knows you better than anyone else, we keep them in the middle of the circle too, where we can learn from them.

Doctor: While every member of your care team is important and every voice makes a vital contribution, your doctor is ultimately responsible for making the decisions.

Nurses: You’ll be seeing  a lot of the nurses on your team. They’re the ones who will check in with you regularly, give you your medicines and make sure you get the care that your doctor, your specialists and you prescribe.

Respiratory therapist: Your respiratory therapist helps keep you breathing. When we need to ensure that your lungs are functioning properly, we make sure a respiratory therapist is part of your team.

Pharmacist:  Because it’s so important to get the right medications, a pharmacist is part of your team. Our Pharmacy department is on site, so you never have to wait long for your medicines.

Medical radiation technologist: When we need to look inside your body, we call the Imaging Services department.

Clinical dietitian: Since the food you eat while you’re healing is important, a dietitian will always be a part of your care team.

Other team members

The questionnaire you fill out when you first check in will help us build a care team that’s custom-designed to meet your needs. Here are some of the people who might be part of your team:

Community Care Access Centre case manager: Do you think you might need help living independently after you leave the hospital? A Community Care Access Centre case manager can assess your needs, arrange in-home services and connect you with other people who can help.

Clinical ethicist: Sometimes the line between right and wrong isn’t as clear as we’d like it to be. In those moments, we call our ethicist to help us.

Environmental services assistant: These are the people who make sure your room and washroom are clean. They also clean patient areas,  treatment areas and public areas of the hospital.

Medical laboratory technologists: These are the people who perform the tests your care team orders for you. You’ll probably have several medical lab technologists working on your team.

Occupational therapist: Are you facing an adjustment once you leave the hospital? Your occupational therapist can help you figure out the best ways to ease back into your life.

Patient care assistant: When your nurses need extra support, they may call a patient care assistant to help you with your daily living activities.

Physical therapist: Your physical therapist helps you get moving again with therapeutic exercises designed to increase your strength, mobility and independence.

Porter: Your porter will transport you around the hospital by wheelchair, stretcher or bed, and they’ll escort you when you’re able to walk on your own.

Psychologist: Sometimes we will call in a psychologist as part of your care team.

Radiation therapist: If you’re here for cancer treatment, a radiation therapist will work with you to plan a radiation regimen that will attack your cancer cells while minimizing the side effects.

Social worker: We know that a hospital stay can be stressful. Your social worker is a supportive team mate who can supply counselling and important information to you and your family.

Speech language pathologist: If you need help with speaking or swallowing, we’ll call in a speech language pathologist.

Spiritual care specialist: You don’t have to be religious to need spiritual care. If you’re feeling anxious or you need a sympathetic ear, one of our chaplains is available 24 hours a day.

Volunteers: KGH volunteers are an important part of your care team. They provide companionship, help you write letters and make phone calls, escort you to your hair appointments and more.