Best Practice Spotlight Organization
In 2021, York Region Public Health Branch’s Child and Family Health Division was designated as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO). BPSOs are health care and academic organizations selected by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) for excellence in implementing, monitoring and evaluating RNAO Best Practice Guidelines.
RNAO is an international leader in creating and promoting the use of evidence and best practices to enhance efficiencies, address gaps and improve client outcomes.
The purpose of this initiative is to integrate proven best practices into how York Region plans, delivers and evaluates public health services and programs.
The benefits of this initiative are improved internal processes, standardized practice and program planning, along with better health outcomes for York Region residents.
We began this journey in 2018 with the implementation of five Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs). We have since included an additional two BPGs.
- Breastfeeding – Promoting and Supporting the Initiation, Exclusivity, and Continuation of Breastfeeding in Newborns, Infants and Young Children
- Person- and Family-Centred Care
- Assessment and Interventions for Perinatal Depression
- Integrating Tobacco Interventions into Daily Practice
- Engaging Clients Who Use Substances
- Woman Abuse: Screening, Identification, and Initial Response
- Workplace Health, Safety and Well-being of the Nurse
The next steps in this process include continuous implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the seven BPGs we have applied, and liaising with relevant key stakeholders.
This initiative aligns with York Region’s core values of excellence, commitment and accountability and ensures York Region residents’ health and wellbeing are at the centre of what we do.