The CAMH Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO) initiative was formally launched in September 2022 as a three-year partnership with the Registered Nurses Association (RNAO). By joining the BPSO initiative, CAMH is optimizing health outcomes through the systematic implementation and evaluation of RNAO's clinical Best Practice Guidelines (BPGs) while fostering evidence-based practice cultures.
Can you share your personal motivation for becoming a Champion in the Best Practice Spotlight Organization program?
"I wanted to become a Champion because I’m passionate about optimizing the mental health outcomes of patients and families I work with daily. Over the years of working in a healthcare setting, I have observed gaps and barriers that impede patients from receiving the best care possible. I felt inspired to be a part of an initiative that uses evidence-based practices to improve healthcare outcomes by addressing these gaps.
Evidence-based practice supports clinical decision making by combining the best available research with clinical knowledge and patient experience. It also ensures that as clinicians and as a wider organization we remain accountable to the clients and families we support and avoid variations in care. They help us continue to reflect on ways in which we can improve patient care outcomes and safety.
The first Best Practice Guideline that we are working on implementing on our unit is Promoting Safety: Alternative approaches to restraint use. The Champions brought this topic to one of our weekly business meetings and identified the gaps that exist in implementing certain safety assessments. We identified ways we can ensure these forms remain updated and accurate by sharing the responsibility amongst different team members. When we have a deeper understanding of our clients’ needs and coping strategies, we can better manage crises in effective and trauma informed ways.”
