Skip to content

Long term care in Ponoka recognized for its excellence

Ponoka Hospital unit staff nominated for AHS award for patient centred care
11507663_web1_180425-PON-AHSnomination_2
Staff members of the the Long Term Care unit at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre pose with their lovely blue lanyards following their recognition as one of several nominations for the annual AHS President’s Excellence Awards earlier this month. Photo by Jordie Dwyer

It’s a big honour just to be nominated, especially when a huge group of people had to make it all happen.

The contingent of staff and managers that keep the Long Term Care (LTC) unit at the Ponoka Hospital and Care Centre running as smooth as it does were honoured earlier this month with a nomination in the Alberta Health Services (AHS) President’s Excellence Awards. The staff were among 138 teams and individuals that were nominated in six different categories.

While the winners have not been announced, the Ponoka staff were presented April 23 with letters of appreciation and blue lanyards as well as a framed certificate that will be placed on a wall at the unit’s entrance.

The unit’s staff were nominated in the Outstanding Achievements in Patient and Family Centred Care category, which recognizes excellence in providing, supporting and advancing patient and family centred care.

“Here, the client drives what and how their care is provided. They make the choice and each person is different,” explained Linda Nieviadomy, LTC manager.

“What is most important is meeting the client, presenting the options available, letting it be their moment and having them determine what meaningful living is to them.”

She added one reason behind the nomination was the unit receiving a perfect 100 per cent on its accommodation audit done last January.

“I have a dream team here and that audit result, plus the nomination simply reaffirmed that others higher up, not just me, have noticed that,” stated Nieviadomy, who is about to retire.

“These people are the best in the world, so what a high note to go out on.”

As for the internal acknowledgement, Nieviadomy explained the unit’s excellence is also reflected in the comments received from clients and their families and surveys in the community.

“People say they had no idea of the freedom clients have here. We are guests in ‘their’ home, and as such, we need to respect their values,” she stated.

“And we wouldn’t be in this position without the support from the community, so we really want to again express our appreciation to the Festival of Trees for the $125,000 contribution that helped us complete our bathroom renovations.”

The other five award categories include service excellence, corporate and non-clinical support services, people excellence, quality improvement plus innovation and research excellence.