Our BPSO Journey

RNAO Best Practice Guidelines are evidence-based recommendations that support healthcare professionals in providing safe, effective, and high-quality care. The guidelines are developed by the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) to help ensure that care decisions are informed by the best available evidence and leading practices.

Each guideline is developed through an extensive process that includes comprehensive literature reviews, appraisal of research evidence, expert consultation, and input from patients, families, healthcare providers, and system partners. The development of a guideline typically takes 2 to 3 years to complete, ensuring recommendations are rigorous, current, and practical for real-world healthcare settings.

We are currently on our BPSO designation journey. That means our hospital is committed to the ongoing use, evaluation, and sustainability of selected RNAO Best Practice Guidelines. The three BPGs we are focusing on include:

• Improving Transitions Together – supporting safe, coordinated transitions in care
• Person and Family-Centred Care – strengthening partnerships with our patients and families in care and decision-making
• Engaging Clients Who Use Substances – supporting compassionate, evidence-informed and person-centred care for people who use substances

Our goal is to build on the excellent care already being provided at Woodstock Hospital.

Yes. BPSO is not simply a one-time achievement. Once designated, organizations are expected to sustain the practices they have put in place and continually evaluate their impact. BPSO designation is renewed every two years after meeting specific deliverables.

No. Our BPSO journey is about building on our strengths and enhancing the care we provide patients, families, and our teams. It provides a structured framework to further strengthen evidence- informed care, create consistency where appropriate, and support continuous improvement.

Great healthcare doesn’t happen by chance. It happens when you combine compassionate professionals with care decisions that are guided by evidence-based best practices.

That’s why Woodstock Hospital has pursued and received approval from the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario (RNAO) to begin its Best Practice Spotlight Organization® (BPSO) journey.

“To become designated as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization, we have to implement three Best Practice Guidelines over a three-year period,” explained Cindy Smart, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer.

As part of RNAO’s BPSO program, two Best Practice Guidelines are required: Transitions in Care and Person and Family-Centred Care. Woodstock Hospital selected Engaging Clients Who Use Substances as its third guideline to reflect the evolving needs of our patients and community.

“One of the metrics we track as a hospital is readmissions, and we see patients returning to the hospital due to complex health conditions caused by substance use,” explained Cindy. “By improving how we engage and support these individuals, we have an opportunity to improve health outcomes, strengthen the patient experience, and help connect patients with the care and resources they need. We believe this work will benefit not only our patients and families, but also our staff and the broader community.”

Research has shown that organizations participating in RNAO’s BPSO program improve patient experiences, strengthen quality and safety, and create healthier work environments for care teams.

We look forward to sharing updates on pursuing BPSO designation with our community! WH is active on social media, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram