b'CULTURE & LEADERSHIPChanging the culture,one champion at a timeRoyal Ottawa Places Best Practice Spotlight Organization journeyBy Sarah Anderson, Brooke Meredith & Justin MadiganI n todays fast moving and complexchallenges were unfolding just as thestaff on how evidence can become health care system, leaders in long- first waves of COVID-19 hit.practice. These were not just honorary term care are asked to do more thanMorale was low, burnout was high,titles. Champions lead real initiatives: ever before. The expectations are high:but there were knowledge gaps (atthey facilitated team huddles, led deliver evidence-based, high-qualityROP, they were around palliative carequality improvement projects, and care while also building supportive,supported resident rounding and collaborative workplaces where staff feeland pressure injuries) and we werepalliative care programs.valued and residents are truly at committed to building these programs the centre.from the ground up. Initially, there was some reluctance. Staff were understandably cautious It is a tall order, but at Royal OttawaWe soon discovered that the RNAOand wondered if this was just another Place (ROP), a 64-bed long-termBPSO is much more than a checklisttop-down initiative that would fizzle care home in Ottawa, we found anfor guideline implementation; it is aout. However, over time, the culture unexpected game changer in theleadership tool that creates space forstarted to shift. Staff began asking how Registered Nurses Association ofinnovation, empowerment, they could become Champions. Staff Ontarios Best Practice Spotlightand transformation. wore their Champion T-shirts with Organization (BPSO) program. Culture change from the pride. They supported each other, ground upasked critical questions, and took When we first joined the BPSO journey,One of the most powerful aspectsownership of the changes happening we were looking for more than just bestof the BPSO program is the wayaround them.practice guidelines; we were searchingit brings leadership to the frontThen something remarkable for something that could help guide uslines. At ROP, our staff, particularlyhappened; residents and resident through real change.personal support workers (PSWs) andfamily members became Champions At the time, we were facing significantregistered practical nurses (RPNs),too. They joined education sessions, gaps in policies, staff education, andbegan stepping into new roles assat on quality councils, and helped supportive structures, particularly aroundBest Practice Champions, a programco-design care improvements based palliative care and wound care. Thesedelivered by the RNAO educatingon their lived experiences. This52 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2025'