Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre (2075 Bayview Ave, North York) is the largest trauma centre in Canada and the only accredited Level 1 trauma centre outside of the United States. Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre is more commonly known as Sunnybrook Hospital.
Our research team at Good Caring Canada prepared this review to provide a balanced assessment of Sunnybrook Hospital — by drawing information from multiple sources, including patient and employee reviews, and quantitative data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. By examining multiple sources, readers can form a well-rounded perspective on the hospital’s care quality, safety and accessibility.
Table of contents
- Introduction
- Google Reviews
- Glassdoor Reviews
- Media Reports
- Quantitative Performance Indicators
- Accessibility
Introduction
Established in 1948 as Sunnybrook Military Hospital to support veterans of World War II, Sunnybrook Hospital has since grown into one of Canada’s largest and most prestigious academic health sciences centers. Over its history, it has expanded its facilities and services to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the community.
Sunnybrook has a strong tradition of medical innovation and research, with notable contributions including the first electronic pacemaker implantation in 1960 and the development of the first clinical MRI in 1980. These groundbreaking achievements have positioned Sunnybrook as a global leader in medical technology and research.
Today, Sunnybrook Hospital continues to uphold its commitment to excellence in patient care, education, and research. It serves as a hub for specialized healthcare services, including trauma and emergency care, cancer treatment, cardiology, neurology, and more. With a multidisciplinary approach and a focus on collaboration, Sunnybrook remains at the forefront of healthcare innovation, striving to improve outcomes for patients locally and internationally.
Google Reviews for Sunnybrook Hospital
- Library staff not treated with respect with regards to the profession; leadership/management undervalues the library profession and the space
- if you are a library professional or information professional, do not work here
- Past management did not support staff, treated staff disrespectfully and did none of the work required as manager
- Toxic "we're a family" mentality
- Unprofessional handling of sensitive issues/situations with HR
- Poor time management from leadership (e.g., 2-hr scheduled meeting going on for 4 hours instead, director never on time for meetings or goes over meeting time, etc.)
- Awful micromanaging from the director
- Not an inclusive space, often felt cut off from the team
- Senior leadership not hiring competent people (e.g. past manager was handed the job, director was handed the job) - no formal interviews
- HR is a joke -- still have not heard from someone about an exit interview; HR handled a sensitive harassment issue too slowly and did not provide proper solutions during "investigation"
Avoid working here if you can.
The docs and psychiatrists and nurses and CYWs are all the kindest soul anyone could ever meet. I may end up back there but I hope my mind stays well and that I am persevering and enduring of everything to come :O
I stayed in the F wing teenage ward from 2020-2021 for suicidal ideation and mental crisis intervention, and met Jen, Brooklyn, Cecilia, Maddie, Maddy, Alyssane, Sun Yok, Juliette, Leslie, Chloe, Yun chen and more people than those I could name in my heart. i love them all :))
The reviews for Sunnybrook Hospital, provided by various individuals, offer a nuanced perspective on their experiences. Positive feedback often highlights specific aspects of care, such as the expertise of medical professionals, the quality of facilities, and positive interactions with staff members. These reviews underscore the hospital’s reputation as a leading healthcare institution, particularly in specialized areas like maternity care and emergency medicine.
On the other hand, negative reviews point to challenges such as long wait times, perceived lack of compassion from staff members, and issues with administrative processes. Some reviewers express frustration with the overall experience, particularly in the emergency department, citing concerns about overcrowding and communication.
How can Google reviews be understood?
Google reviews can provide real-time feedback about the hospital’s performance. As reviews are often posted shortly after an individual’s experience, they offer up-to-date information that can be particularly useful for patients seeking current insights into the quality of care provided by the hospital.
It is important to acknowledge the limitations of Google reviews. Reviews are inherently subjective and may be influenced by individual biases and personal experiences. Negative reviews, in particular, may not always accurately reflect the overall quality of care provided by the hospital.
Moreover, reviews may lack context or detail about specific aspects of care, making it difficult to fully understand the reasons behind a positive or negative rating. As such, it is important to interpret Google reviews cautiously and consider them alongside other sources of feedback and performance data to gain a more comprehensive understanding of Sunnybrook Hospital’s performance.
Glassdoor Reviews for Sunnybrook Hospital
For patients, reviews of Sunnybrook Hospital by its employees present a complex picture that could influence one’s expectations about the care and services offered. Employees have shared a range of experiences, from expressing dissatisfaction with the challenges of obtaining time off and achieving a healthy work-life balance to appreciating the hospital’s team dynamics and collaborative environment.
A critical care nurse’s review, selected as particularly useful, raises concerns about the demanding work schedules and a stringent sign-in system, suggesting a high-stress environment. Such insights may worry patients about the potential impact on the quality of care, fearing that overstressed staff might not provide the best possible attention and service.
Conversely, positive feedback from staff in various departments highlights the hospital’s commitment to patient care, its embrace of innovation, and the supportive atmosphere among employees. This could reassure patients about the hospital’s dedication to their well-being and the pursuit of advanced healthcare practices.
Despite these positive aspects, some reviews point to issues with hospital management and organizational structure, including claims of a stressful and sometimes chaotic work environment, lack of support from management, and perceived favoritism. For patients, these critiques might signal concerns about the hospital’s overall efficiency and the potential effects on their care experience.
It’s worth noting, however, that alongside these challenges, employees have also emphasized the hospital’s innovative approach to healthcare, beneficial work culture, and opportunities for professional development. While there are mentions of staffing shortages and the pressures of work overload, the dedication of healthcare professionals to providing quality care appears to remain a constant.
How should Glassdoor reviews be understood?
By reading Glassdoor reviews, readers can gain an insider perspective on the hospital’s operational performance, as the feedback are provided by current and former employees who have firsthand experience working within the hospital. These reviews provide valuable insights into various aspects of the hospital’s operations, including management practices, workplace culture, and employee satisfaction.
It is important to recognize the limitations of Glassdoor reviews. Reviews are often based on a limited sample size of current and former employees who choose to share their experiences on the platform, which may not always be representative of the hospital’s overall workforce.
Furthermore, Glassdoor reviews primarily focus on the employee experience within the hospital, which may not fully capture all aspects of the hospital’s operational performance. While employee satisfaction is an important indicator of operational performance, it’s also important to consider other factors such as patient outcomes, quality of care, and financial performance when assessing overall performance.
Media Reports of Sunnybrook Hospital
Media reports often cover significant events and developments of a hospital, such as new initiatives, expansions, leadership changes, or achievements. By examining these reports, readers can gain insights into the hospital’s strategic direction, operational priorities, and overall management approach.
- December 2021: The corruption investigation into Bondfield Construction Co. Ltd., once one of the largest builders of public sector projects in Ontario, widened to include its contracts with a second Toronto hospital, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. (Globe and Mail)
- September 2014: Doctors at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto were found to have violated provincial law by imposing a do-not-resuscitate order on a dying man without consulting his daughter. Despite her pleas for intervention, the hospital adhered to the order, leading to the man’s death from cardiac arrest. The Ontario Health Professions Appeal and Review Board deemed the college’s inaction unreasonable and instructed them to reconsider the case. (Toronto Star)
Quantitative Performance Indicators for Sunnybrook Hospital
In addition to insights from Google and employee reviews, we provide a detailed analysis of Sunnybrook Hospital using specific quantitative performance indicators.
One such indicator, emergency department wait times, measures the hospital’s efficiency and the quality of care it delivers. Lengthy wait times in the emergency department can negatively impact outcomes for patients requiring immediate care, whereas shorter wait times may indicate an efficient triage system, effective resource allocation, and a responsive healthcare system overall. This factor plays a significant role in patient satisfaction and shapes perceptions of the hospital’s capacity to provide timely medical care.
The incidence of sepsis following surgery is used as an indirect indicator of post-operative morbidity, reflecting the hospital’s ability to prevent and manage infection—a crucial aspect of patient care. Lower rates of sepsis indicate successful infection control practices, attentive post-operative care, and timely intervention for infections, which are vital for patient recovery and positive health outcomes.
Another important metric is the rate of post-surgery readmissions, which assesses the quality of care and patient outcomes at Sunnybrook Hospital. High readmission rates could point to problems with the initial treatment, surgical success, or the adequacy of post-operative care, including discharge planning and follow-up. A lower readmission rate may suggest better patient recovery post-surgery, indicative of successful surgical procedures and effective care coordination after patients are discharged.
Finally, post-surgery mortality rates directly reflect the success of surgical procedures and the overall quality of hospital care. Lower mortality rates after surgery are indicative of high standards in surgical practice and post-operative care, leading to better patient survival rates. This metric is essential for evaluating the hospital’s effectiveness in managing complex surgical cases and ensuring patient safety.
Accessibility to Sunnybrook Hospital
Sunnybrook Hospital enjoys relatively good accessibility by both highway and public transit, making it convenient for patients and visitors to reach. Situated in North York, it is accessible via major highways such as the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) and Highway 401, providing easy access for those arriving by car from various parts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
For those relying on public transit, Sunnybrook Hospital is served by several bus routes that connect to nearby subway stations, including Leslie Station on Line 4 (Sheppard) and Eglinton Station on Line 1 (Yonge-University). Additionally, there are bus routes that directly serve the hospital, providing convenient transportation options for patients, visitors, and staff members who prefer not to drive.
Hotels near hospitals can be an important consideration for patients, especially when they need to travel long distances for medical treatment. For patients of Sunnybrook Hospital, several hotels are available in the vicinity: Toronto Don Valley Hotel & Suites, Edward Village North York, and Best Western Plus Toronto North York.