Connect Spring 2013 by Eastern Health

Spring 2013

Q U A L I T Y

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Getting a Handle on Safety Shared Approach + Shared Beneﬁts = Safer Together Buying Smart Means Buying Safe

The Sticking Point …Alone Again, Naturally Living the Values Storm Troopers! Eastern Health Staﬀ vs. 60 Centimetres

S T O R Y

Safety...a Way of Life

SAFETY

MOMENTS

Meet Wayne. Wayne usually works in Infrastructure Support at the Waterford Hospital in St. John’s. He’s also a part-time Santa and full-time Zumba enthusiast (“Heh, I lost 80 lbs dancing!”) with a great sense of humour and a commitment to working safely, each and every day. Wayne says, “We had a real laugh shooting these ‘what not to do moments’ and I hope they remind people just how silly we can be sometimes when we don’t put safety ﬁrst!”

Connect is published by the Corporate Communications department of Eastern Health. Connect is printed internally by Printing Services. Please address any comments or suggestions to Susan Bonnell, Editor: Corporate Communications Administrative Office Waterford Bridge Road St. John's, NL A1E 4J8 (709) 777-1412 connect@easternhealth.ca

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Contributors 1

Robyn Lush Corporate Communications

Tom Godden Occupational Health and Safety

Deborah Collins Corporate Communications

Angela Lawrence Corporate Communications

Carl Thomas Occupational Health and Safety

Susan Bonnell Corporate Communications

Kimberly Wells Occupational Health and Safety

Miranda Bungay Occupational Health and Safety

Phil Simms Corporate Communications

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Cover Photography by Phil Simms On the Cover: Pandora White, Ed Sears, Joy Maddigan and Wayne Humber

Message from the President and CEO oth research and experience tell us: health care workplaces are some of the most hazardous. Each and every day, employees are exposed to numerous risks, from chemical and drug exposures to radioactive material and x-ray hazards, from blood borne pathogens and biological hazards to ergonomic hazards like repetitive tasks and patient handling. Also sad but true is the threat many of our employees face of physical and psychological violence. Being safe is everyone’s responsibility, which is why we have dedicated an entire issue of Connect to this important issue. I hope you enjoy the stories in this edition and that they have an impact on you and your safety mindset. Safety must be embedded into every action we take, from the individual performing hand hygiene at the right time, to the leader making decisions with respect to staffing levels, to the organization’s purchase of safety equipment or the design of new buildings. But we all know that safety doesn’t end with the employee. The safety culture of our organization is a key determinant of both employee well-being and client safety; maintaining a safe workplace allows for increased focused on the quality of care we provide to our patients, residents and clients.

In our strategic plan, we identified the development of an integrated safety plan – bringing together both sides of the equation – because we know that improving safety outcomes in any one area of the organization contributes to the safety of all. I’m proud to see that this plan is now in place and work continues on this important goal. Our Quality and Risk Management Framework, Program Quality and Safety Committees, Infection Prevention and Control strategies, Occurrence Reporting System and Occupational Health and Safety Committees are all key components of a holistic approach to safety, but the real key to success is a just and trusting culture that supports frequent reporting of incidents, accidents and near misses. Whether or not you sit on a committee or play a lead role in safety, you are a member of the team that can improve the workplace for our employees and protect the quality of care we provide to the public. Together, we can be a safe and supportive workplace. Together, we can be the definition of quality and safety in one.

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Getting a Handle on

SAFETY by DEBORAH COLLINS Photography by Phil Simms hat do transfer belts, mechanical lifts, ceiling lifts, orange tubes and purple sheets have in common? They are all devices used to move patients and residents safely – protecting them and the health care staff who are moving them. Safety has always been a key consideration while handling patients and residents in our facilities; however, as with all aspects of health care, ongoing advances in training and equipment translate into improvements as staff move patients in their beds, from bed to chair, and assist with washing and dressing routines. How are we making those improvements? Through the Eastern Health Safe Patient/Resident Handling Program. Piloted at Agnes Pratt Nursing Home, St. John’s in the spring of 2012, the program moved on to Golden Heights Manor, Bonavista in the fall of 2012 and is currently being implemented at Hoyles-Escasoni Complex in St. John’s. Ultimately, the goal is to implement it at all our long-term care facilities, hospitals and health centres.

PANDORA WHITE AND CLIENT

Spring 2013

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I feel it is one of the most important and eﬀective tools we use.

The program places equal importance on the safety of both patient and care provider. This integrated approach to safety in our hospitals and nursing homes is very much in sync with Eastern Health’s new Integrated Safety Plan as well as Together, We Can, Eastern Health’s Strategic Plan 2011-2014, which identifies safety and quality as a strategic priority. Here’s one example of how things have changed: In the past, our employee caregivers may have pivoted a patient from bed to chair and back. This practice relied heavily on use of good body mechanics. In this scenario, a patient may be somewhat anxious as a successful transfer depended on the caregiver’s strength and ability. This particular task has been

replaced with use of ‘stand assist lifts.’ This piece of equipment uses patient’s abilities as well, and allows caregivers to complete the task safely. “This integrated approach to safety is definitely better,” says Aruna Ralhan, Eastern Health’s Regional Ergonomics Program Coordinator, Occupational Health, Safety and Rehabilitation. “The core of the program is that the procedure or equipment used will maximize the function of the patient or resident, while balancing it with the caregiver’s safety. There is lot of emphasis on individual assessment to choose the right tools for the task at hand.” Aruna says this program represents a change in thought and process and takes time and continuous re-enforcement. However, she adds that caregivers only want to do their best for their patient or resident, and once they realize that this program focuses on that goal, it’s an easy sell. Pandora White agrees. A Personal Care Assistant at the Agnes Pratt Nursing Home in St. John’s, she felt there was a definite need for this kind of program, but wondered how hard it might be to

integrate the new processes into her daily routine. “Now that it has been put into practice, I feel it is one of the most important and effective tools we use,” she says. “The staff members that have received training have all come back with positive outlooks and are working hard to practice safe resident handling every day.” The safe handling program makes perfect sense in acute care as well. Often there is a quick change in patient’s status, so ongoing assessment to identify the right intervention and piece of equipment - at any point of care is essential to keep everyone safe. Proper training and equipment for patients and residents should also translate into fewer workplace injuries for staff, and in turn reduce staff shortages, which benefits everyone. Families of patients and residents also need to be educated about this change in practice. But once they know that the program focuses on their loved one’s comfort, safety, and maximum function, while also ensuring caregiver safety, their responses have been quite positive. “I think this program ensures

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a dignified and respectful approach to those we serve,” says Pandora. “It helps to ensure safety, comfort and consistency and has shown to be very beneficial to both staff and residents. If we continue to implement these safe practices, I feel the result will be a very positive one to all involved.”

The Safe Patient/Resident Handling Program has three components: 1

Patient/Resident Assessment

Employees will assess patient/resident abilities within 24 hours of admission

Patient/resident handling and movement status is documented on the resident care plan

Assessments are done on an ongoing basis to ensure the most appropriate equipment and techniques are used with the patients/residents, as their individual abilities may change over time

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MOMENT

Walk the Talk In case you are thinking that falls are only dangers to people who work on scaﬀolds and steel girders high in the sky, think again. Most falls actually occur on the same level and are caused by just tripping over an obstacle or slipping on something. If you see a hazard, address it.

Keep walkways and ﬂoors free of

Safe Handling and Movement Techniques and Training

Employees are trained in safe patient/resident

handling and movement techniques Employees are trained to identify risks and appropriate interventions for various scenarios More than one employee will often be required to safely handle and move a patient/resident Safe Handling Equipment Use and Training:

obstacles like boxes and cords. Food on the ﬂoor has also caused serious falls.

Flooring surfaces must be even and secured. Watch out for loose tiles and raised carpeting.

Don’t rush. Pay attention to your walking surfaces and take short, deliberate steps when walking on wet or slippery surfaces. Walk with your feet pointed slightly outward, and make wide turns at corners.

Employees are trained in the use of equipment

for the safe handling and movement of a patient/resident Safe handling equipment includes transfer belts, ﬂoor based mechanical lifts, ceiling lifts, and friction reducing devices such as orange tubes, purple sheets and draw sheets

Spring 2013

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JOY MADDIGAN

here’s safety in numbers. This tried and true piece of advice underlies Safer Together, Eastern Health’s new integrated safety plan. The plan is based on the understanding that an effective safety culture, the bedrock of a safe organization, is linked to all aspects of safety – patient safety, employee health and safety, as well as safe equipment, buildings, and policies. It follows that creating such a culture requires all health care professionals to work together towards a common goal.

President and CEO Vickie Kaminski has seen a definite shift in how safety is viewed in health care. As a Surveyor for Accreditation Canada, she has seen the separate goals around patient and staff safety and quality converge in recent years. “Client safety and employee safety have traditionally been viewed as distinct and separate entities,” she says, “with the result being that different safety processes often compete for the attention of managers and staff, when, in reality, many of the foundational elements to improve

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by DEBORAH COLLINS Photography by Phil Simms

REGINA COADY

safety are the same for both clients and employees.” Safer Together is the organization’s first attempt to formally align its safety resources and expertise in a comprehensive way. Joining forces and working in a complementary and collaborative manner, will improve safety for the benefit of both clients and employees. “The Integrated Safety Plan is an excellent demonstration of Eastern Health’s commitment to safety and to working together,” says Regina Coady, Director of Occupational Health, Safety and Rehabilitative Services. “We know there is a strong relationship between

workplace safety and patient, resident, client safety and this plan provides a great foundation for strengthened work between all parties.” While much work has been done to improve safety, there is more to do. The plan allows Eastern Health to build on initiatives in order to make safety an everyday reality. Its purpose is to improve client and employee safety outcomes by focusing on three fundamental directions: Building an integrated safety strategy Strengthening the culture of safety Reducing harm and preventing injury

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Bringing Eastern Health’s diverse safety management systems together to develop a common vision with shared, but distinct, goals will be a new Safety Network. It will consist of a network of safety professionals, including, but not limited to Occupational Health, Safety and Rehabilitation, Infection Prevention and Control, Clinical Services, Quality Patient Safety and Risk Management and Human Resources. This focused and shared attention to safety has the potential to be a powerful catalyst for change when it comes to improving Eastern Health’s safety culture, and building on the progress already made.

Ventilator Associated Pneumonia Goal: eliminate pneumonia in individuals using a ventilator

Quality Perspectives, Quality Solutions

MoreOB Goal: safe obstetrical experience for mother and baby

The problem of risks and medical safety is a critical issue squarely facing health care today. Over the past two decades, there has been more recognition of the effect that frequency of errors, health care associated infections and other failures have on the delivery of health care. Some of the most common adverse events experienced by Canadian patients and clients include receipt of a wrong medication or dose by a health professional, health care associated infections, trips and falls, in-hospital hip fractures, and adverse transfusion reactions. The Canadian Patient Safety Institute, Safer Health care Now and Accreditation Canada help facilitate best practices in health organizations and Eastern Health is no exception. Major initiatives are underway in the areas of: Medication Reconciliation Goal: reduce medication errors during and following an admission to hospital

Stop Infection Now Collaborative Goal: improve hand hygiene and environmental cleanliness Surgical Site Infections Goal: reduce surgical site infections Central Line Infections Goal: reduce blood-borne infections association with use of a central line Acute Myocardial Infarction Care Goal: reduce mortality Venous Thrombolytic Embolus (VTE) Initiative Goal: reduce/ prevent VTE Falls Strategy Goal: reduce falls and falls that cause harm

Patients and clients have acknowledged Eastern Health’s efforts. In the first Client Satisfaction/Experience of Care Survey conducted by Eastern Health during 2011-2012, respondents rated ‘concern for safety’ consistently high, with an average score of 81.2 throughout acute care inpatient, outpatient services, and emergency services. “These numbers are encouraging to the staff and physicians at Eastern Health as we strive to provide timely and high quality care to the men, women and children that we serve,” said Joy Maddigan, Director of Quality, Safety and Risk. “However, this feedback from our clients also serves to hold us accountable in areas where improvement is needed, as we continue to make safety a priority in the care we provide.”

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Buying $mart Means Buying Safe lizabeth Lace is a Manager for Materiels

Management on the Burin Peninsula. A member of the Product Quality and Safety Committee, Elizabeth says the team is always looking at ways to improve the safety of staff and clients. “Sometimes individuals come to us for assistance in investigating safer ways of doing the work we do,” she says, “and at other times we take the lead and initiate projects.” The committee consists of representatives from each of the various key disciplines within Eastern Health and is committed to improving the process of evaluation, implementation and education of products and equipment throughout the organization.

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Dress for Success What you wear on your feet is more than just a fashion statement when it comes to safety. Be sure to wear footwear that:

Provides good traction Covers the entire foot (including the heels and toes)

Provides support and comfort for jobs that require frequent standing or walking

Is made of sturdy material to help protect

Their projects have included: Support and implementation of safety needle devices The glove management program The standardization and purchase of acute care beds, long term care beds, critical care beds, birthing beds, transport stretchers and lifts

the feet against punctures, rolled or dropped objects, liquid or corrosive spills (mesh, canvas, cloth topsiders, clogs and crocs are out!)

—R. Lush

Spring 2013

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The Sticking Point by ROBYN LUSH Photography by Phil Simms hat sunny day in August 2012 began like any other. Ed Sears was hanging a bag of linen in preparation for it to be sorted when he felt a sharp sting in his forearm. He looked down and saw blood. “I said, ‘What the hell was that?’ When I saw the needle, I said, ‘That’s all I need now!’” Ed works at Central Laundry, part of tight-knit team who takes its work seriously and is proud of the role it plays in providing freshly laundered linens for Eastern Health.

Oral Callahan, manager at Central Laundry, says finding needles and other sharps in the laundry has unfortunately become the norm. “From our perspective, we feel we have no control of what’s being sent to us,” says Oral. “If we were able to determine exactly where the sharps were coming from, we could work with those areas to address the issue.” The personal ramifications of a needle stick or other sharps exposure where the skin is broken are significant. The staff member must immediately

administer first aid and then report the incident to an Occupational Health and Rehabilitation representative. If the incident occurs after hours, they must go to the nearest emergency department. And that’s just the beginning. As with all employees who have experienced an occupational exposure to blood borne pathogens and who cannot identify the source, Ed faced six months of follow-up testing to ensure he was not infected with Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV. It’s been a stressful situation for him that has made a big impact on his life. “You gotta wait and see,” says Ed. “There’s a possibility I could’ve been infected with AIDS. I was told the chances were slim, but it’s always there, in the back of my mind – what if?” Cyril Howse, a 37-year Eastern Health veteran and a member of Central Laundry’s OH&S Committee, shows a display board they use at various Eastern Health sites during North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week. It has everything from clamps to blades, and scalpels to needles, which have all been found in laundry bags. “We use this display to show staff the surprising and serious

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things we find,” says Cyril. “If they can see the things we see, maybe it will make them think twice when it comes to properly disposing these items.”

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Having worked in several roles within Eastern Health, Cyril sees how busy we’ve all become and feels that is a contributing factor. “Our organization has fantastic

ED SEARS

ORAL CALLAHAN

CYRIL HOWSE

Spring 2013

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Aware to Care Many accidents and injuries occur when you are distracted while working. Concentrate on the work at hand, and keep your mind on your work.

Set up your work station in a clear unobstructed location with good lighting, proper electrical circuits and away from busy foot traﬃc that would cause distractions.

Every day we make decisions we hope will make the job faster and more eﬃcient. Shortcuts that reduce your safety on the job are not shortcuts, but an increased chance for injury.

Conﬁdence is a good thing. Overconﬁdence can be too much of a good thing. Don’t start a task with incomplete instructions, and do ask about procedures and safety precautions.

Keep it clean. A well-maintained area sets a standard for others to follow.

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We need to do a better job of thinking about each other, our fellow worker and how the work we do is connected.

staff, from our doctors and nurses to housekeeping and laundry workers,” he says. “We are all dedicated to the client, their safety and care. But we need to do a better job of thinking about each other, our fellow worker and how the work we do is connected. What we do in laundry affects the comfort and safety of staff and patients who rely on our service. At the same time, work done in a clinical setting has direct impact on the effectiveness and safety of the service we provide.” So what else can we do to ensure the safety our co-workers and staff? “Report, report, report,” stresses Occupational Health and Safety Manager Tom Godden. “We need staff to report safety hazards or incidents, otherwise we have no way of knowing how serious an issue is, how often it occurs, or potentially how to address it.” “Not only that,” he adds, “we have a moral obligation to report because that same thing that happened or almost happened to you could happen to another employee. Yes, it takes time to file a report. And sometimes it seems like nothing changes. But it does matter. These reports do not disappear into the stratosphere – we see them, we act on them. “Staff safety really matters.”

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New Policy Directs Action After Exposure Individuals with direct or indirect patient, resident, or client contact have an increased risk for potential exposure to body fluids capable of transmitting blood borne pathogens. To help guide and inform staff, a new Blood Borne Pathogen policy has been developed for Eastern Health. Occupational Health Nurse Coordinator Karen Donovan has been involved in drafting the policy. “To date this fiscal year,” she says, “there have been 179 exposures, 79 per cent of which have been needle stick injuries. If safety-engineered sharps and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) were used, like face masks and eye shields, most cases of needle sticks and other blood exposures could be prevented. “However,” Karen says, “once exposed, the biggest issue is employees not knowing what steps to take. That’s where the policy and accompanying education pamphlet come in.”

Once Exposed... What can I do to prevent needle stick injuries / BBF from occurring?

What do I do if I have a signiﬁcant exposure?

Consider all sharps as potentially infectious and

1. Administer First Aid: a. Percutaneous – allow immediate bleeding of wound, wash injured area well with soap and water and apply antiseptic, if available b. Cutaneous – remove contaminated clothing, wash area well with soap and water and apply antiseptic, if available to open wounds c. Mucosal – ﬂush well with large amounts of water

handle them with care to prevent accidental exposure.

Ensure prompt and proper disposal of sharps following use

Do not leave used needles, lancets, or other sharps on client’s beds, bedside tables or over bed tables.

Do not stick used needles into the mattress of any bed or stretcher.

Remove and change sharps containers when they are three-quarters full – do not overﬁll!

2. Report the injury to the: a. Supervisor of the work area b. Occupational Health Nurse (OHN) at your facility c. Emergency Room (after hours only)

What is considered to be a signiﬁcant exposure?

3. The area supervisor or designate must complete the Occupational Health Source Risk Assessment Form and fax to Occupational Health at your facility.

Needle stick injuries, sharps injuries, or human bites,

4. Complete the Employee Incident / Accident Report

where skin is obviously broken and usually bleeds after the event (Percutaneous)

Any contact with broken skin (Cutaneous)

The full Blood Borne Pathogen policy can be found in the policy section of the intranet under global policies.

Any contact with conjunctiva (eye membrane), or mucous membranes of the nose or mouth (Mucosal)

Spring 2013

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…Alone Again,

TONY PENNEY

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Naturally by DEBORAH COLLINS with CARL THOMAS and MIRANDA BUNGAY Photography by Phil Simms n evening medication delivery to the home of a client with both a mental health and addictions diagnosis, or an impromptu counseling session in a car - during a transport to and from various appointments with clients; it’s all in a day’s work for Tony Penney, an Addictions Specialist with Eastern Health’s Mental Health and Addictions Program. As a member of the program’s Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT), Tony works with dozens of clients living in and around St. John’s who struggle with a variety of issues, such as multiple substance abuse, mental health diagnoses, housing challenges and, in some cases, criminal records. “Even though we are in a ‘helping profession,’ our assistance can sometimes be viewed as intrusive by our clients,” Tony says. “It’s important to be aware of a client’s mindset at any given time, and to be prepared for sudden changes in behaviour in a one-onone encounter, to ensure the safety

of both parties.” For this reason, Tony and his co-workers follow standard safety procedures, which are simple but effective: • Be familiar with client logs, or records, so that you are aware of any recent incidents which could pose a risk • Keep your cell phone charged • Maintain regular contact with co-workers, informing them of your whereabouts • Carry an emergency kit with first aid supplies, water, a flashlight and booster cables • Always back into a client’s driveway • Keep your boots or shoes on in a client’s house “You have to use common sense,” Tony says. “All the safety policies in the world won’t matter if you don’t follow them. The risks are minimal, but you can’t be 100 per cent sure of the client’s behaviour; it could change in an instant.” “Safety - as a strategic priority

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- extends beyond our buildings, especially to those who work alone or in isolation,” says Regina Coady, Director of Occupational Health and Rehabilitation Services. “They work in circumstances where they cannot be seen or heard by a co-worker, when assistance would not be readily available to them in case of an emergency, or if they become injured or sick.” Others who work alone include the nurses in Public Health and Home and Community Care who make home visits and the Behaviour Management Specialists with the Community Supports Program, to name only a few. While it is not always hazardous to work alone it can be, depending on the individual circumstances. Employees who work alone or in an isolated area face an increased risk of confrontations or even violence. This can happen in a variety of settings: in emergency departments or psychiatric units, where frustration or aggression can erupt - or in long-term care facilities, where many residents suffer from dementia and may exhibit aggressive behaviour. Even though such incidents are not that common, when they do occur the consequences can be serious. The wide variety of circumstances makes it important

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to assess each situation individually to ensure maximum safety for all involved. The Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations (2009) states that when a worker is assigned to work alone or in isolation, an assessment must be conducted to identify the potential hazards and associated risks. Eastern Health’s Occupational Health, Safety and & Rehabilitation Department worked in consultation with the Human Resources Program and Policy Development to develop the Working Alone or in Isolation policy. This policy includes all working alone or in isolation situations for workers providing community-based services. Important safeguards are check in/check on procedures, as well as emergency response protocol procedures to be followed should a worker fail to check in as scheduled. Eastern Health is also identifying providers of electronic lone-worker monitoring systems. These systems work with cell phone technology to provide a means of effective, efficient, and reliable check in processes for those working alone or in isolation. Knowing that appropriate safety measures are in place and emergency response protocols are ready if and when they are needed frees our health care professionals to do what they do best – provide skilled and compassionate care. “Although I am always on alert, I don’t worry about safety while I’m treating a client,” says Tony. “If I’m consumed with worry, it may interfere with the care I’m giving. While I must be aware of the client’s frame of mind, I am also very aware that my clients’ complex needs have resulted in them becoming marginalized and disenfranchised – and often very frustrated. “I need to remain calm, even when they cannot. For safety’s sake.”

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Work. Rest. Repeat Muscles beneﬁt from taking a break or rest from what they are doing. That is, they are less likely to become fatigued or tired from being in the same position or doing the same task repetitively. Short intervals for recuperation help muscles to sustain high levels of eﬀort more of the time. “Rest” does not need to be for a long time, or even away from work. Here are some things to do on your break:

Change your posture. Look away from where you are used to looking, and let your eyes readjust for a little while.

Do a diﬀerent task that uses diﬀerent muscles.

Taking appropriate short breaks throughout your day may help to keep your overall level of fatigue and burn out in check. Source: Safety Services Newfoundland and Labrador, 2010

Spring 2013

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Storm Troopers! Eastern Health Staﬀ VS. 60 Centimetres learly, it takes more than blizzards, blackouts and blocked driveways to keep Eastern Health employees from their posts. That much was clear during ‘Snowmageddon’ - the winter blast that hit the St. John’s area on Friday, January 11. The phrase ‘essential employees’ has a special significance in health care; hospitals and long-term care homes don’t shut down in a storm. Patients and residents still require round-the-clock care and our employees take their responsibilities very seriously. We heard numerous stories about staff members who either arrived early, in anticipation of the storm, stayed until help arrived – or worked double shifts. Others, who weren’t even scheduled to work, offered to come in. One nurse from Hoyles-Escasoni, who lives one hour from St. John’s, got a hotel room in the city on Thursday night, and then headed to work on foot the

next morning! Down the road at the Glenbrook Lodge, nursing care teams and support departments pulled together to ensure that essential services were provided to all the residents, waiting long after their shifts ended until their replacements arrived. Across town, at the Agnes Pratt Nursing Home, a group of nurses set up beds in the Gathering Square activity area the night before to be available for work in the morning. Sharing their ‘dorm’ was the support services supervisor, and site administrator Annette Morgan, who says “staff made the best of a challenging time, and made it a great opportunity to spend some social time with their co-workers,

something they don’t often get to do.” One of their colleagues, the staffing clerk at Agnes Pratt, climbed out her bedroom window in the height of the storm on Friday morning in order to shovel out her front door – and then proceeded to walk to work. Meanwhile…..on Bell Island, the staff at Walter Templeton Health Care Centre arrived by backhoe – courtesy of one nurse’s husband. Talk about ‘digging your way’ out of a storm! Darren Rideout, Division Manager of Cardiac Care at the Health Sciences Centre, says the cardiology staff on 5 South A made significant efforts to make it to work that day. One nurse made her first attempt to shovel out at 5:30 in the morning for her 7 a.m. shift. The only visible part of her car was a side view mirror. She gave up after half an hour and called four cab companies, to no avail. At two p.m. when the storm abated, the snow plow appeared on her street… along with a few neighbours. When they realized she needed to be at the hospital, four snow blowers made short work of her drifts – and she finally made it in. At the Waterford Hospital, one nurse made excellent use of a snow plow – hitching a ride to work!

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Some of her colleagues walked in; and many worked extra shifts, some bunking overnight in the hospital to make sure they could report to work in the morning. Housekeeping and laundry staff at Hoyles-Escasoni, the Waterford, Masonic Park, and the Health Sciences Centre who worked Thursday evening, also stayed overnight so they’d be available for work the next day, insisting, “We have to be here for the patients and residents.” According to Sheila Fogg, Area Manager for Environmental Services, many of her staff walked in from their homes, some of which were miles away from their sites, just to ensure they could be at work to help out. A staff member from St. Luke’s hopped on a snowmobile to get from her side street to the main road, where she was picked up by a co-worker. An off-duty Personal Care Assistant from St. Luke’s Home with a jeep brought several of his fellow workers to the Home. Others made sure their fellow employees were taken care of, preparing meals and keeping them supplied with tea and coffee. Utility workers doubled as cooks; kitchen workers switched to laundry and housekeeping. St. Luke’s Administrator Barbara Ivany put it this way: “A little old snow didn’t stop the great staff at St. Luke’s from getting to work. I feel so privileged to work with such a wonderful group. They are so totally dedicated, and will go to any length to ensure the residents are safe and well cared for.” Managers stayed overnight in many facilities, assisting with direct care and other services as needed, and making sure their staff was comfortable with food, shower facilities and sleeping accommodations. Extreme weather conditions can be unpredictable and confusing; however, employees throughout the region went above and beyond their regular duties to ensure minimal disruption to regular operations, according to Marilyn Thompson, Vice President of Human Resources.

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Drive to Survive Parking lot accidents are all too common at our facilities. As a driver, you have the power to reduce parking lot accidents:

Pay attention to signs, traﬃc ﬂow and pedestrians.

Avoid distractions - like headphones and cellphones - when parking.

Watch out for crosswalks. Be alert, reduce your speed and never pass a vehicle that is stopped or slowing down at one.

Back in to your parking space. Think safety ﬁrst. After hours, use the main entrance, avoid secluded areas and park near a light if you can. Don’t leave valuables in your car.

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A storm like that reinforces for me the quality of staﬀ on the Eastern Health team.

“While our people were prepared to maintain care to our patients and residents under these challenging circumstances, an organization of this size can always learn from the experience,” said Marilyn, adding, “We'll be reviewing our storm policies and practices to make sure we're even better prepared for the next one.” In the aftermath of the storm, President and CEO Vickie Kaminski thanked all those who made every effort to get to work through the adverse conditions, along with the leadership team and emergency management staff for their guidance and extraordinary efforts. “Storms like this are always messy; not only is there a pile of clean-up to be done, things don’t always go as they should,” she noted. “Thank you for all your continued patience. A storm like that reinforces for me the quality of staff on the Eastern Health team.” Manager Annette Morgan agreed. “It was great to see how our staff can all pull together at difficult times to ensure that needs are taken care of. After all, that’s why we are all here!” —D. Collins

Discover how you could enjoy greater savings

Join the growing number of members of your organization who enjoy greater savings from TD Insurance on home and auto coverage. Most insurance companies offer discounts for combining home and auto policies, or your good driving record. What you may not know is that we offer these savings too, plus we offer preferred rates to employees of Eastern Health. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also receive our highly personalized service and great protection that suits your needs. Find out how much you could save.

Request a quote today 1-866-296-0888 Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. AST Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. AST

easternhealth.tdinsurance.com

The TD Insurance Meloche Monnex home and auto insurance program is underwritten by PRIMMUM INSURANCE COMPANY. The program may be distributed by Meloche Monnex Insurance and Financial Services Inc. in Quebec and by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. in the rest of Canada except Ontario. Due to provincial legislation, our auto insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Manitoba or Saskatchewan. *No purchase required. Contest organized jointly with Security National Insurance Company and open to members, employees and other eligible persons belonging to employer, professional and alumni groups which have an agreement with and are entitled to group rates from the organizers. Contest ends on October 31, 2013. Draw on November 22, 2013. One (1) prize to be won. The winner may choose between a Lexus ES 300h hybrid (approximate MSRP of $58,902 which includes freight, pre-delivery inspection, fees and applicable taxes) or $60,000 in Canadian funds. Skill-testing question required. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received. Complete contest rules available at group.tdinsurance.com/contest. ÂŽ/ The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or a wholly-owned subsidiary, in Canada and/or other countries.

Spring 2013