QHC nurses make great save at hockey game! When 14-year-old Parker Philip suddenly collapsed on the ice during his Prince Edward County Kings hockey game against the Deseronto Bulldogs, the coaches and crowd didn’t know what happened. Kings coaches rushed to help him but it was evident he needed medical assistance. Luckily QHC nurses Amy Weir (PECMH Emergency), Natalie Hart (BGH Oncology) and Melanie Carter (BGH PACU/Endoscopy) were at the game watching their kids play – Amy’s son plays for the Kings and is one of Parker’s best friends, and Natalie’s and Melanie’s sons play for the Bulldogs. The three nurses rushed to the ice and saw that Parker was seizing. “He quit breathing and went blue so I called for someone to bring the AED (automated external defibrillator),” said Amy. “He was in full hockey equipment so we had to quickly remove the gear to get the paddles to his chest.” After the AED shock and a bunch of rounds of CPR, Parker started coming around and gasping. Parker was ultimately air-lifted to Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) where it was determined that he’d suffered cardiac arrest. His mother, Karrie Philip, said that the neurologist and cardiologist at CHEO commended the work done by those on the ice. Because of their quick action, Parker has no brain damage or cardiac cell death. “It’s amazing how a bunch of strangers all just came together to do what was needed to help him,” said Natalie. “I’m so happy Parker is OK.” To thank the three nurses, Parker presented them each with a guardian angel bracelet, which they now wear proudly.
QHC nurses (from left): Amy Weir, Natalie Hart and Melanie Carter helped save the life of 14-year-old Parker Philip when he went into cardiac arrest at his hockey game. Natalie and Melanie show off the ‘guardian angel’ bracelets Parker gave to each of them as a thank you.
Preventing workplace violence at QHC through enhanced Incident Review process
QHC’s Behavioural Supports Transition Unit (BSTU) cares for patients with dementia, age-related cognitive impairment and behavioural challenges. When uncomfortable or upset, patients may display responsive behaviours that can potentially cause harm to those around them. There was one such incident in summer 2018. One evening, a staff member was trying to prepare a room during bedtime rounds when a patient who was thought to be in the dining area for evening snack appeared in front of her unexpectedly. The patient was noticed to not have their typical demeanour and, after a brief exchange, proceeded to grab the staff member’s ponytail and hit her in the head and face. During this incident, the staff member could not access her duress button and as a result had to scream out for help. Two other staff members rushed to her aid and the patient was separated from the staff member. In July 2018, a new review process was introduced for the follow up that takes place after a staff-related incident. With the support of QHC’s Transformation Team, Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) updated the previous ‘5 Whys’ questions to a more thorough Enhanced Incident Review Questionnaire. This process provides guided questions aimed at better supporting our employees while also gathering key information to assist in examining areas for improvements when it comes to the prevention of these incidents within QHC. “The previous ‘5 Whys’ incident review process was more like an interview than a discussion. It wasn’t supportive to someone who has been through something traumatic and could, at times, seem punitive,” explained Norma Collins, Manager, OH&S. “Our new incident review process drills down to the details, allowing us to understand contributing factors and to determine corrective action to prevent such incidents from happening again.” “Often, staff involved with incidents will say ‘you know, I should have done this,’ or ‘I shouldn’t have done that’,” said Mary Storms, Patient Care Lead, BSTU. “The new incident review process brings a lot more information to light and allows everyone to understand what was happening and reflect on what to do differently.” As a result of the thorough incident review that was completed by the BSTU Manager, supported by the Director and Senior Leadership Team, there were several improvement opportunities identified. They examined the use of bracelet duress buttons, adjusted the schedule so a third staff member would be available to assist with patient care during the busy evening times, changed evening programs on the television that were noted to agitate patients, re-educated staff on how to better communicate with dementia patients, and devised a shift report template for hand off to staff who are coming on shift so they have the details in writing about previous activity and behaviors with individual patients. These minor changes all add up to make the unit safer for staff and patients. If you have questions about QHC’s new incident review process, contact Norma Collins at ext. 2176.
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Just under
100 days
until our
Accreditation 2019 on-site survey
The Accreditation process is an opportunity for hospitals to assess themselves using national best practice standards. It is also an opportunity for QHC to showcase the excellent care we provide to our patients and families. During the scheduled on-site assessment happening May 6th—10th, 2019, surveyors will use a “tracer” process to see firsthand how QHC is meeting over 2200 standards. This process allows surveyors to spend the majority of their time on the floors speaking with staff, physicians, students, volunteers, patients and families. Do you know what Required Organizational Practices (ROP’s) are? Are you aware of the many Patient-and Family- Centered Care initiatives happening at QHC and their benefits to patient care? Would you feel comfortable answering questions the Accreditation Surveyors may have?
Get involved! Over the next three months, check your QHC email regularly for important information surrounding Accreditation. We will highlight some of the key information the surveyors will be looking for when they come on site. Check the Weekly Bulletin for Accreditation puzzles and games, and chances to win prizes!!!
Board of Directors recognizes Jamie Robertson, recreation therapist extraordinaire! Jamie Robertson is a young, vibrant, and enthusiastic Recreation Therapist who splits her time between units in Picton, Trenton and Belleville hospitals. She and QHC’s other Recreation Therapists use engaging activities such as music, sports, games and crafts to enhance our patients’ independence, physical, social, mental and emotional well-being, and overall quality of life. Lisa Mowbray, Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Site Lead and Manager of Patient Services, has nothing but positive things to say about Jamie and the impact she has on patients. She says that Jamie is highly engaging Most patients rehabilitating hipQHC’s or knee Jamie Robertson (centre) isfrom one of excellent and invites any and all patients to participate. The surgery now therapists. receive outpatient physiotherapy onrecreation She divides her time between activities she plans help patients with mobilization – they three hospitals. site in BGH’s fully-equipped rehabilitation gym, have the opportunity to use their bodies and their minds. rather than through Home and Community Care. Patients and staff alike look forward to Jamie’s visits – she goes above and beyond and is a truly exceptional member of the team. Continued on Page 8.
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#TakeOwnership
“I would like to express my deepest apprecia on to BGH for com mmi ng the me, effort and money that was required to set up the Total Joint Physiotherapy Outpa ent Clinic. I would like to acknowledge the efforts of the staff led by physiotherapist Genevieve Bouchard. Without her knowledge and experience coupled with the enthusiasm and compassion that she shows when dealing with pa ents, I very m much doubt that my knee would have a ained the func onality that it has today. She is able to gauge when a pa ent would benefit from more ch hallenging exercises or she tailors the standard exercises to meet the unique needs of other pa ents allowing each pa ent to progress at their own pace. The bright, clean, well equipped facility is close to an exterior do oor and the parking lot. The abundance of natural light and the professional but caring and enthusias c a tudes of the physiotherapists make the atmosphere in the clinic very pleeasant. The clinic was designed with efficiency in mind: the recumbent bikes and treadmill, the bars, stairs and beds are all placed such that the pa ents and physiotherapists can all work co‐opera vely in a produc ve and posi ve environment. The people of Belleville and surrounding areas are lucky to havee this facility available to them. Thank you BGH for making it happen.” ‐ Elinor Brunet
#4MyT Team “A huge thanks to Kelly Richmond and Nancy Osborne who were instrumental in implemen ng our Pre‐opera ve Pregnancy Tes ng program in the Same Day Surgery Departments. Without their willingness and generous availability we would not have been able to get this pa ent safety ini a ve off the ground. Both Kelly and Nancy provided numerous training sessions on the Point of Care Tes ng machines and throughout the process were always just an e‐mail, call or visit away for instant help. I can’t thank both of them enough for their support and me.” ‐Heather Hartley, Professional Prac ce
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“This special poem was wri en for urses of the North Has ngs the nu Hospital Inpa ent Unit by a family memb ber of one of our pallia ve care p pa ents who passed away beforee Christmas. There was a very sspecial bond between the pa en nt, their family and the nursin ng staff. Wonderful gestures like th his make it all worthwhile. I would d like to recognize the amaziing work that the nurses and staff o of North Has ngs Inpa ent Unit d do. They truly live the values of ourr organiza on.” ‐ Tam mmy Davis, Manager and Site Lead, NHH
#WeAllHelpProvideCare
#ImagineItsYou
Who inspires you? Anyone can share in celebra ng our teams – staff, pa ents, physicians and volunteers. Contact C Carly Baxter at ext. 2677, cbaxter@qhc.on.ca.
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Continued from Page 3— Board of Directors recognizes Jamie Robertson, recreation therapist extraordinaire!
Helen Hotson, the volunteer manager for Picton’s Inpatient Unit, agrees. She says Jamie has a perpetual smile and kindness and the patients just love her. One of the best things Helen saw Jamie do was dance with an older gentleman in a wheelchair. She was holding his hands and beeping and bopping with him. Helen said the patient had a smile from ear to ear. You could just tell it made his day. The Recreation Therapists customize their program based on patient needs and goals, making it a valuable part of the patient’s overall rehabilitation and treatment plan. Our Rec Therapy team provides this service on acute, rehabilitation, complex continuing care and mental health units. Derk Damron, Manager of the Recreation Therapy Program, explains that this layer of care helps to humanize a patient’s overall experience during what could possibly be the worst time in their life. He said the Recreation Therapists and hospital volunteers work together to provide this care for patients. It is a team effort, for which each person involved deserves recognition.
At the January 2019 Board of Directors meeting, Jamie Robertson, Recreation Therapist, was recognized for her outstanding contributions to patient care. Volunteers from the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital (PECMH) Inpatient Unit attended the meeting to show their support for Jamie and were also recognized for their own contributions at PECMH. QHC Vital Signs Newsletter, January 2019: Published by QHC Communications Department Editor: Carly Baxter (613) 969-7400 ext. 2677, cbaxter@qhc.on.ca.
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