CHHA Newsletter - New Year's Eve Special Edition 2023

NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECIAL EDITION

Volume 2 | Edition 3

HAPPY NEW YEAR! In this issue…

Housekeeping/Environmental Services Week Award Winners Page – 1 to 4

EVS Team, Milton Hospital, ON

Fecal Facts You Probably Didn’t Need to Know!

Page – 6

Housekeeping/Environmental Services Week

By Shawn Bolger Environmental Services Week honors the professionals who ensure our

Rick Clark Retirement Page – 7

Housekeeping/Environmental Services Week Award Winners Cont.

Page – 8 to 12

healthcare facilities are kept safe, comfortable and clean all year long.

Environmental service professionals are dedicated to provide outstanding

Housekeeping Olympics

services and contribute to the patient care experience in many ways.

Page – 13 to 14

Environmental services staff are partners in infection prevention and control and the frontline defense against the spread of harmful pathogens in the healthcare environment. Their knowledge and skill not only keep facilities running smoothly, but they also help clinical staff achieve positive patient outcomes by offering support to patients/residents receiving care in healthcare Facilities.

EVS staff are often referred to as the unsung heroes of patient care because they work behind the scenes sometimes unseen and in all likelihood never acknowledged, to ensure patients, visitors and staff are protected while going about their daily activities in an esthetically pleasant, clean, safe and disinfected healthcare environment.

Congratulations to all our nominees and prize winners!

Page 1

Aimee Driedger, WillowCreek Calgary, AB

CHHA 3rd Annual Annual Award of Excellence A Huge Success!

Barbara Skidmore, NS Health

Some of our Winners

Corrine Hayes, Pine Meadow Nursing Home, Northbrook, ON

Ana Tanner, NS Health

Dulce Sesek, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ON

Greta Himmelman, NS Health

Debbie Hogg, Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, NS

Jason Maw, Bluewater Health, Sarnia, ON

Filoretta Tanko, Gibson LTC, North York, ON

Lisa Olson, St. Mary's Hospital, AB Page 2

Maimuna Djalo, Runnymede Healthcare Centre, TO

Nicole Noseworthy, Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Care Centre, NL

Page 3

Marija Dolcic, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ON

Marlene DaSilva, MHA Strathroy, ON

Patricia Baker, NS Health

Ramanjot Raman Singh, Mount Continuing Care, Charlottetown, PEI

Rosa Medeiros, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ON

Rowena Cabilatazan, St. Martha's Regional Hospital, NS

Sadeta Garic, CHEO, Ottawa, ON Sharon Salter, Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, NS

Shelley Sangster, St. Martha’s Hospital, Antigonish, NS

Tammy Crouse, NS Health

Theresa Cormier and Lucy Carter, Health PEI

Wanda Herman, NS Health

Warren Low Kum, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ON

Kathy Crump, Award Recipient with Manager, Barb Cockwell, West Parry Sound Health Centre, ON

Wayne Estey, Soldiers Memorial Hospital, NS Page 4

Fecal Facts You Probably Didn’t Need to Know!

Jim Gauthier, MLT, CIC Not many of us think about feces (stool, poop, caca, doodoo and other lovely ‘this isn’t what it really is terms!), but many infection control professionals do have a fecal fixation.

Why? Well, firstly there are a lot of microorganisms in feces. One gram, dry weight of feces can have over 1,000,000,000,000 (1 trillion or 1x10 12 ) microorganisms. If we think of a microgram, there would still be one million microorganisms present.

Now, a microgram would be something roughly the size of a grain of salt or sugar, and if this is ‘spread’ in the environment from a soiled glove, or piece of linen, then we can have quite a few microorganisms in the environment and the surface would appear ‘visibly clean’.

Which microorganisms can be present in ‘normal’ feces? A lot of acronym organisms such as MRSA, VRE, ESBL-producing Gram negatives, CPO and Clostridioides difficile. Non-acronym names would include E.coli, species of Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Shigella, Yersinia, Campylobacter, etc. And again,this is ‘normal’ feces, not diarrhea!

Another point to consider is that our patients/residents may not be able to use a toilet, and use a commode, bedpan or an incontinence product. Very few North American facilities utilize safe ways to either handle the containers, or clean them after use. In my infection control world, if a facility is not using either thermal disinfection (bedpan washer) OR a disposable container that is macerated after use OR some form of a liner bag in the container that solidifies the waste…the facility will have ongoing problems with the movement of those microorganisms listed above. Every facility that cares for patients/residents needs to look into one of these three systems as soon as possible to help keep our care environments safe.

So what do I talk about when I talk to Infection Control Professionals?

Treat feces with respect! Or, there is no such thing as ‘good’ feces!

Any visible feces in any environment requires CDS: Clean, Disinfect, Sporicide!

1. Clean up visible feces with either a disposable product, or a cloth that will be laundered.

2. Disinfect the area (checking the disinfectant cloth/wipe for visible soiling on the first pass – if so, we are still cleaning and another cloth/wipe is required).

Allow the appropriate contact time.

3. Treat the area where the visible feces was found with a sporicidal agent, allowing the contact time for that product.

As I said, this is a topic no one talks about except those of us with this fecal fixation who understands the Physics of Flying Feces. I have a full presentation available (ask nicely!) on this topic that is appropriate for EVS and nursing.

Page 6

Rick Clark retired on June 2nd, 2023.

Rick started his career with the County in 1983, he was hired as an Environmental Service Worker with the housekeeping team and a few years later he moved to the Terrace maintenance crew. Within weeks, Rick also joined the Health and Safety committee and has been a member ever since. In 2007 with 24 years of experience at the Terrace, Rick was awarded the job of Environmental Services Manager.

Since then, he has lead the Environmental Services team and the Health and Safety committee to excellence. Rick has been an instrumental part of many improvements within the Home.

From increased efficiencies and services to breaking down the silo of a traditional ESW role and year after year, through resident survey results Rick and his team received near perfect ratings. If that wasn’t busy enough, Rick juggled numerous projects throughout the home with a positive attitude and a wonderful smile.

I am very proud of Rick’s contributions and of the team he has created. Please join me in wishing Rick Clark, “Clicker” or as the Terrace managers say “our brother with six sisters” all the best in his retirement. Thank you Rick for your 40+ years of service to the County, the staff, the residents of the Terrace and of course to the Dukes. You will be greatly missed! A celebrate for Rick was held on Wednesday Wendell Clark and Rick Clark

May 31st , 2023.

CHHA Conference and Trade Show, Catch the Wave in Picton, 2019

Sent on behalf of Rick’s sisters Page 7

CHHA 3rd Annual Annual Award of Excellence A Huge Success!

Some of our Winners

EVS Team, St. Lawrence Lodge, Brockville, ON

EVS Team, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ON

From L to R – Jo Hibbs, SS Supervisor, Audra Touring - Award Recipient, Manpreet Thind, Dir.of Care and Gail Dygdala, Administrator, Extendicare Leduc, AB

From L to R – Amanda Pinto, Manager of Support Services, Laura Yantha - Award Recipient and Tina O'Malley, RN, Infection Control Coordinator, Valley Manor, Barry's Bay, ON

EVS Team, Georgetown, ON

Supervisors and Management presenting Sara Abu Middin with her award, Sunnybrook Hospital, ON.

Page 8

From L to R – Judy Shaw, Award Recipient and Kim Jay, Director of Care Andrews of Summerside, PEI

From L to R – John Vanderhorst, EVS Manager, Helen Emerson Award Recipient, Kami Johnson, Administrator, and Connie Trapp, RN, IPC Lead, Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged, Parry Sound, ON L to R Carolyn Herfkens, Supervisor, Marcia Clarke From L to R - Drupatie Joseph and Abhi Odedra, King City Lodge Nursing Home, ON

From L to R – Maggie Muto, EVS Supervisor, Sara Loza - Award Recipient and Kyle McLaughlin, Manager EVS Etobicoke General Hospital, ON Page 9

CHHA 3rd Annual Annual Award of Excellence A Huge Success!

Prize Winners

Sponsor

Prize

Name

Facility

AMG

$100.00 GC

Sue Potvin

Timmins & District Hospital, ON

Busch Systems

$100.00 Amazon GC

Marcia Clarke

The Glebe Centre, Ottawa, ON

CHHA

$50.00 Canadian Tire GC

Sherry Nippard

NL Health Services Grand Falls-Windsor, NL

CHHA

$50.00 Amazon GC

Helen Emerson

Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged, ON

CHHA

$100.00 for the Team to celebrate

EVS Team

Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Barrie, ON

Daniels

$50.00 GC

Sara Abu-Middin

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, ON

Diversey

Taski Vacuum

Sara Loza

Etobicoke General – William Osler, ON

Hygiene Performance Solutions

$50.00 GC

Maimuna Djalo

Runnymede Healthcare Centre, ON

Kimberley Clark

$200.00 of Home Products

Ramanjot “Raman” Singh

The Mount Continuing Care Community, PEI

Kruger

$50.00 LCBO GC

Judy Shaw

Andrews of Summerside, PEI

Kruger

$50.00 LCBO GC

Laura Yantha

Valley Manor Inc. Barry’s Bay, ON

Lintcheck

$100.00 Keg GC

Warren Low Kum

Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ON

Nilfisk

$50.00 Visa GC

Jason Stewart

Perley Health, Ottawa, ON

Nilfisk

$50.00 Visa GC

Kathy Crump

Lakeland Long Term Care, Parry Sound, ON

Page 10

CHHA 3rd Annual Annual Award of Excellence A Huge Success!

Certificate Winners

2023 CHHA Team Award of Excellence Winners Age Care Aurora, Aurora, ON Espanola Regional Hospital and Health Centre, Espanola, ON Franklin Gardens Long Term Care, Leamington, ON Halton Healthcare - OTMH, Oakville, ON John M. Parrott Centre, Napanee, ON King City Lodge Nursing Home, King City, ON Kingston Health Science Center/Hotel Dieu Hospital, Kingston, ON Lady Dunn Health Centre, Wawa, ON Lanark Lodge, Perth, ON Marquise Hospitality a Division of Compass Group, Mississauga, ON Maxville Manor, Maxville, ON Milton District Hospital and Georgetown Hospital, Milton, ON Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, Oakville, ON Prince County Hospital, Summerside, PEI Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, Barrie, ON Sensenbrenner Hospital, Kapuskasing, ON St. Lawrence Lodge, Brockville, ON The John M Parrott Centre, Napanee, ON Uxbridge Hospital - Oak Valley Health, Uxbridge, ON Westpark Healthcare Centre, Toronto, ON

EVS Team, Milton Hospital, ON

2023 CHHA Individual Award of Excellence Winners Alan Soni, Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario, ON Amie Driedger, South Health Campus, AB Andrew Emigh, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, ON Ann Tanner, South Shore Regional Hospital, NS Audra Touring, Extendicare Leduc, AB Barbara Skidmore, South Shore Regional Hospital, NS Bob Hale, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, ON Carolynne De Boer, Wingham and District Hospital, ON Christna Banks- Milligan, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, ON Connie Austin, West Parry Health Centre, Ont Corrine Hayes, Pine Meadow Nursing Home, ON Dave Smith, Yarmouth Regional Hospital, NS Debbie Hogg, Aberdeen Regional Hospital, NS Dragica Ljubinkovic, Hamilton Health Sciences, ON Dulce Sesek, Halton Healthcare - OTMH, ON Ermina Hajredini, Alberta Children's Hospital, AB Filloreta Tanko, Gibson Long Term Care Residence, ON Gail, Chilliwack General Hospital, BC Grace Tusalem, Guelph General Hospital, ON Greta Himmelman, South Shore Regional Hospital , NS Heather Fulton, Colchester East Hants Health Center, NS Helen Emerson, Belvedere Heights Home for the Aged, ON Isabel MacDougall, Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital, NS Jason Juhlke, St Josephs Hamilton, ON Jason Maw, Bluewater Health, ON Jason Stewart, Perley Health, ON John Brothers, Valley Regional Hospital, NS Jordan Percey, MB Health Science Centre, MB Joseph Scozzari, St Josephs Hamilton, ON Judy Shaw, Andrews of Summerside, PEI Karen Butts, Case Manor Community, ON

Cake and Award EVS Team, Milton Hospital, ON Page 11

CHHA 3rd Annual Annual Award of Excellence A Huge Success!

Certificate Winners

2023 CHHA Individual Award of Excellence Winners (Cont.)

Karen McGaughey, Manitoulin Centennial Manor, ON Karen Pittao, Maple Manor Nursing Home, ON Kathy Crump, Lakeland Long Term Care, ON Kathy Woolacott, Case Manor, ON Kirby Smith, Colchester East Hants Health Center, NS Kristin Cahley, Halton Healthcare - OTMH, ON Laura McCullough, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, ON Laura Yantha, Valley Manor Inc., ON Leah Pitman, Yarmouth Regional Hospital, NS Leslie Vollick, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, ON Letina Mengistu, Villa Columbo, ON Lili Martins, Joseph Brant Hospital, ON Lisa Olson, St. Mary's Hospital, AB Lucy Carter, Prince County Hospital, PEI Maimuna Djalo, Runnymede Healthcare Centre, ON Mandy Robertson, Kingston Health Science Centre, ON Marcia Clarke, The Glebe Centre, ON Marija Dolcic, Halton Health Care - OTMH, ON Marlene DaSilva, Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, ON Mary "Maddie" Wheeler, South Shore Regional Hospital, NS Mary Kellar, Pine Meadow Nursing Home, ON Meagan Cloutier, West Nipissing General Hospital, ON Melissa Hudgins, St Josephs Hamilton, ON Michaelita Lovendino, Louis Brier Home & Hospital and Weinberg Residence, BC Nayma Arauyo, Marquise Hospitality a Division of Compass Group, ON Nicole Noseworthy, Dr. Hugh Twomey Health Care Centre, NL Parlita Calpito, Extendicare Mississauga Long Term Care, ON Patricia Baker, South Shore Regional Hospital, NS Patricia Delaney, Colchester East Hants Health Center, NS Paula Druer, Fairfield Park, ON Rachel Crowe, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, ON Ramanjot "Raman" Singh, The Mount Continuing Care Community, PEI Raylene Barbrick, Colchester East Hants Health Center, NS Rommel Calma, Cape Breton Regional Hospital, NS Rosa Calverley, Trillium Manor, ON Rosa Medeiros, Halton Healthcare - OTMH, ON Rowena Cabilatazan, NS Health, NS Sadeta Garic, Childrens Hospital of Eastern Ontario, ON Sara Abu-Middin, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, ON Sara Loza, Etobicoke General - William Osler, ON Shannon Pierce, Colchester East Hants Health Center, NS Shannon Salter, Aberdeen Regional Hospital, NS Sharon Hudson, Listowel Memorial Hospital, ON Shelly Sangster, NS Health, NS Sherry Nippard, NL Health Services Central Zone, NL Sue Potvin, Timmins and District hospital, ON Suzanne Norton, Belleville Dialysis Clinic, ON Tammy Crouse, Fisherman Memorial Hospital, NS Tara E Smith, Queens General Hospital, NS Theresa Cormier, Prince County Hospital, PEI Vernon Bacchus, North York General Hospital: Seniors' Health Centre, ON Wanda Herman, South Shore Regional Hospital, NS Warren Low Kum, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial hospital, ON Wayne Estey, Soldier's Memorial Hospital, NS Page 12

Rosa Medeiros, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ON

Award and Cake, Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, ON

We sincerely thank our sponsors and individual donors for supporting our first-ever CHHA Teams to participate in the IEHA, A Division of ISSA, Housekeeping Olympics in Las Vegas on November 13, 2023.

L to R – Back Row – Wes Ellis, Anthony Stocks, John Petropoulos, Kyle McLaughlin – Front Row – Agnes Kim, Patricia Todd, Erin Campbell, Brooke Paxton, and Ginette Trudel-Morin

Ginette Morin-Trudel accepting her gold medal for the floor mopping competition from Michael Patterson, Executive Director, IEHA

Erin Campbell and Kyle Mclaughlin with gold medal and cup for winning the buffer pad toss.

The Teams took Gold in the buffer pad toss and the floor mopping competition, they were impressive as first-time participants!

Thanks to Ginette Morin -Trudel of Timmins District Hospital for creating the dance routine for the Spirit competition and whipping the teams into shape. Personally, I thought they should have won it, but I’m a little biased.

Thanks to the sponsors and CHHA Members who surprised us by cheering on the teams! HSK Olympics aside, I had the privilege to spend a few days with a handful of individuals who represent the leaders of our profession, I can’t say enough about what an extraordinary professional group they are.

Their passion, commitment, and knowledge of the profession is truly remarkable!

The Teams blended so well, with amazing personalities, awesome sense of humor, and incredible Teamwork! Thank you all for allowing me to spend time with you! The saying “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”, may still hold true on a couple of our adventures, but I’d be proud to travel with this group again!

Wendy B

Page 13

Back Row – L to R – Kyle McLaughlin, Lori Bowerman, Derek Oliveira, Anthony Stocks, Ginette Morin-Trudel, Wendy Boone, John Petropoulos, and Mike Nosko Front Row – L to R – Agnes Kim, Erin Campbell, Brooke Paxton, Wes Ellis, and Patricia Todd

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