November 2015
HSN Welcomes the Newest Kid in Town: On November 19, HSN announced the creation of a new foundation, dedicated to building awareness for children’s care needs and raising funds to bring vital pediatric services to Northeastern Ontario. The NEO Kids Foundation will raise funds for children’s services, equipment and research at HSN, encompassing all children’s services at HSN. Children need their own voice in health care.The Foundation will also work to raise public awareness so children are represented in key health care decisions.
in one location. NEO Kids will include more clinical space for existing services, in addition to added capacity for new services and clinics.
The first priority for the NEO Kids Foundation will be the construction of a health centre designed and built for children’s specific needs. The health centre will provide pediatric services, clinics, diagnostics, and other services
The facility will include a parent’s resource centre, a Ronald McDonald House for families from outside Greater Sudbury who must stay overnight to accommodate their children’s care, a Child Advocacy Centre for children who’ve suffered physical/ sexual abuse, as well as onsite diagnostics and a pharmacy.
learn more: www.neokidsfoundation.ca “There are 10,000 reasons why the NEO Kids Foundation is needed in our community, states Patricia Mills, who will lead
“Every hour of every day, a child and their family leaves the North to receive the new Foundation.
care elsewhere. This does not have to be the case. The NEO Kids Foundation was launched to make the dream of receiving care, closer to home a reality for our children and their families.”
Scott and Ian Watson are two 15-year-old NEO Kids. Visit HSN’s YouTube channel for a peek into their daily lives, as they and their parents, Paula and Kyle, prepare to travel to southern Ontario for health care.
Northeast Cancer Centre Celebrates 25th Anniversary There was a time when cancer patients couldn’t get radiation therapy in northeastern Ontario, and chemotherapy was only available on a limited basis. But that changed 25 years ago. On November 5, 1990, The Northeast Cancer Centre (NECC) opened its doors at HSN, providing chemotherapy in a central location to all residents of northeastern Ontario, and introducing radiation therapy to this part of the province. “It is remarkable to think of how far we’ve progressed in terms of cancer care in the last 25 years,” says Mark Hartman, NECC’s Vice President Regional Cancer Services. “At the time, it was considered bold and ambitious just to have a cancer centre in northeastern Ontario, let alone what we’ve been able to accomplish since then, especially in research and distance cancer care where we’ve been true leaders in the field.” Since its launch in 1990, the NECC has grown to include a wide range of clinical and support services, including
1991: Princess Diana officially opens the Daffodil Lodge.
dental oncology (one of only two programs in the province), children’s cancer care, psychosocial support, counselling, nutrition, preventive oncology and screening, and the Daffodil Lodge to support outof-town cancer patients.
what will be accomplished over the next 25 years for cancer patients in northeastern Ontario.”
The NECC also pioneered satellite radiation services through its radiation bunker at the Sault Area Hospital, oversees a network of satellite chemotherapy programs throughout northeastern Ontario, and supports a healing lodge and the use of patient navigators for First Nations and Indigenous Peoples patients.
Crucial to the success of the NECC has been overwhelming community support, advocacy, and fundraising on the part of individuals, businesses, public agencies, all levels of government and various community groups and foundations, particularly the Northern Cancer Foundation (NCF).
World-class research has also been at the core of the NECC. Groundbreaking studies have been conducted in such fields as Tumour Biology, Epidemiology, Dental Oncology, and Medical Physics.
Created in 1992, the NCF raises money exclusively for cancer care services, equipment and research in northeastern Ontario. Over the years, the NCF has raised over $30 million for cancer care research
For example, in 1991, the NECC was the first cancer centre in Canada to take part in a stem cell transplantation procedure, performed at the Laurentian Hospital, now the site of HSN’s Ramsey Lake Health Centre. In the mid-1990s, a research team at the NECC was the first in the world to begin growing stem cells in a laboratory setting (ex vivo expansion).
“The Northern Cancer Foundation is proud to be a part of excellent patient care and cutting edge research that has become the legacy of the Northeast Cancer Centre,” says Tannys Laughren, Executive Director of the NCF. “With our many community partners we raise funds to advance and make a difference in cancer outcomes and experiences for our patients. We are proud that every dollar we raise stays at the NECC to support research and care for our patients.”
“Research and more effective cancer care go hand-in-hand, and in that respect, the Northeast Cancer Centre has been a true leader,” adds Dr. Denis Roy, HSN’s President and CEO. “Congratulations to the NECC for an amazing 25 years so far. We look forward to
As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, the NECC wishes to thank its employees and all its patients and their families for their support over the years.
HSN has long viewed the need to establish a specialized pediatric centre of excellence for the north as an important part of our mandate as a regional care centre. That same principle of specialization is what led us to creating a new foundation -wholly, entirely, solely, --dedicated to children’s care needs. The NEO Kids Foundation will be a champion for children across the northeast. Our extensive engagement for NEO Kids has made it clear that children need their own voice in health care. This Foundation will provide that voice.
Children are not small adults. And yet our health care system often treats them as such. There are 110,000 children in northeastern Ontario – that represents 25 per cent of our population base here in the north. While many people want to believe that very few of these children ever get sick – and then only briefly – there are potentially devastating acute, chronic, and even life threatening illnesses, that affect children of all ages. Children in northern Ontario have poorer rates of health compared to the rest of Canada. Not only do our children have poorer health, they
have greater challenges accessing the care they need. Given the current state of our children’s poorer health outcomes, it is important for all of us to understand that one size does not fit all. The NEO Kids Foundation, through their advocacy and fundraising efforts, will help us create a continuum of care for our children – from in utero through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. I truly believe this is a historical milestone for Sudbury and the north. It will change the landscape of health care in a fundamental way.
November 9 to 13 was Perioperative Nurses Week This year’s theme: Proficiency and Competency: “Own Your Practice”
Thank you to all of the nurses working They are exemplary in accountability in the Operating Room for the incredible which mirrors the theme of owning job they do each and every day. your own practice.
Congratulations and well done!
services employee (i.e., HCW) When does the Health Care Worker What has changed in the Influenza 1. When does the Health Care Worker (HCW) Influenza Management Policy take effect? goes upstairs/anywhere that is a (HCW) Influenza Management Policy Management Policy? 2. Arbitrator James Hayes allowed the Sault Area Hospital (SAH) grievance, ruling that the SAH’s patient care area or goes to a patient take effect? Vaccine or Mask (VOM) policy was an unreasonable exercise of management rights and waiting area and the employee is not Mask are no longer required inconsistent with Article 18.07(c) of the collective agreement. How does this Award affect other immunized, then the employees has to The HCW Influenza Management everywhere; unimmunized HCWs, hospitals? 1. takes When does the Health Care Worker (HCW) Influenza Management Policy take effect? wear a mask while in the patient care Policy effect December 1. The who are working outside of inpatient area. 3. What are other hospitals doing in response to the Hayes Award? updated policy is available and outpatient and (SAH) grievance, ruling that the SAH’s 2. Arbitrator Jamesunder Hayes allowed the Saultcare/service Area Hospital Policies Procedures The Hub. (ONA) waiting areasthe in position all HSN facilities, no Award should 4. Theand Ontario Nurses on Association has taken that the Hayes Vaccine or Mask (VOM) policy was an unreasonable exercise of Example management and (at #3: Therights Laboratory longer require a is mask. apply to all hospitals. What messaging and direction ONA giving to their members? RLHC) is not anAward inpatientaffect and other When is inconsistent a mask required? with Article 18.07(c) of the collective agreement. How does this 5. Have the other unions at HSN taken the same position as the ONA? outpatient care/service and waiting What are some examples of areas hospitals? 6. Why has HSN continued to take a mask or vaccine approach? area so HCWs (i.e., employees HCW who can’t or choose not to be that are not considered inpatient and 7. 3.Why are employees being asked doing to provide their immunization status? Award? What are other hospitals in response to the Hayes who work in the Lab) who are not immunized must wear a mask at all outpatient care/service 8. Why do I need to wear a mask when I am isolated with other employees? immunized are not required to wear a times or Association and waiting 4.while Theworking/learning Ontario Nurses (ONA) areas? has taken the position that the Hayes Award should 9. I find it uncomfortable when patients ask why I’m wearing a mask – how can I reasonably mask while performing their work volunteering in all inpatient and apply to all hospitals. What messaging and direction is ONA giving to their members? in their typical areas of operation; outpatient care/service and waiting Examplestatus? #1: Health Records is not respond without disclosing my immunization 5. Have the other unions at HSN taken the same position as the ONA? if a Laboratory employee areas of all HSNhas facilities a patient care area sohow HCWs (i.e., 10. Reference been made to the “precautionary principle” does this applyhowever, to influenza? has to enter a patient care area and throughout thehas duration ofcontinued the employees who work in Health Why HSN tomeasures take a mask orthe vaccine approach? 11.6.How else should we support these to limit spread of the flu? the employee is not immunized, then influenza season (December 1 to April Records) who are not immunized 12.7.Where I get my flu shot? Whycan are employees being asked to provide their immunization status? the employee is required to wear a 1 – annually). are not required to wear a mask 8. Why do I need to wear a mask when I am isolated with other employees? mask while in the patient care area. while performing their work in their What definition of a Health Care areas of why operation; however,a mask – how can I reasonably 9.is the I find it uncomfortable when typical patients ask I’m wearing Do I still need to wear a mask in Worker (HCW)? if a Health Records employee has to respond without disclosing my immunization status? the cafeteria, Tim Horton’s line and deliver a health record to a patient 10. Reference has been made to the “precautionary principle” how does this apply to influenza? Boutique? The term HCW applies to any person, care area and the employee is not paid11. or unpaid who should provides we services, then theto employee is spread of the flu? How else supportimmunized, these measures limit the A mask is no longer required in these works, volunteers or trains in the required to wear a mask while in the 12. Where can I get my flu shot? areas. Our focus is protecting our hospital. This includes employees, patient care area. patients - based on this inpatient and physicians, medical learners, students, outpatient care/service and waiting volunteers and contract workers and Example #2: Building Services areas of all HSN facilities have been applies to all HSN owned or occupied downstairs (at RLHC) is not a patient identified for the Vaccine or Mask property. care area; however, if a building approach.
I am still unclear as to whether or not I am required to wear a mask – what should I do?
Why has HSN continued to take a mask or vaccine approach in some areas?
It’s about what you do and where and with whom - our focus is patient care; if in doubt, wear a mask.
HSN is committed to safety and the Influenza Management Policy is an integral component to our safety efforts. It is based on the primary prevention model of disease prevention, which aims to prevent the onset of the targeted condition (Influenza) within the hospital community. The primary prevention model supports early vaccination of all Health Care Workers and/or the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of influenza.
Your manager will be able to provide you with guidance. Arbitrator James Hayes allowed the Sault Area Hospital (SAH) grievance, ruling that the SAH’s Vaccine or Mask (VOM) policy was an unreasonable exercise of management rights and inconsistent with Article 18.07(c) of the collective agreement. How does this Award affect other hospitals? The Award is binding to the SAH and they must move forward with the results of the decision. No other hospital in Ontario is required to change their policy as a result of the arbitration award, unless they had a grievance held in abeyance pending the outcome.
Both vaccination and/or the use of PPE (masks) during influenza season ensure Health Care Worker preparedness to provide care to our patients.
Why are employees being asked to provide their immunization status? The requirement to disclose is not new – it has been an integral part of policy language and has always been the expectation of all HCWs. It is legislated under the Public Hospitals Act that “during influenza season, documentation of each person’s status must be kept current and available in the Occupational Health record. Refusal of vaccination should also be documented in the OHSS”. The rationale for the collection and use of HCW vaccination status is to: •
Determine and assign fitness for work/work preparedness/ work restrictions during influenza season and
•
Determine and assign fitness for work/work preparedness/work restrictions during institutional outbreaks, which informs contingency plans for safe patient care and rostering of HCWs during an outbreak
You will be reminded of your obligations to properly wear your mask (Personal Protective Equipment PPE). Repeated incidents will result in progressive corrective action and if necessary discipline up to and including termination.
•
HSN is underreporting mandatory vaccination coverage rates to the MOHLTC annually because our data is incomplete
What will happen to me if I refuse to wear my mask?
If you completed your influenza declination form or did not declare your immunization status to Occupational Health, your manager will be aware that you are required to wear a mask.
What will happen to me if I forget to wear my mark or properly wear my mask while providing direct patient care or while in inpatient and outpatient care/service and waiting areas?
HSN is not affected by the award. What are other hospitals doing in response to the Hayes Award? Some hospitals, like HSN, are distinguishable from what occurred at the SAH (i.e., implementation and rationale of policy differ) and at this time are not making any significant changes their policies.
Willful non-compliance of any policy, including the Influenza Management Policy, is considered insubordination and will be subject to discipline up to and including termination. All Employees are encouraged to comply and take appropriate steps to deal with their issues through the appropriate avenue(s) (e.g. grievance).
How will my manager know that I require a mask?
Can I be sent home during a shift if I refuse to wear my mask? If you refuse to wear your mask (PPE) you may be sent home for a portion or for your entire shift as you will be deemed unfit for work. You will not be paid for hours that are not worked. I find it uncomfortable when patients ask why I’m wearing a mask – how can I reasonably respond without disclosing my immunization status? Please consider “It’s influenza season and I care for many patients over the course of my workday. I want to take every available precautions to protect myself and in turn to protect you”. How will HSN ensure policy compliance? Hospital management will employ a number of methods to ensure consistent Policy application throughout the Hospital. This may include but is not limited to policy awareness, one to one discussions with employees and spot checks.
Reference has been made to the “precautionary principle” how does this apply to influenza? Justice Campbell’s report on SARS (Spring of Fear 2006) indicated that “…if the Commission has one single take-home message it is the precautionary principle that safety comes first, that reasonable efforts to reduce risk need not await scientific proof. Ontario needs to enshrine this principle and enforce it throughout our entire health system…The point is not science, but safety. Scientific knowledge changes constantly. Yesterday’s scientific dogma is today’s discarded fable”. How else should we support these measures to limit the spread of the flu? Continue to practise: • Good hand hygiene • Coughing into one’s sleeve • Adherence with IPAC protocols • Staying home when ill
Employees who experience new or worse cough, fever, sore throat, runny nose, vomiting and/or diarrhea should contact the Occupational Health and Safety Service to report their symptoms and to obtain information regarding work exclusion and return to work recommendations. Where can I get my flu shot? Visit the OHSS site on The Hub to view their upcoming clinic schedule. You can also contact the Sudbury & District Health Unit (SDHU) for appointment details at 705-522-9200. Click here to view a list of their public clinics. Contact your family doctor for information on influenza vaccines and clinics or visit a participating pharmacy. When you are getting your flu shot at your doctor’s office, the SDHU or a participating Pharmacy, please ensure you complete and submit the printable Disclosure Form found on the Hub to the Occupational Health and Safety Service in order to obtain your proof of immunization either a badge sticker or immunization card – it’s your preference.
PHIPA: A Prescription for Of all the information that is collected about us in an increasingly data-driven world, our personal health information is the most sensitive. While it is necessary for the effective delivery of health care, it can also form the basis of discrimination based on something as complex as a mental health assessment or as simple as a blood test. This is why protecting personal health information is so important. It allows us to seek medical attention without fear of being exposed to prejudice while allowing health care professionals to confidently and efficiently share our information,
building trust and confidence in the health care system. That is why we need to take patient privacy seriously. The challenges of unauthorized access are real and can have lasting consequences for both patient and care-provider. Taken from the website of the Office of the Information Privacy Commissioner https://www.ipc.on.ca/english/PHIPA/prescription-for-privacy/ For more information, contact an HSN Privacy Officer at privacyoffice@hsnsudbury.ca or visit the Information and Privacy Commissioner/Ontario at www.ipc.on.ca. Stay tuned for regular monthly privacy, security and confidentiality articles in Dialogue.
Patient Experience
Update
The Patient Experience Update is a new feature in Dialogue that will aim to share learning and improvements that are a result of direct patient feedback. It will appear every second issue and is brought to you by the Patient Experience team.
Issue #1: Improving Communications Problem Identified Patient feedback received at the unit level and through the Patient Relations office identified a gap in communication with families who are waiting for information about the status of a patient’s surgery.
Solution A Nurse Liaison (navigator) rounds hourly to provide updates regarding a patient’s surgical status to families in the waiting room which has assisted in improving communication between the care team and the family. In addition to this improvement, a Patient Surgical Status Dashboard has been developed by Meditech Super User Barb Roy. Pictured: Alice Sauve, Clinical Manager; Barb Roy, OR Clinical Leader/OR Meditech Superuser; Dan Bilyk, Nurse Liaison; Stephanie Bouffard, Nurse Liaison; Elta Mary Liba, Charge Nurse SDC/SSU
The television screen, located in the surgical family waiting room, allows family members of inpatients/outpatients to track the patient’s surgical start time, end time and advises of any delays. Alice Sauve, Clinical Manager of Pre-Admission, Surgical Day Care and Short-Stay Unit (SDC/SSU) and her team exemplify patient and family-centred care and a spirit of continuous improvement. Plans to improve the dashboard are already underway according to Roy, “Our next phase will involve adding information to the dashboard to include when the patient has moved into the Post-Anesthetic Care Unit.”
“Pre-Admission, Surgical Day Care and Short-Stay exemplify patient and family-centred care and a spirit of continuous improvement.” *NEW* Patient Surgical Status Dashboard
A special thank you to Ann Moro (not pictured), Surgical Access Coordinator for helping to facilitate the creation of this board.
WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Let us know how you are enhancing the patient experience at HSN, email patientrelations@hsnsudbury.ca
Did you know...with 3,900 employees, it would only take a one-time contribution of $12.50 each to reach our goal! There are still many opportunities to make a difference! Tuesday, December 1 #GivingTuesday Join us in the RLHC cafeteria between 11 AM and 1 PM to pick up a form and have your questions answered.
DiBrina Group will match any donations received on that day
Blitz prizes We will be holding Donation Blitzes for employees throughout the campaign. If you submit your pledge form on that day, you will be entered into both the weekly draw and our blitz draw to win a $20 Tim Hortons gift card.
Last Update: Nov 24, 2015
up to $5000. The match will be provided to donations pledged only to United Way.
Planned Blitz Days:
Friday, December 11 The Rock Garden Café will donate $0.25 for every purchase made.
Have breakfast in the cafeteria or to leave your lunch at home. The Rock Garden Café will be donating $0.25 for every purchase made throughout the day to the United Ways We Give Campaign.
Weekly Prizes! Draw every Friday Two $5.00 Marek Hospitality gift cards Two $5.00 Tim Hortons gift cards
GRAND PRIZE
November 30 Cedar Street
December 1
RLHC #GivingTuesday
December 9 Kirkwood
December 11 RLHC – Cafeteria Donation Day
December 17
Sudbury Outpatient Centre
Donate $8 or more per pay or a lump sum donation of $200 for the chance to win a private dinner for you and three (3) friends made by Sudbury’s own Michael Cullen. Michael Cullen has spent many years on the International Hotel stage as an Executive Chef opening hotels and large format food service operations in Poland, Russia, the Caribbean, and with the Edmonton Oilers. Michael has recently retired from his very own Y.U.M. Culinary Academy but is still is able to share his passion for fine food with many loyal clientele through exclusive catering ventures.
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What is Genetic Counselling? A recent study found that many people have never heard of a genetic counsellor. Have you? Genetic counsellors help people understand and adapt to complicated health-related information. By interpreting family history information, genetic counsellors can tell you if there is a genetic condition being passed down in your family. They may provide options for genetic testing and provide support during the genetic testing process. The field of genetic counselling has broadened such that genetic counsellors are employed in a wide array of fields outside of the traditional medical system such as industry, research, health policy and private companies. The Genetic Counselling Services of Health Sciences North is located on the Main Floor of the Sudbury Outpatient Centre. The service has a team of four genetic counsellors, one secretary, one coordinator, an external advisory medical geneticist, and several other visiting medical geneticists. We receive over 600 referrals a year from Greater Sudbury and surrounding areas and our services include prenatal, pediatric, adult and cancer genetic counselling.
Pictured left to right: Lisa Gillis, Genetic Counsellor; Marielle Dovgalev, Program Secretary; Heather Hare, Genetic Counsellor; Alessandra Cumming, Genetic Counsellor; Heather Dorman, Coordinator; JosĂŠe PrĂŠvost, Genetic Counsellor
Services Available for First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) Patients and Families at HSN Aligned with the HSN True North metric of Quality/Patient Access and in collaboration with three Aboriginal Health Access Centres in LHIN-13 (Shkagmik-Kwe –Sudbury, N‘Mninoeyaa - North Shore and Noojmowin-Teg – Manitoulin Island), the services of Aboriginal Patient Navigation have been expanded. Aboriginal Patient Navigation services at HSN strive to: • Provide support to Northeast First Nations, Inuit and Métis (FNIM) patients and families through an Aboriginal Patient Navigator • Reduce gaps in service • Remove barriers to accessing equitable health care • Identify health trends and common patient needs among the First Nations, Inuit and Métis populations
Aboriginal Patient Navigation services and eligibility criteria include: 1. Aboriginal Patient Navigator Aileen Restoule Shkagamik-Kwe All FNIM patients residing in Northeast Ontario receiving health care services through HSN 2. Aboriginal Patient Navigator Susan Deschamps North Shore Tribal Council Seniors (55+) and individuals living with a disability who reside in the North Shore Tribal Council communities and the urban FNIM people residing in the city of Sault Ste. Marie, ON 3. Medicine Lodge Keeper Lisa Pitawanakwat Health Sciences North All FNIM patients, families and community members can access the Medicine Lodge within HSN and the services of the Medicine Lodge Keeper 4. Aboriginal Patient Navigator, Sherri Baker Northeast Cancer Centre All FNIM patients residing in Northeast Ontario with a diagnosis of cancer receiving treatment as an outpatient at the Northeast Cancer Centre
The services strive to provide coordinated and complementary services in addition to services a patient may already be receiving. Each Patient Navigator can also be accessed by health care professionals about First Nations, Inuit and Métis health care pathways and community resources. To ensure patients have a seamless transition from hospital to community, referrals must be initiated prior to patients being discharged home. Referrals can be placed in Meditech through the following process: Click on Order Entry Process Orders Aboriginal Navigator (AN) RFS Aboriginal Navigator or RFS Medicine Lodge Keeper We also welcome the opportunity to join in program huddles or meetings to review the services and what benefits can be provided to your patients and families. Please contact Jessica Diplock, Clinical Coordinator of the Supportive Care Program at jdiplock@ hsnsudbury.ca with any questions or for additional information.
HSN Goes Green We are pleased to have achieved Bronze and Silver recognition for environmental performance as evaluated province-wide by the Ontario Hospital Association. This includes reducing energy use, pollution, waste and water consumption; and for the leadership, planning and management of our environmental initiatives.Kudos to our entire HSN team, especially Facilities Management, for your great work! View our Green Hospital Scorecards: http://bit.ly/1LMDLoG. Learn more: http://bit.ly/1Mtycc7
Celebrating 35 Years of Excellent Care could offer home infusion programs.” Paradis points out that another major breakthrough in the program was when staff started educating patients on preventative care. “We started teaching patients how to do infusion even when they were not bleeding and that was to prevent bleeding.” The Hemophilia Program has certainly come a long way since it was founded several decades ago. What used to be a one day a week program has expanded to five days and the staff has grown significantly.
Betty Anne Paradis
For 35 years, the Hemophilia Program at HSN has been an important resource for people with bleeding disorders. Betty Anne Paradis is the Primary Care Nurse for the program and has been involved in it since the very beginning. “It started with a group of mothers who had boys with bleeding disorders,” said Paradis. “They wanted to get care locally otherwise they had to go to Toronto”. Although many people were involved in the formation of the program, Paradis made note of the contribution of one woman in particular.“It was really spearheaded by Helen Gibson who came to the Laurentian Hospital to talk to the Director of Nursing about the need for the program in the City of Greater Sudbury,” said Paradis.
“The director was very supportive of the idea and the two of them attended a national conference in Winnipeg and that led to the program’s founding in 1980”. Over the course of 35 years, the program has seen significant change. Advances in medicine and technology have allowed staff to offer patients much more personalized treatment plans depending on their needs. “In the beginning, patients had to be admitted to the hospital for sometimes weeks at a time to receive treatment,” said Paradis. “As the program continued to grow, new products were developed and we had easier access to them so we
“Approximately eight years ago the Hemophilia program merged with the HAVEN program and that’s been very beneficial because the Hemophilia program is now available five days a week because the same staff oversees both programs,” said Judy Latendre-Paquette, Coordinator for the HAVEN/Hemophilia Program. The merging of the two programs has also made a significant difference for patients who travel to HSN for treatment. “We have patients from across Northeastern Ontario and if a person with a bleeding disorder is having an invasive procedure done they need to consult with the program first,” said Latendre-Paquette. “So patients can now call the program and they’ll be able to speak to someone five days a week and that’s been extremely beneficial.”
Be sure to read Dr. Zalan’s Column in the Northern Life www.northernlife.ca/news/columns/zalan
Both Emile and Bette find volunteering at the hospital very rewarding and they especially love helping patients with simple acts of kindness. “The patients here are so appreciative and I don’t think of it as anything special I just help people find where they need to go,” said Emile. He adds that the feeling he gets from helping patients is something special that he never felt when working in the mining industry, which he did for 33 years.
Meet Emile and Bette Emile and Bette Lefave got married just over a year ago. The story of how they met, however, is not your typical love story. Both widowers, Emile and Bette met at the hospital where they have been volunteering for two and six years respectively. The couple met through a mutual acquaintance and the first time they talked to each other was in the cafeteria. A few days later, Emile called Bette and asked her to meet him for a cup of coffee. The Lefave’s recall that they hit it off right away and discovered that they had a lot in common. “We talked and found out we are both widowers and have both raised families and we got along so well – it’s been wonderful so far,” said Bette. Despite both volunteering at the hospital, they had never crossed paths before.
“We probably passed each other in the hallway many times and never talked to each other so there must be someone up there directing traffic,” laughs Bette. “It’s just a very happy story and working in a hospital you see a lot of bad stories and sad things but sometimes wonderful things happen,” Since he began volunteering at the hospital, Emile has been one of the smiling faces that greets visitors in the main entrance and Bette helps cancer patients and their families working at the welcome desk in the Northeast Cancer Centre. For Bette, her motivation for volunteering at the cancer centre came from personal experience. “I lost my husband to cancer, he was a patient here and when we were waiting to see the doctor he was very impressed with the volunteers and said that we had to volunteer – he passed away before he could but I decided to volunteer right away.”
HSN relies on hard working volunteers like Emile and Bette to greet visitors, walk them to their appointment and provide comfort and compassion to them and their families. Many of the volunteers who selflessly donate their time are retirees who are looking for a way to make a difference in their community. “When you retire it’s really nice to think about what can I do other than something for myself,” said Bette. “To me, it’s a good way to give back to your community.” When asked if they are planning to continue to volunteer, Emile and Bette were adamant that they will continue to donate their time for as long as they can. “There’s a lady at the cancer centre who works with me and she’s volunteered for just over 40 years,” said Bette. “So we want to continue to volunteer for as long as we can because all of the volunteers are good people who want to help out and it’s very nice to be a part of that”. Know someone who may be interested in volunteering? Have them contact HSN Volunteer Services 41 Ramsey Lake Road Sudbury, ON P3E 5J1 Telephone: (705) 523-7179 volunteerservices@hsnsudbury.ca Fax: (705) 523-7037
Innovation Award for Sault Area Hospital &like to extend congratulations to our very own Health Sciences North would Briana Fram (left), Casi McCallum (center) and Keri Shewchuk (right), Northeast Cancer Centre who are the recipients of Top 40 Under 40 Awards.
Congrats to our Northeast Cancer The doses are Centre and the Sault Area delivered with 40 individuals under theaccuracy age of 40 were recognized at an awards gala, Hospital (SAH) for receiving an pinpoint honourable mention forlast the 2015 to the site ofClub, the for their contributions to our community. held night at the Caruso Cancer Quality Council of Ontario cancer tumour, More Award. than 500 peoplewith attended the event, hosted by Northern Ontario Business. (CQCO) Innovation less impact on the surrounding Our partnership with the SAH healthy tissue. HSN isStereotactic lucky to have leaders like Briana, Casi and Keri making a difference in the lives of our has brought Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR) treatments As a result of SABR, cancer patients can complete their radiation therapy in as few patients. Click here to learn more about their achievements. to patients in the Sault. SABR as 4 treatments, compared to over 30, with potentially better results. Most remarkable uses concentrated doses of is that the delivery of SABR is monitored in real-time through a virtual connection via radiation 6x stronger than our medical team here at the Northeast Cancer Centre. SAH was selected among 50 traditional radiation therapy. applicants throughout the province for this award.
Top 40 Under Forty at HSN HSN would like to extend congratulations to our very own Briana (left), Casi (center) and Keri (right), who are the recipients of Top 40 Under 40 Awards. 40 individuals under the age of 40 were recognized at an awards gala hosted by Northern Ontario Business, for their contributions to our community. HSN is lucky to have leaders like Briana, Casi and Keri making a difference in the lives of our patients every day. Congratulations!
Reflecting on Providing Safe Patient Care during Canadian Patient Safety Week Celebrating Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW) at HSN is an annual tradition allowing all members of the health care team to gain a better understanding of their role in providing safe patient care. Members of the CPSW Working Group and the Quality and Patient Safety Team planned daily events during the week of October 26th to ensure that the message behind CPSW, which is the importance of improving communications, and how this can have a positive impact on patient safety, was delivered and staff remained engaged. The highlight of the week was the Patient Safety Café that provided the forum to listen to patient stories via a video, and learning about what patient safety means to our patients and the quality of communication they experienced at HSN. Attendees got to enjoy some treats and participate in the MythFracture game for an opportunity to debunk some common misconceptions regarding patient safety. Patient Advisors were also on hand to educate staff on the importance of using NOD (Name, Occupation, Duty) as a means to enhance communication and keeping patients safe. The week concluded with the inaugural Patient and Staff Safety Poster Competition. The winner of the competition was the Patient Experience Team, Melissa Romanko, Amber Gazdic and Rosie Graffi, with their poster board, “Sharing Patient Stories at HSN – Promoting a
culture of continuous improvement and patient-centred care”. The $250 prize was presented to the team on behalf of the CEO Patient and Family Advisory Council. The panel of judges included Amanda Conrad, Tyler Kirwan and Charles Ketter, a Patient Advisor serving on the CEO PFAC.
Patient and Staff Safety Poster Competition participants
Myth Fracture hosts Nik and Sarah.
CEO Patient and Family Advisory Council members, Susie (left) and Sandra, educate staff about NOD
Mark Your Calendars! Effective December 1, 2015, HSN’s new Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider will be GuidanceResources® by ComPsych.
All “What If’s” are collected from Good Catches across HSN. These are brought forward by members of the Good Catch Advisory Group. They aim to: 1. Share learning from Good Catches 2. Strengthen Safety Culture
HSN Patient Safety Feedback Loop
Submissions can be made to QRM@hsnsudbury.ca
The Good Catch Advisory Group is pleased to present learnings from Good Catches throughout the organization: A “What If” is a summary of an event that had the potential to cause harm but was prevented somehow. The question is then posed: “What If” the event had not been prevented, and the degree of harm that would follow.
WHAT IF? The Story: For the CT scanner in the radiation therapy department, a care plan is generated indicating what is required for the CT scan. In this particular case, the site that was chosen on the care plan was incorrect. The middle esophagus was indicated instead of upper esophagus. Upper esophagus requires an entirely different setup and immobilization process than middle esophagus. The CT staff referred to PACS imaging prior to scanning the patient and noticed that the lesion was in the upper esophagus, before bringing the patient into the CT scanner. Adjustments were made to the patient setup and the patient was scanned correctly.
What If? If this had not been caught, the patient would have undergone an unnecessary CT scan that was in the incorrect position with the incorrect immobilization device. The patient would have had to repeat the CT scan at a later time, possibly causing the patient anxiety and stress Outcome Details 1. A CT Scan Workflow checklist was added to CT checklist duo tangs at several locations in the CT scanning area making it easily accessible to all CT staff. 2. Reinforcement with CT staff, during huddle discussion, to use the checklist consistently. 3. The checklist includes assessing pt. imaging in PACS for CT Prep.
Questions for Reflection 1. Do you have a checklist of items that should be checked prior to performing a task on a patient 2. Is the checklist easily accessible to all staff 3. How are you ensuring that there is sustainability of staff using the checklists on a consistent basis? Feedback can be directed to QRM@hsnsudbury.ca Learn more : HSN Policy CT Sim – Patient Preparation
The Role of a Nurse Practitioner at HSN Did you know...twelve Nurse Practitioners (NP’s) work at HSN, at the various site. NP’s have considerable responsibilities and the scope of their professional practice may surprise you.
We recently sat down with Margaret Loughran, NP PHC at the Regional Eating Disorders program to learn more about the role of a Nurse Practitioner. What are the Requirements to become a Nurse Practitioner? We’re RN’s with additional education and experience and who have earned an advanced practice certificate from a university. In addition, we have passed an extensive certification exam from our regulatory college: the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). The program is now combined to include a Master’s degree in addition to the NP certificate. Our education and training includes a mix of academic studies and practical placements where we learn from experienced NP’s and/or Physicians.
What can Nurse Practitioners Do? We can perform physical exams, order investigations, diagnose, formulate a treatment plan and order treatments, including medications. We refer to specialist when required. Our focus is on health promotion and includes education to help support patients in improving their lifestyles and choices. We meet the needs of our patients, and increasingly those needs are more complex. Hence, we believe in interprofessional collaboration, often being taught courses and preceptored by a variety of disciplines. We provide care for both inpatients and outpatients so we have a wide-ranging role both within and outside the walls of HSN. In addition, we have supported NPs new to HSN with role implementation as well as contributed with our own teams in program planning.
What is the Difference between a Nurse Practitioner a Registered Nurse and a Registered Practical Nurse? The differences are based upon educational preparation as well as the legislation and the CNO’s regulations that govern our practice. NPs can diagnose and treat patients; we have restrictions on the types of diagnostic tests that we can order and we cannot prescribe controlled substances. Our care is comprehensive and applies to patients across the continuum of care – essentially from infancy to old age, and from wellness and prevention, acute and chronic care and to end of life. RNs can perform health assessments but they cannot diagnose or treat patients or order tests unless they have a specific order or medical directive. RPNs provide general health assessments and support work for patients who have a stable chronic condition. ...continued
What areas of the Hospital do Nurse Practitioners Work in? Our NP’s work in the following areas: • Heart Failure and Disease Management • Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation • Complex Diabetes Care • In-patient Diabetes Care • Emergency Department • Regional Eating Disorders Program • Regional Bariatric Program • NEO Kids • STAT Program
Are there any Specialities that you can focus on as a Nurse Practitioner? Yes there are four specialities recognized by the College of Nurses of Ontario, Adult, Pediatric, Primary Health Care and Anaesthesia. NPs also work in NP led clinics - Sudbury was actually where the first NP led clinic opened in 2007 and those clinics are now funded across Ontario. In addition, NP’s work in a variety of health care facilities in Sudbury and across Ontario.
What is your Favourite Part about working as a Nurse Practitioner? Providing interprofessional high quality care to patients and families and being able to support patients in achieving their health goals. Patients often arrive with very specific concerns; being able to figure out what’s going on and contributing to keeping them safe and helping them manage their health is extremely rewarding.
Happy Nurse Practitioner Week to our favourite NPs, Crista-Lee & Anne from the Bariatric Program Staff
Nurse Practitioners working at HSN, not pictured: Helen Bosley, RN (EC) NP PHC, STAT Program; Cindy Bowers, NP PHC, Cardiac Rehab; Nina Hoyt, NP-PHC, Diabetes Care Service, Complex Program; Phil Beauchamp MScN, NP and Kari Kostiw MScN, NP-Adult, From Heart Failure Disease Management Program; and Laura Hill MScN, NP-Adult, Emergency Department. Pictured left to right: Patricia Byne, RN (EC), MN, ACNP, CDE Inpatient Diabetes Margaret Loughran, BScN MHScN NP PHC, Regional Eating Disorders Program Sharon Clermont, NP Diabetes Care Service Crista-Lee Richards, BScN, MScN NP PHC Regional Bariatric Program Angelina Wiwczor, RN (EC), CAE NEO Kids
‘Tis the Season for Shopping at HSN!
Health Sciences North Foundation (HSNF) held a Holiday Craft Fair and Bake Sale on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 at HSN. Over 20 local artisans and vendors showcased their businesses and unique items to the 4,000 staff members, volunteers and visitors at the hospital throughout the day.
“Our second annual Holiday Fair was a huge success,” says Debra Dawe, Manager, Community Engagement and event organizer. “The support from the vendors, artisans, and visitors to the Fair was tremendous and it is great to see the community come together to support patient care right here at home.”
Vendors at the 2nd annual HSN Foundation Holiday Fair were selling everything from handmade jewelry, scarves, and clothes to maple syrup, homemade soaps, holiday décor and more! This year, HSNF teamed up with Merek Hospitality Inc. for a holiday bake sale, with proceeds to support HSNF, allowing staff, visitors and patients to have their holiday baking done for them with the busy holiday season approaching.
HSNF raises funds to support health care excellence through the purchase of equipment, the building of facilities and the advancement of life saving research at HSN.
“We are always pleased to support the HSN Foundation’s initiatives as we take pride in the excellent work they put forth to better our local hospital and community, and of course it falls right into our wheelhouse whereby our talented chefs get to show case their creations and interact with the public,” says Stewart Brown, Retail Food Services Director – HSN, Marek Hospitality Inc. In addition to the crafts and baked goods, HSNF was also selling snowflakes to hang on a Holiday Giving Tree in the main lobby of HSN as way to raise more funds to put the best equipment in the hands of HSN’s physicians, staff, researchers and medical learners.
#GivingTuesday Health Sciences North Foundation will be selling snowflakes as part of our #GivingTuesday campaign on December 1. By purchasing a snowflake, you are helping us put the best equipment in the hands of our physicians, staff, researchers and learners. Every snowflake is unique, and so are these with your own personalized message. It is a great way to give back this holiday season and honor your loved ones. Snowflakes can be purchased in the Foundation office, next to the gift shop.
Snowflake Campaign $10 donation Buy a snowflake to help us put the best equipment in the hands of our physicians, staff, researchers and learners.
Available: Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm or by calling: 705-523-7130 Stop by Health Sciences North Foundation’s office located next door to the gift shop to purchase your snowflake today!
Sam Bruno P.E.T. Scan Fund has Raised Over $830,000 in Six Years! Another successful Sam Bruno P.E.T. Scan Gala was held October 22, 2015. The Northern Cancer Foundation (NCF) would like to extend a huge thank you to the committee for their tireless work, as well as those members of the community who attended and came forward with donations over the course of the evening. Sam Bruno P.E.T. Scan Fund has raised over $830,000 in six years, for the NCF to purchase a P.E.T. Scanner for the Northeast Cancer Centre. What an incredible amount of funds raised!
The spirit of Sam Bruno lives on in all of us!
Despite the rain, a great time was had by all the participants and those cheering on their teams on Saturday, October 24th at the 2nd annual Lockerby Athletics Association (LAA) Road Hockey Tournament in partnership with the Kids Caring for Kids Cancer Drive at Lockerby Composite School raising $1 100. OneHundred per cent of the proceeds raised go to the Northern Cancer Foundation towards the 20th annual Kids Caring for Kids Cancer Drive Remembering Laura Cotesta!
This Halloween Kiss Radiothon of Hope Said Boo to Cancer by Raising $50,000! The 2015 KiSS Radiothon of Hope sponsored by Soucie Salo Safety returned to the New Sudbury Centre on Saturday October 31st, raising a total of $50,000. This Halloween there were no tricks, only treats as inspiring stories were shared from those who have bravely faced cancer. The Northern Cancer Foundation would like to say thank you to our community for your continued commitment to our annual KiSS 105.3 Radiothon of Hope. Your donations is greatly appreciated. They can and will make a difference and we thank you for supporting local cancer care. Thank you!
Happy Halloween…the staff of Health Information Services (HIS) got into the Spirit of Halloween. For the past few years, the HIS staff have celebrated Halloween by pooling their resources and purchasing gifts and treats for the children of the Children’s Treatment Centre. This year was no exception, the staff donned their costumes (PJ theme) and delivered treats to 28 children. For many of these children, they may not have the opportunity to get out and “trick or treat”; so HIS brings the joy of Halloween to them. This yearly ritual is something the staff look forward to, because of the smiling faces and excitement of the children.
Meet HSN’s Medical Radiation Therapists Our profession combines rapidly evolving technology with patient-centred care. We work interprofessionally with Radiation Oncologists, Oncology Nurses, Medical Physicists and many others to provide the best quality care for our patients. Therapists are involved in many aspects of the patient’s cancer journey, including performing planning CT scans, developing a treatment plan, and delivering radiation treatment. We use
patient specific immobilization devices and highly sophisticated technology to create individualized treatment plans in order to ensure safe and accurate treatment delivery. Since radiation treatments usually occur daily for several weeks, we develop close relationships with our patients and their families, and are often key providers of ongoing emotional support, and education regarding treatment side effects.
Editor: Sarah Grenier Dialogue is published for HSN employees. We’d Like to Hear From You! Dialogue is your publication. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and story ideas for future issues. Please forward your submissions to dialoguesubmissions@hsnsudbury.ca, or via inter-office mail to Sarah Grenier, Communications (ext. 3450, Ramsey Lake Health Centre).