The Northern Way Winter 2016

A magazine for NH staff and physicians Volume 3 · Issue 2 · Winter 2016 The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre – Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay – see P. 30

IN THIS ISSUE IMAGINE Grants support grassroots initiatives. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Children First funds early childhood projects.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Cultural videos educate health care workers treating Indigenous patients.. 23 Dietitian Shelly Crack brings locally grown food to Haida Gwaii schools. . . . 25 the northern way of caring

editorial NH | editorial

A message from Cathy Ulrich, President and CEO

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hen we launched The Northern Way two years ago, we would never have thought that one day the cover of our magazine for staff and physicians would feature a picture of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visiting a Northern Health facility!

But sometimes truth is stranger than fiction and, as you all now know, we were very proud and honoured to host Prince William and his wife Catherine on September 30, 2016, at our new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre – Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay.

The royal couple’s visit helped to shine a light on the unique challenges that we face in providing health care in northern BC. I encourage you to read more about the royal visit and our amazing new Haida Gwaii facility on page 30.

This issue of The Northern Way once again brings you inspiring stories about the innovative health care being delivered across our northern region on a daily basis. Among the stories you’ll read in this issue: • The Aboriginal Health Improvement Committee (AHIC) in Terrace/Kitimat and Area releases videos about local First Nations cultural practices followed in the birthing process, and in illness and death, to educate health care workers caring for First Nations patients (see page 23); • The community of Burns Lake embarks on an ambitious 18-month plan to boost physician recruitment and build the team of health care professionals serving the area (see page 20); • Barb Crook, Health Services Administrator for Mackenzie, wins the 2016 Health Care Hero Award for Northern Health at the 10th annual BC Health Care Awards (see page 27).

In addition, we’re continuing our major transformation in how we deliver health services in the north. In Vanderhoof, our local Northern Health interprofessional team has partnered with the Omineca Medical Clinic to share an electronic medical records (EMR) system. Turn to page 34 to read how the shared EMR is already helping to make health services more efficient for these two teams.

Finally, our story on page 16 reminds you that it’s flu season and that the Influenza Prevention Policy began after December 1, 2016.

If you haven’t already, you can get a flu shot at scheduled clinics or from Peer Nurse Immunizers in each of our facilities.

And please don’t forget to self-report your immunization, or your decision to mask at flu.northernhealth.ca.

One more thing: we want to hear your stories! If you’d like to contribute a story to The Northern Way, suggest a story idea, or comment on a story in this issue, please contact us at hello@northernhealth.ca.

Local and provincial dignitaries attended the construction completion event of the new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre in September: (l-r) Cathy Ulrich; Ellen Foster, Deputy Mayor, Village of Queen Charlotte; Billy Yovanovich, Chief P|2 Councillor, Skidegate Band Council; Chief Harry Nyce, Chair, North West Regional Hospital District; Hon. Terry Lake, BC Minister of Health; and Hon. Suzanne Anton, BC Minister of Justice. Photo: Jason Shafto, Full Moon Photography

contents Healthy People in Healthy Communities.......................................................................................................................................... 5 IMAGINE Community Grants support grassroots initiatives that focus on health and wellness.......................... 5 Children First! Community groups bring awareness to early childhood years......................................................... 7 Children First partners with YMCA of Northern BC and takes kids camping!.......................................................... 9 Northern BC communities receive $1.59 million to support community-based HIV/HCV initiatives................... 11 Coordinated and Accessible Services........................................................................................................................................... 13 Two Northern Health staffers reach for the STARS and become ultrasound technologists................................ 13 SmartMom: The social media approach to prenatal education for pregnant women.......................................... 15 Passion for disease prevention motivates Terrace nurse to work in annual flu program.................................... 16 Person- and Family-Centred Care: Northern Health commits to working in partnership with people, families and caregivers................................................................................................................................................................... 18 Quality.................................................................................................................................................................................................. 20 Burns Lake Rural Community Sustainability Project: Recruiting and retaining physicians to build a healthy community........................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Have you washed your hands today? New strategies and innovative tools improve Northern Health’s hand cleaning compliance rates.............................................................................................................................................. 22 Cultural videos a valued gift from local Indigenous communities............................................................................ 23 Our People.......................................................................................................................................................................................... 25 Healthy food = healthy people: How a dietitian came to love the rich food culture of Haida Gwaii................... 25 BC Health Care Awards: Mackenzie’s Barb Crook wins 2016 Health Care Hero Award ...................................... 27 Communications, Technology & Infrastructure............................................................................................................................ 30 Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit northern BC and help commemorate new Haida Gwaii hospital.......... 30 Vanderhoof medical clinic partners with Northern Health staff to share electronic medical records and deliver team-based care.................................................................................................................................................. 34

THE NORTHERN WAY Volume 3 · Issue 2 · Winter 2016

To read our magazine online, visit http://bit.ly/TNWWinter2016

Publisher · Steve Raper Associate Publisher · Michael Erickson Editor/Contributor · Joanne MacDonald Additional Contributors: Victoria Carter ∙ Shelly Crack ∙ Tony Del Rio ∙ Sheila Gordon-Payne ∙ Deanna Hembroff ∙ Patricia Janssen ∙ Courtenay Kelliher ∙ Stephanie Mikalishen ∙ Karen Parent ∙ Vanessa Salmons ∙ Sandra Sasaki ∙ Vincent Terstappen ∙ Katie White

Mission Statement — Our Purpose

On the cover: Prince William and his wife Catherine visit with residents and staff at the new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre – Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay – on September 30, 2016.

Northern Health leads the way in promoting health and providing health services for Northern and rural populations.

Photo: Jason Shafto, Full Moon Photography

Through the efforts of our dedicated staff and physicians, in partnership with communities and organizations, we provide exceptional health services for Northerners.

Vision — 2016-2021

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Let’s blog about health!

At Northern Health, our staff and our partner organizations do a lot of great and interesting work with individuals and communities to promote health. We hope the Northern Health Matters (http://bit.ly/2fT83ux) blog will be a place where you can find personal stories about programs, events and activities from across our region. And we hope we can share a few tips and ideas with you that will start you on the right track to living a healthy life — for you, your family, and your community!

Have a story idea or want to share a healthy success from your community?

Let us know how you show that northern health matters! Contact us at healthpromotions@northernhealth.ca.

We want to hear your stories!

In each issue of The Northern Way magazine, we’ll be featuring stories about health care across the region — and we need your help.

We’re looking for engaging, personable stories written by — and about — Northern Health staff and physicians.

We want to hear about the things that you and your colleagues do — and do well. Your stories will illustrate how we, along with our community partners, can improve the work that we do. And we’ll raise awareness and support for all of the work across Northern Health that occurs on a daily basis.

If you’d like to contribute a story to your magazine or comment on a story in this issue, please contact us at: hello@northernhealth.ca.

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NH | healthy people in healthy communities

NH | healthy people in healthy communities

IMAGINE Community Grants support grassroots initiatives that focus on health and wellness

By Vincent Terstappen, Communications Advisor – Population and Public Health, Vincent.Terstappen@northernhealth.ca

The Fort St. James community garden enables local residents to bond with people from all walks of life while learning about the benefits of growing and eating whole foods.

Photo: Greg Kovacs

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love to garden.

When I bought a house in Vanderhoof in 2013 – my first home – I was spoiled by a ready-touse garden plot in the backyard. We moved in too late to start anything new that year but for the last three gardening seasons, I have enjoyed every moment of seeding, weeding, watering, and, of course, harvesting and eating.

My garden, however, pales in comparison to one I

recently learned about in Fort St. James.

From the stunning before and after photos, to the way this garden not only grows food but challenges stigma, the Healthy Minds Community Garden in Fort St. James is a special place.

A special place, that is, made possible by Northern Health’s IMAGINE Community Grants (http://bit.ly/NH-imagine).

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NH | healthy people in healthy communities Mandy Levesque, Lead, Healthy Community Development, Integrated Community Granting, asked Greg Kovacs and Sandi Taylor, Community Garden Facilitators and Mental Health & Addictions Advisory Committee members in Fort St. James, for “one thing” they wanted to share about the Healthy Minds Community Garden.

Unable to contain their excitement, the two painted a vivid picture of something much bigger than a community garden: “We believe that the greatest benefit, among many, is that of community bonding. People who would not normally mix are working, laughing, and talking with each other. With so many phenomena dividing people in society today, the garden is a unifying space. One participant in particular has been suffering from a life-threatening illness and has been isolating for over a year. We managed to get her out to the garden one day, and that resulted in her riding a bicycle to the garden every weekend to help and mostly just to socialize. She has reserved a garden bed for next year.

“Largely as a result of stigma, many people experiencing mental health issues suffer in silence. Our personal objective is to reach as many of these people as possible, and the Healthy Minds Community Garden is accomplishing this. We also have to mention that the health benefits of growing and eating whole foods has not been lost on those participating in the garden.

“The involvement of the school kids, and the excitement in their eyes when they see what they have grown, is priceless …We have also reserved a bed for the Key Resource Centre in Fort St. James, and two beds are reserved for a local women's wellness group. So far, we have two beds reserved for seniors, as well.

“We strongly believe that this garden will continue to grow and be of great benefit to all in this small community.

“This project is, beyond any reasonable doubt, a resounding success.”

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Housed in Northern Health’s Regional Population Health Programs, IMAGINE is a collaboration and funds projects like the Healthy Minds Community Garden through a partnership between Aboriginal Health, Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Services, Population Health, and Primary

and Community Care.

Why are these different Northern Health programs committed to supporting grassroots projects like the Healthy Minds Community Garden? I asked leaders from these areas to weigh in: • Kelsey Yarmish (Population Health): “I am inspired by our northern community partners.

All across the north, there is a passion for wellness that is expressed through local innovation and an enthusiasm for healthy people in healthy communities — where all of us live, work, learn, and play. We’re honoured to support this innovation and to support healthy northern communities!”

• Ciro Panessa and Barbara Hennessy (Chronic Disease): “Many premature deaths which result from chronic diseases could be prevented by better addressing risk factors like tobacco smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and the harmful use of alcohol. Supporting IMAGINE grants allows us to engage and collaborate with local communities and support grassroots initiatives that bring public awareness and focus on building resiliency and reducing risk factors.”

• Margo Greenwood (Aboriginal Health): “Our team supports Indigenous community-led initiatives and projects focused on health and wellness. Our community granting is guided by a philosophy that recognizes Indigenous rights to self-determination and facilitates community voices and decision-making. We believe that a variety of funding streams, including IMAGINE, better supports and reflects the diversity of northern Indigenous communities and organizations.”

• Kelly Gunn (Primary and Community Care): “We’re transforming our system to better serve northerners and our Idealized System is embedded within the context of healthy communities. Our support for community granting enables the conditions that help people stay healthy and well. Communities bring a tremendous body of knowledge, enthusiasm, and commitment to strategies that work best for them. It’s been exciting to support wonderful initiatives like winter walking programs, community gardens, and more!”

NH | healthy people in healthy communities

Children First! Community groups bring awareness to early childhood years

By Sandra Sasaki, Children First Manager for Prince George, Quesnel, Mackenzie, Robson Valley-Canoe Valley, Sandra.Sasaki@northernhealth.ca

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hildren First is an innovative program that promotes and brings awareness to the importance of the early childhood years. Children First, also referred to as Make Children First, provides co-ordination and support to community service providers working with children, youth, and families up to the age of 18.

The program operates a little differently in each community across BC and is often run by local community agencies.

As a manager of Children First, I currently have the privilege of working with four amazing communities within Northern Health: Prince George, Quesnel, Mackenzie, and the Robson Valley-Canoe Valley. Each community is unique, but all four share a passion for the children and families living there. An Early Childhood Development Table manages each community program; the table is comprised of members of local community agencies who meet monthly.

Funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development, and supported by Northern Health, Children First provides the following grants: Prince George - $60,140; Quesnel - $39,800; Mackenzie - $20,425; and Robson Valley and Canoe Valley $7,525.

Here are a few stories that I’d like to share about some of the initiatives being developed by the amazing people involved in the Children First program in northern BC.

Mackenzie: Longhouse brings people back to roots Kim Harmison, who works with the Aboriginal Infant Development Program with the McLeod Lake Indian Band, and Jodi Sharp, Early Childhood Educator and Head Start Coordinator of McLeod Lake Indian Band, are enthusiastic when they talk about the longhouse that Children First helped to fund with community grants from the local Early Child Development Table.

“The longhouse has just been completed and will be used as a storytelling place where the elders and the children can gather together. It has already started to bring a sense of ‘coming

back to our roots’”, says Harmison. “The whole community is very excited about it and everyone has contributed. There will be community gardens and they will be accessible to everyone.”

Jodi Sharp says the new equipment and outdoor fire pit will be well used. “It is the sweetest little longhouse and everyone is super excited about starting to use it”.

Prince George: Early Years Health Fair

Children play at Camp Kanannaq, located at Nukko Lake, northwest of Prince George.

Photo: YMCA of Northern BC

Each year, the members of the Prince George Children First team and local health professionals coordinate the Early Years Health Fair to promote health and wellness in children under the age of six. This year, on June 18, 2016, there was an exceptional turn out! The sun was shining and there were lots of smiling faces.

The event was held in Lheidli T’enneh Park in and around The Exploration Place Museum and Science Centre, an official partner of the day’s events. There were table displays that addressed a range of health and learning issues, including: dental and vision, social and emotional, speech and language skills, public health, motor skills learning through play, quality child care, healthy

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NH | healthy people in healthy communities Health’s Dental & Early Hearing Program, says the program allows each client to receive a limited amount of funding based on their needed dental work.

“We receive referrals from dental offices, public health nurses, the Pregnancy Outreach Program, the Child Development Program, Early Hearing Program and the Prenatal Registry, as well as other programs in our community of Quesnel,” says Comeau. “Our community supports the Dental Funding Program because, with good oral health, there are better health outcomes for pregnant moms and babies. In addition, there is less cavity causing bacteria to be transferred to their children. It especially helps single moms that do not have a dental plan.”

Nazko First Nation: Let’s play ball!

A mother holds her child during an appointment at the Quesnel dental program.

Photo: Shelley Ryde

Leah Hjorth of the Nazko First Nation has one thing to say about the Northern Interior Children First Initiative Community Grant: “Thanks for helping to make the Nazko First Nation’s spring baseball league a success!”

eating, and story time. The displays presented detailed information on how to support children and their families.

Hjorth says their team, the RockStarZ, had a great season and had wonderful opportunities playing in Quesnel, Williams Lake and Edson, Alberta.

Up to 288 children received a “goodie bag” which contained items for growth and development.

These included a book with instructions on how to use scissors – along with a pair of scissors; wooden blocks; large triangle crayons; bubbles, sidewalk chalk; and the book by Canadian author Monique Gray Smith entitled, My Heart Fills with Happiness (http://amzn.to/2f89uZb).

“Our team was made up of youth from local First Nations communities and we also welcomed the younger youth who were interested in joining in practices,” she says. A "fun" game was also held in the Nazko community that included players with ages ranging from seven to 63.

Northern Health staff promoted the event using sandwich boards, radio advertising, and Facebook ads, which helped make the 2016 health fair the biggest and most successful health fair to date.

More than 1,100 people attended the health fair, with 98 per cent of the children attending with both parents or a parent and another adult.

For more information about related activities in Prince George, check out the Prince George Child, Youth and Family Network (CYFN) website (http://www.cyfnpg.ca/).

Quesnel: Dental Funding Program

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A dental program created in 2012 has provided funding for the treatment of 49 pregnant and new moms, as well as children up to age 18. Louise Comeau, Certified Dental Assistant with Northern

“Being able to provide the opportunity and experience of meeting new people and being able to travel and visit different places is what makes the difference for our youth,” says Hjorth. “Thank you for this amazing opportunity.”

Robson Valley - Canoe Valley: Workshop provides parenting tips Children First funds were used for a two-day workshop offered to parents in Robson ValleyCanoe Valley, based on the Neufeld Institute's The Vital Connection, Part 1 of the Power-to-Parent series. Thirteen participants attended and some of the comments of the workshop included: • "I will take away from this course the insight and integrity about raising children that I had to this point not experienced before."

• "All the information was helpful, but I learned most from the cycle of frustration/adaptation."

NH | healthy people in healthy communities

Children First partners with YMCA of Northern BC and takes kids camping!

By Stephanie Mikalishen, Manager of Philanthropy, Marketing, and Camps, YMCA of Northern BC, Stephanie.Mikalishen@nbcy.org

Y The Dental Funding Program promotes good oral health, which results in better health outcomes for pregnant mothers and their babies.

Photo: Shelley Ryde • "(I appreciated) the help in reading (to) and assisting my child."

Parents and service providers left the workshop with more insight into their children and the children they work with, as well as insight into their relationships with their children and those they work with.

McBride: Public library gets child change table Children First helped fund a child change table at the McBride and District Public Library. You may say that is an odd item to fund with grant money!

However small, it can make an impact on families being able to have a safe, clean place to change their babies. The change table is a welcoming addition to the site and encourages families with small children to attend venues such as the library to access books for their young ones.

If you live or work in or near Prince George, Quesnel, McBride, Mackenzie, or Robson Valley-Canoe Valley, and are interested in joining your local Early Childhood Development table, please contact Sandra Sasaki at Sandra.Sasaki@northernhealth.ca or call 1-250565-2596.

MCA Camp Kanannaq successfully completed its ninth camping season in 2016 with a record number of more than 500 children and youth taking part. Camp Kanannaq is a lakeside day camp for children aged seven to 12. It offers children and youth all the fun and development of traditional camping programs with activities that include canoeing, archery, fire building, etc. Located at Nukko Lake, the camp is approximately 32.8 km northwest of Prince George.

A research study by the Canadian Camping Association demonstrates that participation in camp programs builds significant positive outcomes in five key areas: • Social integration and citizenship; • Environmental awareness; • Self-confidence and personal development; • Emotional intelligence; and • Attitudes toward physical activity.

The ParticipACTION 2015 Report Card states that only nine per cent of youths aged five to 17 years get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day. Our programs provide a fun and active environment that also fosters a sense of belonging, builds social responsibility and creates an appreciation for the outdoors.

Camper Kyle Suchnych of Prince George says he met many new friends at Camp Kanannaq and is hoping to return in 2017.

“Thank you to the people who made the camp fun,” says Kyle. “I did many things like playing and going swimming. I also learned many things such as how to shoot a bow and arrow.”

When they reach age 13, youth participate in Camp Kanannaq’s Aurora Leadership Program where, in addition to leadership development, they learn an appreciation for the outdoors through a four-day out trip to destinations such as Mount

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NH | healthy people in healthy communities

Children play games, learn boating and campfire-building skills at Camp Kanannaq.

Photos: YMCA of Northern BC Robson and the Bowron Lakes. At age 15, youth have the opportunity to perfect their leadership skills and give back to camp through our Borealis Counsellor-in-Training (CIT) program.

All of the programs within Camp Kanannaq have the YMCA commitment to inclusion. We believe that camp should be accessible, welcoming and safe, which is why our programs are open and include children and youth with special needs and challenges of all spectrums.

This camping season, our programs welcomed over 60 children and youth with special needs.

Our commitment to inclusion even translates into our leadership as, for the second year in a row, our team has welcomed a counsellor-in-training with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Our staff team receives special training about how to work with children and youth with special needs and challenges to ensure the best possible programs for all of the campers in our care.

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Furthermore, the YMCA’s commitment to accessibility means a commitment to keeping camp experiences affordable for all families, and providing subsidies to families who cannot afford

this opportunity. One in four children require financial assistance to participate in YMCA camps as many families are feeling squeezed economically.

We could not support our community without the support of other community partners such as Children First.

Diana Higginson, Kyle’s mother, says that as a parent raising a child bombarded with fast food and video games, it’s getting harder – and more expensive – to try and keep children active.

“My son was sponsored for $20 for this camp, and there has not been a day yet that he hasn’t come home happy, tired, and ready for dinner,” says Higginson. “He has met lots of new friends and tells me already that he wants to go back next year. Thank you!”

NH | healthy people in healthy communities

Northern BC communities receive $1.59 million to support community-based HIV/HCV initiatives

By Joanne MacDonald, Communications Consultant, Joanne.MacDonald@northernhealth.ca, and Northern Health Communications

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or Linda Ashdown, the recent announcement that Northern Health plans to distribute $1.59 million across northern BC to support community-based HIV/HCV initiatives couldn’t have come at a better time.

Ashdown is the Executive Director of the Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Society (FNAFS) (http://www.fnafs.org/), one of the recipients of the money that is being allocated to eight agencies in communities across the north, plus 23 First Nations communities. She says the infusion of funds will enable her organization to offer expanded outreach, education, and harm reduction activities to people living with HIV and Hepatitis C in the remote Fort Nelson area.

“Fort Nelson is a small northern community that has experienced significant economic downturn in recent years. Local resources are gradually becoming scarce, and services remain limited when compared with larger centres,” says Ashdown. “The FNAFS believes complex issues require solutions that work within a community’s current climate. As such, we hope to provide outreach and educational services designed to reach vulnerable populations who tend to be more isolated from community – for example, First Nations communities and individuals with at-risk lifestyles.”

Northern Health is providing the funding as part of the provincial STOP HIV/AIDS (http://stophivaids.ca/) initiative. The funding will build on previous work that has been established which includes a strong network of services across the north.

"BC is a world leader in HIV prevention, testing and treatment and it is thanks to this work with our partners that what was once a life-threatening disease is now a manageable illness," says Health Minister Terry Lake. "It is great news that this funding will help to expand the work of the STOP HIV/AIDS program and provide HIV education, awareness and supports throughout the north."

Testing, treatment and outreach Community-based services will be provided in:

In rural and remote areas, access to quality education regarding HIV/HCV is often limited. Perhaps more importantly, HIV/HCV and the use of harm reduction materials carry significant stigma, particularly in areas where privacy is limited.

Linda Ashdown, Executive Director of the Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Society (FNAFS)

• Prince George, Smithers and Dawson Creek where previously contracted service providers, Positive Living North (http://positivelivingnorth.org/) and Central Interior Native Health Society (http://www.cinhs.org/) will continue or expand their services; • Southside Health & Wellness Centre (http://bit.ly/2fsPPDV) will provide testing, treatment and outreach in the Burns Lake area and in surrounding First Nations communities; • The Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Society will distribute and recover harm reduction supplies, and will deliver prevention education in and around Fort Nelson; • The Gitxsan Health Society (http://bit.ly/2fvXk9B) will distribute and recover harm reduction supplies, promote and provide testing, and support those living with HIV or HCV in and around Hazelton; • Old Massett Village Council – Health Society (http://bit.ly/2ets5Ly) on Haida Gwaii will integrate efforts towards HCV within their HIV outreach and education to bring more services to co-infected people;

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NH | healthy people in healthy communities • Quesnel Tillicum Society (http://bit.ly/2fJyx6K) and Quesnel Shelter and Support Society will collaborate to distribute and recover harm reduction supplies and provide HIV and HCV testing in Quesnel and to First Nations communities in the area; • The Northern BC First Nations HIV / AIDS Coalition (http://bit.ly/2f8dhG5) will distribute its Healthy Sexuality kits and deliver train-thetrainer sessions in First Nations communities; • Additional funds will support agencies in four other communities to plan and implement a response to HIV and HCV: Fort St. John, Fort St. James, Terrace and Prince Rupert.

It is expected that new services will be operating by April 1, 2017, reaching another four municipalities as well as First Nations communities.

The new, and continuing services, will be linked to Northern Health services through a Specialized Support Team and Primary Care Home alignment, both of which will make services available to people in every community in the north.

This is a great milestone and we will continue to look for ways to improve and expand the reach of life-saving services with our community partners.

Ciro Panessa, Director of Regional Chronic Diseases

Expanded life-saving services

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“Supporting these partners will enable us to reach many northerners with these important services that help prevent HIV or HCV transmission and to help people get, and stay well," says Ciro Panessa, Director of Regional Chronic Diseases. "This is a great milestone and we will continue to look for ways to improve and expand the reach of lifesaving services with our community partners.”

The funding we will receive from Northern Health will help us to reach the most vulnerable people in Quesnel and in communities around us...

Tony Goulet, Executive Director at Quesnel Tillicum Society

Tony Goulet, Executive Director at Quesnel Tillicum Society, says he and his coworkers are excited about partnering with Quesnel Shelter and Support Society and others in their important work.

“The funding we will receive from Northern Health will help us to reach the most vulnerable people in Quesnel and in communities around us so we can provide supports that are proven to save lives,” says Goulet.

Jennifer Sampare, Acting Executive Health Director for Gitxsan Health Society, says the funding will enable the society to hire an experienced educator to reach all Gitxsan communities, so they can raise awareness of HIV/ HCV and encourage more people to get help to prevent transmitting and get tested.

Ashdown says that by taking an active role in distributing information, resources related to community services, and harm reduction supplies, the FNAFS hopes to help reduce the risk of HIV/ HCV at a community level.

“In rural and remote areas, access to quality education regarding HIV/HCV is often limited.

Perhaps more importantly, HIV/HCV and the use of harm reduction materials carry significant stigma, particularly in areas where privacy is limited,” says Ashdown.

“Fortunately, receiving this funding is giving us an opportunity to work with the community to create safe and welcoming spaces for those directly affected by HIV/HCV. It is also providing an opportunity to create a climate where community members are comfortable asking questions about the issues surrounding HIV/HCV.”

NH | coordinated and accessible services

NH | coordinated and accessible services

Two Northern Health staffers reach for the STARS and become ultrasound technologists

By Joanne MacDonald, Communications Consultant, Joanne.MacDonald@northernhealth.ca, and Northern Health Communications

An ultrasound scan is performed on a pregnant woman as her partner looks on.

Photo: iStock photo, Monkey Business Images

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hen Dayna Van Haren heard about an opportunity to shake up her work routine as an X-ray technologist and train as an ultrasound tech, she jumped at the opportunity.

As a member of the first graduating class from the College of New Caledonia’s medical radiography program in 2014, Van Haren started working for Northern Health as an X-ray technologist in Dawson Creek immediately after graduation as a casual. She decided to apply to Northern Health’s Sonography Training at Rural Sites (STARS)

program to be cross-educated as an ultrasound tech because, “I like to grow and learn new things.

I wanted to have diversity in my career.”

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to examine the developing fetus, as well as to diagnose a variety of conditions affecting the organs and soft tissues of the body, including the heart, abdomen, pelvis and blood vessels.

Van Haren and fellow X-ray tech Michael McCue were selected from a list of applicants to the STARS program and were trained online through the Burwin Institute of Diagnostic Medical

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NH | coordinated and accessible services “I wouldn’t say seamless, but it did help. We already have a knowledge of anatomy and patient care,” she says. “From there it was learning the modality itself.”

We know that if we can find candidates who have lived and worked in the north, they’re more likely to stay in the north...

Dr. Shyr Chui, Northern Health’s Medical Lead, Medical Imaging

She appreciates that her new position allows her to continue working in the Dawson Creek area and she says she’s now busier providing ultrasounds than she was working as an X-ray technologist.

“The scheduled day allows for little down time in ultrasound,” says Van Haren. “Where with X-ray it can fluctuate quite a bit – there are times you are extremely busy and others where it can be quiet.”

Ken Winnig, Northern Health’s Regional Director of Diagnostic Services, says the STARS program is the result of many people working towards a much needed goal.

Ultrasound and through practicums at Northern Health facilities. The program was just over 18 months long and the students trained in Prince George, Quesnel, Kitimat, and Dawson Creek.

The students passed their national ultrasound certification and started practicing their new career in summer 2016. In exchange for Northern Health covering the program costs, the two techs have committed to staying in their respective communities for at least two years.

Filling these two ultrasound technologists’ positions will help reduce wait times for ultrasounds and ensure access to the service closer to home for people living in Prince Rupert, Dawson Creek and Fort Nelson.

Van Haren now works three weeks a month in Dawson Creek as an ultrasound tech and spends the fourth week in Fort Nelson. The part-time position in Fort Nelson was previously covered by a locum who was preparing to retire, which would have left the community without an ultrasound tech.

Michael McCue is filling an ultrasound position in Prince Rupert that had been vacant for 27 months, bringing the total number of ultrasound techs in Prince Rupert back up to two.

“My experience in Prince Rupert has been great so far. They are very supportive here and appreciate having me,” says McCue. “I feel that the training I've received has prepared me well, and I feel confident scanning on my own.”

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Van Haren says her work experience as an X-ray tech helped her make an easy transition into her new job.

“It shows the commitment of thinking innovatively and outside traditional methods to deliver diagnostic services to our rural communities,” he says. “I’m really grateful to all of the staff and radiologists who worked hard to put the program together and to ensure the new ultrasound techs received on-site training.”

The STARS program was successful in filling a service gap because the focus was on training people who were already invested in providing health care in northern BC, says Dr. Shyr Chui, Northern Health’s Medical Lead, Medical Imaging.

“We know that if we can find candidates who have lived and worked in the north, they’re more likely to stay in the north and we’re hoping this is the case for our two new ultrasound techs,” says Dr. Chui.

Van Haren notes there are obvious similarities and differences between her two specialities.

“The positions are similar in the sense we’re needing to keep up with new developments and critical thinking,” she says. “However, they feel almost opposite in every other aspect, such as the anatomy you are looking at, the relationship development with the patient, and the situations you encounter – trauma, OR, ER.” Whatever the challenges, Van Haren is happy to keep learning and getting more comfortable in her new job.

“I’m not sure what the future holds for me, but I am very happy in the north and enjoy the facility and coworkers I have in Dawson Creek,” she says.

NH | coordinated and accessible services

SmartMom: The social media approach to prenatal education for pregnant women

By Vanessa Salmons, Northern Health Perinatal Program Executive Lead (Interim), Vanessa.Salmons@northernhealth.ca, and Patricia Janssen, Professor and Director, PhD and MSc Programs, Co-theme Lead, Maternal Child Health, UBC School of Population and Public Health, patti.janssen@ubc.ca

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id you know only one-third of Canadian women attend prenatal education classes?

In an effort to support and educate more pregnant women, Northern Health is co-leading and piloting the SmartMom (http://bit.ly/2fRZqEZ) initiative, Canada’s first prenatal education program delivered by text messaging.

SmartMom texts evidence-based messages to guide women through each week of pregnancy.

Messages are tailored to gestational age and include links to websites, phone numbers and videos on topics such as fetal growth and development, options for screening in pregnancy, and preparation for labour and delivery. The participants receive three messages per week.

The pilot project was launched in September 2016 in the Omineca region of northern BC – Vanderhoof, Fraser Lake and Fort St. James – with the program to be launched widely across Northern Health in early 2017. View the SmartMom (http://bit.ly/2fsOfBW) video.

SmartMom suggests topics to pregnant women to discuss with their health care providers. Women learn about SmartMom at their first prenatal visit with their primary care provider and/or primary care nurse, through local pregnancy outreach programs, or through posters in the community.

Participants in focus groups conducted across the Northern Health region agree that the SmartMom messages enhance their knowledge of pregnancy options, particularly for first-time mothers.

“I like that the one text was about making a list [of questions]. Because when you do have your prenatal appointments you maybe would feel a bit more prepared with some questions, things that had been brought up in the text messages – as opposed to trying to think of all the things that you want to ask your doctor at your one appointment,” says one young woman. “Because it’s not easy to just go in and ask a question, right?”

Focus group members also say the positive tone of the text messages is “encouraging”

and relatable, and increase women’s interest to enroll in the program. Participants note that harm reduction messages for drug and alcohol use (e.g. encouraging women to reduce the negative effects of use) are confidence boosting, “not fear-based” or “shaming” as some had found with prenatal resources. The overall tone of the messages is perceived to be “straightforward” and not “sugar coated”.

One woman even describes SmartMom as a character: “She’s not your girlfriend. You wouldn't go out for coffee…I don't think she’d be, like, my friend, but I think she’s credible.”

A sampling of some of the SmartMom text messages include: • Sign up at your local prenatal registry here to get the best possible support: http://bit.ly/2aL1zQ7 and find a copy of Baby’s Best Chance!

• Our Sacred Journey is a Pregnancy Passport tailored for Aboriginal moms to be. Ask your care provider for a copy or go to http://bit.ly/2atFAMh • Some women find it really hard to stop drinking or using drugs while pregnant. Try calling 1 800 663 1441 or http://bit.ly/2aNu6Wn for help • You are your baby’s DJ! Your baby loves the soothing sound of your voice so talk & sing to him/her often. See video @ http://bit.ly/2ajHsV2 • Staying active can actually boost your energy, improve your sleep, & reduce your aches & pains! Win-win-win! See http://bit.ly/2afZs7n • Once contractions are regular, 1st labours last usually 10-14 hours. There are four stages of labour. What to expect @ http://bit.ly/2agutbh “The overall goal of the SmartMom project is to support pregnant women and their families to make evidence-informed decisions to improve health outcomes,” says Carolyn Solomon,

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Passion for disease prevention motivates Terrace nurse to work in annual flu program

By Courtenay Kelliher, Occupational Health Nurse & Safety Advisor, Workplace Health & Safety, Northern Health & Interior Health, Courtenay.Kelliher@northernhealh.ca

The SmartMom program texts educational prenatal tips to pregnant women on subjects ranging from fetal growth and development, what to expect during labour, to how to stop drinking or using drugs while pregnant. Stock photo Ministry of Health, and project co-lead with Vanessa Salmons, Northern Health, and Patricia Janssen, UBC Professor. “SmartMom is intended for women having uncomplicated pregnancies.

Messages are meant to complement prenatal information provided by caregivers, not to replace it.”

SmartMom was developed in partnership by the Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), UBC-affiliated clinician-researchers (Optimal Birth BC), the BC Ministry of Health, Northern Health, First Nations Health Authority, and in consultation with pregnant women, new mothers, clinicians, and public health practitioners. SmartMom is being evaluated through the support of the Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies, The Alva Foundation and The Child and Family Research Institute.

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risten Bomben is a Registered Nurse in Terrace, BC, who grew up in Prince Rupert.

She’s a Northern Health clinician who has chosen to stay in the north because she loves the outdoors and fresh air – and her family is here.

Kristen found she was always interested in health care, and enjoyed a job shadowing experience in high school that allowed her to see the rewarding interactions between health care workers and their clients. She also did a stint in Public Health and found she had a passion for health promotion and disease prevention. She completed her nursing degree at the University of Northern BC in both Terrace and Prince George, graduating in 2013. Kristen currently works as a casual nurse on several units at Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace.

With flu season approaching, Kristen recently spoke to The Northern Way about her work as a Peer Nurse Immunizer.

How long have you been working with the Workplace Health & Safety flu program?

This will be my second year working as a Flu Clinic Nurse.

What made you decide to join the flu program?

Future developments of the project are to expand on supplemental streams of messaging to support women and families with specific concerns and issues such as: tobacco use, alcohol/substance use, depression, vaginal birth after caesarean delivery, obesity, new immigrants, older pregnant women and exposure to violence. There is also emerging work to define text messages for the first year of life.

I really love giving immunizations, but it’s not something I get to do working casual in psychiatry, medical/surgical, oncology, and emergency.

So, this was a good way to get my fix of immunizations for the year, without having to give up my ability to do casual shift work in the hospital.

For further information or questions, please contact Vanessa Salmons, Northern Health Perinatal Program Executive Lead (Interim) at Vanessa.Salmons@northernhealth.ca or 250-985-5524.

I love the opportunity to talk to other staff, meet new people within my facility, and connect with other health care workers. It’s also neat to see staff in more of a patient role. I enjoy getting to

What is your favourite part of doing flu clinics?

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Kristen Bomben (right) talks to 3rd-year nursing student, Christina Rogers (left), and shares information about flu immunizations.

Photo: Courtenay Kelliher teach my co-workers about flu, share knowledge, and answer their questions.

and how we can best promote the health of our population.

Can you share a story with me about a favourite experience during flu clinics?

This year, Northern Health’s Employee Influenza Prevention campaign began after October 24, 2016. Influenza immunizations will be available at scheduled clinics, and from Peer Nurse Immunizers in each facility. Don’t forget to selfreport your immunization, or your decision to mask at flu.northernhealth.ca

I had a co-worker with a significant needle phobia show up to the flu clinic with Emla cream to help numb his arm — just like we do in paediatrics. It was funny to work with a co-worker in the same way I would with patients. I found myself using the same techniques we use with the public to help them cope with their phobias.

Why is influenza immunization important to you? What motivates you to get your flu shot each year and participate in this program?

I feel it’s important for me to protect my family when I come home from work. I spend a lot of time with my grandparents, who are quite elderly.

I don’t want to cause them harm by potentially exposing them to influenza. I think it’s important to do it for everyone’s protection…even the people you run into in the grocery store, anyone you see when you leave work. Being a nurse is all about thinking not just of ourselves, but everyone else,

I enjoy getting to teach my co-workers about flu, share knowledge, and answer their questions.

Kristen Bomben, Peer Nurse Immunizer

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Person- and Family-Centred Care: Northern Health commits to working in partnership with people, families and caregivers

By Sheila Gordon-Payne, Chief Nursing Officer, Lead, Professional Practice Strategy, Sheila.Gordon-Payne@northernhealth.ca

In April 2015, Northern Health declared Person- and Family-Centred Care (PFCC) as a strategic priority. Embarking on a deliberate path toward PFCC, Northern Health pledged to expand and strengthen the current pockets of integrated health care delivery within the organization. A dialogue was held in August 2015, in partnership with Patient Voices Network (http://bit.ly/2eN5rOR), where PFCC was explored in a day-long event with patients, caregivers and Northern Health employees.

Those learnings from the August 2015 workshop were taken to a PFCC development group composed of representatives from across Northern Health, as well as patient partners, with the objective of creating a PFCC strategy, framework and initial actions. Over the course of the next four months, the group went from meeting bi-weekly to weekly as they worked to finish their directive. The final product was presented to executive members in January 2016 for final support and endorsement.

Sheila Gordon-Payne discusses Person- and Family-Centred Care at a presentation to Northern Health staff at the Prince George Civic Centre.

Photo: Tanis Hampe

I think that patient-centred care makes each patient a person, an individual, not just someone who’s filling a bed…The ability to collaborate, work as a team, (and) bring all of the different services together is so beneficial to the patient. I think patient-centred care is a much more holistic approach where you’re dealing with the whole person instead of just the symptoms.”

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Anne, Vanderhoof resident, parent awaiting long-term care

A Northern Health inter-professional team is currently working on integrated care delivery with the physicians and staff at Omineca Medical Clinic in Vanderhoof; both teams are using a shared electronic medical records (EMR) system.

“Integrated care to me is all about wrapping services around patients and families and coordinating the care providers as part of a team, so that services are provided seamlessly and efficiently. The concept of team care is not new.

We’ve been practicing it in different ways for long periods of time. We are now just elevating that team concept in a more holistic way to include all members of the care team. And there’s no doubt in my mind that will reap huge benefits; it already does reap huge benefits for patients and patient care and their families.”

Dr. Sean Ebert, Vanderhoof family physician The excitement of the PFCC work has spread; presentations to Northern Health’s 2016 Spring

NH | coordinated and accessible services Leadership Forum, to the Health Services Delivery Area leadership forums, and to professional groups have shared the information, and energized leaders. Work is already underway with a small group to participate in an e-Collaborative through the Canadian Foundation for Healthcare Improvement (CFHI) on Partnering with Patients and Families (http://bit.ly/2fuavtm) about how to improve health care with a PFCC approach.

In 2016-2017, next steps will include: a Northern Health-wide communication to leaders, establishment of a PFCC oversight group to be called the PFCC Strategy Steering Group, and the establishment of an Implementation Group. Both of the new groups will include active participation of representatives of the people we serve, and will support the creation of an online presence for information and resources – internally and externally. Lastly, there will be education for leaders and teams through the Inter-professional Team Module approach, and a remote primer provided for leaders, geared for easy access and consideration of high pressure schedules.

we serve, their families and caregivers. We will move from providing “to” or “for” those we serve, to working “with” people, families and caregivers. This fall will be an exciting time as our PFCC journey continues and grows. If you are interested in learning more about Personand Family-Centred Care, our next steps, or how you might participate, please contact: professional.practice@northernhealth.ca or sheila.gordon-payne@northernhealth.ca For more information on Person- and FamilyCentred Care see the story on page 34.

“When we looked at the integrated health model and we started to build the team (in Vanderhoof), it was exciting. It was exciting to say, ‘Yes, we can do this differently. We can do this better.’…So, as you see the patients and the families being better supported, the relief they get from knowing they can call one number, the system will respond to them (and) everybody knows what’s going on – that will feel really good…The system is slow to change. But it’s exciting and it makes it easier to keep practicing in the current system knowing that we’re moving forward, you can tell patients that it’s getting better, you can see this change.”

Dr. Nicole Ebert, Vanderhoof family physician Northern Health is committed to PFCC and will continue this work in partnership with those

Northern Health staff discuss Person- and Family-Centred Care at the Prince George Civic Centre.

Photo: Tanis Hampe

The Northern Health definition for PFCC work was adapted from the Institute for Patient- and Family-Centred Care (http://www.ipfcc.org/): “Person- and Family-Centred Care is an approach to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of health services grounded in mutually beneficial partnerships among health care providers, patients/ clients, and families. It redefines the relationships in health care and leads to better health outcomes, wiser allocation of resources, and greater individual and family satisfaction.

Northern Health 2016-2021 Strategic Plan: Looking to 2021

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Burns Lake Rural Community Sustainability Project: Recruiting and retaining physicians to build a healthy community

By Karen Parent, Project Lead, Physician Quality Improvement, Karen.Parent@northernhealth.ca

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he expansion of health care services in Burns Lake began in response to the voices of the community and resulted in the opening of the new Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre in January 2015. The new spacious hospital, with updated equipment and a modernized environment, expands access and availability of acute and primary care services for the residents of Burns Lake and the surrounding areas.

Now the Burns Lake community is embarking on the next step in improving local health care delivery, namely, the ambitious Burns Lake Rural Community Sustainability Project. The 18-month plan to boost physician recruitment opportunities, with a proposed budget of $465,500, is designed to build out the team of health care professionals serving the community, including physicians, nurse practitioners, mental health workers, physiotherapists and other valued members of the care team.

Recruitment of physicians is a key priority and is supported by the Joint Standing Committee on Rural Issues (http://bit.ly/2fJFnsT) in partnership with Northern Health, the Northern Interior Rural Division (NIRD) of Family Practice (http://bit.ly/2fu9f9l), the Village of Burns Lake (http://bit.ly/2fS0oRA) and the First Nations Health Authority (http://www.fnha.ca/).

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Dr. Sean Ebert, physician lead for NIRD, says he is proud to be a collaborative partner in the Burns Lake Rural Community Sustainability Project. The NIRD is comprised of a group of rural physicians who value rural patients, rural medicine and rural communities. Their vision is to create healthy communities connected by a solid, collaborative physician community within a stable network of health care. “We feel that this work will build on the current

Marie Hunter, Health Services Administrator for Lakes District.

Photo: 6ixSigma Productions Ltd. health care strengths and services and allow the development of an integrated, sustainable primary care home for Burns Lake and the surrounding communities,� says Dr. Ebert.

There are currently 3.25 FTE family physicians

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The Lakes District Hospital and Health Centre opened to the public in January 2015.

Photo: 6ixSigma Productions Ltd. working in the community. According to the Northern Health Physician Human Resource Plan 2015, the community is approved for eight FTE physicians. Of the four physicians practicing in Burns Lake, only one full-time doctor lives in the community.

Recruiting physicians into the community is in full swing. Dr. Loren Caira and Dr. Georges Benloulou, who currently provide services in Burns Lake, are also members of the sustainability project steering committee. Together they are assisting in the longterm recruitment of physicians for Burns Lake by attending the Practice Ready Assessment – BC seminar in Vancouver, which sponsors foreign medical graduates to work in rural communities such as Burns Lake.

“In cooperation with Northern Health, this will hopefully provide another avenue for the recruitment of physicians,” says Dr. Caira.

Marie Hunter, Health Services Administrator for Lakes District, is very excited about the potential of this project to give the community “hope with actions”.

“The project, combined with the new facility, supports physicians’ flexibility for service delivery and a balanced lifestyle, as well as being colocated with the inter-professional teams in offering primary care services as seamlessly as possible,” says Hunter. “The community will feel that Northern Health, municipal/community representatives, and other local services have formed a cohesive partnership to address access to services.”

Hunter adds that every effort is being made to respond to the community’s request for increased access to primary care provided by an integrated team using a patient- and familycentered approach. Northern Health is also playing its part to recruit physicians by helping to create a collaborative work environment with flexible compensation models and work-life balance.

“Together this strong, resilient community will work to recruit physicians to provide enormous benefits to the residents of Burns Lake and help improve the overall health of our community,” says Hunter.

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NH | quality

Have you washed your hands today?

New strategies and innovative tools improve Northern Health’s hand cleaning compliance rates

By Deanna Hembroff, Regional Manager, Infection Prevention and Control, Deanna.Hembroff@northernhealth.ca

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and hygiene is a simple yet effective way to prevent infections. Research of the past has shown us that health care providers do not wash their hands as often as they should, which is why, in 2010, the BC Ministry of Health mandated all health authorities in BC to audit their hand hygiene rates.

Northern Health’s Infection Prevention department has worked hard in the last six years to improve hand hygiene practices and endorse hand hygiene compliance across the health care spectrum. Infection Prevention practitioners have consistently sanctioned basic hand hygiene principles, such as: • Knowing why and when to perform hand hygiene; • Understanding barriers that might influence hand hygiene; • Applying correct hand hygiene procedures and how to perform hand hygiene; and • Selecting the appropriate technique – hand washing vs alcohol hand rub.

Currently, our Infection Prevention team is working on various hand hygiene (http://bit.ly/2gDoPz9) initiatives to improve the hand cleaning auditing process. In Prince Rupert, Infection Prevention is working with DebMed (http://debmed.com/) hand hygiene compliance solutions to trial an electronic monitoring system. This system monitors the use of hand sanitizer and soap. The purpose is to discover how many times the product is being utilized in relation to workload. We expect to see initial results sometime in late 2016.

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At the University Hospital of Northern BC, Prince Rupert Regional Hospital and Bulkley Valley District Hospital, our Infection Prevention team and Westech (http://bit.ly/2fueVjT) cleanliness auditing service are working on initiating an electronic monitoring program. This would allow hospital unit auditors to use their tablets to audit rather than paper. This work is currently being finalized with Northern Health’s Information and Technology

Hand sanitizer dispensers enable patients and health care staff to practice proper hand cleaning methods. Photo: Cecille Conocido Services and should begin in late 2016.

This year, Infection Prevention staff have also been working closely with Northern Health Communications to conduct an infection prevention-focused “blitz” on different hand hygiene strategies: • In March and April, the focus was on the “4 Moments of Hand Hygiene” (http://bit.ly/2eN6Ll7) before patient contact.

With the information that was provided, the hand hygiene compliance rates increased by 10 per cent for the “before contact” portion of the “4 Moments of Hand Hygiene”.

• Glove use was the focus in May and June.

A series of pictures were communicated throughout Northern Health. Staff were asked to answer the question, “What is wrong with this picture?” Random prizes were awarded from the submissions.

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What’s WRONG with these pictures?

Neither person should be wearing gloves.

Photos: Vancouver Coastal Health • July and August brought the focus to patient hand hygiene and the importance of supporting our patients to do hand hygiene.

Due to efforts to improve our hand cleaning compliance, we’re pleased to report that Northern Health’s overall hand hygiene rates now stand at 80 per cent. Since the inception of hand hygiene auditing in 2011, that means a 21 per cent

improvement in our overall compliance rates.

Infection Prevention continues to work with Northern Health Communications to bring the importance of hand hygiene to staff and health care providers. In the future, there will be more focus placed on such topics as hand care, soap versus alcohol-based hand rub, and hand hygiene in residential care.

Cultural videos a valued gift from local Indigenous communities

By Victoria Carter, Lead for Engagement and Integration, Aboriginal Health, Victoria.Carter@northernhealth.ca

T

he Terrace/Kitimat and Area Aboriginal Health Improvement Committee (AHIC) has released two videos that aim to educate health care workers who are caring for Aboriginal patients.

The videos describe the Aboriginal cultural practices followed in the birthing process, and illness and death, and were launched at events in Kitselas and Kitimat on July 14, 2016. At both of these celebrations, the speakers were honoured for their contributions to the video by community members, AHIC members and Northern Health staff.

The videos are: • Cultural Practices Around Birth (http://bit.ly/2fJDVXy) and • Cultural Practices Around Illness and Death (http://bit.ly/2fRZV1V) In Kitimat, the launch included the unveiling of four Haisla button blankets for the Kitimat Hospital and Health Centre meeting room. At the event, social worker Kristen Scrivens said, “There was so much warmth in the room and a sense of pride.”

She also noted that the videos “opened the door…for asking patients about their needs and

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At the video launch in Kitselas: (l-r) Kathy Wesley of the Nisga’a and Tsimshian Nations; Bishop Arnold Miller of the Gitxsan Nation; Faye Miller of the Tsimshian and Gitxsan Nations; Jonathan Cooper, Health Services Administrator for Northern Health, Kitimat General Hospital and Health Centre; Coco Miller of the Tsimshian and Gitxsan Nations, First Nations Health Authority Community Engagement Coordinator; and Verna Howard of the Gitxsan Nation, First Nations Health Authority Community Engagement Coordinator. Photo: Victoria Carter wants and for involving their families.” Scrivens sees these videos as “a starting place and an opportunity upon which to build.” She has plans to share the videos with staff and to host discussions about the content in the videos.

The Cultural Practices Around Birth video was also recently shared at the Perinatal Health Networking Event on September 16, 2016, in Smithers. Dr. Ulrike Meyer attended the event and shared her thoughts about the video: “It was informative and gave me good insight and future sensibility towards First Nations women and their expectations and wishes.”

Vanessa Salmons, Northern Health’s Perinatal Program Executive Lead (Interim), found the video “extremely impactful”.

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“The key message that I received was the need for care providers to have a clear understanding of what the cultural practices individual Aboriginal women find important to them in the perinatal period. I learned the importance of asking this question early in the pregnancy in order to plan and accommodate for cultural practices throughout the prenatal and birthing periods,” said Salmons. “I am thankful I had the opportunity to view this video and my desire is to share it widely

throughout Northern Health.”

Lloyd McDames, Aboriginal Patient Liaison at Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace, said, “The videos have allowed for more questions around cultural awareness and practices in both Northern Health and Mills Memorial Hospital.” He noted, “The video has great potential to assist health care professionals who work with those First Nations families who experience birth, illness, and death and dying.”

There are eight AHICs across northern BC. AHICs include representatives from Indigenous communities and organizations, the First Nations Heath Authority, Northern Health and other sectors. They work together to improve the health and well-being of First Nations and Aboriginal people and communities. Aboriginal Health supports AHICs with funding to develop local cultural resources.

For a summary of the 30+ cultural resources AHICs have undertaken, review this booklet (http://bit.ly/2eDCojo). We would like to acknowledge and thank the Tsimshian, Tahltan, Haisla, Gitxsan and Nisga’a people who contributed to these videos.

NH | our people

NH | our people

Healthy food = healthy people: How a dietitian came to love the rich food culture of Haida Gwaii

By Shelly Crack, Community Dietitian for Haida Gwaii, Shelly.Crack@northernhealth.ca

all, I’d grown up in Northern Ontario on a large clean lake, picking Saskatoon berries and wild hazelnuts.

The rich food culture of Haida Gwaii did not descend upon me all at once. It took time – time spent with friends eating fresh salmon, hiking trails and picking berries, kayaking coastlines, catching crab, or harvesting mussels. And, as I spent more and more time experiencing the island, I became introduced to a world of food that is both abundant and readily available.

People and food – a complex connection Wellness Warriors conducting a huckleberry harvest.

Photo: Sarah Stevenson

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remember my first year after graduating with a dietetics degree from the University of BC. I remember saying to myself: “Are they really letting me decide what diet to put someone on?

Nobody is going to edit my chart note?”

Becoming a registered dietitian takes four long university years and includes a fifth year of internship in a variety of settings. Once out of school, I began applying all that I learned from school with eagerness and zeal. Little did I realize that the next five years would shape the dietitian I am today more than my degree ever could.

When I arrived on Haida Gwaii for the first time in the summer of 2006, something inside me felt as though I had found home. I stepped off the eighthour ferry ride gazing at alpine mountains, deep ocean and lush rainforests. But it was the fresh air, quietness, and quirky, friendly people that made me stay. Before I stepped onto this archipelago I did not even know what a huckleberry was. After

At the same time, I was dedicated to teaching “nutrition education” in my role as Northern Health’s community dietitian for Haida Gwaii. I did presentations on heart health and diabetes. I counselled hundreds of people with chronic illness with a focus on manageable lifestyle changes.

I offered cooking classes and infant nutrition sessions. And I also found myself partnering with other counsellors and tackling topics such as disordered eating, body image and mindful eating.

With each year that passed, with each client who shared their struggles, I, as a dietitian, began to grow and start to understand both the complexity and depth of people’s connection to food.

The first week back to work after my one-year long maternity leave (September 2009-October 2010), I saw an email zoom across my computer that included information on “Farm to School Salad Bars”. My attention was immediately piqued. As a new mother, my perspective had shifted intuitively to prevention, child health and schools. Over the next few years, I spent time walking in farmers’ fields, beginning to understand the world of farming on Haida Gwaii and all the elements that it entailed – rain, wind, cool temperatures, supply and demand, harvesting and transportation.

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NH | our people • Offer traditional food processing workshops taught by Elders in our community; • Support schools to offer food field trips, including clam digging and berry picking; • Build school gardens and greenhouses and get kids out planting their food; • Scale up the amount of local food in school hot lunches by creating local food pantries; • Expand impact beyond schools by working with other community organizations.

Shelly Crack, left, working with students in a school garden. Photo: Kiku Dhanwant I soon discovered that there was a provincial appetite for locally grown food to supply the local schools and I began to collaborate with farmers, teachers and principals to incorporate fresh farmed foods into hot lunch programs. Over the next three years, relationships grew, kids started farm tours as part of the curriculum, and farmers were regularly delivering their produce to schools.

A full-service food program is born We successfully applied for Northern Health IMAGINE Community Grants (http://bit.ly/2etyRAJ), Northern Savings Credit Union grants (http://bit.ly/2fuiab1), and Farm to School BC grants (http://bit.ly/2eN9gDU) (administered by the Public Health Association of BC (http://phabc.org/)), which allowed us to build capacity. A school hot lunch program was introduced which included local ingredients. The program snowballed and greater opportunities began to emerge. Thanks to Farm to Cafeteria Canada (http://bit.ly/2fJEkt0), Haida Gwaii was offered the opportunity to be one of four locations in Canada to hire a Learning Circle Coordinator, a position that focused on bringing key players together to create a vision and goals around local food and schools. This is the point in our local food-to-school movement when the focus started including wild harvested, gathered and traditional foods.

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Over time, passion and networks grew and so did the work. Instead of writing grants for under $5,000, we created Healthy Community committees, supported by BC Healthy Communities (http://bit.ly/2etyXIQ), in both Masset and Village of Queen Charlotte that collectively awarded us $40,000 to:

We were also able to successfully create and negotiate a case with our local funders, the Gwaii Trust Society (http://bit.ly/2ee9qrx), which enabled us to financially support north- and south-end pantry coordinators. The north-end pantry started in July 2015 and the south-end pantry started in January 2016. The need for pantries on the island emerged from our third Learning Circle, when we identified the abundance of food over the summer and fall of 2015 that could be preserved and distributed during the winter school months.

Our current status – seven years later In 2016, schools are incorporating a variety of foods from the island including fish, seafood, deer, wild harvested berries and locally grown vegetables from both island farmers and school gardens.

And there’s more: • There has been local support from Gwaii Trust Society, Haida Nation (http://www.haidanation.ca/), School District 50 (http://sd50.bc.ca/), passionate teachers, principals, and parents making this work happen; • All our schools are engaged with gardens and greenhouses and food-focused field trips; • Elders are teaching traditional food knowledge to students and youth; • School District 50 is incorporating over 37 local foods into their menu valued at over $10,000 annually; • Kids are growing, harvesting, gathering, preserving, preparing, and eating local foods in their schools on a regular basis; • The Haida Nation has donated over 1,000 lbs of wild salmon and halibut to schools each year.

NH | our people When I look back over my career, I see how much Haida Gwaii has taught me about food and the connection to land and place. We started this project with small steps; one bag of local carrots at a time. I invite everyone to get involved with food in their community. Healthy food systems lead to healthy communities. A small herb garden on the cancer ward; a hospital meal served with fresh, local ingredients; a community kitchen program – all these and more can help support healthy local food being a part of our daily lifestyle and health care system.

Children cook local food at school.

Photo: Kiku Dhanwant

BC Health Care Awards: Mackenzie’s Barb Crook wins 2016 Health Care Hero Award for Northern Health

By Joanne MacDonald, Communications Consultant, Joanne.MacDonald@northernhealth.ca

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rowing up in the small farm town of Cabri, Saskatchewan, Barb Crook knew that if she was going to have a career, she would either become a teacher, a nurse – or marry a farmer. A chance visit to the local hospital at the age of 11 convinced her to become a nurse.

After graduating in 1976 from the two-year nursing diploma program at the then-Kelsey Institute in Saskatoon (now known as the Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology), she spent almost two years working in the Lower Mainland. But when a family emergency occurred in 1978, Crook found herself relocating yet again, this time moving north to Mackenzie, BC. Forty years later, her health care career is flourishing. Her experience includes 26 years working as a frontline nurse, gaining vital clinical and leadership experience in every department at the Mackenzie and District Hospital and Health Centre: from the Emergency Room to day surgery; from assisting at baby deliveries to treating palliative care patients.

In 2009, after stints as head nurse and site manager, she took on the leadership position of Health Services Administrator, Mackenzie. In this

role – which she still holds – and as a champion patient advocate, Crook has successfully recruited physicians in the face of an acute doctor shortage; lobbied for long-term residential care beds; and regularly pitched in as a floor nurse when the nursing team is short-staffed. She routinely demonstrates exemplary leadership skills in order to keep the Mackenzie health care facilities operating at full capacity.

As a result, it was no small wonder that Crook’s tireless efforts to ensure the provision of quality health care in Mackenzie were rewarded this year when she earned the 2016 Health Care Hero Award for Northern Health at the 10th annual BC Health Care Awards (http://bit.ly/2etAkao).

Crook’s legendary humility shines through when she’s asked how she feels about being presented with the Gold Apple award in Vancouver on June 27, 2016.

“I was truly honoured to be recognized but I know that my team members are all heroes, as well,” says Crook. She and her husband, Pat – the town’s mayor – have now lived in Mackenzie for 38 years, raising two children and playing integral roles in the community.

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NH | our people

She’s a pretty wonderful boss…endlessly energetic and encouraging; with a wicked sense of humour and a very caring heart. A fine example of a Health Care Hero!

Maureen Hopkins, Mental Health and Addictions Services in the combined roles of Community Living Support Worker/ Addictions Prevention Worker

“I have always loved my work at the bedside and now in leadership,” she says. “Caring for and helping people is what I love to do so it is nice to be recognized.”

In typical Crook fashion, she says that it’s her team approach to health care that has made her a successful nurse and leader. She notes that at a leadership training workshop she attended a few years ago, participants condensed their leadership style into a few sentences.

Entitled “Barb’s DNA”, the description perfectly illustrates her approach to patient-focused health care: Caring, compassionate, sensitive and trusted leader. Generous with availability, praise and humour, inviting others to develop in their areas of strength. Self-reflective and intuitive, building teamwork and relationships to make a difference that benefits the community around me.

Respected mentor, leader and friend Here are some fast facts about Barb Crook: • One of her first nursing jobs was working with inmates at the BC Penitentiary, the nowclosed federal maximum security prison that was located in New Westminster, BC; • In 2008, while working full-time, she returned to school and completed a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) degree as a mature student; • She travelled to India in 2008 and to Uganda in 2011, both times volunteering at medical outreach clinics established in remote villages;

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• She’s involved in healthy community initiatives that include providing bike helmets

Barb Crook has spent 40 rewarding years in the field of health care.

Photo: Jackie Benton Photography

to students at reduced costs, and enabling mental health clients to access the Northern Health Connections Bus when they’re lacking funds; • Despite her long hours on the job, she regularly volunteers at Mackenzie’s ecumenical Hope Trinity Church, where she plays the piano at services and leads the music team.

Crook runs the Mackenzie and District Hospital and Health Centre with a staff of 80 health care professionals, and her colleagues and friends routinely describe her as a hero – namely, someone who puts others before themselves.

“Barb has been a great advocate in terms of nursing and physician recruitment and she is wonderful to work with. In terms of going above and beyond, Barb has come in multiple times to help us out during our busy periods,” says Dr. Dan Penman, Chief of Staff, Mackenzie and District Hospital and Health Centre. “When we’ve been short of nurses, we’ve often put her in the back of an ambulance so that she can help us out with our ambulance transfers. And it should be noted that living in a rural and remote community, a transfer is a good four-to-five-hour drive.”

NH | our people that, for a while, struggled economically,” says Johansen. “Barb was an amazing Board chair.

She was patient, kind and managed the College’s Board through some difficult and historical decisions. She is missed and we were so very lucky to have had her at our table.”

Michael McMillan, Northern Health’s former Chief Operating Officer, Northern Interior, spearheaded Crook’s nomination for the Health Care Hero Award. Noting that Crook and her staff always have creative solutions to the challenges facing the community, he says simply, “Barb exemplifies the spirit of the Health Care Hero Award.”

For her part, Crook says she’ll continue to offer her blend of nursing and friendship to her patients and staff, traits which she says speak to the privilege that she feels in working with patients, their families and her colleagues, particularly during stressful times.

Barb Crook talks to a patient in the Mackenzie and District Hospital.

Photo: Jackie Benton Photography

Pat Bell, of the Northern Lights Estate Winery, and former Liberal MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie, says Crook has the type of relationship with Mackenzie that delivers “big city health care with small community love. In a community like Mackenzie, it’s hard to differentiate between your patient, your friend and your neighbour, but Barb somehow manages to meet the test. As the MLA for Mackenzie for 12 years, I felt very fortunate to have her managing the health care needs of my constituents.”

Strategic nursing leader puts patients first Cynthia Johansen, Registrar/Chief Executive Officer, College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC), says Crook has played an important role in the history of nursing in BC. She’s held key positions with the Registered Nurses Association of BC and the CRNBC. “Barb is one of the most consistently thoughtful, caring and strategic nurse leaders I know. She puts the safety of patients and the well-being of their families ahead of any agenda. She balances an amazing workload, with the added challenge of providing health services in a rural community

“It’s not only an honour to be recognized with this award, but it’s a great privilege to go to the hospital each day and be able to care for our patients and work alongside my colleagues,” says Crook. “It’s very humbling to be recognized for what I’ve done in my career because I believe that every person that comes into the Mackenzie health care facilities deserves care. I’m only trying to make a difference for my clients and staff.”

To view a video of Barb’s HEABC award win, visit Northern Health 2016 Health Care Hero Award (http://bit.ly/2eeaNqc).

Barb has incorporated an anti-bullying directive with all her hiring, teaching and coaching. She describes the triangular communication that can often occur and supports and encourages people to speak directly to each other. This is one of the reasons that Mackenzie Hospital is the BEST place I have ever worked. It is a supportive and open communication facility that works really well together.

Joy Davy, Practice Support Coach, Mackenzie and District Hospital and Health Centre

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NH | communications, technology & infrastructure

NH | communications, technology & infrastructure

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit northern BC and help commemorate new Haida Gwaii hospital

By Katie White, Communications Consultant, katiewhite@shaw.ca

A

beautiful and sunny fall day greeted the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their arrival to Haida Gwaii, showcasing the beauty of the islands, the people and the new Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre – Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay (pronounced Haida Gwaii NIGH-stuhll-nigh).

On September 30, 2016, hundreds of local residents and school children lined the Village of Queen Charlotte’s main street waiting to catch a glimpse of the royal couple. Upon arrival at the new hospital, the duke and duchess were warmly greeted by BC’s Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton; Health Minister Terry Lake; Northern Health President and CEO Cathy Ulrich; Chief Harry Nyce, Chair of the North West Regional Hospital District; Chief Councillor Billy Yovanovich, Skidegate Band Council; and Deputy Mayor Ellen Foster.

“The new hospital on Haida Gwaii was the only hospital the royal couple visited during their Canadian tour, and this honour is credit to all of the employees, health care professionals, researchers and volunteers who contribute every day to the well-being of patients and their families,” said Health Minister Terry Lake.

Once inside the two-storey, 5,000-square-metre (54,000 square feet ) state-of-the-art facility, the ministers and Ulrich escorted the royal couple on a tour highlighting the modern designs and expansive spaces where patients will receive health care services. The new hospital includes eight single acute care rooms with private bathrooms; a primary care centre; dedicated chemotherapy suite; fully digital diagnostic X-ray systems; expanded Emergency Room; laboratory and pharmacy services.

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Community care that works The royal couple’s first stop on the tour was an

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tour the new Haida Gwaii Hospital with Cathy Ulrich (right), Northern Health's President and CEO, and Steve Raper (rear), Northern Health's Regional Director, External Relations/Chief Communications Officer.

Photo: Jason Shafto, Full Moon Photography

NH | communications, technology & infrastructure

The royal couple chat with hospital residents and staff: (l-r) Darlene Wulf, Shirley Ann McKenzie, Stanley McKenzie, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Cambridge, Dr. Gordon Horner, and Lauren Brown, First Nations Health Authority director, Skidegate Health Centre. Photo: Jason Shafto, Full Moon Photography

intimate sit-down with an 89-year-old future longterm care resident and his two adult daughters.

Dr. Gordon Horner led the conversation by sharing the importance of being able to age in one’s community, close to family and friends. One of the daughters spoke eloquently about how much the new residential care facility means to her family and the knowledge that her father can remain in the community where he has lived the majority of his life. It was clear the royal couple was very touched by the conversation.

“The new residential care wing is incredible, featuring eight private single bed rooms with bathrooms and large windows with views to the outdoors,” said Dr. Horner. “This home-like atmosphere with a private dining and lounge room will surely be enjoyed by residents — all of whom will be surrounded by a very supportive and caring team of health care workers.”

Next on the tour, Dr. Tracy Morgan greeted the group in the magnificent residential care dining room. The enormous cathedral windows with breathtaking views to the sea immediately impressed the royal couple. Seated in a semicircle, the couple were introduced to Celina Larson,

hospital midwife, and two mothers and their children to learn about their experiences of giving birth on and off island.

While the duchess was deep in conversation with Larson learning about maternity care on island, the duke was particularly fond of engaging with the mothers and their children playing on the floor.

One mother brought her 14-week-old baby and the other mother her three-year-old daughter.

“You can imagine the old hospital, built in 1955, was not purpose built for births. There were almost no births on island for more than a decade,” said Ulrich. “The new labour, delivery rooms and postpartum areas will be supported by our two midwives along with the physician, which will make a significant difference to changing that reality.”

Royals shine a light on island health care The tour concluded in the second floor atrium, where guests surrounded the royal couple as they unveiled a plaque to commemorate the construction completion of the hospital and their visit. The couple thanked everyone graciously and,

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NH | communications, technology & infrastructure

The Duke of Cambridge visits with (l-r) Carla Ross, mother, Vivian Mulvany with 12-week-old daughter, Eden Roberge, and Shyana Young (little girl in foreground). with a wave, they were off for a late afternoon fishing adventure.

Throughout the nearly one-hour visit, many of the participants, guests, and staff were deeply touched by the royal couple’s genuine interest in the health care challenges on island and people’s personal experiences. In each conversation, their thoughtfulness, encouragement and kind words were evident.

“In the end, I think we were all very touched by the royal couple’s visit to the hospital and for shining a light on the unique challenges of providing health care in northern BC,” said Ulrich.

“It’s the dedication and leadership of the entire Northern Health team of health care workers and staff that has brought us to this moment, and I’m incredibly proud of the network of services and programs we’ve built together here in the north.”

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As the motorcade left the hospital, excitement still filled the air but, for some, it was a great sigh of relief of an event gone well. One of these people was Site Hospital Administrator Kerry Laidlaw, who played an integral role in ensuring the success of the royal visit. When asked what his favourite moment was, Laidlaw’s response was very different from the rest: “What mattered to me the most was seeing the smiles and excitement on the faces of our staff.”

Added Laidlaw: “Having many of our staff at the front door cheering the arrival of the royals and inside to view the plaque unveiling—that was my favourite moment.”

With the official opening having taken place in November, Laidlaw has his sights set firmly on enhancing the experience of his staff and the health outcomes of patients and residents. “I’m excited for our entire health care team and staff to work in this modern and technologically advanced facility, which we know will greatly improve the way we deliver health care for our patients, their families and community.”

Facing page, bottom - At the plaque unveiling: (l-r) kil tlaats 'gaa Peter Lantin, President of the Council of Haida Nation; Hon. Terry Lake, BC Minister of Health; MP Nathen Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley); Cathy Ulrich, Northern Health President and CEO; Gaahlaay Lonnie Young, Potlatched Hereditary Chiefs of Haida Gwaii; Billy Yovanovich, Chief Councillor, Skidegate Band Council; Chief Harry Nyce, Chair, North West Regional Hospital District; Hon. Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs; Hon. Suzanne Anton, BC Minister of Justice; MLA Jennifer Rice (North Coast); Ellen Foster, Deputy Mayor, Village of Queen Charlotte; Carol Kulesha, former Mayor, Village of Queen Charlotte.

NH | communications, technology & infrastructure

The duke and duchess, with BC Minister of Health Terry Lake (right) unveil a plaque commemorating their visit and the construction completion of the new hospital.

All photos in this spread: Jason Shafto, Full Moon Photography

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NH | communications, technology & infrastructure

Vanderhoof medical clinic partners with Northern Health staff to share electronic medical records and deliver team-based care

By Tony Del Rio, Senior Project Manager, CIS, Information & Technology Services, Tony.DelRio@northernhealth.ca,and Joanne MacDonald, Communications Consultant, Joanne.MacDonald@northernhealth.ca

H

ow does using an electronic medical record (EMR) system impact the day-today operations of a primary care home?

Is it possible to successfully share electronic medical records with other primary care homes or Northern Health care providers?

These are questions that primary care homes and health care providers across the north have been asking for years, so the privately-run Omineca Medical Clinic in Vanderhoof, along with the local Northern Health inter-professional team of health care providers, decided to tackle those questions in a recent pilot project. Northern Health and the Omineca Medical Clinic both had a strong commitment to make the pilot a success.

The proposal to implement a shared EMR was sent to Northern Health’s ITS department in the late summer of 2015. Planning and preliminary work began in early fall 2015. The IT work – the installation of the system – was done in late November 2015, just before Christmas. The clinic staff and Northern Health team began using the new infrastructure over the next four months, with the pilot project completed in May 2016.

There are now about 50 people in Vanderhoof using the shared team instance of MOIS (Medical Office Information System): that includes 14 physicians and 18 staff within the Omineca Medical Clinic, and about 20 people on the Northern Health inter-professional team.

There are some challenges with the new system, such as all inter-professional team members learning the MOIS system so they could confidently navigate the EMR, and then having to learn the standards and processes used within the Omineca Medical Clinic.

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As well, there are tremendous benefits. The shared EMR eliminates the need to print and fax documents, and facilitates more timely communication between the primary care home and the inter-professional team.

The Vanderhoof inter-professional team and

Omineca Medical Clinic staff recently spoke to The Northern Way about their shared EMR project. Team members include: Raquel Miles, Community Services Manager, Omineca District; Dr. Sean Ebert, Vanderhoof family physician; Tony Del Rio, Senior Project Manager, CIS, Information and Technology Services; Jennifer Little, Office Manager, Omineca Medical Clinic; and Heather Goretzky, Practice Support Coach, Primary Health Care.

Here are excerpts from that discussion.

When and why did the physicians and the inter-professional team in Vanderhoof switch to a shared EMR system?

Raquel Miles – “From an inter-professional team perspective, we had been asking for about a year about other opportunities for a shared electronic medical record. The whole team saw the benefit of having one tool. We had Northern Health executive support to move our community forward, remaining aware and aligning with the big pieces involved in integration. We had to get the right people to the table and have communication, both formal and informal.”

Dr. Sean Ebert – “It’s important to understand that it was a lengthy process to arrive at a shared EMR. It was a challenge going from concept to operational reality. We needed to preface the whole process around change management.

To do this properly, a clear vision is important, communications are paramount, planning on an ongoing basis is important. So getting to a shared EMR required specific attention to the vision, dealing with concerns about privacy and information sharing, and changing workflow and job descriptions.”

How does the shared EMR better enable the delivery of team-based care?

Dr. Sean Ebert – “The shared EMR allows the sharing of all the relevant information of our patients and enables immediate communication and efficient collaboration. As we build our team

NH | communications, technology & infrastructure of caregivers, we co-develop our processes and systems and ultimately achieve some very high level goals of care. At times we wonder, ‘Have we made any progress?’ We already are seeing the benefits of immediate communication and information sharing and eventually it will become our normal way of working. But the tool by itself doesn’t create the professional team and now we have to figure out how to connect on a daily basis to co-create the best process to meet our patients’ needs.”

Heather Goretzky – “The expedient messaging between clinicians and physicians has been a very positive outcome. Playing phone tag has virtually ceased. Care providers and support staff can send a message and know that the messages/ responses are being delivered to the workspace of the appropriate person(s) in real time. The added bonus is that this information is automatically documented in the individual’s chart and there is no need to go back and make a chart note.”

Raquel Miles – “To get on a shared EMR is one thing; to develop the processes for care delivery that the EMR supports is ongoing. It is about person- and family-centred care, and for information to be entered and shared with the patient and family. We are increasing the timeliness of our care – we are responding in a more timely fashion. It’s about increasing access, reducing duplication and eliminating clinicians charting in multiple systems. An EMR can decrease errors because we don’t have to fax, it reduces the amount of paper between clinicians, and allows for coordination of care. Above all, we’re aligning our work with our strategic goals of keeping people out of hospitals and in their homes.”

Can you further specify as to how the shared EMR supports the delivery of care to patients?

Dr. Sean Ebert – “I did have one comment from a patient saying they’re surprised it’s taken us this long to share information with each other. Some patients thought we’d been doing this already!

I can say there is no question in my mind there have been quicker turnaround times in some care, but not enough yet that we’ve had measurable feedback on.”

How can the EMR tool be further improved to help drive system transformation in Vanderhoof?

Tony Del Rio – “I think there’s always room for improvement even though we’ve greatly enabled

communication. We need to get more clinics on board and expand the use of EMR-to-EMR messaging.

I’m referring to clinics being able to message directly to other clinics, not only here but to other private and Northern Health clinics outside of Vanderhoof using MOIS.” Jennifer Little – “One thing that we’ve found is that currently MOIS has some software design limitations that make sharing the EMR challenging at times, particularly in the area of the Resource Scheduler.

But fortunately we have been able to work together to find solutions that work in the interim.”

Approximately 200 physicians and 500 health care professionals (nurses,

Raquel Miles – “Just to be clear, the EMR is not driving transformation – care needs are driving transformation. Our team is trying to deliver team-based care and we have regional supports, care process coaches, and practice support coaches in place who are developing the processes. After that, it’s about how the EMR supports those processes and what functionality has to be built to help us move forward.

allied health

Tony Del Rio – “It’s a pretty robust application and we are always improving/adding functionality. Now we have to sit back and figure out how to further grow this product. For example, if we had a web application it would be easier to access and work with on other mobile devices…

The pilot project has also highlighted a need to revisit how IT delivers their overall IT training strategy. So we’re currently working together with the Integrated Health Care program to deliver a new model and approach to ensure IT training covers more than just how to use the MOIS EMR but also, more importantly, how the EMR supports their workflow.”

team anticipates

Dr. Sean Ebert – “We have to keep reminding ourselves that transformative change is intentional; we can’t let our foot off the gas pedal.”

professionals, etc.) are currently using Northern Health’s MOIS and Community MOIS EMR. The Northern Health ITS

there will be approximately 475+ additional users by the time interprofessional teams are fully established and working in their communities.

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take nature photos of northern BC?

share them to win!

Photo by Elle Ambrosi

Email your northern BC photos along with your name and the location where the picture was taken to HealthPromotions@northernhealth.ca and you'll be entered to win a $10 Tim Hortons gift card. We'll use your photos to spread our love of northern BC through our popular weekly We Northern BC posts on Facebook (http://bit.ly/1SIjwMp).

Photo by laurel traue Every month, we'll select a winner through a random draw.

The contest is only open to Northern Health sta members.

Photos shouldn't include any faces, must be taken by Northern Health sta members, and must be taken within the Northern Health region.

Photo by carol ann lees

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