exceptional care, inspired by us
October 2015
Vital Signs
The story of Leslie Harb’s fight for her life after she contracted the Flu Today, Leslie Harb, an Occupational Health Nurse for Quinte Health Care is a happy and healthy individual. However, 15 years ago, she was fighting for her life after she contracted the Influenza B virus.
It was December 2000. Leslie, a practicing RN, was living in Washington State with her husband and was looking forward to having Christmas off and spending the holidays with her family. She was an active individual who had no pre-existing health conditions, was a non-smoker, and was generally in good health. Her husband had received the flu vaccination for the season as it was a requirement in order to continue bringing their family dog into the local nursing home. Leslie had never had the flu shot and decided not to receive it that year.
As the holidays approached, Leslie’s husband came down with the flu, but after a few days he recovered and was feeling well again. On Christmas Eve, Leslie wasn’t feeling well. She spent the holidays in bed with a fever and chills so severe that her teeth chattered uncontrollably – so much so that she chipped a tooth. She stayed at home in bed for days waiting for the flu symptoms to pass. “I didn’t go to the doctor because I thought that I would eventually get well again,” she said. By New Years Eve, Leslie had gotten Pneumonia, her condition had worsened and she was admitted to hospital. “Everything hurt; my eyes, my head, it even hurt to touch my hair”. She was placed on IV antibiotics, administered a Bipap (breathing device) and the doctors told her husband that if her condition didn’t soon improve, that she would need to be intubated. “I was in so much pain that I wanted to refuse any further treatment. At that point, I just wanted to die. I would have rather die than continue with the pain I was in,” she said. “My husband looked so scared that I was going to have to be intubated and could possibly die. That is the only reason that I allowed him to sign the form and continue with treatment”. Leslie spent two weeks in hospital but it was a long road to recovery. “My ribs still hurt and I wasn’t myself for months after that”. She said that ever since then, her family has never missed a year in getting the flu shot. “You can’t predict to what severity you will have it (the flu). If getting the flu shot brings the severity down by any amount, it’s worth it to me. Having some protection is better than no protection at all.” Leslie joined the Occupational Health & Safety team at Quinte Health Care in 2014 and is happily administering the flu shot to anyone at QHC who wishes to receive it during this year’s flu campaign, which runs until November 20.
Flu campaign is on at QHC!
Clinics are available until November 20 Visit myQHC Intranet under Occupational Health & Safety for a list of dates and times
Hospitals move forward with detailed planning, business case development Health Care Tomorrow – Hospital Services working groups have recently launched into the ‘Phase 2’ work. The working groups, which include representation from Quinte Health Care, the South East CCAC, the South East LHIN, and the six other hospitals in our region, will develop detailed proposals to streamline and integrate hospital services across southeastern Ontario.
“We are at the point in the Hospital Services project where we need more information and details around the opportunities for us to work together more efficiently to create a better coordinated system for patients and families,” said Mary Clare Egberts, President & CEO of Quinte Health Care. “Earlier this year our focus was on visioning what could be possible. Now, we are bringing together the working groups that will explore those ideas more closely. This is ongoing work – not a short-term fix or initiative.” In August, the Boards of Directors of all seven hospitals, the South East Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) and the South East LHIN voted to approve the Phase 1 work, which proposed various models of shared services and integration in three key areas: • Clinical services: Creating an integrated system of high-quality clinical services for a seamless, excellent patient experience • Diagnostics and therapeutics: Providing accessible, patient-centred and cost-effective diagnostic imaging, laboratory and pharmacy services • Business functions: Delivering high-performing, cost-effective, integrated business support services – financial services, human resources, information technology and facilities management In mid-October, the Phase 2 working group leads came together for an orientation session to become more familiar with the consistent approach to change management, endorsed by all hospitals, the LHIN and CCAC. The working groups that have recently launched as part of Phase 2 are Clinical Services, Diagnostics & Therapeutics, Human Resources, Finance, Facilities and Information Services. Over the coming months, the groups will meet on a regular basis and develop more thorough business case proposals. The current project plan estimates that at minimum the recommendations related to Business Functions will be presented to the Boards in June 2016.
“It is critical we keep the patient voice at the centre of all of our planning, and that we are always giving thought to how we can make the system work better for the patients and families we all serve,” said Cathy Szabo, President & CEO, Providence Care. “One of the ways we have sought input so far is through a regional Patient Advisory Council (RPAC). The Council remains an active and engaged participant in the Hospital Services project.” Many of the RPAC members are also current volunteer Patient Experience Advisors with one of the participating hospitals or the CCAC.
In addition to patient engagement, there will be ongoing opportunities for staff and public engagement as the Hospital Services project moves forward. Information and details will be shared as they are available. For more information, to read the Health Care Tomorrow – Hospital Services Phase 1 Recommendations Report, and to learn about upcoming engagement opportunities, visit www.healthcaretomorrow.ca .
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Medical Radiation Technologists Week: November 8 - 14 The people behind the technology - Submitted by Joanne Peters Have you ever wondered who the professionals are that perform your diagnostic imaging exams and tests, or who administers radiation therapy to a loved one? Canada’s Medical Radiation Technologists are patient-centered care professionals, high-tech specialists; an integral part of your health care team. It is their responsibility to explain, answer, contribute, comfort, position, administer, protect, monitor, and assist‌all while operating Diagnostic Imaging equipment. Help celebrate, recognize and say thank you to our medical professions: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists, Nuclear Medicine Technologists, Radiation Therapy Technologists, and Radiological Technologists. Missing from the photos below are MRT staff from QHC North Hastings Hospital.
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Interprofessional Patient Care (IPC) launches on Quinte 5 Interprofessional Patient Care (IPC) was launched on Quinte 5 in mid-October. The interprofessional approach to patient care is being rolled out on a unit-by-unit basis at all QHC hospitals in the coming months. The implementation team is dedicated to working with each manager and their team as well as physicians to customize IPC for each unit. On Quinte 5, four teams comprised of RNs, RPNs and PSWs are formed around a defined group of patients, working collaboratively with all care providers and support services to execute the plan of care for each patient. The staff are working hard at incorporating the new processes involved with this collaborative way of providing patient care. A couple of Quinte 5 staff members shared their impressions following the first day of IPC.
“At first it was chaotic and a bit overwhelming. We get set in our ways, but we had a lot
of support easily accessible to us with our manager and professional practice on the floor. Also, I had good support on my team. We are in it together and have to work as a team.” ~ Sarah Searles, RPN
“Change is stressful, but we tried to work around the bumps. Everyone was doing everything together and all members of my team stayed for shift hand-over. As one of my colleagues said; ‘We came as a team and we will leave as a team’. We
need communication around what works and what doesn’t work and ensuring that everyone has the same idea.” ~ Amanda McKeown, RN
After four days of IPC implementation, Manager Pam Melanson was extremely impressed with her team. “I have witnessed extraordinary teamwork this week,” explains Melanson. “The staff have been proactive and inspired each other in their new roles. In some instances, I have seen laughter taking the place of not really knowing what I am supposed to do next. They are creating their own positive working environment.” For more information please visit the Interprofessional Patient Care page on the MyQHC intranet or contact Project Lead, Manager Shelley Kay at extension 2005 or email skay@qhc.on.ca .
3S0 and SCI Logistics awarded top six in Supply Chain Innovation Award Recently, 3SO, our not for profit health care supply chain organization providing services to QHC and six other member hospitals in the South East LHIN, and their strategic supply chain partner SCI Logistics, were awarded as one of six finalists for the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Innovation Award. The Supply Chain Innovation Award was established to highlight and recognize the top global players in the supply chain industry when it comes to innovative programs, projects, and collaboration. A panel of reviewers narrowed down the submissions to select the top global innovative teams which then became the finalists. Although another organization was ultimately chosen as the winner, 3SO and SCI Logistics are extremely proud to be chosen as a finalist. The case study “Maximizing Supply Chain Value for South Eastern Ontario Hospitals” entered for the award, describes a unique and transformational supply chain model that has delivered immediate and sustainable value for the group of member hospitals in Ontario: significant net savings, procurement savings, and reduction of regional inventory.
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Professional Practice Team supports IPC beyond the classroom Leading up to the launch, the Interprofessional Patient Care (IPC) implementation team wanted to ensure managers and staff members on each unit had ample support beyond the classroom training. Not only has our dedicated Professional Practice team been instrumental in the planning and formal training of IPC, but they are investing their time in supporting our patient care teams on each unit to help translate theory into practice.
A representative from the Professional Practice team will be on-hand to support the care team as they implement IPC. Some of the areas of support include use of tools, role clarity, communication or documentation tools, conflict resolution, as well as new processes such as bed-side handovers and hourly rounding. “I’m so proud of my team’s leadership and commitment to the new processes that enable our direct care teams to more easily include the patient and family in their daily care,” says Director Catherine Nichol. “Through the education sessions and unit implementation they are listening and learning from the experiences of staff and adapting the support, tools and resources the patient care teams need to be successful.”
Professional Practice team members involved in planning, education and supporting the roll-out of IPC includes (from left to right) top row: Catherine Nichol, Diane Smith, Kristina Cruess, Terry Holland and Tracy Gilles. Bottom row: Linda Kessler, Laura Rogers, Hannah Feagan, Louanne Melburn, and Vicki Barrett.
4th Annual Perinatal, Pediatric Remembrance Ceremony On October 15, families in our community who have experienced the loss of a child during pregnancy or after birth were given the opportunity to acknowledge their loss and validate the importance of their child’s life during a remembrance ceremony held at Quinte Health Care Belleville General Hospital. The Perinatal, Pediatric Remembrance Ceremony, now in its forth year, welcomed families in an understanding and supportive atmosphere while they honoured their child’s memory.
Each year, butterflies that includes the name and date of a child who has passed, are placed on a mural which was painted and donated by Carmen Moses, a Hospitality Services Representative at QHC BGH.
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Congratulations to QHC BGH laboratory operational and medical staff Cancer Care Ontario’s Cancer Performance Steering Committee has recently acknowledged QHC for meeting the provincial annual improvement targets for four performance indicators from the 2014/15 fiscal year. One of these awards was presented recently by Jeff Hohenkerk, Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer to the laboratory Histopathology and Pathologist staff. The certificate is in recognition for consistently meeting provincial targets for post-surgical report turnaround times for all diseases sites. “This is an important achievement in QHC’s effort to provide timely, high quality diagnostic services, and exemplifies our goal of creating an exceptional patient experience,” said Mark Coulter, Director of Diagnostic Services.
Staff at Trenton Memorial Hospital come together for a Thanksgiving Potluck There’s something about the smell of a home-made turkey dinner and fresh baked pies that not only makes your mouth water, but creates a sense of togetherness. On October 8, staff in Day Surgery, the Operating Room, OR Bookings and the Ambulatory Clinic at QHC Trenton Memorial Hospital came together to give thanks for one another over a potluck turkey dinner. According to Kim Olesen, RN in Day Surgery and Recovery, they planned the potluck as a morale booster. “Given the time of year and with the recent hospital news, we wanted to plan something as a morale booster and a team building activity. We have potluck dinners often and everyone enjoys it”. The staff all pitched in and made a dish and at lunch time the staff came together and enjoyed the company of one another.
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NHDHA reaches two-year campaign goal in just one year! North Hastings District Hospital Auxiliary reached their two-year campaign goal after only one year and presented a $100,000 cheque to Kim Bishop, chair of the North Hastings fund development committee during the NHDHA’s 30th anniversary celebration on October 21. The campaign was called “Here’s looking at you” raising money for imaging equipment at QHC NHH. Auxilians and guests donned fedoras for a ‘Bogart and Bergman’ themed evening and enjoyed a fabulous dinner, live music and prizes.
Congratulations to the staff at QHC BGH and TMH for meeting provincial improvement targets for the Ontario Breast Screen Program (OBSP) Cancer Care Ontario’s Cancer Performance Steering Committee has recently acknowledged QHC for meeting provincial annual improvement targets. On October 21, QHC Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer, Jeff Hohenkerk presented staff at QHC TMH with a certificate for meeting improvement targets for the Ontario Breast Screen Program (OBSP) - Diagnosed within seven weeks with biopsy. Although not included in the photo above, BGH was recognized for meeting the same improvement target. Congratulations to staff at TMH and BGH on this wonderful achievement.
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Thank you! I felt compelled to send an email to congratulate the endoscopy group for their work on (October 23). We had an unusually large number of urgent add-on cases in endoscopy. In addition to the 30 booked outpatient scopes, we did an additional nine add-ons with significant complexity, for a total of 46 scopes used. Congratulations to the BGH Auxiliary for raising over $10,000 on this summer’s Beat the Pump Raffle. Thanks to Special Events Director, Bernice Ryan for her tireless efforts to make the raffle a success.
I wanted to give kudos to the amazing endoscopy staff, particularly the reprocessing group for keeping up - and never heard any grumbling!
By getting all of these urgent cases done (on a Friday) it allowed two patients to be sent home from ER preventing admissions, and allowed two other inpatients to be discharged home. Please let the staff know that their hard work was greatly appreciated by Dr. Cleminson and myself and particularly by those extra patients. Dr. Sean Pritchett
Remember:
Flu clinics available until Nov. 20 Medical Radiation Technologists Week: Nov. 8 - 14
QHC VITAL SIGNS NEWSLETTER October, 2015 Published by QHC Communications Department Editor: Susanne Anderson (613) 969-7400, ext. 2677 sanderson@qhc.on.ca
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