Caregiver ID Project

SAH has launched a pilot project titled, Caregiver ID, in partnership with the Algoma Ontario Health Team.

This program launched on January 18 and has formally added new caregivers in their role each week. By the end of February, we expect to have upwards of 20 Essential Caregivers identified through this work. With restrictions to visitation, many essential caregivers were prevented from looking after their loved one(s) during the pandemic, which had a significant impact and unintended consequences on our patients. Our goal of this work is to formally establish the essential caregiver as part of the care team.

Other project highlights at this time include:

 Caregiver Training in LMS: Many staff that have completed the LMS, and many are excited about the initiation of the program. They have also recognized that we had been doing this work prior to

COVID-19 in a much less formal matter and are acknowledging caregivers as an extension to the team.  Expansion to the Post-Acute Care Program: The launch of this program has natural spread onto additional floors with caregivers being identified on 1B, 2A, 2B and 2C.  Caregiver Binders: The need for a resource to support caregivers in their role was identified by one of our patient and family advisors on the project team. A prototype has since been developed and is being trialed with caregivers.  Lanyards and Badges: Caregivers are being visually identified by wearing lanyards and badges. The introduction of the lanyard made the patient feel very important and validated the importance of the caregiver role.  Following the pilot, further expansion is planned to occur broadly throughout the hospital and eventually will follow the patient on their journey into the community.

Thank you to those involved in supporting this work and to the caregivers that play a vital role in the care of their loved ones!