Today a health care worker at the North Bay Regional Health Centre tested positive for COVID-19. The individual is currently in self-isolation and presenting with mild symptoms.  At this time, there are no other confirmed COVID-19 cases with our staff, physicians or patients.

The Health Centre continues to take a number of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including restricting visitors and a Universal Mask Initiative—all efforts that aim to keep our Hospital community safe.

“In an effort to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission among our staff, physicians, patients and community, our Health Centre instituted a universal mask initiative on April 8,” says Tiziana Silveri, Executive Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive.  “The safety of our patients and staff is always a priority and we are taking additional infection prevention and control measures including enhanced cleaning—all to continue to keep your Hospital safe.”

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit is working collaboratively with the Hospital on contact tracing activities to identify and follow-up with close contacts of the staff member confirmed positive for COVID-19.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for COVID-19. It is important to remember that most people with COVID-19 have no symptoms or mild symptoms. People who are mildly ill should isolate and care for themselves at home. Most will recover in one to two weeks by simply treating the symptoms.

If you think you may have COVID-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has it, first self-isolate and then use Ontario’s Self-Assessment Tool to see if you need to seek further care. If you need further assistance call your health care provider or the Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808. This will help keep the emergency room resources available for trauma and emergent care patients. If you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, you should call 911 and mention your travel history and your symptoms.

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Contacts:

Health Centre has been using this time to prepare facility for possible surge

Extensive planning and mobilization has been underway at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) to respond to COVID-19.

Community members may be most familiar with the decision made a month ago to restrict access to the facility, the scaling down of non-urgent clinical activities and only allowing visitors in exceptional circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic being declared on March 11.

These are just a few of the many measures implemented at the Health Centre to prepare for COVID-19. For over a month, the Health Centre has been sharing regular (almost daily) COVID-19 Updates to keep staff and physicians updated about the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on the Health Centre.

“The changes implemented over the last few weeks have all been carefully considered to ensure NBRHC can create the capacity it requires to safely care for all our patients,” says Tiz Silveri, Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “Elements of our pandemic plan have been put in place to include additional education and simulations, working with partners, screening, monitoring key supplies, reconfiguring space, and enhancing protocol—all with a focus of protecting our patients, staff, community and each other.”

Surges are common in health care and NBRHC successfully implements an influenza surge plan every year, but a compounding factor when preparing for the pandemic is the constant and sustained bed pressures facing our Health Centre for the last two years—forcing our organization to operate above the capacity for which we are designed and funded.

“We want our community to know that we are still here for you during COVID-19—although it may look a little different than you are used to,” Silveri continues. “Our staff and physicians may need to wear masks and gowns and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing care.” This is important so that they can remain safe and well and provide to care for you.

The majority of the early planning involved the physical spaces in the hospital and how they might be changed to safely care for all patients; how to reorganize our staff; and ordering supplies. Some examples include:

• Emergency Department: divided into a respiratory and non-respiratory section—patients will now see the waiting area with a new glass wall that creates clear separation between areas
• Specific unit for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients: unit includes three negative pressure rooms (one that remains vacant and dedicated to high risk procedures) and can increase to 13 negative pressure rooms and a plan to increase number of beds (if needed)
• Critical Care Unit: divided into COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas with a specialized team to do all airway procedures on COVID-19 positive patients
• Operating Room (OR): dedicated one operating room specifically for the treatment of COVID-19 patients: all safety protocols in place to safely operate and recover patients

One of the many people at NBRHC closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 was Dr. Jennifer Mihill, Head of Anaesthesia and the COVID-19 Critical Care Preparedness Lead. Dr. Mihill says for weeks, multiple committees at the hospital were meeting almost daily to plan for what might be coming.

“Our number one priority is the safety of everyone involved—our patients, health care workers, and physicians—both the COVID-19 positive ones and the ones who aren’t,” Dr. Mihill says. “It’s also important for our community to know that we are preparing for this, that we do take it seriously, and that we do have a plan.”

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*Virtual Scrum Opportunity* Tiz Silveri and Dr. Jennifer Mihill will be available to speak to media at 1 p.m. Please email communications@nbrhc.on.ca and we can share the link.

Contact:
communications@nbrhc.on.ca

Health Centre has been using this time to prepare facility for possible surge

Extensive planning and mobilization has been underway at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) to respond to COVID-19.

Community members may be most familiar with the decision made a month ago to restrict access to the facility, the scaling down of non-urgent clinical activities and only allowing visitors in exceptional circumstances as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic being declared on March 11.

These are just a few of the many measures implemented at the Health Centre to prepare for COVID-19. For over a month, the Health Centre has been sharing regular (almost daily) COVID-19 Updates to keep staff and physicians updated about the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on the Health Centre.

“The changes implemented over the last few weeks have all been carefully considered to ensure NBRHC can create the capacity it requires to safely care for all our patients,” says Tiz Silveri, Vice President, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Executive. “Elements of our pandemic plan have been put in place to include additional education and simulations, working with partners, screening, monitoring key supplies, reconfiguring space, and enhancing protocol—all with a focus of protecting our patients, staff, community and each other.”

Surges are common in health care and NBRHC successfully implements an influenza surge plan every year, but a compounding factor when preparing for the pandemic is the constant and sustained bed pressures facing our Health Centre for the last two years—forcing our organization to operate above the capacity for which we are designed and funded.

“We want our community to know that we are still here for you during COVID-19—although it may look a little different than you are used to,” Silveri continues. “Our staff and physicians may need to wear masks and gowns and other personal protective equipment (PPE) when providing care.” This is important so that they can remain safe and well and provide to care for you.

The majority of the early planning involved the physical spaces in the hospital and how they might be changed to safely care for all patients; how to reorganize our staff; and ordering supplies. Some examples include:

Emergency Department: divided into a respiratory and non-respiratory section—patients will now see the waiting area with a new glass wall that creates clear separation between areas

Specific unit for suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients: unit includes three negative pressure rooms (one that remains vacant and dedicated to high risk procedures) and can increase to 13 negative pressure rooms and a plan to increase number of beds (if needed)

Critical Care Unit: divided into COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas with a specialized team to do all airway procedures on COVID-19 positive patients

Operating Room (OR): dedicated one operating room specifically for the treatment of COVID-19 patients: all safety protocols in place to safely operate and recover patients

One of the many people at NBRHC closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 was Dr. Jennifer Mihill, Head of Anaesthesia and the COVID-19 Critical Care Preparedness Lead. Dr. Mihill says for weeks, multiple committees at the hospital were meeting almost daily to plan for what might be coming.

“Our number one priority is the safety of everyone involved—our patients, health care workers, and physicians—both the COVID-19 positive ones and the ones who aren’t,” Dr. Mihill says. “It’s also important for our community to know that we are preparing for this, that we do take it seriously, and that we do have a plan.”

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*Virtual Scrum Opportunity* Tiz Silveri and Dr. Jennifer Mihill will be available to speak to media at 1 p.m. Please email communications@nbrhc.on.ca and we can share the link.

Contact:
communications@nbrhc.on.ca

“I want to assure our community that your hospital is ready. All the steps we are taking are being done to help create capacity for us to be able to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and continue to provide the best care possible for those who need us most.”

Watch North Bay Regional Health Centre President & CEO Paul Heinrich participate in the COVID-19 Community Update held on March 17th here:

Hospital scaling down non-urgent clinical activity

Effective tonight at 8:00 p.m. (March 16), visitors will no longer be permitted access to the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) unless under exceptional circumstances as approved by the manager (or designate) of the respective department or unit.

Any visitors that need to be here under exceptional circumstances must be 18 years or older and pass the screening at our Emergency Department entrance. Visitors could be turned away at the unit level if they do not meet the criteria for exceptional circumstances.

Patients attending our Emergency Department may bring a maximum of one adult support person.

NBRHC has no positive cases of COVID-19 at our hospital.

The Health Centre is working through the details of scaling down our non-urgent clinical activities and will provide further information when it is available over the next 24-48 hours. Patients with existing surgeries and appointments will be contacted directly by the hospital.

Help keep our emergency room resources available for trauma and emergent care patients. Call the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 extension 5229 to speak to public health nurse, or call your health care provide if you suspect COVID-19 exposure.

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Contact:
Kim McElroy
Manager, Communications & Volunteer Department
North Bay Regional Health Centre
communications@nbrhc.on.ca

Hospital scaling down non-urgent clinical activity

Effective tonight at 8:00 p.m. (March 16), visitors will no longer be permitted access to the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) unless under exceptional circumstances as approved by the manager (or designate) of the respective department or unit.

Any visitors that need to be here under exceptional circumstances must be 18 years or older and pass the screening at our Emergency Department entrance. Visitors could be turned away at the unit level if they do not meet the criteria for exceptional circumstances.

Patients attending our Emergency Department may bring a maximum of one adult support person.

NBRHC has no positive cases of COVID-19 at our hospital.

The Health Centre is working through the details of scaling down our non-urgent clinical activities and will provide further information when it is available over the next 24-48 hours. Patients with existing surgeries and appointments will be contacted directly by the hospital.

Help keep our emergency room resources available for trauma and emergent care patients. Call the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 extension 5229 to speak to public health nurse, or call your health care provide if you suspect COVID-19 exposure.

In an effort to keep our hospital safe, today the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) announced it will be screening all patients and visitors and restricting access at the 50 College Drive location in North Bay.

Effective tonight at 8:00 pm (March 13), and until further notice, public access to the 50 College Drive location will only be available at the Emergency Department entrance. Patients and visitors will be screened before entry for respiratory illnesses (including COVID-19). Active screening is necessary to keep our patients, staff, and physicians safe while also identifying those individuals with symptoms and travel history or possible exposure to a COVID-19 positive case.

The Health Centre continues full operations with all inpatient and outpatient services running as usual. Unless advised otherwise, please continue to attend your scheduled appointments and surgeries. The community is asked to avoid visiting the hospital and to limit the number of people accompanying patients to appointments or to the Emergency Department.

To date, there are no COVID-19 positive cases at the hospital.

If a community member suspects they may have been exposed to COVID-19, they are asked to phone the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 ext 5229 to speak to public health nurse, or call their health care provider to await instruction. If you have COVID 19 suspicions and require emergency services (911), please inform them during the call so the proper precautions can be taken before their arrival.

NBRHC will continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and adapt as necessary to provide a safe environment for our patients, staff, physicians and community.

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Contact: Lindsay Smylie Smith, Communications Specialist, North Bay Regional Health Centre
lindsay.smyliesmith@nbrhc.on.ca 705.474.8600 x 7592

Currently there are no positive cases of COVID-19 in our Hospital

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) is closely monitoring the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The Health Centre continues full operations with all inpatient and outpatient services running as usual.  The safety of our patients, staff, physicians and volunteers continues to be our number one priority.

HOW THE COMMUNITY CAN HELP

 Visitors to the Hospital

There is a greater chance of our patients and staff becoming ill if someone who has symptoms chooses to visit.

For this reason, the Health Centre is asking visitors to consider postponing their visit if they, or anyone in their home, is unwell. Visitors who do come to the facility are reminded to wash their hands with the alcohol rinse provided at each major entrance before entering and leaving the facility. Visitors could be screened at specific units.

If you suspect COVID-19 exposure

Community members can also help keep our emergency department’s resources available for trauma and emergent care patients by calling the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit at 1-800-563-2808 ext 5229 to speak to public health nurse, or calling their health care provider if they suspect COVID 19 exposure. Health care officials will direct you on what action to take.

If you have COVID 19 suspicions and require emergency services (911), please inform them during the call so the proper precautions can be taken before their arrival.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND ENHANCED CLEANING

Respiratory illnesses are easily transmitted and can greatly affect patients and the staff providing care. When you come to the Hospital you may see staff in personal protective equipment, known as PPE. This is no cause for alarm, but is one of the ways health care workers protect themselves while providing care to our patients. As is common practice for NBRHC during times of increased risk of respiratory illness, there is also enhanced cleaning happening in some of our high traffic areas.

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Contact:

Lindsay Smylie Smith, Communications Specialist, North Bay Regional Health Centre
lindsay.smyliesmith@nbrhc.on.ca 705.474.8600 x 7592

High Risk Influenza Status Declared

Influenza is once again circulating through the community and the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) has been seeing escalating levels of flu activity through the facility.  This includes higher volumes of patients presenting with respiratory illnesses.

“Seasonal influenza, also known as “the flu,” is a common respiratory illness caused by the influenza A and B virus. It spreads very easily from person-to-person and can cause serious illness and complications,” says Mark Daniw, Manager of Infection Prevention & Control, NBRHC. “A ‘High Risk Influenza Status’ is declared when its determined flu activity is high and our patients are at a greater risk of acquiring the illness.” This status was declared on January 13.

Along with reinforcement of hospital infection control practices such as strict isolation of ill patients, enhanced cleaning and disinfection, and adherence to good hand hygiene practices, this heightened awareness to staff and the community is intended to collectively prevent the spread of illness in the hospital and to patients.

Community members can play an active role in preventing the spread of influenza by:

• getting the flu shot
• cleaning hands often
• staying home when experiencing any signs of flu-like symptoms

For more information on how to protect yourself from the flu visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts

The NBRHC wants to help ensure our community and patients are protected, and that individuals seek medical attention if required. As the Emergency Department is currently seeing a surge, please familiarize yourself with the healthcare options available for non-urgent care such as Telehealth Ontario or walk-in clinic availability.  “We appreciate the cooperation and patience from the community,” says Daniw. “We ask visitors to follow any instructions posted throughout the Health Centre and to consider postponing their visit with patients if they are feeling unwell themselves.”

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Contact:
Taylor Grant
Assistant, Communications Department
North Bay Regional Health Centre
705-474-8600 x 3131
communications@nbrhc.on.ca

December is usually a busy time of year with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, people preparing for time with friends and family, gift giving and ringing in the New Year.

While it’s unlikely anybody’s holiday planning includes getting sick or some other urgent medical need, hospitals are 24/7 operation and are often the back up when other health care options are unavailable. People get sick or injured any time of year and emergencies don’t take vacations.

Many of us have visited the Emergency Department and have been triaged by a Registered Nurse (RN), but few probably understand what goes into ‘triaging’ a patient.

“Triage is a sorting process for patients coming to the emergency department” explains Ashley Piekarski, Interim Clinical Nurse Educator/RN, Emergency Department. “Simply put, the triage system determines how quickly patients are seen depending on how severe their illness and symptoms are, their medical history and any other relevant information.”

Triage nurses are specially trained to assess patients using the Canadian Triage & Acuity Scale (CTAS).

CTAS is a five-level triage system:

Level 1 – RESUSCITATION
Condition threatens life or limb and requires immediate, aggressive intervention.

Level 2 – EMERGENT
There is a potential threat to life or limb that requires rapid intervention.

Level 3 – URGENT
There is a potential to progress to a serious problem requiring emergency intervention.

Level 4 – LESS URGENT
Factors of age and distress are considered. There is a potential for deterioration or complications.

Level 5 – NON URGENT
Conditions that may be acute but non-urgent as well as conditions which may be part of a chronic problem or without evidence of deterioration. Interventions for some of these can be delayed.During the holidays when many primary care offices and walk in clinic hours are closed or reduced, the number of Level 4 visits to the Emergency Department increase (examples are slips and falls, coughs and colds, strains and sprains). Add flu season and the busy holiday season to this mix and that can mean long wait times.

One way to avoid non-urgent visits to Emergency is to check out this link of the holiday availability of walk in clinics for our area, and other options like Telehealth Ontario 1-866-797-0000. As always, in an emergency, don’t hesitate to call 911.

If you do need to come to the Emergency Department over the holidays, here are some things you can do to have a more comfortable wait:

• Bring any medication you might need to take in the next few hours
• Have food and drinks available (there are vending machines located near Emergency and throughout the facility if needed)
• Come prepared with electronics and a charger (if required). Currently there is no access to wi-fi at NBRHC, so consider downloading content to have it accessible without wi-fi to avoid high data usages
• Remember there are sick people in the waiting room, so make sure to wash your hands and wear a mask if necessary.
• Please be patient! We know nobody likes to wait, but the sickest patients are being seen first.

If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to get a flu shot to protect yourself and family from the influenza virus. If you do feel sick, be mindful of visiting family/friends and consider staying home to prevent spreading illnesses to others.

Wishing you and yours a happy and healthy holiday.