This Sunday, John — who describes himself as “a proud Canadian” — is looking forward to sharing his love of Canada.

John will be performing a “patriotic song” about Canada that he hopes will inspire a sense of pride in the country. “Canada is a land of freedom that celebrates multiculturalism,” he says. “I’m lucky to live here.”

John is a client of the North Bay Regional Health Centre’s (NBRHC) Assertive Community Treatment Teams (ACTT) and member of a unique performance group called The Drama Group. A dedicated group of 10 people, The Drama Group produces three shows each year with the next performance scheduled for June 26 at 6 p.m. at the Salvation Army Church in North Bay.

ACTT are interdisciplinary teams of mental health service providers who specialize in providing patient directed, highly individualized treatment, rehabilitation and support to people who live with severe mental illness.

Caroline Thompson, a retired ACTT Registered Nurse, was motivated to create The Drama Group in 2012 after working with a number of youth performance groups. She realized an immersion into the world of performing arts would complement the more traditional forms of care offered through ACTT.

She explains The Drama Group works because it provides a more holistic approach to health. “The Drama Group promotes mental wellness by creating space for members to learn and connect through the performance arts,” she says. “By encouraging open, artistic expression with a focus on spirituality, members experience personal growth and learn we all have gifts to share.”

John (top right) and Jeremy (bottom) will be performing this Sunday along with the rest of The Drama Group to celebrate the national holiday.

The Drama Group is one of the most attended programs run through ACTT. The members explain they enjoy attending the weekly practices because it is fun and gets them out of the house.

One of the newest members is Jeremy. Diagnosed with a mental illness at eighteen, the now thirty-eight year old finds comfort in The Drama Group. As First Nations, Jeremy incorporates chants and stories into his performances that celebrate his background.

“I feel so good when I come here [to The Drama Group],” Jeremy says. “It helps relax my mind and deal with stress.”

On June 26, Jeremy will share a story on Cree warriors called My People the Cree. The other members of The Drama Group will perform a “cheerleading chant” – pompoms and all – to celebrate the national holiday.

The Salvation Army has been an integral part of The Drama Group, opening its doors to both practices and performances.

The doors open at 6 p.m. Another performance will take place at the Empire Living Centre on Monday, June 27 at 3:15 p.m.

Prestigious award one of only four presented this year in North America

Today staff from the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) celebrated being the recipient of this year’s MORE^OB (Managing Obstetrics Risk Efficiently) Patient Safety Award for Ontario.

This prestigious award is given to teams who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving patient safety within their obstetrical unit, and has only been presented to four maternal teams this year in North America. The award was given for the submission “Beyond the Walls of the Birthing Unit” – Maternal Code Blue/Code Pink Emergency Drill in March 2015. 

The Patient Safety Awards Committee recognized NBRHC’s commitment to “education, evaluation, reflective learning, practicing together and practice modification” in their decision. Rhonda Scarfone, Nursing Practice Clinical Nurse Educator explains maternal cardiac arrest (code blue/code pink) is the most complicated arrest scenario. “It is rare, unexpected and devastating for the patient, family and caregivers.”

L-R: Audrey Ten Westeneind (midwife), Amanda Humphrey (Clinical Nurse Educator for Birthing), Melanie Chemery (RN Birthing), Keri Kittmer (RN Birthing, Co chair for MORE ob Committee), Emily Peterson (RN Birthing), Kim Carter (Manager Women and Child), Rhonda Scarfone ( Nursing Practice Clinical Nurse Educator).

The mock code was held on March 12, 2015 and involved the resuscitation of a pregnant woman in labour and also involved the resuscitation of her newborn baby. “Everyone involved agreed it was a fantastic learning experience and there were many take home learnings from the event,” Scarfone says.

NBRHC Staff participate in the Maternal Code Blue/Code Pink Emergency Drill (March 2015.)

Keri Kittmer, RN and MORE^OB Co-Chair says the success of the mock code was a result of a number of health care teams working together. “These are teams that do not normally work together, but for this scenario they are required to have amazing teamwork skills,” Kittmer says. The teams involved in this exercise included Birthing, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the Operating Room; Critical Care Unit; Emergency Room; Anaesthesia and Respiratory Therapy.

Dr. Julius Agboola, Obstetrician and MORE^OB Co-Chair says MORE^OB is a comprehensive program promoting patient safety, quality improvement and professional development. “Our involvement in MORE^OB ensures that we are at the forefront of obstetrical care, and can be confident that we will meet future requirements for practice.”

Tiz Silveri, Vice President Clinical & Chief Nursing Executive says  “the MORE^OB program is an excellent example of how our Hospital teams make quality and safety priorities for our patient care, by facilitating an environment of working and learning together to prepare them for real life situations.”

The MORE^OB program is implemented over a three year period and involves evidenced based education, skills drills and simulation. The program consists of three modules, with each module including theory chapters, skills drills, workshops, personal learning projects, case audits, patient satisfaction surveys, and evaluation. The guiding principle of the program is patient safety. More information about the program can be found at www.moreob.com.

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NBRHC Staff participate in the Maternal Code Blue/Code Pink Emergency Drill (March 2015.)

This week, five volunteers from the Healthcare Leadership Volunteer Program presented their findings to managers, physicians and senior leaders at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) following their eight-week program.

Oriana Webster, Volunteer Specialist says the program is administered collaboratively by the Medical Affairs Department and Volunteer Department at NBRHC. “This is the second year for the program, which encourages local youth to consider a career in medicine or healthcare leadership in our community,” Webster says.

Kristen Vaughan, Quality Coordinator, explains that during the eight-week program, volunteers are given an opportunity to work with local healthcare leaders on real-world projects that support quality patient care. “These volunteers are local youth who are pursuing a career in medicine or healthcare leadership, while also completing undergraduate studies supporting this goal.”

This year there were five volunteers assigned to Quality Improvement Projects with a focus on improving the Patient Experience and/or Process Improvement.

2016 Projects:

• Understanding the Palliative Care Experience
• Acute Surgical Service: Communication and Evaluation Tool
• Evaluation of Medical Leadership Model
• Resource Instruction Guide for Surgical Procedures
• Mental Health Leave of Absence (LOA)

We want to thank everyone who helped make this program a success and special thanks to the volunteers for all of their hard work.

The Critical Care Unit at NBRHC is one of 23 hospitals across northeastern Ontario that has joined the Virtual Critical Care [VCC] Unit, based at Health Sciences North in Sudbury.

The latest in videoconferencing technology and electronic medical records sharing connects HSN with other critical care units and emergency departments at hospitals across the North East.

Under the VCC model of care a team of intensive care physicians, specially trained nurses and intensive care unit respiratory therapists based at Health Sciences North are available for around the clock consultations and follow up visits for critically ill patients. Other allied health professional such as dieticians and pharmacists are also available for consultation during scheduled hours.

The NBRHC critical care team members receiving the medal as participants of the North East LHIN Virtual Critical Care Unit.

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) has been legally designated as a provider of health care services in both official languages.

The Health Centre’s request for partial designation as a French-language service provider has been granted under the French Language Services Act. The Health Centre recognized their receipt of this designation today through a flag raising ceremony of the Franco-Ontarian flag.

“Today’s flag raising symbolizes our commitment to providing services and care to our francophone patients and their families,” says Paul Heinrich, NBRHC President and CEO. “I am proud to celebrate this important milestone in delivering high quality, patient-centered care.”

The partial designation means the Health Centre is legally required to offer some health services in French. Improving access, coordination and sustainability of health services in French for Francophones, helps the Health Centre attain its goals of ensuring quality care and improving the patient experience.

“The North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN) commends NBRHC for its untiring dedication to the designation process. Efforts to offer services in French are very important in meeting the health care needs of our region,” says Lise Anne Boissonneault, Outreach and French Language Services Officer, North East LHIN. “Sometimes people find relaying their health concerns difficult. This communication can be even more difficult when people have to express their thoughts in a language that is not their mother tongue.”

The Health Centre is a district referral centre and the specialized mental health service provider serving all of northeast Ontario. In North Bay, approximately 15 per cent of the population identifies French as their first official language spoken, while across northeastern Ontario approximately 23 per cent of residents are Francophone.

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Contact:
Taylor Grant
Communications Assistant, NBRHC
Taylor.grant@nbrhc.on.ca
705-474-8600 ext. 3131

Julie Grant knew she was overdue for a mammogram. “I had not had one in two years,” says Grant. “I’d been putting it off not because I didn’t want to go, but I just couldn’t find the time to make an appointment.”

When Grant heard about the Ontario Breast Screening Program’s (OBSP) Mammothon Breast Screening Challenge she knew it was the perfect opportunity to get checked.

Mammothon is a one day breast screening challenge to  encourage as many women as possible to get up-to-date on their breast screening by booking and completing a mammogram. The regional campaign helps address common barriers women experience towards regular cancer screening including fear, embarrassment, limited time, and lack of awareness.

Last year, Grant was one of 835 women to get screened across the province in one day (67 of which were screened in North Bay). “Mammothon made getting checked very convenient,” she explains. “I didn’t need to be referred by a doctor or wait for weeks to schedule an appointment. I was able to walk right in to the hospital and get screened!”

Wednesday, May 4 is the perfect time for women ages 50 – 74 to make their health a priority, as the North Bay Regional Health Centre is hosting its annual Mammothon Breast Screening Challenge again from 7 am – 7 pm.

The goal of breast screening is to detect breast cancer at an early stage before symptoms appear, when it can be most effectively treated.

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women, with one in nine women expected to be diagnosed with it in their lifetime,” explains Sue Lebeau, Director of Quality and Clinical Support at the NBRHC. “We know that many women over the age of 50 are still putting off their mammogram, and we want to encourage all overdue or never-screened women in our community to make the time, take action, and book their mammogram.”

Grant reflects back on her Mammothon experience positively. “The OBSP staff were so warm and welcoming, and my mammogram was quick, easy and painless,” Grant says.

No doctor referral is required but women must be symptom free. Parking is free for this event.

For more information about the Mammothon Breast Screening Challenge at the North Bay Regional Health Centre, call 705-495-7930.

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Contact:
Taylor Grant
Communications Assistant, NBRHC
Taylor.grant@nbrhc.on.ca
705-474-8600 ext. 3131

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC), similar to other hospitals in the province, has been experiencing a peak in activity with patients presenting with a variety of illnesses, including respiratory illnesses and influenza.

NBRHC Manager of Infection Control, Mark Daniw says an increased volume of patients in hospital Emergency Departments (ED) is known as a ‘surge’ and is caused by high demand and activity due to a number of factors, including an increase in illnesses circulating in our community.

“As we generally care for patients with very complex needs, we have been managing a surge of very ill patients at our hospital including our Emergency Department,” Daniw says.  “When we have increased visits of sick patients to our Emergency Department, that results in an increased volume of admitted patients throughout the hospital—impacting other departments like our Critical Care Unit and other inpatient areas.”

The Health Centre wants to help ensure our community and patients are protected, and that individuals seek medical attention if appropriate.  “Emergency Department visits and influenza activity is monitored, and if it is determined that flu activity is elevated and our patients are at a potential risk of acquiring influenza, NBRHC declares a high risk influenza status,” Daniw says. “This is a proactive measure to help protect our patients.”  As we have been experiencing admissions of patients with influenza, this status was declared at the Health Centre on March 17th.

“High Risk Influenza Status at our hospital means that along with influenza vaccination, our staff also follow heightened infection control measures—such as hand washing and effective use of personal protection equipment (PPE),” Daniw explains. “We also recommend visitors consider postponing their visits if they are feeling unwell.”  All of these measures are the cornerstone of preventing the spread of any infection from person to person.

As the Emergency Department is currently seeing a surge, including respiratory illness related visits, please familiarize yourself with the options available for non-urgent care like Telehealth Ontario or walk-in clinic availability which can save you an unnecessary visit and wait at the Emergency Department.

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

A program designed to help people adjust to everyday life after a stroke is showing positive results, according to a new study.

The study was led by the Northeastern Ontario Stroke Network, a program funded by the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN), and the School of Nursing at Laurentian University.

Between 2012-2015, a research project was completed that studied the post-stroke community navigation services. The three-phase study involved over 250 participants (including over 100 people who’ve had a stroke).

A Community Navigator works with people who’ve had a stroke and their caregivers to help them adjust to life back in the community. A navigator helps clients access community resources, develops personalized recovery plans and evaluates a client’s progress.

Researchers tracked people who used the services of a Community Navigator once they were discharged from hospital, and compared their results to similar, former patients who did not use the services of a navigator.

According to the study, stroke patients who opted for navigation recorded a significant improvement in their Return to Normal Living Index (RNLI) scores six to twelve weeks after their discharge from hospital. People using a navigator also reported the service benefitted their overall sense of well-being.

The study also revealed that during the first three months following a stroke, the group of individuals who used navigation services and experienced an improved Return to Normal Living Index score were older and had more health conditions than their peers who did not use the navigation service.

The Stroke Community Navigator service was launched in Greater Sudbury in 2011. The service has since expanded to North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Temiskaming Shores and Parry Sound, through $1.2 million in funding from  the NE LHIN. The funding was provided to the Northern Ontario Independent Living Association (NILA), which works in partnership with ICAN to administer the Post-Stroke Transitional Care Program.

The Post-Stroke Transitional Care Program includes both a stroke navigator and support services delivered by NILA and their partners, which includes PHARA, ICAN, Ontario March of Dimes, The Friends, and Timiskaming Home Support.

QUOTES

“We conducted this study so we would have a better understanding of what types of patients were utilizing the services of a Community Navigator, “says Darren Jermyn, Regional Coordinator of the Northeastern Ontario Stroke Network and co-principal investigator of the study. “ We also wanted to know what impact the service was having on a patient’s return to their community and their overall well-being.”

“After a stroke, people share common physical, emotional, occupational, social, and financial needs, but their individual circumstances require unique strategies to meet those needs,” adds Phyllis Montgomery, a Professor in the School of Nursing at Laurentian University and co-principal investigator of the study. “We wanted to gauge how well the community navigation service was meeting those needs, and from what we can tell, it’s working quite well. Stroke navigation services are a viable option for supporting well-being and overall functioning of individuals following hospital discharge after a stroke.”

“The landscape is a treacherous one that both my wife and I have travelled as survivor, caregiver and spouse. The experience of reintegration with the aid of Stroke Navigation was, for us, a breath of fresh air. We had a large group of caring and knowledgeable people in our corner, working on our behalf,” says Philip McCoy, one of the clients in the Post Stroke Transitional Care Program.

“As a LHIN we have been investing in ways to improve the transitions of care for Northerners, as well as helping people better navigate the health care system,” says Louise Paquette, CEO of the North East LHIN. “Northerners have told us that they need these ‘warm hand-offs’ to move from services delivered in hospital to services delivered in home. This study confirms that our stroke navigators are making a difference in people’s lives.”

“AT ICAN and our other NILA partner sites like PHARA, it has been very rewarding to work alongside people who have had a stroke, their families, and dedicated care providers”, says Rebecca Bowes, Regional Coordinator of the Post-Stroke Transitional Care Program.  “Additional funding from the NE LHIN has allowed this program to help more people who’ve had a stroke so they can stay closer to home and continue their recovery. It’s also easing the strain of finding the right care at the right time and improving the chances for the highest quality of life. I’m glad to see that the research has validated what we do.”

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(L-R) Darren Jermyn, Study Co-Principal Investigator, Reg. Dir., NE Ontario Stroke Network; Phyllis Montgomery, Co-Principal Investigator, Professor, School of Nursing, Laurentian University; Philip McCoy, Client, Post Stroke Transitional Care Program; Shelley Hawton, District Stroke Coordinator, NBRHC; Brianna Topham, Stroke Community Navigator, P.H.A.R.A.; Rebecca Bowes, Regional Coordinator, Post-Stroke Transitional Care Program; Lise Anne Boissonneault, North East Local Health Integration Network.

Contacts:

Lindsay Smylie Smith
Communications Specialist
North Bay Regional Health Centre
705-474-8600 ext. 7592 or 705-492-1235 (cell)
Lindsay.smyliesmith@nbrhc.on.ca

Joanne Musico
Director, Communications,
Laurentian University
Tel: 705-675-1151 ext. 3445 or 1.800.263.4188 ext. 3445
jmusico@laurentian.ca

Rebecca Bowes
Regional Coordinator,
Post Stroke Transitional Care Program ICAN
705-673-0655, ext. 203
rbowes@ican-cerd.com

Lara Bradley
Communications Officer North East LHIN
705-674-1492
705-207-1259 (mobile)
Lara.Bradley@lhins.on.ca

Award for ongoing support of Organ and Tissue donation

Today representatives from the Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) were in North Bay to present the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) with an award for the Health Centre’s ongoing support of organ and tissue donation.

Donor recipient, and NBRHC employee, Carl Svensson says the donor heart he received almost 18 years ago gave him a second chance at life. “I am thankful every day for the gift of life from a kind stranger who believed in organ donation,” Svensson said. “This gift gave me the ability to see my daughters grow up and to celebrate my upcoming 32^nd wedding anniversary.” He says he is living proof that transplants work and aims to promote the benefits of organ donation.

NBRHC was selected to receive the Hospital Achievement Award- Provincial Conversion Rate. This award is given to hospitals that met or exceeded the target of a 67% Conversion Rate in 2014/15.  Conversion Rate is the percentage of actual organs donors from the total number of potentially eligible organ donors identified upon deceased health record review.  Key factors that influence Conversion Rate are the notification of potential organ donors and working with TGLN to promote optimal approach planning.

“We are proud to acknowledge the important contributions of our hospital partners. The success of organ and tissue donation in Ontario relies on their hard work and dedication,” said Ronnie Gavsie, President and CEO at Trillium Gift of Life Network. “Together, we work to make sure families are given the opportunity to honour their loved ones wishes and save lives through organ and tissue donation.”

For many years the Health Centre has participated in organ donations, but the partnership with Trillium officially began in March 2014.  “The response from our health care team has been incredible during the process of becoming a designated facility,’ says Tiz Silveri, Vice President Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive. “As an organization we are very proud of our staff for taking the time to make the call to Trillium. These calls help facilitate the large number of organ and tissue donations we have seen over the last 18 months,” Silveri continued.

Between April and September of 2015, staff at NBRHC assisted to facilitate a better quality of life for 54 people with the gift of sight. Dr. Michael Leckie has been instrumental in this process at the hospital. “The satisfaction in knowing that our work is directly making a difference in the life of so many people young and old is a huge motivator for all of us involved with Trillium here at NBRHC,” Dr. Leckie says.

In 2015, one organ donor gave four organs to four recipients waiting to have their lives changed. Also, four multi-tissue donors transformed countless number of lives through their gift.  Dr. Donald Fung, Chief of Staff, says the process of organ donation can often be a difficult journey for both families and staff. “The knowledge that something so good can come out of a terrible and often tragic event can be a comfort and provide a lasting memory for the families,” Dr. Fung says.
For more information on the gift of organ and tissue donation, please visit beadonor.ca

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Photo caption: Pictured (l-r): Dr. Donald Fung, Chief of Staff; Tiz Silveri, Vice President Clinical and Chief Nursing Executive; Pam Durocher, Clincial nurse educator ER; Paul Heinrich, President & CEO; Carl Svensson,  donor recipient, and NBRHC employee; Janice Beitel, Director, Hospital Programs, Education and Professional Practice TGLN; Leslie Bethune, Manager Critical Care Unit & Cardio Respiratory; Ann Loyst, Director, Medicine; Dr. Michael Leckie; Candice Cowell, RN.
Missing from photo: Janis Herzog, Clinical Support Lead for the TGLN and Clinical Nurse Educator, CCU

Contact:
Lindsay Smylie Smith
Communications Specialist, NBRHC
lindsay.smyliesmith@nbrhc.onca
705.495-7592

Received a decision of ‘Accredited with Commendation’

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) is proud to announce that it has achieved ‘Accreditation with Commendation’ from Accreditation Canada. Accredited with Commendation is “for organizations that go beyond the requirements of Accreditation Canada and are commended for their commitment to quality improvement.” To receive this score, NBRHC had to exceed a score of 95% on thousands of standards observed by the accreditors during the on-site survey completed in November 2015.

Health care accreditation is used to evaluate a health care organization against national standards of excellence. “We are very proud of all our staff, physicians and volunteers at NBRHC,” says Paul Heinrich, President and CEO. “They work incredibly hard to provide our community with health care services that are safe, effective, and of the highest quality. Receiving such a high score by an unbiased national standards body is a validation of the high level of quality at our organization.”

Sue Lebeau, Director Quality & Clinical Support, says one of the elements praised by the accreditors was the risk reporting system where staff and patient safety concerns are reported, monitored, analyzed and resolved. Lebeau says these accreditation results are a direct result of the rigorous standard work created as part of our quality improvement processes. “Our hard work and team approach to continuous quality improvement has enabled us to get such great results. The whole organization is involved in accreditation, from front-line staff and volunteers to board members, patients, and families. ”

The NBRHC’s volunteer Board of Directors met all the governance criteria evaluated and were praised for their engagement, knowledge, accountability and the adoption of an ethics framework to guide their difficult decisions.

Michael Lowe, Chair, NBRHC Board of Directors says the Board is proud of the hospital’s accreditation decision. Lowe says receiving this level of accreditation during a time of significant organizational change is a true reflection of the staff’s dedication to providing the highest quality of care to our patients and the community. “On behalf of the Board, we want to thank staff for all of their hard work not only during the accreditation process, but every day,” Lowe said.

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Lindsay Smylie Smith
Communications Specialist
North Bay Regional Health Centre
p: 705.495.7592
c: 705.492.1235