Beginning February 16, 2016, full laboratory services will now only be provided to patients who are receiving direct care and visiting North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) associated clinics. This means that the laboratory will no longer draw blood or collect specimens for outpatients for tests that are not performed on site.

Sue Lebeau, Director Quality & Clinical Support explains this change is part of the hospital’s efforts to remain fiscally accountable while offering timely and high quality laboratory services to physicians and their patients. “The same tests that the general public received at the hospital’s lab are also available in the community,” Lebeau explains. “The service people receive doesn’t change – just the location where you receive it.”

Full laboratory services will continue to be provided to patients receiving direct care and through hospital associated clinics through the North Bay Regional Health Centre. This includes the following patients:

• Renal
• Chemo
• Antenatal
• Anticoagulation
• Preadmission Clinic
• Outpatient Psychiatry
• Emergency Department follow up

Lebeau says for years NBRHC has provided outpatient lab services over and above that of other hospitals. “After a series of consultations with our pathologists, laboratory manager and chiefs of departments, we have determined that some hospital outpatient testing would be best performed by the community laboratories,” Lebeau explains. “These changes keep us fiscally accountable while enabling us to preserve as much as we can for our outpatients.”

It is estimated that only 25 per cent of NBRHC outpatients will be impacted by this change. Unlike the community labs, the NBRHC does not receive funding for specific tests. Community labs are already offering these tests and receive funding for them.

For more information on these changes and the types of tests the NBRHC lab completes, please visit the programs and services section of our website and look for laboratory services at www.nbrhc.on.ca under Programs and Services, Laboratory Services. Also, effective February 16, 2016, NBRHC Outpatient Laboratory hours will be Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

North Bay Community Laboratories that people can visit for testing include:

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Contact:
Lindsay Smylie Smith
NBRHC Communications Specialist
lindsay.smyliesmith@nbrhc.on.ca
705-495-7592

Data released by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) this week shows the North Bay Regional Health Centre’s (NBRHC) hospital standardized mortality ratio (HSMR) rate is currently the lowest in the province. NBRHC’s average is 67; in contrast, the Canadian and Ontario averages are 96 and 95 respectively. HSMR is the calculation of actual deaths over expected deaths multiplied by 100.

NBRHC Chief of Staff Dr. Donald Fung explains HSMR is an important measure to improve patient safety and quality of care in Canadian hospitals. “Quality improvement is an integral part of what we do every day. Morbidity and mortality patterns are changing.  Over the past year, NBRHC implemented a range of initiatives to reduce mortality and improve patient care,” Dr. Fung says.

NBRHC President and CEO Paul Heinrich says the Health Centre’s quality improvement efforts have helped to significantly reduce the hospital mortality rate, positioning us as the provincial leader with the lowest number in Ontario. “Quality improvement is owned by everyone in our organization—from the medical leadership to the front line staff,” Heinrich says.

Heinrich explains there are a number of factors contributing to the reduction of HSMR rates, one of which is the hospital’s Critical Care Model. “We have internist oversight and continuity of care for our sickest patients,” he says. “We’ve also been very successful in recruiting the right types of specialists.”

Chair of the NBRHC Quality Committee Lauri Petz, who is also a volunteer Board Member with NBRHC, says they are very pleased with the HSMR rates. “While we are very proud of our rate, we never want to lose sight of the importance of quality improvement and the tracking and monitoring of patient safety,” Petz says.

The CIHI Data showed NBRHC’s rates for total time spent in Emergency Department for admitted patients (hours) at 11.7 is well below the Canadian and provincial averages (Canada average: 30.5; Ontario average: 29.9).

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Contact:
Lindsay Smylie Smith
NBRHC Communications Specialist
lindsay.smyliesmith@nbrhc.on.ca
705-495-7592

We know that the holidays are a busy time for everyone—and that includes our Emergency Department!

Each year, visits to the Emergency Department (ED) at the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) increase during the holidays. There are many factors that contribute to this increase,
including flu season and the fact many physician offices and walk in clinics have reduced hours for the holiday season.

Once again the Hospital has put processes in place to address the holiday surge. Dr. Erica Buck, Chief, Department of Emergency Medicine says with a little bit of planning, the community can
help reduce the pressure on the ED this holiday season. “This is a really busy time of year for people—buying gifts, baking and holiday parties. It’s easy to overlook things like medication renewal,” Dr. Buck says. “We would like to encourage people to take the time to check your prescriptions and make sure any medication renewals are done before your physician’s office or pharmacy closes,” she continues.

Also, familiarizing yourself with the options available for non-urgent care, like Telehealth Ontario or walk-in clinic availability, can also save you a non-urgent trip to the ED. A schedule of walk-in clinics available during the holidays can be viewed on the hospital’s website here.

“Of course, in the case of an Emergency, please do not hesitate, and go straight to the Emergency Department. Our team is here 24/7 and we have a dedicated team of staff who will be here right through the holidays,” Dr. Buck says.

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Contact:
Lindsay Smylie Smith
Communications Specialist
lindsay.smyliesmith@nbrhc.on.ca
705-495-7592
cell 705.492.1235

Clinic to start seeing patients early 2016

The new Northern Shores Medical Clinic will begin accepting applications for patients beginning Monday November 23rd, 2015. The Clinic, made up of three family doctors originally from the North Bay area, will be ready to begin seeing patients in their family practice early next year (2016).

Applications can be filled out online here http://northernshoresmedical.com/ or picked up at City of North Bay and MPP Vic Fedeli’s Office. Completed forms can also be mailed to PO Box 1080, North Bay On, P1B 8K3.

If you have issues filling out your information, please email application@northernshoresmedical.com.

Get connected and join us for our 3^rd Annual NBRHC Seniors’ Education Day

Information for seniors and caregivers to access the right care in the right place for them

Thursday June 25, 2015 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Seniors’ Resource Booths | Gymnasium – West Entrance

Resource booths will include: Social Work/Discharge Planning – Access to Care, Power of Attorney, Rehab Day Programs, Pharmacy Services, Hospital Elder Life Program, Behavioural Supports Ontario, Seniors Mental Health Services, Community Care Access Centre, Priority Assistance to Transition Home Program (PATH), Physically Handicapped Adults’ Rehabilitation Association  (PHARA), NBRHC Lifeline, North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, French Language Health Services, Near North Palliative Care Network, Blue Sky Personal Support Workers, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Hearing Society, Barclay House, Empire Living, Cassellholme Community Supports, Bio Ped, YMCA, Grocery Gal, City of North Bay Transit and more.

Free Parking in Lot #9 (West Entrance)

Transportation has been sponsored by Lifeline using North Bay Transit:

• Pick Up: 8:45 a.m. @ North Bay Mall; 9 a.m. @ Northgate Square; 9:15 a.m. @ Golden Age Centre
• Departure: 11:30 a.m. from NBRHC
• Drop Off: 11:45 a.m. @ Golden Age Centre; noon @ Northgate Square; 12:15 p.m. @ North Bay Mall

Prizes will be drawn and refreshments will be served.

Sponsors

CARP             Scotia Bank             Aramark         NBRHC Lifeline

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) has been selected as one of 18 hospitals in Ontario to participate in the National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), in which clinical data is collected to effectively monitor, track and improve surgical outcomes for patients.

NSQIP is a peer-controlled, validated database designed to measure risk factors before, during and after surgery. The information helps measure and understand outcomes in which an evidence based process will be built upon in order to improve surgical quality care.

By collecting data through all stages of the surgical process, including connecting with the patient 30 days after their operation, the NBRHC can effectively track and monitor any trends that will identify where improvements can be made.

The NBRHC is one of only three Northern Ontario hospitals selected for the program, which also includes Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre.

NBRHC’s Chief of Staff Dr. Donald Fung believes this program will provide reliable data in surgical outcomes.  “Medicine is an art based on science: the data is our scientific method and how we use the data to improve quality and patient care is the art for surgeons.  By utilizing this data, we can identify any gaps in care and improve on these areas and quality for patients,” says Dr. Fung.

Dr. Ravinder Singh, the Surgical Champion of this program for NBRHC, will initiate surgical quality improvement activities at the hospital, act as a key contributor locally and provincially by engaging in collaborative learning with a network of colleagues to establish best practices in surgical care.

The NBRHC will be one of the first in Ontario to gain access to these evaluations and the ability to implement these processes. The intention is to expand this program to other hospitals after the 18-month run-in phase, which will conclude September 30, 2016.

“By measuring our own outcomes and validly comparing them to other participating sites, we can share best practices and knowledge with one another in order to achieve common improvement goals,” says Dr. Singh. “We are excited to be a part of this program, and put these newly developed quality initiatives in place.”

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Contact:
Heather Cobbledick
Communications Specialist, NBRHC
Heather.cobbledick@nbrhc.on.ca
Work: 705-495-7592
Cell: 705-498-4245

A new provincial leadership role confirms the positive work that’s taken place to enhance health care services for people with challenging and complex behaviours and their caregivers who live in the North East  region.

Ontario’s 14 LHINs have agreed to a single provider to lead the Ontario-wide work of Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO), a provincial project that provides support for older adults with ‘responsive’ behaviours which can range from roaming, to withdrawing, to verbalizations and striking out.

Monica Bretzlaff, BSO Provincial Manager (left), and Nurse Practitioner Shannon Cadieux (right), facilitate a Montessori-based dementia activity with Gert.

Monica Bretzlaff, North East BSO Regional Manager with the North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC), will serve as the BSO provincial manager, and with the NE LHIN hold the Accountability Agreement on behalf of all LHINs. This decision was based on positive feedback and outcomes of work that Bretzlaff and her NE BSO regional team have accomplished to date.

Bretzlaff will be responsible for provincial BSO deliverables related to tracking information and sharing it with the LHINs and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and working with the Alzheimer’s society and other provincial associations to better the care for people experiencing responsive behaviours.

“The BSO provincial steering committee and I look forward to continuing the great work accomplished across the province to support people living with responsive behaviours, and their families,” said Donna Cripps, BSO Project Executive Lead and CEO, Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Local Health Integration Network. “The momentum that has been created across all 14 LHINs is exciting. The improvements that have been made must be expanded and built upon, and having dedicated leadership will ensure we continue to focus on the needs of people in our communities.”

“The North East LHIN has invested in specialized training for more than 70 front-line workers, and leveraged BSO training for another 7,500 practitioners already working in the field, to provide older adults with the care they need, as well as coaching families and staff on strategies to help prevent and respond to responsive behaviours,” said Louise Paquette, CEO, NE LHIN.  “We look forward to continuing our work with partners to further spread the success of BSO across the region.”

Four integrated BSO response teams of staff are based in community, hospitals, tertiary care and long-term care homes within Northeastern Ontario (Sudbury-Parry Sound-Manitoulin, Nipissing-Temiskaming, Cochrane and Algoma). Focused on enhancing care and capacity, these hub teams are also linked with key medical and psychiatric specialists who serve as instrumental change agents.

“The greatest reward for impacting change is the opportunity to keep change evolving,” said Monica Bretzlaff. “I am honoured and excited to represent our NE LHIN, NBRHC and my esteemed regional and provincial care partners in this person-family centred care revolution. Together, we will continue to drive positive system transformation that remains firmly grounded in the lived experience!”

More than 3,170 clients and family members were provided support through BSO in 2013/14, with close to 87,000 client-based services delivered and 6,700 participants in structured learning events.

The NE LHIN and NBRHC are committed to continue to guide the spread of the BSO initiative across the North East, and build upon the provincial platform in collaboration with partnering LHINs.

Facts:

• The NE LHIN will hold an accountability agreement with NBRHC to deliver this provincial service on behalf of all LHINs.

• Monica Bretzlaff was recognized with the NE LHIN’s first-ever Healthy Change Champion Award in 2012 for championing BSO as a new system of care for our most vulnerable Northerners. Responsive behaviours can be a result of dementia, mental health and/or substance use disorders, and other    neurological disorders. Individuals are called responsive because they may be responding to an unmet need or desire through behavioural expressions as a result of no longer being able to effectively communicate their needs.

• The NE LHIN also leads a BSO Aboriginal strategy that helps to ensure Aboriginal/First Nations people living in Northeastern Ontario are informed about the services available through BSO and provided culturally competent care.

• For information on how to access a BSO team close to your community, please contact the North East BSO Regional Central Intake line at 1-855-276-6313 (1-855-BSO-NE13) or Monica Bretzlaff at 705-675-9193, ext. 8905. For more information on the BSO Strategy and the provincial work underway, please contact Monica at bretzlaff@nbrhc.on.ca.

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For more information: Please contact Kathleen Bain, Communications Officer with the NE LHIN, at kathleen.bain@lhins.on.ca or 705-840-2340.

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) has hit a significant milestone with the latest “Pay-for-Result” (P4R) wait-time figures;  ranking the hospital in the top ten in the province for the months of January and February, 2015.

Ontario’s Pay-for-Results program was initiated to assist hospitals in improving emergency room wait times.

In 2013, the hospital ranked 24^th in performance followed by a ranking of 13^th in 2014 out of the 74 largest hospitals.

In addition, the hospital was recently awarded the designation of “one of the provinces’s high performing P4R sites” by the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care for sustaining wait time improvements over the years.

“These results speak to great team work between hospital staff, physicians, administration and organizational wide support of improving efficiency and quality of patient care,” says Dr. Erica Buck, Medical Director & Chief of Emergency Medicine, NBRHC.

“The ultimate hospital and community goal is to provide care in the right place, at the right time by the right care provider,” says Eric Bouchard, Manager of the Emergency Department, NBRHC.   “Without striving for efficient care in the hospital and Emergency Department, the ED and hospital beds would be overcrowded.”

Evidence supports that ED overcrowding and long wait times lead to more hospital admissions, higher death rates and shorter wait times improve patient satisfaction.

“One of our community’s greatest challenges is a shortage of family doctors /primary care providers,” says Dr. Buck. “The hospital hopes that these latest Pay-For-Results achievements will attract more family physicians (as well as family physicians who want to work in the ED) to our community.”

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Contact:
Heather Cobbledick
Communications Specialist, NBRHC
Heather.cobbledick@nbrhc.on.ca
Work: 705-495-7592
Cell: 705-498-4245

North Bay Regional Health Centre’s Patient and Family Partnered Care Coordinator, Tamara Dube-Clarke and the Chirgwin Family of North Bay have been presented with a provincial 20 Faces of Change Award.  It’s an award created to honour those who have inspired positive changes in Ontario’s health care system.  They were specifically recognized for making the health care system more patient-focused. Kathy Chirgwin was the wife of Andy, who had Alzheimer’s disease and had been a patient at NBRHC for more than four years. Sadly, Andy passed away in January of 2015.

“Kathy wanted to somehow show the caregivers the person her husband used to be, someone who loved his family very much, so that they would better understand him,” said Dube-Clarke. “So we decided to work together to create a video of Andy’s life story to introduce him to his caregivers as a former policeman, a husband, father and grandfather.” The video helped hospital staff have empathy for Andy as a patient and as a person, and has been used by NBRHC as a training tool.

Dube Clarke and Kathy Chirgwin were among the recipients recognized at The Change Foundation’s Capstone Summit and 20^th Anniversary Celebration at the Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel in Toronto, March 9, 2015.

“We are extremely excited to shine a light on your achievements as a leader in patient engagement and family-focused change in the province’s health care system. It is our honour to celebrate your demonstrated commitment to improving the system for patients and families with this award,” stated the Change Foundation in a letter confirming the award to Dube-Clarke.

Launched last November, the 20 Faces of Change Awards campaign sought nominations of patients, caregivers, health care leaders and practitioners, family members, community members, volunteers, and staff that have contributed to improvements in patient- and family-focused care. The 20 recipients were chosen by a specially appointed Selection Committee of third-party health care leaders who sorted through over 80 nominations from a diverse range of teams, individuals and organizations, submitted from all across Ontario.

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Contact:
Kathy Stackelberg
NBRHC Sr. Communications Specialist
705-495-7811
705-492-1235
Kathy.stackelberg@nbrhc.on.ca

The North Bay Regional Health Centre (NBRHC) is looking for innovative thinking when it comes to the recruitment and retention of family physicians — a clear theme of the Creative Problem Solving Session that took place Wednesday night at the health centre.

The Mayor of North Bay and CAO, NBRHC, community partners, active family doctors and home based residents and students have partnered together to look for new ways to attract family physicians to the community.

While the hospital successfully recruited 10 physicians in 2014, the focus is shifted to primary care in response to the rising number of physicians reaching age of retirement and practice closures.

“There is a shortage of family physicians in North Bay, and we need to understand why. We are here to recognize any obstacles, so we can strategically plan how to overcome them,” says Paul Heinrich, President & CEO of the North Bay Regional Health Centre. “This session provides a reservoir of great information; we must identify what of this information is most impactful and take action.”

Members came together to brainstorm ideas on how to attract more primary care physicians to the city, as well as what could be done as a community to make North Bay a top choice. “We have a great lifestyle, one of the safest cities in the province and a community that cares. We have so much to offer,” stated Mayor Al McDonald. “Through this team effort, we can tell our story about how great our community is to work, play and raise a family.”

The meeting established the beginning of an action plan, and focused on themes like how to support physicians in establishing practices in the city.

“By expanding this task force to include additional stakeholders, we can garner further support for these physicians” says Dr. Paul Preston, Medical Director & Chief of Primary Care, NBRHC. “Our city and hospital need to not only match the standard practices of southern and northern communities, but take recruitment to the next level.”

“With continued support from the municipalities and the members of this committee, we will continue to build on this plan and further our recruitment efforts to ensure primary health care needs for our community are met,” says Heinrich.

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Contact:
Heather Cobbledick
Communications Specialist, NBRHC
Heather.cobbledick@nbrhc.on.ca
Work: 705-495-7592
Cell: 705-498-4245