No. 2, Vol. 1 - Horizon Health Network

A Touching Tribute
Colleagues hold ceremony for
long-serving employee in
Palliative Care
Page 5
World Hepatitis Day
Public Health Nurses on what
you need to know
Page 6
Actions From
Experience
Patient Experience Advisors
understand, voice needs of patients
Page 12
Issue No. 2, Vol. 1
June 2016
Star
A publication for the staff of Horizon Health Network
Therapy dogs a “blessing” to psychiatry
patients in Saint John
Unconditional
e
r
a
c
d
n
a
e
v
lo
Page 8
Page 11
Just
like
mom
Four generations of Melanson women choose
to be nurses at The Moncton Hospital
A note from a grateful parent
Lab work a crucial behind-the-scenes part of son’s care Page 12
1
Contents
5
Moncton hospital staff
holds special recognition
ceremony for longserving employee
Biochemistry lab at DECRH
acquires Fourier Transform
Infrared spectrometry
technology
10 11
Horizon Hot Spot
Emergency Physicians win
national awards
Horizon pharmacists nab
national awards
For the Melanson women,
nursing runs in the family
Donation helps veterans live
more independently
6
Horizon director recognized
with provincial award
World Hepatitis Day
shines lights on common
life-threatening disease
12 13
Patient Experience
Advisors keep patients in
the forefront of health care
A thank-you note from a
grateful Horizon parent
This magazine is published by Horizon Health Network’s Communications
Department, and is distributed free of charge to Horizon staff, physicians
and volunteers. A French version can be found online at fr.horizonnb.ca.
Editor: GinaBeth Roberts
Creative lead: Kevin Goggan
Printed by: Advocate Printing
Please send comments and/or story ideas to [email protected].
Dedicated volunteer gives
hospital the gift of music
#Throwback
In Every Issue
Message from CEO
Editor’s Note
Colleagues’ Corner
Horizon Hot Spot
Look Who’s Shining
#Throwback
7
Book details challenges,
Police, communities
joys of raising child with CRS benefiting from first-of-itskind mental health training
Missed
appointments
delay treatment
for others.
If you can’t
make your
appointment,
can.
someone else
Therapy dogs show
unconditional love to patients
at SJRH
9
Mental health and family
practices team up to
provide timely care for
patients
Les rendez-vous manqués
entraînent des retards
dans le traitement
d’autres patients.
ez
Si vous ne pouvnter,
pas vous y prése
donner
nous pouvonsz-vous
votre rende
nne.
à une autre perso
ok.
cancel and rebo
Please call to
14
8
ler pour l’annuler
us.
Veuillez nous appe
autre rendez-vo
et pour fixer un
Play a part in our
Missed Appointment
campaign
B.ca
www.HorizonN
Patients agree: New
registration process
works
15
New Concussion
Awareness Kit
available for health care
professionals
Public campaign to
encourage patients to
use health care services
wisely
National conference
will showcase Horizon’s
leadership in Patient and
Family Centred Care
A welcome note
from the editor
Dear Colleagues,
As many of you already know, I announced my retirement at the Horizon Board
meeting held in April. It has been my pleasure to serve as your President and CEO,
and I look forward to staying on until a replacement has been found.
Together we have developed a strategic plan that sets the path for a healthier New
Brunswick – and we are beginning to see momentum in moving this plan forward!
It’s important that we continue to advance this plan to ensure that we can offer the
best care to New Brunswickers across Horizon.
We have recently submitted our Regional Health and
Business Plan, which is our plan of operations for
the next three years, to government for approval.
4
We realize our province has its challenges, which
is why we’re working to create new and innovative
ways to care for New Brunswickers, while
maintaining quality and safe patient care.
We know it’s also important for us to invest more in
our communities and expensive complex care
to better address the future health needs of our
aging population.
John McGarry,
To best understand the needs of our population we
President and CEO
will continue to work with our communities and other
stakeholders through our Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) process
to implement many of their recommendations.
The CHNAs that we have already completed continue to raise many of the same
issues regardless of whether they are rural or urban areas. Communities have
told us about the need for improved access to primary health care, as well as
better youth mental health; improved services for chronic illness; and
transportation improvements.
We have a lot of work to do and we couldn’t do it without the exceptional care you
provide to every person, every day.
To make our strategic plan truly successful we look forward to working with you
to find better ways to communicate and recognize the work that you do every day.
Later this year, we will be releasing a new recognition program to celebrate all of
you for your exceptional work.
Together we have a lot of work to do to continue to implement our strategic plan,
and I look forward to sharing our progress in providing Exceptional Care. Every
Person. Every Day.
Sincerely,
Welcome to the second issue of the
Horizon Star.
In these pages you’ll read stories showing how
your colleagues are forging relationships with
each other and individuals and organizations in
their communities to provide exceptional care
to every person, every day.
Take the group of mental health professionals
and family physicians in Moncton. They’ve
joined forces to better serve patients with
anxiety and depression, and will study the
process to see if their practice should be a
model of care across the province and beyond.
Or the mental health teams in the Saint John
and Sussex areas who’ve helped local police
officers become better equipped to deal with
offenders with mental illnesses.
And then there’s the ongoing work of our
Patient Experience Advisors and staff across
Horizon who continuously aim to make our
patients’ voices heard, all in an effort to provide
patient and family centered care.
You’ll also read how you can further help
patients by spreading the word about our
Missed Appointments campaign, in turn
helping us provide timely and quality care to
our patients.
Teamwork – a key element shown in all these
stories – drives one of our key values: We are all
leaders, yet work as a team. We’d love to hear
how you, your team, your department and your
facility are leading the way to better health care.
I also want to give a huge shout out to all those
who’ve contacted me to submit articles for Star
Extra, the blog edition of the Horizon Star.
Star Extra is an employee-only blog on
Skyline used to share news and events involving
employees, physicians, volunteers, foundations,
auxiliary and alumnae. It’ll be updated more
frequently than the publication, about twice
a month.
If you have an article and/or photo you want to
submit but are not sure where it fits, email me at
[email protected].
Happy reading,
John McGarry
CEO and President
Horizon Health Network
GinaBeth Roberts
Moncton hospital
staff holds special
recognition
ceremony for
long-serving
employee
Carron Weatherdon (McLeish)
worked at The Moncton Hospital as
an administrative support for over
25 years.
The late Carron Weatherdon
(McLeish).
Biochemistry
lab at DECRH
acquires Fourier
Transform
Infrared
spectrometry
technology
Last year she began “the battle of
her life,” but sadly passed away.
“Carron spent more than half
her life working at the hospital,”
said her younger sister, Maryann
McLeish. “She enjoyed her work
life, colleagues and the patients
and families she met and served.
She always had a smile and kind
word for everyone she met and
anyone who met her knew she was
something special.”
She didn’t have a big extended
family, her sister said, and her
hospital coworkers became like
family. That was especially evident
during her illness, as many would
offer “support, hugs, sharing
laughter and tears; whatever would
make her days easier to bear.”
Carron was set to retire this
year, but not long into 2016 she
knew she wasn’t going to make
it to Horizon’s recognition and
retirement events in May.
She’d confided this in her younger
sister, and also that she’d already
picked out a ring for her 25 years
of service.
One morning, her sister contacted
Nancy Parker, the hospital’s
executive director, who worked
with the hospital’s recognition
committee to pull
together a small
recognition ceremony
in Carron’s room in the
Palliative Care unit –
just nine hours later.
“If she wasn’t able to
make it to her event, we
wanted to make sure
there was an event for
her,” said Parker.
Along with the ring
(which just so happened
to be in stock in
Carron’s size at Charm
Diamonds Centre in Champlain
Place), she was presented with a
bouquet of purple and yellow tulips
(purple was her favourite colour).
As well, team members from
departments in which she worked,
such as emergency and medical
imaging, shared memories of their
time together as colleagues.
Carron’s sister said this act of
kindness meant the world to
Carron and her family - just as
it did to her colleagues.
“When we left there, we
probably got all, or more, out
of it than she did because it
was really touching to have
that opportunity,” said Parker.
Compared with the traditional
wet chemistry method to identify
chemical elements, FT-IR identifies
mineral crystal structures, which
provides better information on
stone composition, said John
Swanwick, biochemistry supervisor
at the DECRH.
Stones from the kidney, prostate,
gallbladders and salivary glands, for
example, are crushed into a powder
and placed on top of a diamond
crystal. An infrared beam is passed
through the crystal, interacting
with the powdered stone sample.
During this interaction, the
molecular bond within the stone
absorbs some of the radiation
giving a unique spectrum.
The lab can help in determining
the cause of the stone by careful
examination of the urine and
stone constituents.
Identifying the make-up of stones
helps physicians in the subsequent
treatment of patients, said
Swanwick, as information about
stone composition is used in both
medical and surgical interventions.
This kind of analysis requires fewer
samples and is quicker to process
The ring Carron picked
out for her special
recognition ceremony.
than former technologies, which
allows the lab to serve the entire
province, including both Horizon
and Vitalité facilities.
Lab staff would like to thank the
Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital
Auxiliary Inc. for financing this
project, which cost approximately
$24,500.
DECH Auxiliary Inc. business manager
Sheila Bartlett and president Louise
Corey get a first-hand look at the FT-IR
in action, thanks to biochemistry
supervisor John Swanwick.
The Fourier Transform Infrared
spectrometry machine (FT-IR).
The biochemistry lab at the
Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional
Hospital in Fredericton now uses
the “gold standard” methodology
in conducting calculus analysis, a
process that will ultimately benefit
fellow Horizon colleagues and
their patients.
The lab recently acquired Fourier
Transform Infrared spectrometry
technology (FT-IR).
From left, Nancy Parker, executive
director, The Moncton Hospital;
Marilyn Babineau, manager,
Workforce Wellness; Wanita
MacEachern, administrative assistant,
Learning Services, and member of
Moncton’s Recognition Committee;
and Trena Brown, nurse manager,
Emergency Department, organized a
special recognition ceremony for their
colleague Carron Weatherdon.
From left, Sheila Bartlett, business manager, DECH Auxiliary Inc.; Gregory Shaw,
administrative director, Laboratory Medicine Program, Fredericton and Upper
River Valley Area; Louise Corey, president, DECH Auxiliary Inc.; John Swanwick,
biochemistry supervisor; and Dr. Yu Chen, laboratory physician and medical
biochemist, stand behind Fourier Transform Infrared spectrometry machine (FT-IR).
Dr. Yu Chen, John Swanwick and
Louise Corey.
5
Colleagues’Corner
Horizon director
recognized with
provincial award
6
Jeff Carter, Horizon’s Corporate
Director of Capital Assets, Physical
Environment and Infrastructure,
is this year’s recipient of the
Canadian College of Health Leaders
New Brunswick Chapter Award for
Distinguished Service.
A 22-year employee of Horizon
(and its legacy organizations),
Jeff says it’s a “huge honour” to
be recognized by his peers and
colleagues across the province.
“So many of them have served
(and still do) as coaches and
mentors over the course of my
career. That makes this award all
the more special,” he said. “To
be recognized by so many health
care professionals that I have so
much respect for — it is one of the
highlights of my career.”
Jeff believes this award
demonstrates the need to give back
to one’s profession and peers, as
well as the associations, colleges
and councils that bring them
together.
“It is important to have a strong
network of peers and colleagues
at the local and national level,
as health care administration is
an evolving and a tremendously
complex environment,” he said
“We’re dealing with competing
priorities and limited resources
on a daily basis, while public
expectations are high, and demand
on the system has never been
greater.”
“Never before in the history of our
country has the need and call for
strong, competent, and committed
health care leadership been as
evident as it is today,” he said.
The award allows provincial
chapters of the College to recognize
an individual or corporate member
who have made a significant
contribution to their region.
Among other qualifications,
nominees must be members for at
least three years and demonstrate
leadership in educational
programming, member
recruitment or other areas.
Jeff Carter
Jeff, who’s been a member of
the college for 18 years, is in his
second term on the National Board
of Directors. He’s also the chair
of the Board’s Audit and Finance
Committee and previously chaired
the Ethics Council. He obtained his
Certified Health Executive (CHE)
designation shortly after joining
the College.
As an award winner, Jeff was
recognized at the College’s Annual
General Meeting in early June, and
profiled in various publications and
media.
Want to tell your colleagues about the services you provide for patients and staff throughout
Horizon? Email [email protected].
World Hepatitis Day
shines lights on common,
life-threatening diseases
Submitted by Angela Green, Public Health Nurse,
Woodstock, and Penny
Higdon, Public Health nurse,
Saint John
World Hepatitis Day is held
annually on July 28.
On this day, Horizon’s
Public Health team will join
with groups around the
world to raise public
awareness of the lifethreatening liver diseases,
Penny Higdon
Hepatitis B and C.
One in 12 people
worldwide is infected with one or the other –
600,000 of them in Canada — and many don’t
even know it.
They may have no obvious symptoms until
serious liver damage has occurred. These are
chronic, lifelong viral infections that can affect
anyone from any walk of life.
Although injection drug use is considered to
be a higher risk activity for acquiring hepatitis,
there are other ways people may be exposed
to the virus. Sexual transmission and unsterile
equipment used during tattooing/piercing and/or
medical procedures pose varying degrees of risk.
Even something as simple as sharing personal
hygiene items, such as razors, toothbrushes and
nail clippers may pose a risk.
Wearing a condom during sex, never sharing
drug equipment, covering cuts, and wearing
gloves to clean blood spills are important
prevention measures.
Hepatitis A and B can be prevented by
vaccines. There is a new medication
on the market, Harvoni, a promising
new treatment for those infected with
Hepatitis C. The earlier Hepatitis C is
detected, the sooner it can be treated
and the greater the likelihood of
recovery.
Hepatitis C is the most common
chronic blood-borne virus in North
America and the primary reason for
liver transplants in Canada and the
United States. Two thirds of patients
on the transplant waiting list will
die before a suitable liver becomes
available. The disease is almost five
times more prevalent than HIV in North
America.
The focus of the World Hepatitis Day
campaign is to raise public awareness.
Horizon’s Public Health teams urge
everyone to learn about the risk factors
involved with Hepatitis B and C and
the need for testing if they think they
might have been infected.
To find out more, contact your health care
provider, local Public Health office and visit
whdcanada.org.
World Hepatitis Alliance’s World
Hepatitis Day logo
Book details
challenges, joys
of raising child
with CRS
For a Horizon employee and her
family, 26 years of journal writing
has turned into labour of love and
medium to promote the necessity
of immunization.
Marci McGrath
Edith McGrath
Edith McGrath, administrative
assistant in Internal Medicine at
the Saint John Regional Hospital,
recently released a book on the
struggles and rewards of raising
a daughter who was “born to be
different.”
Believing in Beth tells the true
story of Beth McGrath, who was
born with Congenital Rubella
Syndrome (CRS). It also details
the courage, strength and faith of
Don’t Jeopardize – Immunize!
Believing in Beth is a treasure for all parents, educators, friends, and the vast
array of professionals that come into the lives of children and their families. It
will generate discussion and heighten compassion. It will inform and expand
the understanding that we are blessed by the presence of children who
require us to stretch and learn, and see the world differently. It will
remind us that within the walls of a home by the sea, a family was dealt
the unexpected that left a history and a wisdom that faith, belief and
light led them safely home.
An excerpt from the book’s prologue, written by Joan Skinner, retired
teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing writes in the book’s forward.
Beth’s parents and sister and book
co-author, Marci, as they confront
their challenges one by one, all
because of their belief in Beth.
“I hope our story will become an
inspiration to other families who
may be experiencing a similar
situation,” Edith said. “The strength
you need to achieve is always there
– you just need to reach for it.”
Even before knowing her daughter
had CRS, Edith planned to journal
during her first pregnancy to pass
on her lessons and experiences to
her own children when he/she was
expecting their own first child.
“When we received the shocking
news that our beautiful baby girl
was diagnosed with Congenital
Rubella Syndrome (CRS) we
become inundated with health
care professionals and medical
terminology,” said Edith. “I soon
found myself journaling as a way of
keeping everyone and everything
organized, and as a resource to
help me gain the knowledge
I needed to keep up with the
expectations of life.”
At first she thought she’d like
someone else to write her story,
but soon realized she needed to
share her personal, emotional
perspective as a mother.
While completing her Masters of
Education, Marci soon joined in on
the storytelling, a perspective Edith
says is not common in literature.
Edith hopes the book serves as
a reminder that “immunization
should be everyone’s concern,
and moving forward we all need
to encourage immunization to
prevent another child from being
diagnosed with CRS.”
Believing in Beth
book cover
She says Beth received “ideal care”
at the Saint John Regional Hospital
from physicians who were always
“only a phone call away,” as well as
treatment from physiotherapists,
occupational therapists, speech
therapists and audiologists.
Because of two holes in her
enlarged heart, she also attended
cardiac clinics at the hospital where
she was assessed by cardiologists
from the IWK Health Centre.
To purchase the book, visit
believinginbeth.wix.com/believingin-beth or “Edith McGrath Author”
on Facebook.
Want to tell your colleagues about the services you provide for patients and staff throughout
Horizon? Email [email protected].
Police, communities
benefiting from
first-of-its-kind mental
health training
Horizon staff are playing an integral role in
making sure police officers are equipped to
respond to situations involving people with
mental illness.
Officers in New Brunswick can now receive 40
hours of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training
from a nurse manager and clinical co-ordinators
in addictions and mental health services. The
week-long training also includes sessions with
legal experts, consumer/family advocates and
experienced officers.
The need for the training — a first of its kind in
New Brunswick — was prompted by an increase
in calls to police involving people with mental
health or addiction challenges over the last
decade, said Greg Zed, Area Manager, Addictions
and Mental Health-Sussex and Lead, Forensics
Services Saint John zone.
A few years ago, Zed was approached by
Natasha Lemieux, a Master’s student in Forensic
Nursing at Brandon University in Manitoba.
The training was developed in the United
States, but changed to fit the needs of local
communities, as Lemieux designed a syllabus
Horizon was recently recognized for its mental
health Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training.
Pictured with plaques of recognition are, from left:
Greg Zed, Area Manager, Addictions and Mental
Health-Sussex and Lead, Forensics Services Saint
John zone; Kennebecasis Regional Police Chief
Stephen McIntyre; Jean Daigle, Vice President,
Community; Natasha Lemieux, course facilitator;
Sue Haley, director of addictions and mental health
services for Saint John area; and Kennebecasis
Regional Police Insp. Jeff Porter.
and created course content with the help of
physicians and other Horizon staff.
The training began with the entire Kennebacasis
Regional Police Force, members of the Saint
John Police Force, Fredericton Police Force and
Saint John Regional Correctional Centre.
Since the initial training in the fall, the force
in Kennebacasis has responded to 30 mental
health-related calls with a better knowledge
of the needs of those with mental health
challenges.
“The training has enabled our officers to be
better prepared to do their jobs and provide a
better service to the public we serve,” said Insp.
Jeff Porter. “Now our officers can recognize signs
and symptoms of mental illness, effectively deescalate mental health incidents and are aware
of treatment options in the community.”
This partnership between frontline officers and
frontline health care workers has allowed each
group to become more aware of one another’s
roles, allowing them to become more cohesive
in caring for their communities.
“It’s meant a better relationship between police
and mental health,” said Zed. “It’s working
towards a more seamless relationship.”
“We have a great relationship with the mental
health professionals in our community and
we all strive to provide the best care we can to
people suffering with mental health illnesses,”
said Insp. Porter.
The program is also aligned with Horizon’s
efforts to re-engage the mental health court in
New Brunswick, which deals with offenders
who have had mental health issues that come in
contact with the law and require the support of
mental health and addiction services. Zed hopes to work with the Department of
Justice to replicate the program across the
province and to encourage other forces to take
part.
7
Therapy
dogs show
unconditional
love to patients
at SJRH
8
While Horizon’s health care
professionals give exceptional care,
sometimes what a patient needs is
a little TLC from a furry, four-legged
friend.
That’s what’s been happening once
a week for the past three years on
the Acute In-Patient Psychiatry unit
at the Saint John Regional Hospital.
As part of the St. John Ambulance
Pet Therapy program, Sophie,
a Bernese Mountain Dog, and
handlers Don and Joan Fillmore,
visit patients on the unit. Sophie’s
sister, Amy, used to visit, too, but
isn’t able to join as often because of
an injury.
Recreation Therapist Nicole Gillies
has been on the floor for a year
(and at Ridgewood Veterans Health
Wing for 17 years prior).
“The therapeutic benefits of Pet
Therapy with Sophie have been
a huge blessing offered to our
patients each week on our unit,”
said Gillies. “Recreation Therapy’s
mission is to provide independence
in leisure, optimal health and
quality of life. Pet Therapy with
Sophie certainly covers all of this.”
Each day Sophie visits, Gillies
checks with the charge nurse to see
who can or can’t participate (for
safety reasons, or possible flight
risk). Some participate because of
their love of dogs, while others use
the visit as an opportunity to get
over their fear of dogs.
“Sophie is such a gentle soul and
is perfect for anyone who is trying
to work on their phobia and trust
issues with dogs,” Gillies said.
Sophie, wearing a scarf around
her neck to identify her as a pet
therapy dog, allows patients to
scratch, pet, hold, kiss and talk
to her.
The interaction between the dog
and patients is sometimes more
than staff elicits and, as an added
bonus, the dog gives the patient/
staff something to talk about after
she’s left.
“There is an unspoken trust that is
immediately developed between
the dog and the patients,” Gillies
said. “There is no judgement from
a dog.”
Sophie even recognizes when
patients are having a bad day,
St. John Ambulance volunteers Joan and Don Fillmore, with their therapy dog,
Sophie, and patient Stacey Cormier.
and returns to them, on her
own initiative, during the group
program.
Pet therapy encourages patients to
practice mindfulness, as they focus
their attention on the dog and away
from their personal stressors.
Pet therapy also reduces
stress, improves self-esteem,
elevates mood and improves
communication skills in patients,
which is especially important
on this unit, as patients have
been admitted for PTSD,
autism, depression, anxiety and
challenging psychiatric disorders.
In speaking with colleagues, Gillies
has seen how this has deeply
affected one patient.
“We have a particular patient who
is reclusive and does not participate
in group programs, however, did
attend the Pet Therapy group,”
she said. “The patient behaviour
was amazing as their face lit up
when they saw the dog, would talk
about past dogs they owned, would
speak directly to the dog. And upon
returning to the unit would speak
of the dog visit for days after.”
The Pet Therapy program was
brought to the hospital through
Volunteer Resources’ connection
with St. John Ambulance.
Sophie with a patient
Laura Brewer, St. John Ambulance’s
Therapy Dog co-ordinator, says the
program was started in Ontario
in 1992, and brought to New
Brunswick in 1999.
There are 98 active visiting teams
in the province that visit about
55 different facilities, including
hospitals, nursing homes and
schools either twice a week, weekly
(the majority) or bi-weekly.
The average number of patients or
residents that a team visits is 12,
along with six staff members.
Brewer agrees with Gillies in
all the benefits of having the
“unconditional love of a fourlegged friend” for an hour or so
every week.
“The impact the Therapy Dog visits
have on the residents is incredible,”
she said. “It is truly amazing to see
the faces of the individuals light up
when the dog walks into the room.
Not only do they make a difference
in the day of the resident but the
family members as well. I like to
say that it is a great circle to be a
part of.”
She also sees the benefits for the
handlers and dog, who spend
their time volunteering in their
community, making someone’s day
a little brighter.
9
A group shot of all recipients of MindCare funding, including the team from Moncton.
Mental health
and family
practices team up
to provide timely
care for patients
A team of mental health
professionals in Moncton was
recently awarded a major grant
for a research project that will give
patients timely access to mental
health services.
Family physicians Dr. Tom Laughlin
and Dr. Jody Enright, Dr. Dinesh
Bhalla, psychiatrist, Bernie Goguen,
manager for Adult Mental Health
Services in the community in
Moncton, Kathleen Buchanan,
acting program manager, Addiction
Services and Mental Health, and
Jill LeBlanc-Farquharson, director
of Addiction Services and Mental
Health are part of a team that
received $125,000 from MindCare
New Brunswick, a committee
within the Saint John Regional
Hospital Foundation supporting
mental health initiatives.
The project will see 12 family
physicians at four group practices
work with a mental health
professionals experienced in
cognitive behavioural therapy
over the next year. This will help
physicians better support patients
with mild to moderate depression
and/or anxiety within their
community practice.
Dr. Laughlin and Dr. Enright, who
are both involved in the research,
agree about 30 to 40 per cent of
their practice is helping clients with
these mental health disorders.
If these patients were referred
to mental health, they would
probably wait the longest because
they tend to be in the mild range or
moderate range of severity. These
patients also can’t obtain access to
a cognitive behavioural therapist,
and by the time they do, their
symptoms have likely worsened.
“By getting to them early, you are
hopefully going to be preventing
not only the personal suffering that
happens with mental health, but
the loss time at work, the strain on
families and the more measurable
things,” said Dr. Enright.
The doctors say some patients are
more comfortable visiting their
family doctor than a mental health
clinic, evidenced by high rates
of no-shows for mental health
appointments, which is rare in a
family doctor’s office.
The partnership will not only
benefit patients of family
physicians with mental health
needs, but also provide education
to help doctors improve the way
they provide treatment to these
patients.
“As we learn the principles of
cognitive behaviour therapy,
many of those lesser challenging
patients will be managed by us
(family physicians) and the more
challenging patients by our partner
(psychiatrists), with help and
discussion back and forth,” said Dr.
Laughlin.
He has shared his family physician
office with a psychiatrist for the
past 15 years, for a half day a
week, and has already seen the
benefits of the partnership. He
said the model of care has the
potential to be ground-breaking
in primary care reform, with the
focus on the patient seeing the
right professional at the right time
for the right reason.
The clinician will rotate between
the four offices each week for
about a year.
One-hundred and fifty patients
will be involved in the study. Half
of those patients (75) will receive
12 sessions of cognitive behaviour
therapy in the family physician
offices, and a control group of 75
patients will receive care as usual
(from their physician, which could
include referrals to mental health
specialists).
A PhD student will also be
involved in the project, acting
as an unbiased data collector,
tracking statistics, such as severity
of symptoms, progression and
recovery, patient and physician
satisfaction, emergency room visits
and recurrence rates.
The “transformational” project will
also serve the community well, and
help close gaps in communication
between mental health team
members and family physicians.
The group hopes the model of care
will spread across Moncton, then
New Brunswick and Canada.
Horizon also received $100,000
from MindCare towards the
education of psychiatrists,
specifically in the Saint John area.
Horizon Hot Spot
Emergency
Physicians win
national awards
10
For the third year in a row,
researchers from Horizon –
namely, a medical student and
resident – captured national
awards.
The Canadian
Association
of Emergency
Physicians
recently
announced its
award winners
for 2016,
which included
members of Saint Medical student
Nicole Beckett.
John Regional
Hospital’s
Emergency Medicine Research
Program.
Nicole Beckett, a medical student
at Dalhousie Medicine New
Brunswick won the prize for
Top Medical Student Research
Project, in which she looked at the
combined role of ultrasound and
electrocardiography for predicting
outcomes during cardiac arrest
resuscitation.
“It is incredible to be recognized for
my research at such a high level
so early in my medical career,”
said Beckett. “With the time and
effort put into this project I have
developed a great appreciation
for point of care ultrasound in
emergency medicine.”
“This area of research is helpful
for patients in cardiac arrest and
may help physicians decipher
which patients may benefit from
greater resuscitative efforts, with
the goal of providing all patients in
the emergency department with
the best care possible,” she said,
adding she owes thanks to her
supervisors and research team, Dr.
Paul Atkinson, Dr. David Lewis, and
Jacqueline Fraser for their “tireless
support.”
Dr. Kyle McGivery, Emergency
Medicine resident was awarded a
national resident research award
for his work on early diagnosis
of acute heart failure in the
Emergency Department.
McGivery said he’s honoured
the project — and the hard work
behind it — has been recognized.
“This once again highlights the
success of our research program
here in Saint John which continues
to get recognition from across
Canada,” he said. “With our
current study (a meta-analysis),
we are finding support for the use
of bedside ultrasound to quickly
and accurately diagnose acute
decompensated heart failure in the
emergency department. “
“This means that when an
ultrasound is used, patients may
get earlier and more appropriate
treatment which has been
previously linked to improved
outcomes. This is a very practical
diagnostic test which can be used
in both large and small hospitals
and therefore have an impact on a
wide range of patients.”
Past winners include Dalhousie
medical student Colin Rouse, for
his work comparing outcomes
from trauma patients between
differing systems in Atlantic
Canada, and Dr. Paul Atkinson,
Chair of the Dalhousie Emergency
Medicine Research Committee and
Site Director for the Emergency
Medicine Research Program in
Saint John, for work examining the
role of ultrasound in resuscitation
for critical illness.
Dr. David Lewis, ultrasound
program director, Dr.
James French, chair of
the NB Trauma Program
research committee, and
Jacqueline Fraser, research
co-ordinator, were also key
team members for these
projects.
The Emergency Medicine
Research Program
continues to work
with local partners to
examine how science and
innovation can improve
care for all patients presenting
to emergency departments
and urgent care centres in New
Brunswick and across Canada.
Dr. Kyle McGivery.
Dr. Paul Atkinson and Jackie Fraser.
Colin Rouse, Robin Clouston and
Jefferson Hayre.
Horizon
pharmacists nab
national awards
Two Moncton-based pharmacists
were recently recognized at a
national level for work in their
field.
Diane Brideau-Laughlin was
one of only three pharmacists
to receive Fellowship status with
the Canadian Society of Hospital
Pharmacists (CSHP) at this year’s
Professional Practice Conference.
This status is peer recognition for
“noteworthy, sustained service
and excellence in the practice
of pharmacy in an organized
healthcare setting.”
Douglas Doucette, Regional
Pharmacy Clinical Manager,
was a co-recipient of the
Pharmacotherapy Best Practices
Award, which recognizes a project
or program implemented in a
hospital or health care system that
promotes best-practice prescribing
and includes outcome measures.
The purpose of Douglas’ project,
Development of Clinical Pharmacy
Key Performance Indicators
for Hospital Pharmacists Using
a Modified Delphi Approach
(completed at University Health
Network), was to create quality
and evidence-based indicators to
improve patient care and advance
clinical pharmacy practice.
A national panel of hospital
pharmacists and other
stakeholders successfully
developed eight consensus clinical
pharmacy key performance
indicators of activities performed
by hospital pharmacists. Work is
ongoing to continue to implement
these indicators in jurisdictions
across Canada, including Horizon
Health Network.
This award is sponsored by Pfizer
Canada Inc. as part of a large team
of researchers (15 researchers in
total) from health care institutions
across Canada.
Douglas Doucette and
Diane Brideau-Laughlin.
For the Melanson women, nursing runs in the family
A set of 25-year-old triplets, their
mom, her mom and her mom
(that’s four generations) have been
– or are – nurses at The Moncton
Hospital.
We caught up with them for a
quick Q&A where they dished
on the ups and downs of the
profession, and what it’s like
working with your mom and
siblings.
Tell us your name, position
and years “active” at The
Moncton Hospital.
Joyce (Myles) Robart: Operating
Room nurse. Full-time from
September 1961 to January
1962; casual until September
1971.
Vickie (Robart) Melanson:
Attended AJM School of Nursing.
I was hired in November 1983
and took a full-time position as
an RN on the Neuro Intensive
Care floor in April 1984 and
have been there since.
Jessica Melanson: Finished
school in December. Working
with Horizon on 4100
(Neuroscience) as an RN for
about five months.
Sarah Melanson: RN on 4400
(Rehab). Working with Horizon
for two years.
Erin Melanson: RN on 4100
(Neuro Intensive Care). Working
with Horizon for three years.
Why did you choose to
become a nurse? How much
did your mother and/or
sisters’ choice to do the same
influence you?
Joyce: My mother, Pearl (Smith)
Myles worked in Geriatrics at
The Moncton Hospital until her
health failed. She loved what she
did and I wanted to be like her
and her sister, who worked in
Pediatrics at the hospital.
Vickie: My mom and my
grandmom were both nurses
and I guess it’s all I really knew.
Jessica: I went into Kinesiology
with a plan to do physiotherapy.
A little more than halfway
through my degree I decided
physio wasn’t for me and knew
that I wanted to do something
in health care. I loved the co-op
(placement) I did in high school
in nursing and always had it in
the back of my mind … I saw
how much my sisters and mom
loved their job, so I guess it
did influence my decision in a
positive way.
Sarah: In Grade 12, I remember
thinking of careers that
interested me and I really only
knew nursing. Nothing else
sounded very interesting or
appealing. Going into university
with my sister (someone I
confide in) definitely made the
choice easier.
Erin: Always interested in
working with people and
helping others. Mom’s influence
definitely was important. I was
able to see her impact on others
and that was encouraging. When
some people tried to sway me
from going to nursing school,
she was very supportive.
Do you ever work the same
shift? What’s that like?
Vickie: Yes, occasionally I work
with Erin, as she is in the same
unit and I have to say it’s a little
weird. Jess and Sarah work in
different areas, so we may be in
the building at the same time but
only see each other in passing.
Jessica: Sarah and I have
worked together while I did my
orientation on Rehab and it was
so much fun! I love working with
her. Mom and Erin both work
in the NICU and like working on
the other side of the floor while
they are there. I can ask
them questions if I need
to and can pop over to
see them.
Sarah: We work the
same shifts, but I’m not
on the same floor as the
rest of my family. It’s
nice to see familiar faces
around the hospital too!
Erin: Yes, ha-ha. I don’t
find it weird at all. We
work well together and give each
other space when needed. It’s
nice to have someone around
you that you can count on.
When you’re having a hard day
it’s always nice to have your
mom around, no matter where
you are.
What’s your favourite aspect
of working at The Moncton
Hospital?
Vickie: It all depends on the
day. Patients, families and coworkers.
Jessica: The staff. They are
all so welcoming and have
been great in teaching me and
helping while I have been
learning the ropes!
Sarah: My favourite aspect of
nursing would be to see the
patients come over to Rehab
after being extremely sick,
and watching them improve
significantly to go home.
Erin: I have always been
interested in Neuro, probably
because I’ve been around it
my whole life … What pulled
me towards it when applying
for jobs was the rehabilitative
aspect. People come in at their
worst, and you get to watch
them improve – most of the
time. While other departments
start with people being healthy
and deteriorating, I am able to
watch people gain back their
autonomy.
What would you say to
someone interested in this
career?
Joyce: I am glad to have
been in the profession, and
so very proud of our caring
daughter and three very caring
granddaughters.
Vickie: It’s been a great career
most of the time. Some stressful
days and some rewarding days.
Jessica: It is such a rewarding
career! If you’re a real people
person, you love working as
a team and want to serve and
help, nursing is definitely for
you.
Sarah: To people who are
interested in nursing: it’s never
too late to start. You’ll never
be bored; something different
happens every day.
Erin: It’s an incredible
experience. Don’t get me wrong,
there are hard days, but the good
days definitely outweigh the bad
ones. You not only connect with
the patient, but with their entire
family. Nobody wants to be in a
hospital, so if nurses (or anyone
participating in the patients’
care) are able to help brighten
someone’s day, I think it makes it
all worth it.
Editor’s Note: Some answers have
been edited for length and/or clarity.
Donation helps veterans live more independently
Daily routine at the Veterans Health Unit
(VHU) in Fredericton has been made more
comfortable, dignified, and even a little
safer, all thanks to the DECH Auxiliary Inc.
The Auxiliary donated funds for the
purchase of a new wheelchair accessible
shower for the Priestman Unit, as well as a
hydrosonic tub and lift for the Regent Unit.
The large shower has ample room for both
residents and their health care workers to
move freely. Safety features, such as pull
down seating and heated flooring, allow
residents to live more independently. The
shower can also be sectioned off, giving
residents the option of showering privately
while having help within arm’s reach.
Prior to the renovations, veterans living
on the Regent Unit didn’t have a full
immersion bathtub. Now they have
the option to soak in the tub with the
therapeutic benefits of the hydrosonic
feature. The new lift makes it accessible to
all residents, regardless of their mobility.
Staff and residents alike are very grateful to
the DECH Auxiliary for their assistance.
On May 3, members of the DECH Auxiliary Inc. were invited
to attend a ribbon cutting ceremony at the VHU. Pictured are
Andrea Stierle-MacNeill, administrative director for VHU, and
Louise Corey, DECH Auxiliary Inc. president.
11
Patient Experience Advisors keep patients in the forefront of health care
12
From food services to handwashing, Horizon’s Patient
Experience Advisors know the ins
and outs of health care in New
Brunswick.
The council of eight, who come
from different perspectives,
backgrounds and locations,
regularly meets with Horizon staff,
giving feedback on new policies,
programs and practices affecting
patient care and services, and
sharing concerns from the public.
“We’ve all come to the committee
because we’ve all had unfortunate
things happen, either to ourselves
or to family members, or both,”
said co-chair Penny Ericson. “We
don’t want to complain about it; we
want to make things better.”
Recently, the team toured food
services at the Saint John Regional
Hospital, becoming more aware
of the challenges of creating a
universal policy, as all kitchens
and other food service areas are
different.
They also shared
opinions on what’s best
for patients to eat while
in hospitals, Ericson
said.
Some believe it’s
important for patients to
have a diet appropriate
for what’s ailing them,
while others believe if
you’re in the hospital,
the important thing
is that you’re eating.
They’re also aware of
the high costs of fresh
fruits and vegetables.
Diet changes need to
stay with the patient
longer than three trays
Patient Experience Advisors and staff tour the Saint John Regional Hospital kitchen area.
of food, members
believe, and this can be
done through having
The council has had a lot of
comfortable to come to us than
patients meet with a dietitian or
discussion about food services
they are to talk to hospital (staff)
nutritionist.
within the group and with the
when an event takes place,” she
To get the full patient experience,
public, and will continue that
said. “They’re afraid of kickback
they ate the patient’s lunch of the
discussion until they come up with
from staff, not being cared for
day, either a regular or diabetic
recommendations for Horizon.
properly, not wanting to be a
selection.
complainer …”
This is something they do every
year — make a list of concerns and
But patients are happy when they
possible solutions, as well as letting
hear things have changed because
staff know what aspects of patient
of public input, Ericson said.
care are going well.
A complaint about the
For example, the council is very
malfunctioning motor on
pleased with the network’s smokeautomated doors in the Dr. Everett
free policies coming into effect at
Chalmers Regional Hospital
l
int John Regiona
Sa
at
y
all
hospitals,
Ericson
said.
emergency room in the middle of
tor
ora
lab
the
To the employees at
winter lead to immediate reaction
They’re
also
happy
with
Horizon’s
:
Hospital
a and is being
from Horizon staff — and a couple
mi
ke
leu
th
hand
washing
awareness,
as
it’s
wi
d
ose
s diagn
int
Sa
the
extra motors for future problems.
at
Recently my son wa
t
en
rtm
pa
something “everyone’s talking
oncology de
actively treated on the
his diagnosis
t
ou
ab
about.”
“That sort of thing means a lot to
ect
refl
I
As
.
tal
role that
John Regional Hospi
the community – when they hear
tly reminded of the
tan
ns
co
Efforts
could
be
further
improved
am
I
t
d
en
and treatm
ective diagnosis an
eff
back that things are happening
the
in
d
ye
pla
s
if
screens
in
emergency
rooms
ha
your department
because they lament,” she said.
.
and
other
waiting
spaces
featured
son
my
of
t
en
treatm
., an individual
a.m
5
8:1
at
rk
educational
messages
for
patients
Ericson and her fellow patient
wo
od
for blo
e correct
The day he went in
alysis in your lab. Th
instead of the daily news or other
experience advisors “truly
an
for
it
t
sen
d
an
drew his blood
son’s physician
programs, the council suggests.
appreciates all the hard work
d notification of my
an
iew
rev
g,
the
sin
him
ces
pro
so many are doing to improve
al results provided
rm
no
ab
One
of
the
top
patient
concerns
al
tic
cri
his
regarding
al attention. dic
the quality of care” in Horizon’s
me
t
mp
pro
e
the
council
is
still
working
on
is
eiv
opportunity to rec
facilities. They hope staff continue
felt to process that
ve
ha
identifying
Do
Not
Resuscitate
st
mu
it
w
ho
t
to come to them with ideas and
I was thinking abou
ing to be forever
go
s
wa
life
(DNR)
patients
when
they’re
away
’s
ne
eo
t som
t your work
ou
ab
areas they should be addressing
blood and know tha
go
ly
iet
qu
u
from their room.
Every day yo
from a patient perspective.
changed as a result. s that are affected by
live
the
ing
see
ver
By wearing a green bracelet,
in the background, ne critically important role.
ga
council suggests,
your work, but playin
a
they’ll be more easily
lab continues to play
ur
yo
d,
sse
gre
rk,
wo
pro
s
As time ha
stay. Constant blood
tal
identified by all
spi
ho
’s
son
my
significant role in
tum) tested, and
health care staff, not
ens (urine, stool, spu
cim
spe
,
to
cts
ed
du
ne
pro
y
blood
just their primary
th exactly what the
wi
m
tea
al
dic
me
providing the
ble.
ssi
po
er
care team.
(as of June 6, 2016)
nn
ma
st
be
care for my son in the
u that your role is
yo
l
tel
to
This
is
one
of
nt
wa
I
u. I want to say thank yo
Penny Ericson - Fredericton, Co-Chair
t your attention to
many concerns the
I want to tell you tha
valued and important. in the lives of patients — specifically,
Jane Claxton-Oldfield - Sackville
council
hears
from
ce
en
fer
detail makes a dif
past and current
Gail
McLaughlin - Saint Andrews
. my son
d you all play
patients.
tient care matters, an
pa
es
Faustina
(Tena)
McLellan - Upper River Valley
en
-sc
he
d-t
.
hin
Your be
hospital
“People in the
care of patients in the
Kevin Standing - Saint John
a part in the effective
community are
Karen Storey - Moncton
still, sadly, far more
n,
tio
cia
With sincere appre
Russell
Whitney - Miramichi
m.
mo
d
an
e
ploye
A grateful Horizon em
a
A thank-you note from
nt
grateful Horizon pare
Horizon Patients Council
Dedicated
volunteer gives
hospital the gift
of music
Wendy Rea, a volunteer who has
worked at the Upper River Valley
Hospital since its opening in 2007,
recently donated her family’s piano
to the hospital.
The instrument is a wonderful
addition to the chapel for
everyone’s enjoyment.
Her donation was made in memory
of her husband, Neville Rea, who
passed away in July 2014.
The couple had met through music
— Neville played the violin and
found Wendy to accompany him
on the piano.
Thanks to community members
who donated their time and
services, the piano was successfully
moved within two hours and tuned
free of charge.
Wendy Rea poses for a photo with
the piano she donated to the Upper
River Valley Hospital.
Provincial Archives of NB P107-MS2-1a-5
THEN:
Saint John Regional Hospital
Construction, June 28, 1976
Horizon President and CEO John McGarry
was one of the first occupants of the
hospital.
“This picture and time stamp shows
how big this project was,” he said, of the
throwback photo. “The hospital did not
open until six years and four months later
in October 1982. Due to a fire at the old
“General” I occupied the first office in the
new site (with our finance team) in June
1982.”
The photo is one in of series of
Department of Health Construction
Services photos taken of the hospital
between August 1975 and July 1976.
NOW:
The Saint John Regional Hospital,
as seen today.
13
Play a part in our Missed
Appointment campaign
14
Two years ago, Horizon’s Missed Appointment
campaign successfully reduced the number of
medical appointment “no-shows” at facilities in
Fredericton.
We’re hoping to build on the success of this
campaign — and we need your help!
In 2013, statistics showed that there were a
high number of missed medical appointments,
affecting Horizon’s ability to provide timely and
quality care to its patients.
To address this issue, Horizon launched a
multimedia campaign to remind patients about
the importance of attending their medical
appointments with the simple concept: attend
your appointment or call to cancel and rebook.
Campaign results were very positive, with a 50
per cent reduction in the number of missed
appointments in the Fredericton area. This
success translated into improvements in the
daily work flow and productivity for employees,
and improved efficiencies and overall patient
care.
Over the next few weeks posters will be
distributed to clinics and hospitals, and watch
for a social media blitz on our Twitter and
Facebook pages.
Missed
appointments
delay treatment
for others.
If you can’t
make your
appointment, .
can
someone else
Les rendez-vous manqués
entraînent des retards
dans le traitement
d’autres patients.
vez
Si vous ne pou
senter,
pas vous y prédonner
nous pouvons -vous
votre rendez sonne.
à une autre per
ook.
cancel and reb
Please call to
er
eler pour l’annul
Veuillez nous appautre rendez-vous.
et pour fixer un
a
www.HorizonNB.c
How Can YOU Help?
Use Missed Appointed information and
products, including posters, to remind your
patients of the impact of missed appointments.
Make sure your service allows for ease of
cancellation or rescheduling, and provide that
information when the patient makes their
appointment.
For more information, check out the Missed
Appointment page on Skyline.
Patients
agree: New
registration
process
works
patients were very satisfied. Of the 101
comments recorded, most were positive
and constructive.
Benefits of community
engagement
Focus groups, which included staff,
physicians, and volunteers, as well as
patients and community representatives,
were held in 2015
to discuss the new
registration process and
hours of operation of the
Blood Work Clinic, and the
best way to communicate
these changes. Products
developed, thanks to
the feedback received,
included posters, flyers,
letters to physician
offices, public service
announcements, and
social media tweets and
posts.
Horizon thanks Blood
Work Clinic’s staff for
their contribution to the
success of this process
- Excerpts from comments received
improvement initiative.
A recent survey
confirms patients
appreciate the new
registration process and
hours of operation of
the Dr. Everett Chalmers
Regional Hospital’s
Blood Work Clinic. The
new process improves
patient flow and reduces
wait times for scheduled
appointments in a lobby
area that had been
congested with patients
waiting for service.
Since April 2015,
Professional Services
within Horizon reduced
the patient processing
time by 25 to 30 minutes,
on average. The patient
processing time is now
about 28 to 32 minutes,
which demonstrates our commitment to
providing patient and family centred care.
“I think your new system
is remarkably faster.
Thanks.”
“I just don’t like having
my blood drawn.
The staff was very
comforting and nice.”
“Keep up the good work.”
“Did you notice an
improvement”?
Patients were recently surveyed to determine
if they are satisfied with the new registration
process and hours of operation. The survey’s
length was kept short, containing only a few
questions to ensure a good response rate.
In a two-week period, from February 1 to 12,
patients completed (or filled out) 761 surveys.
Horizon staff assisted patients in completing
the surveys, which were done on an iPad as
they exited the clinic. Paper copies were also
available.
Respondents were generally satisfied with
the clinic’s services, and 77 per cent noticed
improvements in processing time since
April of last year. The satisfaction rating was
approximately 9 on a scale to 10, indicating
Team members from Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional
Hospital’s Blood Work Clinic and Horizon’s Quality
and Process Improvement and Communications
departments were applauded for their efforts in this
project at a recognition event, which was attended
by Gary Foley, Vice President, Professional Services.
New Concussion
Awareness Kit available
for health care
professionals
The topic of concussions has increasingly
received attention from mainstream media
because of the publicity surrounding high
profile professional athletes and their recent
experiences.
The NB Trauma Program has created a
Concussion Awareness Kit for health care
professionals containing the most evidencebased research on the assessment, treatment
and post-treatment of concussions.
The Concussion
A concussion is a brain injury
Awareness Kit
which can be caused by any
was developed
blow to the head, face or neck,
with the
or a blow to the body which
assistance of a
causes a sudden jarring of
multidisciplinary
the head. According to 2014
team of
data from the NB Trauma
experienced
Registry, the top five causes
health care
of concussion in this province
professionals
are due to:
from New
Brunswick,
Falls
with an interest
Sports related
in providing
Hitting or being struck by
evidence-based
an object
information
on concussion
Motor vehicle collisions
assessment and
Assaults
management.
The content
of this kit includes resources for health care
professionals such as a pocket concussion
guidebook, a post-concussion symptom
checklist and a list of concussion clinics in the
province. The kit also includes resources for
the public such as concussion guidelines for
parents and guidelines for return to play after a
concussion.
It is strongly recommended any person who
may have had a concussion be seen by a
trained health care professional as soon
as possible, regardless of the cause of the
concussion.
Printed copies of the kit have been mailed to
select groups of health care professionals and
the complete kit is available for download, for
free, from the “What’s New” section of the NB
Trauma Program website, NBTrauma.ca.
About the NB Trauma Program
The NB Trauma Program is a formalized
partnership that includes Horizon Health
Network, Vitalité Health Network, Ambulance
New Brunswick and the New Brunswick
Department of Health. It has been created to
provide provincial leadership and coordination
of injury prevention, clinical care, education
and research related to serious and critical
injuries in New Brunswick.
Public campaign to
encourage patients
to use health care
services wisely
At many hospitals, too many patients who feel
mildly ill are visiting emergency rooms while
they should be cared for at a facility and/or by
health care providers in their community.
A new public education campaign hopes to
help our patients make more informed choices
about where to go to receive appropriate health
care for what’s ailing them.
The need for this campaign was sparked by
triage nurses at The Moncton Hospital, and will
begin in early July and possibly implemented
in other emergency rooms and will be possibly
implemented in
the future.
Triage nurses will
inform patients
who triage as
Level 4 or 5 about
appropriate health
care services in
the community. If
the patient agrees,
the nurse will
then make them
an appointment
with their family
physician or at an
after-hours/walkin clinic.
A recent survey
asked almost 300
patients in the waiting area at The Moncton
Hospital’s Emergency Department why they
were visiting.
The survey found most patients:
• Were unaware of how/when to access
primary care in the community;
• Did not have a family doctor but never
heard of Patient Connect NB;
• Did not attempt to contact their family
doctor because they believed they
wouldn’t be seen right away;
• Were unaware of the services provided
by allied health care providers, like
pharmacists and physiotherapists; and
• Were willing to wait even though they
realized their symptoms were not urgent.
Accordingly the campaign will promote
awareness of community health care services,
such as Tele-Care, after-hours /walk-in clinics,
pharmacists and physiotherapists, and Patient
Connect NB.
Ultimately, the campaign hopes to change
behaviours of those who visit emergency
rooms, as well as to encourage better
communication between acute care staff and
community partners.
National conference
will showcase
Horizon’s leadership in
patient care
Horizon Health Network is hosting its
inaugural National Patient and Family
Centred Conference, Experience, Nov. 7 and
8, in Moncton at the Delta Beausejour.
Presentations from international, national
and regional health care leaders and decision
makers will address innovation in patient
and family centred care practices and deliver
presentations highlighting the following
themes:
• Building a Culture of Patient and Family
Centred Care;
• Quality and Safety;
• Patient Engagement Care Decisions and
Family; and
• Patient Experience (Customer Service).
Conference sessions will be offered in
both official languages with the aid of
simultaneous translation services sponsored
by the New Brunswick Department of Health.
Professor Sir Liam Donaldson, an
internationally renowned champion of
patient safety and public health, will give the
keynote address. Sir Donaldson is currently
the Envoy for Patient Safety for the World
Health Organization. Other speakers include
Dr. Ward Flemons, Dr. Joshua Tupper, Liz
Crocker, Michelina Mancuso, Dr. Camille
Haddad, Dawn Haddad, RN, and Vincent
Dumez.
“Conference registration has been open for
two months, and already we have numerous
registrants,” says Margaret Melanson, VP
Quality and Patient Centred Care and Chair
of the Experience Conference Steering
Committee. “We look forward to this
conference fostering thought-provoking
dialogue among leaders and participants,
inspiring us all to move forward in the quest
to provide exceptional care to every person
every day.”
Abstracts for short, or “rapid fire,” and poster
presentations can be submitted via the
Experience Conference website until July 17.
For more information, to review the
biographies of our speakers or to register,
please visit pfccexperience.ca.
Together we can inspire continuous
improvement and lead in providing
exceptional patient centred care.
15
How about those values?
You know the ones I’m talking about.
The ones we are all committed to living in our everyday work tasks to provide
Exceptional Care to Every Person, Every Day.
The ones that have helped us provide support to our team members, our patients and their
families, and everyone that enters a Horizon facility.
Let’s commit to those values as a team – as One Horizon.
18 |
Our Values Commitment Charter
WE SHOW EMPATHY, COMPASSION, AND RESPECT.
We treat others the same way we would like to be treated.
VALUES CO
MMITMENT
CHARTER
Team/Depar
tment Name
WE SHOW
We treat othe
WE STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE.
We work in a manner that reflects our commitment to the delivery of
exceptional customer service and care.
WE ARE ALL LEADERS, YET WE WORK AS A TEAM.
We take responsibility and initiative to support each other in achieving
Horizon’s goals.
EMPATHY,
rs the same
We Will:
Date
COMPASSIO
N, AND RE
ld like
way we wou
WE STRIV
E FOR EXCE
LL
We work in
ENCE.
a manner that
reflects our
We Will:
commitmen
t to the deli
WE ARE AL
We take resp
We Will:
L LEADERS,
onsibility and
very of exce
YET WE W
initiative to
support each
ORK AS A
other in ach
WE ACT WITH INTEGRITY, AND ARE ACCOUNTABLE.
We keep our promises and honour our commitments.
SPECT.
to be treated.
ptional cust
omer service
TEAM.
ieving Horizon
’s goals.
T
O
WE ACT W
ITH INTEGR
ITY, AND AR
We keep our
promises and
E
honor our com
We Will:
mitments.
and care.
ACCOUNTA
BLE.
Va
fol
Ch
the
opp
Please have
each team mem
ber sign this
and post in
Values Com
staff lunch
mitment Cha
or break area
rter that you
s or any plac
have created
e that staff
together
assembles
Cons
follow
REGU
Regula
Daily/W
with sh