HHR November 10 2015 - The Heartland Health Region

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November 10, 2015
CEO NEWS
Our health region and our province reports regularly on critical incidents that occur in the
system. This type of transparency acknowledges that bad things do happen in the system and that
if we report and study the root causes of such events, we can prevent them from happening
again. Sadly, this week we are hearing about another major adverse event that happened in the
Canadian healthcare system. CBC reported that a "patient underwent unnecessary bilateral
mastectomy. An amended radiological report indicating that there was no cancer present did not
reach the surgeon". On this particular occasion the event occurred in Manitoba.
It is timely to talk about the benefits that technology is bringing to the health system in terms of reducing error and improving
safety. I have had abundant opportunity over the past several years to participate in initiatives to implement and study
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) in the effort to ultimately have an interoperable Electronic Health Record. (EHR)
Essentially the EMR is the system that you would see in a clinic setting where information is inputted to the record from a
diagnostic test or consultation. The EHR is the larger clinical record – chart – where all of the health information from various
sources and providers comes together into one comprehensive picture of the patient’s healthcare experience.
Canada Health Infoway is a national organization that has been leading the charge on the development of the electronic
health record for our national healthcare system. In its lifetime the organization it has commissioned studies on the progress,
benefits and potential pitfalls of the system in
development.
To do this work, extensive
consultations have been held with stakeholders
and users of the systems across Canada and
around the world. This is a snapshot of a table
from one of the studies. It summarizes some of
the benefits that have been described:
Heartland Health is working closely with e-Health
Saskatchewan and others to ensure that Heartland
residents benefit from this emerging use of
technology. The majority of our physicians are
now using EMRs in their offices. With support
from the province we have implemented digital
imaging systems in many of our sites. This week
we were in the news because we have implemented upgraded systems that allow us to analyze lab tests on machines that automatically
and securely upload results and send them to physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and
other providers with a need to know. When providers can receive this kind of
information without the risks associated with transcribing and snail-mailing information,
opportunity for error is reduced.
Change is challenging for many of us, so unfortunately we did receive some worried
reaction from our smaller communities who thought we might be taking some local
capacity away from them. We learned a few things during our discussions with
communities and the media. For one thing we can always communicate better. Health
care providers who understand the benefits of technological improvements can
help us to do that by explaining the benefits and reassuring vulnerable patients.
Kudos to Amanda Pangman and her Information Technology team who are in the
know and keeping Heartland on the cutting edge as our capacity to introduce
technological advancements evolves!
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Page 2
Heartland Health Region Welcomes New Board Members
The Heartland Regional Authority welcomes three new Board members to their meeting on
November 10th. New members Geoff Legge from Rosetown, Carey Baker from Unity and Bernadette
Heintz from Handel attended a Board orientation day on Monday, November 9th. They were
appointed to the Regional Health Authority in early October.
Bernadette Heintz is retired and comes from the Hamlet of Handel. She was
born and raised there. She worked in the Health System for 27 years and
retired in 2010 from Poplar Courts in Wilkie. She was an Activity Worker and
prior to that was a school teacher. She is married to Valentine and together
they have 4 children and 10 grandchildren. In her spare time she volunteers at
Leipzig Serenity Retreat and Bethany. She loves to travel and spend time with
her grandchildren.
Carey Baker is from the community of Unity. He was
born and raised in Denzil but has lived in Unity for 17 years. He works for
the Town of Unity as the Director of Economic Development working with
economic development, land and event planning. He is married to his wife
Kristi and they have two children Emma in grade 7 and Adam in grade 10.
Carey’s interests include volunteering, golf and travel.
Geoff Legge is from Rosetown and he was born
and raised in the community. He is a farmer and
together with his wife Tammy they own and operate Leggoland Farms. He
is also part owner in Legge Holdings which is a custom swabbing
company out of Kindersley. He has three children Reese—9, Cambree—7
and Collins—5 who all keep him running from rink to rink throughout the
winters with hockey. Geoff is currently the president of the Rosetown
Minor
Athletic
Association.
He
also is a Councilor
for the RM of St. Andrews. Geoff was very
involved in the planning group for getting a
new Primary Care Clinic built in Rosetown
and sits on the Physician Recruitment
Committee with the Town of Rosetown.
Geoff loves to spend time with his family at
their cabin at the lake and enjoys running
L-R—CEO Greg Cummings, Carey Baker, Bernadette Heintz, Geoff Legge
and Board Chair Richard Anderson
around after the kids activities.
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Page 3
Heartland Officially Opens New Facility In Biggar
Healthcare workers, patients, families, residents and community members gathered in Biggar on
Friday, October 30th to celebrate the grand opening of the Biggar and District Health Centre, a new
health facility that provides a range of care and services. Minister Responsible for Rural and Remote
Health Greg Ottenbreit and MLA for Biggar Randy Weekes joined in the celebration. The Biggar and
District Health Centre now provides acute, emergency and long-term care services under one roof.
The facility, formerly known as the Biggar Hospital, was renamed the Biggar and District Health Centre
after building an addition to accommodate 54 long-term care beds. The long-term care addition
replaced the Biggar Diamond Lodge Nursing Home. The provincial government contributed $18.3
million toward the Biggar and District Health Centre project which represents 80 per cent of total
project costs. Local funding covered the remaining 20 per cent.
Other dignitaries attending the event were Richard Anderson, Heartland Health Region Board Chair,
CEO Greg Cummings, Biggar Mayor Ray Sadler, MP Kelly Block, Biggar and District Health Services
Foundation
Chair
Gene
Motruk
and
Foundation member Jo Angelopolous.
Picture of ribbon cutting:
Left to right: Kelly Block, Richard Anderson, Ministers Randy
Weekes and Greg Ottenbreit, Resident Lawrence Martichenko,
Gene Motruk, Jo Angelopolous, Ray Sadler and Staci Walker
Below members of
Services Foundation
the
Biggar
and
District
Health
Cake Cutting:
Staci Walker, Ministers Ottenbreit and Weekes and Biggar Staff
member Karen Kammer with resident Shaw Webster who was also
celebrating his 60th
birthday.
For more pictures check out our website www.hrha.sk.ca
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Page 4
New Health Facility in Kerrobert Officially Opened
Over 150 people including Healthcare workers, patients, families, residents and community members
gathered in Kerrobert at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 30th to celebrate the grand opening of the
Kerrobert and District Health Centre, a new integrated health facility that provides a range of care and
services under one roof. Residents of the Kerrobert area will benefit from the new healthcare facility
that provides a variety of high-quality health services. The Government of Saskatchewan contributed
$18.5 million in capital funding which represents 80 per cent of total project costs. Local funding
covered the remaining 20 per cent. The Kerrobert and District Health Centre provides in-patient acute
care, long-term care, diagnostic services and emergency services all under one roof. The scope of care
includes a physician clinic and 38 beds: four for acute care, four for flex care and 30 for long-term
care. Minister Responsible for Rural and Remote Health Greg Ottenbreit and MLA for Kindersley Bill
Boyd joined in a celebration to mark the grand opening event. Other dignitaries attending the event
were Heartland Health Region Board Chair Richard Anderson, CEO Greg Cummings, Kerrobert Mayor
Erhard Poggemiller and Kerrobert, Luseland and District Wellness Foundation Chair Stew Seversen.
Picture of ribbon cutting:
Left to right: Stew Seversen, Erhard Poggemiller, Ministers Bill Boyd and
Greg Ottenbreit, Resident Esmond Alcock, Helen Busch, Kelley Kembel
and Richard Anderson
Cake Cutting:
Kelley Kembel and Resident Lena Rechenmacher
Kerrobert Staff at the grand opening event
For more pictures check out our website www.hrha.sk.ca
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Page 5
2015-16 Influenza Staff Immunization Clinics
DATE
TIME
FACILITY
Kindersley & District Health Centre
Rosetown and District Health Centre
Unity and District Health Centre
Nov 30th
8:00am – 4:00pm
November 12
2 pm to 4 pm
November 20th
November 26th
December 14th
10:00am – 12noon
8:00am – 10:00 am
8:00am – 12noon
Staff may also attend any public clinic at their convenience – Please identify
yourself as a Heartland Health Region Employee
Staff Influenza Immunization 2015
What you need when you go to get your flu shot?
Prior to attending a public or staff clinic, fill out your staff consent tracking form – where do you get
this? From your Manager or your local public health nurse. You can also get it off Sharepoint.
https://qs.sharepoint.hrha.hin.sk.ca/communications/Immunize%20or%20Mask%20Information/
Forms/AllItems.aspx
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If you attend a public clinic please identify to the volunteer that you are a staff member working and
they will accommodate you to get your immunization as quickly as you can.
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If you receive your immunization from a pharmacy, physicians clinic or within another health region
ensure that you request proof of immunization. It will be a card.
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Make sure you have your employee/gateway number which is also located on your
work record A beside your name. It goes on your consent form for tracking purposed and is very important!
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You will also need your hospitalization number.
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Where can I get more information?
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For additional information on influenza, visit www.hrha.sk.ca or check out the flu bug on the
Heartland Health Region Sharepoint Site.
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Page 6
In 2014, Saskatchewan introduced an Influenza Immunize or Mask policy requiring all employees either to be
immunized against influenza or to wear a mask in patient, resident and client care areas during flu season.
Given case law developments in British Columbia, and most recently in Ontario, regarding similar immunization
policies, we are reviewing whether we need to adjust our policy.
In the interim, Heartland’s Immunize or Mask policy has been updated for the 2015-16 influenza season. While
staff and physicians are not required to immunize or mask, we still believe it’s the right thing to do. We are
strongly encouraging staff and physicians to choose to do one or the other.

We know how serious influenza can be, especially for the most vulnerable patients, residents and clients in
our health facilities. Vaccination continues to be the best way we can protect everyone from this illness.

As health providers, we have a responsibility to protect ourselves and those we serve, and to do whatever it
takes to limit the spread of illness. The public relies on us not only to put our patients, residents and clients first
but also to be professional and compassionate in our care.

We strongly encourage all staff and physicians to be vaccinated before influenza season starts on November 30, which Saskatchewan’s Chief Medical Health Officer has declared as the first day of influenza season.
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Staff and physicians can also be vaccinated at many staff or public clinics throughout the Region.
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Immunized staff and physicians will not be required to put a sticker on their ID badge.

Individuals who have a medical reason not be vaccinated are asked to voluntarily wear a procedure mask
when providing direct patient care during peak influenza transmission season.

We also ask that during influenza season, visitors to all our healthcare facilities get vaccinated or wear a
mask, follow hand hygiene and cough etiquette or, if they are ill or just recovering, refrain from visiting.

Patient, resident, client and staff safety is the Region’s foremost concern. Saskatchewan’s Medical Health
Officers and all health region leaders believe that getting vaccinated, wearing a mask, hand hygiene and
cough etiquette are ways we can lower the risk of influenza transmission.
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Page 7
Balancing Work, Family and Fun Research shows that people are increasingly
struggling to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
This is especially true for those who are juggling
work and family commitments, whether these include
caring for children or the elderly. While we might not
always be able to take time for ourselves as we
balance out our own needs with those of our family
and our jobs, we need to learn to live in or 'enjoy the
moment' and ensure we include fun in the balancing
equation.
While we might not always be able to take time for ourselves as we balance out our own
needs with those of our family and our jobs, we need to learn to live in or 'enjoy the moment'
and ensure we include fun in the balancing equation.
Tips and Tools
Finding ways to better balance your life with more fun and relaxation will help make you a
more effective employee, parent, caregiver and friend. Here are some tips to help you get
started:
Fun
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Never underestimate the importance of fun. Fun
helps reduce stress, increases our life
satisfaction and can bring us closer to our
families.
Try to really focus on your family when you are
with them, instead of being distracted by
thoughts of work.
Having fun can actually generate the energy we need to take on life's challenges.
When we have fun, we are more relaxed, feel better about ourselves and are mentally
prepared to give back to our family and work.
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Page 8
Balancing Work, Family and Fun Play
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When we re-learn our "play skills", we tap into the
creative part of our personality. This capacity to
express ourselves can help in all parts of our lives.
Play can include anything we do for enjoyment,
including solitary activities, those that involve family
or friends, or a combination of both.
Think about ways you can play: reading, watching
movies, playing games or sports or keeping up with
hobbies.
Come up with new ways to play. Explore new interests or develop new skills.
The more we play, the easier it becomes to make fun out of many things that might ordinarily
seem boring.
Finding Ways to Have Family Fun
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When we make time for family fun, it helps to make
up for the times when we are rushed and perhaps a
little impatient.
Think of it as having a 'bank of good times'. When
problematic issues arise, you have a store of fun times
to balance difficulties against.
Family fun doesn't have to take a lot of time.
One mother became tired of hearing her child answer
"nothing" to her daily "what did you do today?"
question and asked her children to tell her a story
instead. Children often look forward to telling stories it gives them the opportunity to weave fantasy with facts about their day. Children's stories are
often funny and can get the whole family laughing.
A short family fun period like this can help parents shake off their business day and begin to focus
on their family.
https://www.workhealthlife.com/Article/Read/Balancing%20Work%20Family%20And%20Fun
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Page 9
Rosetown Health Centre Holds Annual
Pumpkin Carving Contest
1st place entry was Payroll, 2nd place entry was lab, 3rd place entry was hospital admin and
4th place entry was Home Care
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