Vol. 4, Num. 4 - Horizon Health Network

Vol. 4, Num. 4
Horizon Board
W. David Ferguson,
Board Chair,
Fredericton
Linda Aitken,
Upper Kingsclear
Mike Coster,
Miramichi
Jo-Ann Fellows,
Fredericton
Linda G. Forestell,
Saint John
Dr. Erik Klein,
Hampton
Michael McCoombs,
Miramichi
John McKay,
Miramichi
Kathleen McMullen,
Sackville
Jane Mitton-MacLean,
Moncton
Luigi Rocca,
Moncton
Roxanne Sappier,
Tobique First Nation
Mary Schryer,
Quispamsis
Kay Simonds,
Woodstock
André Veniot,
Moncton
3
Smoke Free Still Going
Strong
4
NB Heart Centre celebrates
25th Symposium
5
Newborn Symposium
recognizes Saint John in
national study
Putting Patients First:
Horizon’s New Family
Presence Policy
6
Horizon hospital experience
survey results surpass 2013
benchmark
Jessica Sargent wins national
award from Dietitians of
Canada
7
Intrepid 2015 – Live Nuclear
Exercise
Lauza Saulnier named
President Elect for the
CSHP
8
Flu Season
is here
9
Healthy Living Over
the Holidays – It Is
Possible!
Dear staff and physicians,
As 2015 nears an end, I’d like to take
this opportunity to thank each of you
for helping our organization improve
the health care we provide to New
Brunswickers.
This was a big year for Horizon. We released
our five year strategic plan and we’re now
moving forward on the four priorities
it identified. As you may recall, our first
priority was to embed a patient and family
focused environment. We will continue
to do that. Our patients and families are
noticing your commitment to providing
exceptional care; and they are very
thankful.
Our second priority was to better use
our resources and create five Centres
of Expertise within Horizon. We have
already begun working on the first Centre
of Expertise, focusing on Aging and
Eldercare. New Brunswick’s population
is aging quickly - we need to urgently
address the issues surrounding eldercare.
With the winter months now upon us,
we’ll be seeing more and more seniors
in our hospital beds. These seniors need
a different kind of care; they deserve to
be better cared for in a more suitable
way. By placing a concentrated focus
on Aging and Eldercare, and by working
with our partners, we hope to find a more
appropriate solution for looking after our
seniors. I believe Horizon can be leaders in
this field.
Our third strategic priority is to reallocate
resources into our community while
enhancing tertiary care. This is an area
that needs a lot of work, but we are only
in year one of a five year plan. We can’t
expect change overnight, regardless of
how anxious we may be to start. In the
coming months we will be engaging our
employees, medical staff and communities
on how best to serve our population,
both urban and rural. We want to provide
better care for people living with chronic
conditions who don’t necessarily need to
receive their care in a hospital setting.
Horizon has, however, made great strides
with our fourth priority,
which is to work with
our partners to provide
better care for all New
Brunswickers. This
fall we were involved
with two conferences
dealing with ALC
(alternate level of care)
John McGarry,
President and CEO
patients. These aren’t
just forums to discuss
the problems. We’re really working hard
with our partners to find solutions. We are
looking at immediate and long-lasting
implications on our system. We look
forward to working with these people and
many more, as we take steps in 2016 to
improve the care that we provide to New
Brunswickers.
Once again, and most important, thank
you for the work you do, each and
every day. I see staff every day fulfilling
our mission and vision. Together we
are helping people be healthy; we are
providing exceptional care, to every
person, every day. I encourage you to
enjoy the holiday season with your friends
and family, and I offer you my sincere
wishes for a very happy new year. Thank
you for making Horizon a great place and
2015 a great year.
Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
John McGarry,
President and CEO
Follow @JohnCEOHorizon
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Connects Vol. 4, Num. 4
Butting out at the launch
party. From left: John
McGarry, President & CEO;
Brenda Kinney, Executive
Director; Tina Ramsay,
Executive Assistant; Dean
Jones, Nutrition and Food
Services; Dr. Rob Stevenson,
Cardiologist; Kerrie Luck,
project Manager; Jean
Daigle, Vice President
Community, and Margaret
Melanson, Vice President
Quality and Patient
Centred Care.
Smoke Free Still Going Strong
It’s been almost three months since the Saint John Regional
Hospital (SJRH) went “smoke free” as part of Horizon’s ‘Smoke Free
Environment Policy’ implementation, and the results are very
positive.
Four months prior to the launch, a baseline was taken to
determine how many cigarettes were being smoked at the
hospital’s two main entrances. The SJRH grounds crew swept a
predetermined area in both locations, which did not include the
designated smoking area. A total of 1,592 cigarette butts were
counted.
Five weeks after implementation the same areas were swept,
resulting in only 60 cigarette butts – a 96 per cent reduction!
“People are definitely butting out,” says Kerrie Luck, project
manager for the implementation at the hospital. “This speaks
to the great job that our security personnel and managers
are doing to reinforce the policy, and to staff for embracing
this positive change. A reduction in cigarette butts equals less
exposure to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke as people
enter and exit the hospital.”
Smoking cessation and nicotine withdrawal management
support for employees has also been met with overwhelming
success. To date, over 250 SJRH employees have accessed
support through the Employee Health and Wellness
Department. Our patients continue to be offered nicotine
replacement therapy to help manage any nicotine withdrawal
symptoms while in hospital. Resources are also available if
patients are interested in smoking cessation.
The same support will be offered to other facility employees to
coincide with their facility smoke-free launches over the next 12
months, which will continue in stages to ensure resources and
supports are developed and in place.
Congratulations SJRH on a job well done!
If you have any questions about the smoke free initiative please
contact [email protected], or call 506-6487552. More information is also available on www.HorizonNB.ca.
Positive feedback
from the public
Janine Doucet
Administrative Director, NB Heart Centre
SJRH and NB Heart Centre employees are further
supporting the above initiative by performing
health walks around the property. The most
heartwarming words of encouragement came
from a young father who came up to give us a
“high-five”. He said that what we were doing
was great. He was entering the hospital to get
his wife and newborn baby daughter. He said
that “because of this effort, the first breath of air
that my newborn baby daughter will breathe
outside the hospital doors will be fresh and
smoke free”.
The air we breathe when entering, exiting and
walking around the premises is much cleaner
and many members of the public, patients and
employees are deeply appreciative.
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3
NB Heart Centre celebrates 25th Symposium
Judy Melanson
Manager, Cardiac Cath and Electrophysiology Labs
Coordinator, NB Heart Centre Annual Cardiovascular Symposium
by the Canadian Cardiovascular Society and the College
of Family Physicians of Canada in awarding continuing
medical education credits. The program is also endorsed
by the Canadian Society of Echocardiography.
The New Brunswick Heart Centre celebrated a milestone
It was our pleasure to have the Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien,
this year as it presented the 25th annual cardiovascular
Canada’s 20th Prime Minister, as the guest speaker for the
symposium from September 17th to the 19th. The
Friday evening Gala. He engaged
event was started to fulfill
the audience with reminiscence
the commitment made
of growing up in a large family
by the NB Heart Centre to
in Quebec and reflections on his
professional education and
life as Prime Minster of Canada.
has seen significant growth
Also at the Friday evening gala,
and support over the years.
Dr. David Marr was presented
The first symposium held in
with the NB Heart Centre’s Wall
conjunction with the opening
of Honor award in recognition
of the NB Heart Centre in 1991
of his significant contribution in
was a one day affair. There were
establishing the NB Heart Centre
52 attendees and six sponsors.
and for his support over the past
This year, the three day event
25 years in moving the heart
drew over 400 participants and
centre forward.
18 sponsors. It has grown from
a local event to an event that
This event would not be
attracts physicians and allied
possible without support of our
Rt. Hon. Jean Chrétien
health care professionals from
partners throughout Horizon
across Atlantic Canada and
and Vitalité who, among other
beyond. This year our attendees registered from Alberta
things, participate on our planning committees, prepare
through to Newfoundland and points in-between.
the graphic art for our print materials, assist us in choosing
Dr. David Bewick has chaired the event since its inception.
He relates that “The annual symposium has become a
forum for clinicians and health care personnel to enhance
their knowledge in the field of cardiovascular medicine
(and that the event is)recognized throughout Canada as
providing a timely comprehensive review, with emphasis
on clinically relevant subjects”. The program is sanctioned
the menus, prepare our food, deliver our sponsor exhibits,
and keep our environment clean throughout the event.
Planning for the 2016 symposium, September 15 through
the 17, has already begun.
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Newborn Symposium
recognizes Saint John
in national study
The Department of Pediatrics at the Saint John Regional
Hospital recently held its fourth annual Newborn
Symposium. The symposium brings experts from around
the world to share the advancements in the field of
neonatal ICU care.
From March 2013 to April 2015, the neonatal ICU has
been participating in an international program, new
to Canada, called FICARE: Family Integrated Care. The
project is part of a national research project studying the
impacts of parent involvement in neonatal health. This
year’s symposium highlight was the presence of parents
of premature babies talking about their experience as a
member of the neonatal team in the FICARE program.
The conference attracted 147 clinical professionals from
across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The FICARE
program is now the standard level of care provided at the
SJRH neonatal ICU.
The FICARE program incorporates parents into the day
to day care of theirs babies while in the NICU. Fiacre has
successfully showed better outcomes such as increasing
the rate of babies’ growth and breastfeeding while
decreasing infant infection and length of stay at the
hospital.
From left: Jason Pollari and his 21 month old daughter Grace,
with Amanda Richard and her son Liam, 22 months. Grayce
was just two pounds at birth, arriving 10 weeks early, while
Liam arrived two months prior to his due date. Grayce and
Liam’s parents participated in the FICARE study at the same
time in the SJRH neonatal ICU and got a chance to reconnect
at the Newborn Symposium.
Putting Patients First:
Horizon’s New Family Presence Policy
Margaret Melanson
VP Quality & Patient Centred Care
A new Family Presence Policy will be implemented
across Horizon in early 2016. The Policy allows Horizon
to be more flexible, compassionate and accommodating
to respond to the diverse and individual needs and
preferences of each patient. Close family members or
partners-in-care are essential members of the health care
team and will be welcome 24 hours a day, while other
visitors will be encouraged to respect designated quiet
hours.
Staff, patients and family members were provided
valuable insight in the development of the policy.
Horizon’s approach to family presence follows the trend in
many jurisdictions across North America with many of our
own programs and patient care units already on board.
The Family Presence Policy will be fundamental in
ensuring we deliver improved patient and family
centred care in our hospitals. As we move
forward, stay tuned for further updates on
www.HorizonNB.ca.
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Horizon hospital experience survey
results surpass 2013 benchmark
Results from Horizon Health Network’s third Hospital
Experience Survey continue to show improvements
over the benchmarks made in the 2013 New Brunswick
Health Council (NBHC) survey in 12 of 13 patient care
dimensions. The May 2015 results remain similar to the
two previous Horizon experience surveys, which include
feedback from medical and surgical patients.
Overall, the cumulative results from all three Horizon
surveys surpass those benchmarked in the 2013 NBHC
survey. Areas that have shown the largest improvement
include hospital safety, responsiveness of care,
discharge information and pain control. The one area for
improvement that we continue to work on is the length
of time waiting for an inpatient room.
“These results provide us with invaluable insight from
our patients,” said Margaret Melanson, Vice President
Quality and Patient Centred Care at Horizon. “By better
understanding our patients’ experiences, we can focus our
attention on specific areas that require improvement. Our
goal is to continually improve patient and family centred
care and these surveys provide an excellent platform to
measure our progress.”
In May 2015, more than 2,300 surveys were given to
patients at discharge. From those distributed surveys,
1,131 surveys were returned, representing an overall
47.4 per cent return rate. The survey measures care
experiences provided during a patient’s hospital stay,
from admission to discharge. To be consistent with the
NBHC methodology, only results of the medical and
surgical populations, who are 18 years of age or older are
reported. The patient populations of pediatrics, obstetrics,
rehabilitation and mental health were also surveyed.
The results of these patient populations are analyzed
separately.
“Horizon remains committed to listening to patients and
making improvements based on their feedback,” said John
McGarry, President and CEO of Horizon. “We are happy
to see improvements in the results and acknowledge we
have more work to do to improve care experiences.”
The NBCH will be completing its next acute care survey
in early 2016. Horizon will be using this data to evaluate
improvements in 2016 and will resume their Hospital
Experience Survey in January 2017.
Results of the May survey are available online at
www.HorizonNB.ca.
HORIZON HOT SPOT
Jessica Sargent wins national
award from Dietitians of Canada
Jessica Sargent, dietitian with Public Health in Miramichi, was recognized with a
national award by the Dietitians of Canada. She received a Member Recognition
Award to recognize her volunteerism, expertise and achievements to field of
dietetics. She is a visionary and excels at empowering communities to become
the best they can be. Jessica has represented Dietitians of Canada on the New
Brunswick Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Coalition and co-chairs the New
Brunswick Dietitians in Action group.
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HORIZON HOT SPOT
Lauza Saulnier named
President Elect for the CSHP
Lauza Saulnier, Regional Director Quality and
Patient Safety Services, was recently elected
as President Elect and Vision Liaison for the
Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists
(CSHP) 2015-2018. Lauza began her career
after she obtained a Bachelor of Science in
Pharmacy from Dalhousie University, but
her involvement with CSHP started while
completing her post graduate training as a
pharmacy resident.
Lauza has been an active member of CSHP
for over 25 years and has held several
volunteer positions with CSHP including
president of the NB Branch, delegate on
CSHP Council (NB Branch) and past chair of
the Canadian Pharmacy Residency Board.
Lauza is looking forward to beginning her
three-year term on the CSHP Executive
Committee.
Intrepid 2015 – Live Nuclear Exercise
Sharf Chowdhury
Emergency Management Coordinator
On November 17, Horizon participated in a live
emergency exercise involving the Point Lepreau Nuclear
Generating Station. This two-day live exercise was called
‘Intrepid 2015’. The purpose was to test the integrated
nuclear emergency response plan between NB Power,
Government of NB, Federal Government and partners
with the goal of strengthening collective preparedness
and ensuring a timely effective response to a nuclear
emergency.
Over 300 Horizon community and hospital staff in the
Saint John area have important duties in the response
to a nuclear emergency; Public Health, Extra-Mural
Program, and Addictions and Mental Health staff assist
with the care and support of people going through the
decontamination process and at the
evacuee reception centres. Hospital staff
are trained in the decontamination and
treatment of casualties from a nuclear
emergency.
After over a year of planning and
preparation Horizon participants were
ready for Intrepid, the largest emergency
exercise ever held in New Brunswick. The
exercise scenarios included a worker from
Point Lepreau arriving at the Saint John
Saint John Regional Hospital Emergency
Department staff in their Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) gear ready
to take part in Intrepid 2015.
Regional Hospital with simulated injuries and radiological
contamination as well as a simulated mass evacuation of a
20 kilometer radius of Point Lepreau. To add to the realism,
more than 150 residents in the Point Lepreau area actually
evacuated to reception centres as part of the exercise.
During the exercise an Emergency Operations Centre was
established at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Its role
was to centralize decision making by managing resources
and real-time information flow between partners within
the province and nationally.
Dennis Doherty, Chief Emergency Management Officer,
said “The exercise was a great success and it once again
demonstrated the commitment of Horizon staff to be
prepared for any emergency that may affect care”. ‘After
Action Reviews’ of the exercise are now ongoing and
any lessons learned will be used to enhance the current
response plans.
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Flu Season is here
Marilyn Babineau
Manager of Employee Health and Wellness
Flu season is the time of year when the flu virus is most
common. Flu season usually begins when cold weather
appears. In New Brunswick our flu season usually occurs
January through March.
What are the symptoms of the flu?
The flu usually starts with a headache, chills and cough.
This is quickly followed by fever, loss of appetite, muscle
aches and fatigue, runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes
and sore throat. Young children often experience nausea,
vomiting and diarrhea. For most, the flu symptoms last 7
to 10 days, however some people will develop complications such as pneumonia. Seasonal flu results in approximately 12,000 hospitalizations and on average 3,500
deaths in Canada each year.
Who is most at risk?
Children and adults with chronic medical conditions,
those greater than 65 years of age, residents of nursing
homes along with healthy children and pregnant woman
are those who are at the highest risk.
How to avoid getting the flu
Vaccination is the most effective protection everyone over
6 months should get the vaccine. The influenza vaccine is
a safe and effective way to help you and your family stay
healthy and prevent illness. We need to be vaccinated
every year since each year the flu virus changes. This year’s
vaccine has four different flu strains based on research
that is done to determine which type of flu virus will
cause the most illness in the upcoming flu season.
In addition to getting the flu vaccine, you can help stop
the spread of the flu by:
• Washing your hands regularly. The flu virus can
spread by direct contact, such as sharing drinks, or
through indirect contact, such as when an infected
coworker sneezes on her hands and touches an
object like the lunchroom microwave door. The
influenza virus can live for up to 8 hours on surfaces.
During flu season, everyone should wash their hands
frequently to reduce the risk of transmitting germs to
others. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• When you sneeze or cough, cover your nose and
mouth with a tissue (not your hands), and be sure
to throw the tissue away immediately. You can also
cough into your sleeve if you do not have a tissue
handy. Hand sanitizers can also help. Try to avoid
touching your eyes, nose, or mouth to keep germs
away.
• Staying home when you are ill.
• Keeping common surface areas, such as doorknobs,
light switches, and keyboards, clean and disinfected.
• Eating healthy foods and staying physically
active will keep your immune system
strong.
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Connects Vol. 4, Num. 4
9
Healthy Living Over the Holidays – It is Possible!
Jessica McIntyre
Registered Dietitian
Holidays are a time to enjoy family, friends and food.
Meals over the holidays tend to be large, buffet-style, and
include multiple helpings. Sweets and treats tend to be
plentiful at holiday events and gatherings. With holiday
gatherings starting as early as November, it is important
to be mindful of healthy living over the holidays.
•
Watch out for party foods. Common party foods
such as cheeses, snack crackers, bacon wrapped
scallops, spring rolls, etc. are typically high in
calories and fat. It is easy to eat more than you
really need. Instead, choose the vegetables and
fruit, with one or two indulgences.
Research shows North-Americans gain on average,
approximately one to two pounds during the holiday
season. While the weight gain is not always dramatic,
research shows it tends to stick, and accumulate over
the years. Post-holiday weight loss can be difficult; it is
better to avoid weight gain through mindful eating in
moderation, and by using a few simple strategies over the
holidays.
•
Enjoy a small taste of dessert. Don’t try to deprive
yourself of all indulgences! When tempted by a
variety of rich desserts try a few small pieces of
different choices, or share a larger piece.
•
Be mindful of portion sizes. At any time of the year
it is often not what you eat, but how much that
can lead to overindulgence. Refer to Canada’s Food
Guide for a guide to serving sizes.
•
Stay active - let the holiday spirit move you! Don’t
let holiday events and gatherings replace exercise
on your calendar. Aim for at least 150 minutes of
moderate to vigorous activity per week. Regular
exercise helps to compensate for some overindulgence, and can also help you cope with
holiday stress.
•
Get your sleep. Don’t let a full social-calendar
interfere with a good night’s sleep. Lack of sleep
can increase stress and your ability to resist
overindulging.
The following tips can help you and your family make
healthy choices over the holidays.
•
Eat breakfast every day. Eating a well-balanced
breakfast can decrease the amount of food you
eat later in the day. Prevention of overeating at
an evening party can start in the morning. Try a
bowl of high fibre cereal (at least 4 grams fibre per
serving), with skim milk and a piece of fruit.
•
Avoid skipping meals. Do not try to compensate
during the day if you know you might over-indulge
at an event in the evening. Not eating throughout
the day can lead to overeating later in the day.
Be sure to have small nutritious snacks and meals
during the day.