connections dec. 2012-jan. 2013

C o n n e c t i o n sLeading the way in compassion and discovery.

December 2012/January 2013 Vol. 10 Issue 8

what’s inside

Ward 13 Milestone

Partnership with Métis Nation

Sisters of Providence Bursaries

Adaptive clothing

Long-Service Award photos

Evacuation exercise at Providence Manor

In the news

Staff United Way Campaign

Person-centred care course

Words of appreciation

Enhancing Quality of Lifefor over 150 years

www.providencecare.caGail Shillington (left in photo), a Providence Care X-ray technician and long-time volunteer with Operation Christmas Child, has been making, collecting and at times even delivering shoeboxes filled with toys to developing countries each holiday season. Recently, she chanced upon a meeting with Paola Justiniano (right in photo), a Bolivian exchange student and aspiring doctor who has come to volunteer at Providence Care. This encounter was a blessing to both their lives as Paola recounts growing up as a child in Bolivia and receiving these shoeboxes filled with toys—the only gifts that she had to call her own. Both Gail and Paola described this fateful meeting as a ‘God moment.’

Living our Mission

Providence Care Connections Dec. 2012/Jan. 2013 Vol. 10 Issue 8

MNO health care workers, including annual certification in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills and Non Violent Crisis Intervention training. MNO clients also receive access to clinical training and mental health expertise through Providence Care’s Telepsychiatry services via videoconferencing.

Allen Prowse, our VP Quality, Partnerships and Community Programs spoke at the 2012 Métis Nation of Ontario General Assembly in August. A portion of his remarks follows:

“For us, this partnership has been an unparalleled learning about the challenges and opportunities of delivering health care to remote and culturally distinct people. Our ongoing relationship is a dialogue of partners, facing shared challenges with a common purpose, a shared commitment and shared enthusiasm to serve the most vulnerable in our community, treating

Providence Care, along with Queen’s University, enjoys a rich partnership with the Métis Nation of Ontario. An agreement between the three expands the Métis Nation of Ontario’s (MNO) mental health resources, training and resource capacity. Under the agreement Providence Care provides training and certification for all

each person with respect, dignity and compassion. As with any partnership there are times when things do not go as planned, but we have always quickly come together to talk, to share, to work, to laugh (which we have done a great deal of), to reflect on what we have given each other and to move forward.

As we move forward, we hope, to identify emerging opportunities together; to enlarge our partnership, addressing broader needs such as those of children, of youth and seniors. Building a renewed partnership with new goals and directions together with the excellent health care staff of the Métis Nation allows us both, to continue to continuously improve the quality and focus of health care and to learn how to do a better job for our rural and remote communities. We are very pleased to be a partner of the Métis, and we look forward to continuing our work together.”

Partnership: Providence Care & Métis Nation

Ward 13 Milestone

Since its inception more than 50 years ago, Ward 13 at our Mental Health Services facility has always been a locked unit with clients needing staff assistance to leave the unit. But the introduction of a new practice has made for a more organic environment where the doors can be unlocked. Staff are no longer managing everyone who enters and exits and clients on the ward are engaging in a new level of independence.

“For us it was clear that the majority of our clients on the Ward didn’t need to be behind locked doors” says Carol Mieras, Program Manager of Adult Treatment and Rehabilitation. “In our move towards more recovery-modeled and person-centred care, everyone - both staff and clients, worked together to make this change happen.”With clear benefits for both clients and staff, the change highlights clients’ ability to be part of their own care by taking on more freedom and responsibility.

“Just knowing the door isn’t locked gives you a feeling of being trusted,” says one

Ward 13 client, with their sentiments echoed by others. “There is less tension and everyone feels equal,” says another client.

Two weeks ago the automatic locking device on the doors was changed to a manual locking mechanism. Part of the new process is a daily clinical evaluation, which ensures that the doors can remain safely unlocked or need to be locked, if necessary. Notifications at the entrances will let visitors know whether they can enter on their own, or if they will need to be let in by a staff member. Clients are still asked to sign in and out of Ward 13 so that

everyone can be accounted for in case of an emergency.

“It’s a philosophy to live by.” commented Theresa Beskers, charge nurse. “Having the door unlocked aligns with our Mission, Vision and Values,” says Carol. “And this has been just one initiative in our commitment to a Recovery Model of care that finds creative opportunities for improvements. I’d like to congratulate our staff and clients for making this change possible.”

- Cathy Clark, Communications Officer


Adaptive Clothing St. Mary’s working group develops process to enhance patients’ quality of lifeEver struggled with small buttons or a difficult zipper? Imagine if you had a loss of fine motor control, muscle weakness, limited range of motion at one or more joints and/or experience pain. Some of our patients on Complex Continuing Care (CCC) experience difficulty dressing and are dependent on staff to dress them. At times, staff have a challenging time dressing a patient who has physical limitations and may require to be dressed while in bed or in a wheelchair.

Adaptive clothing can benefit people of all ages with physical/cognitive limitations that may make dressing difficult. This clothing is designed to improve ease of dressing for both the patient and caregiver. By enhancing comfort, reducing pain, decreasing time required for dressing and maintaining the patient’s dignity and level of self care, adaptive clothing can improve the patient’s quality of life. In addition, this type of clothing may reduce staff workstrain.

One of the goals of the Complex Continuing Care Operational Workplan regarding Patient Care, was to integrate the assessment of the need for adaptive clothing into the admission process. The

Adaptive Clothing Working Group was established. “This working group,” says group lead Leena Altosaar, “brought together staff from different disciplines in an effort to enhance the quality of life of our patients and ensure patient and staff safety.” In their investigations, the group created an information brochure on Adaptive Clothing, which included various options and resources/websites available. A process was developed whereby newly admitted CCC patients/family are provided with an information sheet informing them that they will be assessed for adaptive clothing within one week of admission. The Adaptive Clothing brochure (available from the Providence Care website) is provided to patients / family identified as requiring adaptive clothing. If available, samples of adaptive clothing may be shown to the patient/family. Follow-up is to occur at the initial Family-Team Conference, which is usually held within three weeks of admission. If there are financial concerns, the CCC Social Worker is available to meet with the patient/ family.

Adaptive clothing does not necessarily mean the purchase of expensive, specialized clothing. There are other options available. Buying clothes in a larger size can make

dressing easier as will the purchase of everyday clothing with elastic waists, stretchy fabrics or use of Velcro rather than zippers and buttons. Alternatively, the patients’ existing clothing may be modified by family members/ caregivers who sew.

The work of the Adaptive Clothing Working Group has benefitted our CCC patients and staff. The process developed will be shared with our other programs.

Team members of the Adaptive Clothing Working Group included: Leena Altosaar, Physiotherapist (Group Lead) Tracey Maloney, Program Manager, 2 South and Palliative Care Tracy Pennett, RN, Charge Nurse, 3 South Kelly Ralph, RN, 3 South Kathy Richard, Discharge Planner Patti Tibbutt, RN, Charge Nurse 2South Judy Tse, Occupational Therapist 3South Christine Varey, Social Worker 3 South Cathy Clark, Communications Officer Graphic Design Specialist

Sisters of Providence bursaries awardedOur Founders, the Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul grant two Bursaries meant to show appreciation of the contribution and years of service of Providence Care staff. The Sisters made a five-year commitment for the two bursary awards each year, of $500 each for children of Providence Care staff starting postsecondary education in the field of health care. We are deeply grateful for the generosity of the Sisters in making these awards possible.

Applicants are required to submit an essayof 250 words or less describing why they should be eligible for the bursary, and provide proof of registration at a college or university in a health care program.

Sister Sandra Shannon presented this years’ winners with their bursary awards October 30. Congratulations to Brittany Frink and Devonna Dunkley!

Brittany (upper photo with Sister Sandra Shannon),daughter of Shannon Frink (Clinical Decision Support Analyst at MHS), is a Practical Nursing student at St. Lawrence College.

Devonna (lower photo with Sister Sandra Shannon), daughter of Nancy Montijo (Ward Clerk at St. Mary’s), is a student of the Behavioural Sciences Program at St. Lawrence College.


Congratulations! Long-Service Award recipients


Whether it’s an overheating electrical device, a worn out wire or a stove left unattended – a fire can occur from many unforeseen circumstances. That is why it is extremely important to be aware of your surroundings and know how to respond. At Providence Manor, the Incident Management Planning Committee takes the lead in making sure that the home is safe and that residents, family, staff and volunteers are well-informed of all safety procedures. On November 1, 2012, the Manor’s Incident Management Planning Committee conducted a mock Code Green (evacuation) exercise with the help and support of frontline nursing staff, security personnel, administration, student volunteers and observers from Family Council, Residents Council and the Kingston Fire Department.

Everyone gave their full support to the initiative. Most notable were several residents of Montreal 3 – a third floor wing at Providence Manor – who graciously lent the use of their personal rooms to the exercise. This allowed the mock scenario to be as true to real life as possible.

“When it comes to fires, there have been a lot of things for me over my lifetime,” said Ray F., one of the residents on Montreal 3. “I had the loss of a home and a business from fire. It had serious effects – we lost everything. It sure is very dangerous and thus it is very important to be prepared.”

“You have to know where the doors are and know where to go and respond

Providence Manor demonstrates care and efficiency in “Code Green” emergency evacuation exercise

immediately,” added another resident, Joyce D. “I support this exercise because I want to know that should anything happen, there are procedures in place.”

“My father was a volunteer fireman,” said resident Helen G., who also lives on Montreal 3. “In case of disasters – a serious fire – he had his men practicing every weekend. My favourite picture of him is one where he is in his fireman uniform. I grew up seeing him in action and it taught me the importance of fire safety – to the point that when my husband and I stay at hotels, we always took the time to look at the easiest way out in case of fire.”

The scenario played out as a fire (Code Red) in a resident’s room on Montreal 3 that spreads beyond the area and requires an evacuation (Code Green) of that third-floor wing. Over 20 local high school students from LaSalle Secondary School and two teachers participated in the exercise by acting as residents. They role-played as ambulatory, semi-ambulatory and non-ambulatory residents to allow for the testing of various evacuation methods and devices.

One such device tested were the newly-purchased MEDSLEDS (in photos) – devices designed for moving residents who are unable to walk both horizontally (into adjacent wings) and vertically (down stairs).

“This certainly proved to me how valuable these MEDSLEDS will be should such an emergency actually occur,” said Jordan Pike, Coordinator of Emergency

Management and one of the organizers of the exercise. “One of the best outcomes from the exercise was seeing the timeline involved with an evacuation of this size in a long-term care facility. The observers and I were thoroughly impressed with how quickly the staff worked to get everyone in danger out of the hazard area.”

Exceeding expectations, the nursing staff took just 12 minutes to move all 24 residents out of the area of the mock fire on Montreal 3 – a tremendous achievement.

And in their role as the residents, the students said they were treated with care and professionalism by the staff that attended to them during the mock evacuation scenario. “We thoroughly enjoyed being here and being a part of the team,” said many students following the evacuation exercise.

“My sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who took part in making this exercise such a huge success,” said Brenda Conway, Manager of Emergency Management, Parking & Security Control Centre who led this mock exercise. “Everyone involved worked cohesively and adapted to the situation in a very positive and professional manner. It was a pleasure to work alongside such a great group of people and the insights received for the exercise will surely enhance future responses.”

- Chonglu Huang Communications Officer


Living our Mission: Providence Care local health sector’s largest contributor to United WayProvidence Care held its first centralized workplace campaign for United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington (KFLA) in 2000 and has since tripled its annual fundraising total over the last 12 years. This year’s total is $61,164.50, which surpasses our fundraising goal by over $11,000! “Providence Care is yet again the largest healthcare-based workplace campaign for our United Way,” says John DiPaolo, VP Operations at United Way KFLA. “Through the hard work of their staff who volunteered their time to raise funds on behalf of United Way, Providence Care continues to show leadership and excellence in the area of community giving.”

As a first-time United Way Campaign Lead for our Mental Health Services site, I received tremendous support from our Campaign Chair, Donna Kearney and my teammates, colleagues and mentors across the organization.

For the second year in a row, Donna Kearney took on the task of leading our Staff United Way Campaign and

has had the opportunity to see first-hand the difference that United Way makes in our local communities. “Through my involvement last year, I saw that United Way really reaches a broad range of people in our community who really need help,” said Donna. “So this year, I made a commitment to support United Way even more, because I truly see and believe in the great work that this charity does.”

Providence Manor’s Site Lead Dianne Dutcher says it is a privilege to support the fundraising for United Way. “It is an inspiration to have our staff willingly assist with our United Way events and give so much of their personal time,” added Dianne. “They did an outstanding job!”

This year’s Site Leads for St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital Debbie Smith and Audrey Brown both agree that Providence Care staff stepped forward sooner and gave more generously than ever, despite the hard economic times. “United Way gave me the opportunity to get to know my colleagues at Providence Care,” says Debbie. “I discovered what a great group

of people we have at our organization and participating in the campaign was really fun.”

Brad Ethier, our Manager of General Accounting, and another committed staff member, has been overseeing our United Way Campaign funds for the last five years. “The campaign has become more fun every year,” he says. “There is more excitement around each event from both organizers and participants. The fact that this year we are once again the leading contributor

from the health sector in Kingston demonstrates that our employees not only believe in the United Way statement, but also the Mission of Providence Care.”

This commitment to giving back to the community says so much about the staff at Providence Care, who are truly dedicated to championing our values of respect, dignity, compassion and stewardship.

- Chonglu Huang Communications Officer

Check out the following good news stories in the media recently celebrating Providence Care’s achievements and recognizing our patients/clients/residents and staff:

1 October 2012, Zoomer Magazine, “The 3rd Annual Zoomer List: Canada’s Top 45 Over 45: Dr. Chris Frank.” Our own Dr. Chris Frank, Clinical Director of Specialised Geriatrics at St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital named one of Canada’s Top 45 over 45.

6 November 2012, Kingston This Week, “New patient-centred care receives positive reviews at Providence Care.”

November 2012, Kingston Life, “From memory: Experiences of the Second World War in the Words of its Veterans.” Interview with Veterans living at Providence Manor.

15 November 2012, Frontenac This Week, “Boxes of love help children in Third World countries.” Article relates to Connections cover story on Christmas shoeboxes.

IN THE NEWS

Providence Care Staff United Way Campaign team: (LtoR) Chair, Donna Kearney, Mental Health Services Lead Chonglu Huang, St. Mary’s Co-Lead Debbie Smith, Providence Manor Lead Diane Dutcher, Brad Ethier, St. Mary’s Co-Lead Audrey Brown.

Published by: Providence Care Communications Dept. Deadline for next issue: Jan. 11/13 Editor: Cathy Clark, 613-548-5567, ext. 5995 Send to: [email protected]

WORDS OF APPRECIATION

From a family member of a client of Mental Health Services:

“The staff are so friendly and professional and accessible and ready to talk with me and treat the family so kindly.”

From a family member of a resident of Providence Manor: “I am so impressed every time I visit on the way everyone from the staff on the floor to the OTs and PTs to the hairdressing staff are so concerned about my Mother’s wellbeing.”

From a client of St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital: “I want to acknowledge that staff always go above and beyond standard level of care.”

BUILDING...

HOSPITAL

PROVIDENCE CARE HOSPITAL: Bringing together the programs and services of St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital and Mental Health Services in one new hospital located at 752 King Street West in Kingston.

Get the latest news at:http://providencecareredevelopment.wordpress.com/


In the February 2012 Connections we ran an article on the Enhancing Our Relationships course being offered to staff. The course focuses on person and family centred care. This approach to care is grounded in research that includes input from patients/clients and their family members as well as healthcare professionals. It is an evidence based practice that takes a humanistic approach, recognizing people as leaders of their own care. “It truly is an inter-disciplinary approach that involves all staff at every level. Developing a relationship that allows for collaboration and shared decision making means that we become partners in care,” states Barb Robinson, (Clinical Education Coordinator) co-facilitator for the course with Cathy Lyle (APN- Clinical Nurse Specialist).

Our shift to person and family centred care came about as an intentional plan of action in response to an identified opportunity for improvement based on the 2003 patient and family satisfaction survey for our Complex Continuing Care (CCC) program. Experiential learning sessions for staff were initiated in 2006 and since that time over 150 of our clinical staff have been participants.

The impact of our commitment to person and family centred care is showing up in feedback from patients and their families, as Providence Care currently ranks above the Ontario average in a majority of categories in our recent satisfaction surveys.

“We are committed to serving our patients and clients in a way that demonstrates respect, dignity and compassion. By providing learning opportunities for staff to talk about how to deliver person centred care, we are empowering each other to do more to focus on the needs and experiences of our patients, clients

Person & family centred care: making a difference

and their families.” says Maurio Ruffolo, our Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Executive.

- Cathy Clark Communications Officer

Comments from participants of the Enhancing Our Relationships course:

“Since taking the person focused care course, I believe that I provide better care. I now look at the whole picture. I understand wellness is an individual thing for everyone and I realize we can advise the best course of action, but if the patient cannot live with this it is up to them to decide what works.”

“At Providence Care we pride ourselves on our high quality of care. Our Mission statement reflects our Values. I feel the Enhancing Relationships Course exemplifies our high standards and helps each employee become more open and improves our patient advocacy skills. The course helps us help the patients lead their care,” says a staff member who has taken the Enhancing Relationships Course twice as she “found it so helpful and renewing.” Happy

New Year!

connections dec. 2012-jan. 2013

Documents

agreement providence

mno health care workers

excellent health care

providence manor

milestone partnership

rich partnership

renewed partnership

mental health expertise