The Pulse Five Hills Health Region

February 2010 Volume 17, Issue 1

Message from the Chief Executive Officer—Cheryl Craig

2010—a new year. It has been said that a year is more than a span of time. It is memories made, secrets kept, laughter shared, tears dried and moments warmed by friendship. As the new year begins, we reflect on the past year and look forward to what the new year will bring. Within the Five Hills Health Region community we have realized many accomplishments and experienced ongoing changes this past year. The accomplishments realized reflect the cooperation and collaborations of many employees, physicians, volunteers and departments working together. Some of our accomplishments include: Our response to H1N1; development of an

emergency response plan to H1N1; mass immunization clinics that reached over 30% of our population receiving the vaccine; cooperation of many physicians’ clinics and their staff in supporting the region’s plans.

All the capital projects undertaken within the region in many of our facilities

The patient First Review which required participation of many departments and staff culminating in the release of Commissioner Tony Dagnone’s Report “For Patients’ Sake” released in September 2009.

The Third Annual Radiothon held by the Moose Jaw Health Foundation raising over $200,000 for surgical equipment for MJUH Operating Rooms.

Expansion of Primary Health Care Teams within our Region

Addition of programs to Mental Health & Addictions Services

The Safe Start Program initiative within the Maintenance department

The Colorectal Screening Program sponsored by the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency with Five Hills Health Region being the first region to initiate the screening

Further development and expansion in Information Technology: examples include RIS/PACS, Surgical Information System, Pharmacy Information Program. Releasing Time to Care and further

programs on Pursuing Excellence and application of LEAN.

The initiatives and accomplishments are many and I have highlighted only a few. To each and every employee I extend my sincere than-you for your contributions each and every day in making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

In February 2009 we welcomed eleven new Board members and one returning Board member appointed by the Minister of Health. I extend my sincere appreciation and gratitude for their commitment to serving the residents of our Region and for their guidance and support in assisting me in fulfilling my leadership role as CEO.

The opportunities and challenges of 2010 will call upon all of us to have courage, to work hard, to believe and achieve, to have patience and perseverance, inner strength and gentle hope. Working together we can achieve great things!

“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language and next year’s words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.”

T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding”

It was an unusual year and your support was much appreciated.

For anybody who wishes, H1N1 shots are available at Public Health. Please call for an appointment.

Your efforts contribute to infection control and reduction of influenza rates. Thank you to everyone who got their influenza shots.

Lynn Froehlich and Clara Chaisson

February 2010 Page 2

Occupational Health: Influenza Immunization submitted by Lynn Froehlich, Occupational Health Consultant

All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.

Sir Winston Churchill

The Pulse Page 3

H1N1 Vaccination Program submitted by Grace Hayward, Regional Director, Public Health

December 14, 2009 P.O. Box 845 Regina, SK Editor S4P 3B1 Star Phoenix and Leader Post 204 5th Avenue North Saskatoon SK, S7K 2P1

Dear Editor:

Re: Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Authorities They Got It Right

The Saskatchewan Public Health Association (SPHA) wishes to congratulate the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and the Regional Health Authorities for the very successful delivery of the H1N1 vaccination program. Their ability to inform the public regarding the pH1N1 pandemic was very good, especially in light of the misinformation communi-cated by various media. People attending the clinics commented on how organized, knowledgeable, and friendly the staff and volunteers were. Unlike other jurisdictions across the country, which ran out of vaccines or where people endured 8 hour line-ups, the Ministry and the RHAs delivered the program in a very fair, efficient and organized fashion. As you might be aware, Saskatchewan has been considered exemplary across Canada in the way pH1N1 campaign was handled. Sas-katchewan was the first region to set up its Health Emergency Operations Centres (HEOC)* at the Ministerial level and within all health regions, which brought significant positive results. All members of the health care delivery team have managed to deliver the vaccination program as effectively and cost efficiently a way as possible. Public health programs came together to educate the public and set up effective operating clinics for vaccinations. All public health disciplines were working together for the betterment of the public, nurses who administered the vaccines, public health inspectors who helped in the education of public, nutritionists, dental health workers, and the office support staff who had to prepare the materials, answer phones etc; all helped. People were brought out of retirement to support the vaccination clinics, with others being supported to work outside of their traditional provider areas to also lend an expert and caring hand. Countless hours of dedication and effort happened behind the scenes to make it go right. Yes, there were challenges and they were overcome through diligence and a lot of hard work. Well done. Sincerely, Terry Gibson President, SPHA

I would like to expressed my sincere appreciation to all the Public Health and H1N1 staff for managing excellent, professional and well organized Mass Immunization Clinics

throughout the Five Hills Health Region.

You have heard the statistics. Many Canadians are overweight or obese.

Your children’s eating habits and inactivity are putting them at increased risk for development of chronic diseases such as heart disease. So what can you do about it?

One factor contributing to these statistics is food intake. Often the foods you eat are a result of choices you have made. If you were asked to think about where you make food choices, you probably think of your home first. But food is offered and available in many other places and sometimes food selection can be very limited.

If you are like many people in Saskatchewan, you may spend much of your time at work and in rinks and recreation facilities. What food choices are available there? If your answer is “not very many healthy ones”, we can help.

The Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan have developed a resource entitled “Support Healthy Eating at Work and Play” that will make the healthy choice the easy choice in all areas where food is served. This includes foods available in your community, such as the local rink or recreation facility, and even in your workplace. We believe that a healthy food policy is the key to providing healthy food choices in the community.

What is a healthy food policy? Quite simply, a food policy is a guideline for what food is served in a facility or concession. The benefit of having such a guide is that it is developed with input from a variety of people so everyone’s needs are

met. It remains in effect even when personnel changes, so healthy food choices are always a high priority.

“Support Healthy Eating at Work and Play” includes a section on dealing with opposition, since creating change is not always an easy task. Decreasing unhealthy food and replacing it with better choices may be difficult if it isn’t done properly. The resource also addresses marketing healthy choices using price incentives or promotions. Sometimes we all need a little encouragement to make the healthy food choice.

The resource also provides tools that are necessary to get buy-in from as many people as possible. This includes sample surveys to get input on what foods are currently available, and what food choices clients would like to see offered. Another valuable tool defines a healthy food choice. This tool can be used when requesting bids for contracts for vending machines.

If you would like more information on this resource, or help with the development of a food policy, contact your local public health nutritionist.

Written by the Public Health Nutritionists of Saskatchewan and supported by Public Health Services, Five Hills Health Region

For more information please contact your Public Health Nutritionist at 691-1536.

HEALTHY FOOD CHOICES AT WORK AND PLAY

February 2010 Page 4

The Pulse Page 5

As we step into 2010, I want to wish everyone a year of abundance. Don’t let the chill of January keep you from enjoying every moment of life, for no one knows how long this precious gift will last. This winter, plans are underway to offer another volunteer training course for individuals interesting in working with clients on the Palliative Program. Dates are still not confirmed, but it is expected the course will involve a total of about twenty hours of attendance over five or six weeks. For more information please call Bernie Doepker, Director of Volunteer Services, at 691-6508.

December 10 saw the conclusion of our six week course in palliative care for Special Care Aides. Fifteen people received their certificates after completing eighteen hours of instruction, including an informative visit to Moose Jaw Funeral Home. Evaluations indicate these individuals feel better prepared to care for the dying and more comfortable talking with clients and families during the often challenging journey through illness to death. Congratulations to all; and thank you for understanding the importance of life-long learning.

“ Continued learning promotes continued success ” CASW Bulletin, Aug/09

Palliative Care Update submitted by Sylvia Keall, Palliative Care Coordinator

Back row (from left to right):: Audrey Lizee, Dianne Munroe, Jennifer Zinn, Anne Humphries, Jennifer Belles, Paula Tower, Elaine Rodman, Shannon Korbo.

Front row: Joanne Spriggs, Kari Munroe, Shawna Peterson-Toews, Linda Sauer, Maries Gotana, Sheila Gardner, Sylvia Keall, missing: Debbie Thronberg

February 2010 Page 6