North East LHIN presentation
Kristen Taus, outreach officer for Sudbury and Manitoulin for the North East Local Health Integration Network (NE LHIN), and NE LHIN board member Rick Cooper started April’s Manitoulin Health Care (MHC) board meeting with a presentation on the NE LHIN and its role.
They reviewed the LHIN’s mandate, its role and responsibilities and the one regional health care plan as well as the integrated health service plan.
CEO report
MHC CEO Derek Graham delivered his April report at the MHC board meeting last month. He began by welcoming Vanda Cooper to the position of quality lead.
“Vanda brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this portfolio and we look forward to her contributions,” said Mr. Graham.
“The new information technology (IT) equipment that was purchased under the Small Hospital Innovation IT funding has arrived and is being deployed,” Mr. Graham continued. “The first priority was the laptop stations on wheels for clinical areas. Also the patient care clinical documentation is live. Congratulations to everyone involved for making this a reality. This is a very important step in the growing of our shared regional electronic patient records.”
He also noted that a purchase order had been issued for new infusion pumps for both the Little Current and Mindemoya hospital sites. “It may take some time for delivery to occur due to licencing of the new generation pumps by Health Canada.”
“A recent consultant’s report on Meditech Pharmacy’s optimization across the North-East highlighted MHC’s deployment as being a success story for other small sites to follow,” he continued. “And approval has been given from the capital branch of the ministry (of Health and Long Term Care) to take the Manitoulin Central (Mindemoya) Family Health Team construction project to tender. This represents a major milestone for this effort.”
He also discussed the installation of the new way-finding and room identification signage that has been completed at both hospital sites. “The product is receiving positive feedback from stakeholders,” he added.
“Planning for a mock disaster in early May is underway,” explained Mr. Graham. “Also, staff surveys for safety and worklife have been distributed and are being completed.”
Mr. Graham concluded his report by discussing the Ontario budget and advocacy efforts underway through the OHA to communicate with the government and the need for small hospital inflationary adjustments.
Chief of Nursing report
Chief of Nursing Mary Lynn Wright reported to the board that preparation for accreditation in June is continuing and the hospital has a mock code day planned for May.
“The quality and integration lead started this week and she will be leading many of the quality initiatives we have underway and working with our partnership groups,” explained Ms. Wright. “As well, the pharmacy and therapeutics committee met recently and have developed a policy and process for antibiotic stewardship, formalizing the structure to monitor antibiotic use.”
Under the patient care section of her report, Ms. Wright noted that the electronic charting on the inpatient units has gone live.
“Staff are adjusting well to the new method of documentation,” she added. “Thanks to Vicky and Heather for their leadership in this project and to the staff for their flexibility and acceptance of the program.”
“The ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) course was held this week with 10 nurses completing the course,” Ms. Wright continued. “Also, the Northern Ontario Palliative pain and symptom management consultant has attended interagency meetings at MHC to support local initiatives. She works for VON (Victoria Order of Nurses) and Maison Vale Hospice acting as a regional resource to providers. She is sharing her newsletters on updates and education with our staff.”
“The CCAC (Community Care Access Centre) held their annual meeting at MHC with a meet and greet luncheon,” explained Ms. Wright. “This was well attended by Island partner representatives. Our integrated position was announced, this position has been enabled due to the efforts of MHC creating an understanding of gaps in home care on Manitoulin and the need for better communication and integration throughout all Island communities.”
Chief of Staff Report
MHC Chief of Staff Dr. Stephen Cooper began his report noting that Dr. Quackenbush and Dr. Renwick have both been away providing health care in Nicaragua for two weeks.
“In their absence, Dr. Mirka and I are covering OBS (office based surgery) while they are away,” he said.
“The third year NOSM (Northern Ontario School of Medicine) students have finished their term,” Dr. Cooper continued. “We held a final farewell dinner for them to conclude their time with us. They had good things to say about the support they received working on Manitoulin.”
He also discussed how Dr. Jeffery, Dr. Bedard, Dr. McRae, Dr. Wilson and himself attended Northern Constellations, a NOSM event for clinical teachers in Thunder Bay.
“I have finished my HSM-sponsored leadership course,” Dr. Cooper reported to the board. “We had a good finial session with physician leaders from our region (including Dr. Willet, the new assistant dean of faculty affairs at NOSM).”
He also noted that he had the opportunity to meet with policy and regional staff at the LHIN to discuss physician engagement projects.
MHC auxiliary
Based on the MHC auxiliary report, the board carried a motion to elect Dave Sylvester as the auxiliary president. Other new positions noted in the auxiliary minutes were vice president Bard Allard-Baker, Marilee Hore as treasurer, Sue Lafreniere as secretary, Barbara Lawrence as in memoriam committee chair, Laila Kiviaho as publicity committee chair, Caitlin Young as goodwill committee chair, Leona Sylvester, membership committee chair, Dave Sylvester as board liaison, June McConnell as tuck cart/showcase committee chair, Marilee Hore as HELPP lottery committee chair, Caitlin Young as Facebook committee chair and Dave Sylvester as coin box committee chair.
