A publication for Staff and Physicians of IH
Dr. Halpenny talks about our organization as he sees it from his day-to-day perspective.
Engagement Survey takes place June 2015. Tell us: does your supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about you as a person?
QIPS Unit Leader Program puts patients at the heart of quality improvement projects.
IH’s involvement in the Mount Polley Mine Tailings Pond Breach.
Unique team effort develops most effective care plan for familiar faces to Kelowna’s ED, helping patients and staff.
Managing the advanced stages of dementia are just one of the many behavioural challenges facing residential care workers across IH.
Communities can make all the difference in building a woman’s confidence and comfort with breastfeeding.
Using Interior Health land to grow food reaps benefits for all.
Dana Thomas’s story about how the Breathe Well team has helped make life better for a Penticton patient.
Shining a spotlight on the many communities that make up where we live, work, and play.
Snapshots of our staff in action over the last month. IH springs to action in response to the Mount Polley Mine Tailings Pond Breach. Story p. 8. The @InteriorHealth magazine is a monthly publication created by the Communications Department of Interior Health. Past issues of @InteriorHealth can be found on our website under About Us/Media Centre/Publications & Newsletters. If you have story ideas for future issues, please e-mail: IHAcommunications@interiorhealth.ca Deadline for submissions to the November 2014 @InteriorHealth magazine is October 13. Editors: Amanda Fisher, Breanna Pickett Designers: Breanna Pickett, Kara Visinski, Tracy Watson IH Communications Contributors: Lisa Braman, Lesley Coates, Susan Duncan, Patrick Gall, Karl Hardt, Megan Kavanagh, Erin Toews, Tracy Watson
I
n my summer @IH message from the CEO, I mentioned heading out on the road with our Board Chair Norman Embree to visit sites in the Kootenay Boundary region. It’s time to share with you my tales from the road – then, and on through September. Dr. Halpenny, left, and Dr. Rob Coetzee were among several hundred people who celebrated the 100th anniversary of medical care in Alexis Creek on Sept. 13.
At Interior Health, we want to set new standards of excellence in the delivery of health services in B.C. and to also promote healthy lifestyles and provide needed health services in a timely, caring, and efficient manner. To achieve this, we are guided by the following strategic goals: Goal 1 Improve Health and Wellness
Goal 2 Deliver High Quality Care Goal 3 Ensure Sustainable Health Care by Improving Innovation, Productivity, and Efficiency Goal 4 Cultivate an Engaged Workforce and Healthy Workplace
The articles featured in the @IH newsletter are great examples of how we’re achieving our goals … and realizing our vision and mission.
Over three days in mid-July, we toured Arrow Lakes Hospital in Nakusp, Slocan Community Health Centre in New Denver, Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson, Castlegar and District Community Health Centre, Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital in Trail, and Boundary Hospital in Grand Forks. During each visit we met with staff, physicians, elected officials, foundations, and auxiliaries. Early in the trip, we were delighted to discover a stowaway in our vehicle – Flat Stanley, IH’s Engagement Apprentice! He was a fun travel companion and he has posted photos from our trip to his Facebook photo album: Adventures of Flat Stanley. Unfortunately, the highway was closed to Kaslo and we were unable to reach the Victorian Community Health Centre during our tour. This was an important visit for me, so I made another trip before the end of summer. The community of Kaslo recently attracted two physicians and I was able to discuss opportunities to maintain the stability of services and to further support the health needs of the residents and the community.
these trips – we typically meet with the same groups in each community because they are key partners in delivering health services to our patients, clients, and residents, and it is essential that we keep in touch. The East Kootenay trip was timed so that I could also participate in the Long Term Service Awards in Cranbrook. On Sept. 9, 28 recipients were recognized including individuals who have provided 25, 30, and 35 years of service. Look for a feature in @IH later this year on all of our award recipients. In mid-September, I headed northwest to attend celebrations recognizing 100 years of health-care service in Alexis Creek. In 1914, the Alexis Creek hospital first opened its doors, which have remained open in one form or another for the past century. It was a beautiful day for a celebration and I enjoyed meeting many members of the community. On September 22 and 23, I attended the annual Union of BC Municipalities Convention. In addition to meeting with local and regional governments from across our region, I also participated in a panel on Improving Health for Remote and Rural Communities. This discussion was an opportunity for mayors to provide input on access to health care for rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
And now, we’re officially into fall and preparing for the typically busy winter season. As we all go about our work, I would like everyone to be aware of a new initiative launching this month – the In early September, we were on the road IH Quality Awards developed by the again; this time in the East Kootenay Quality, Risk, and Accreditation team. region. Over two days we visited East Across IH, there are health-care Kootenay Regional Hospital in Cranbrook, professionals engaged in improving the Creston Valley Hospital, Sparwood Health quality of care we provide, and these Centre, and Elk Valley Hospital in Fernie, awards offer a way to recognize these and also met with locally elected officials. people. I hope you will nominate someone who has impressed you with their You have probably noticed a pattern during dedication to quality.
I
n June 2015, Interior Health employees will be asked to complete an Employee Engagement Survey. This survey, made up of 12 questions (Q12), is presented by the Gallup organization. These questions have consistently been found to measure the aspects of employee engagement that link to improved patient and organizational outcomes.
So, in preparing for the 2015 IH Employee Engagement Survey, we want to know what each Gallup Q12 question means to you, and how it relates to your level of employee engagement. Last month’s question focused on recognition at work and we asked readers to comment on the following engagement survey question: In the last seven days, I have received recognition or praise for doing good work. Here’s what we heard:
“
“When I’m given recognition it just makes me feel
good! It makes me feel appreciated and confirms the work I do is valued.” ~ Sherri Lampman
“
“... Great relationships are fostered by positive environments. A culture of recognition breeds an optimistic and confident
workplace where employees want to be at work and want to continue to do great work!” ~ Christiana Stevens
For the month of October, let’s discuss the Gallup question: My supervisor, or someone at work, seems to care about me as a person.
According to Gallup, research indicates that caring can be translated into the phrase, “Caring means setting each person up for success.” A productive workplace is one in which people feel safe – safe enough to experiment, to challenge, to share information, to support each other, and in which team members are prepared to give the manager and the organization the “benefit of the doubt.” None of this can happen if team members do not feel cared about. Relationships are the glue that holds great workplaces together.
Christiana Stevens (L), Corporate Director, Transformation, Innovation & Change, knows the smallest form of recognition – even just a thank you – goes a long way. Here, Christiana recognizes Sherri Lampman, Administrative Assistant, Transformation, Innovation & Change.
With that in mind, tell us your thoughts. Do you feel cared about at work? If so, how? If not, why not? Think about how you will answer this question in June 2015 when you are asked to take the Engagement Survey. Please send your feedback to YourOpinionsCount and we’ll share excerpts in the next @IH. As always, the complete list of responses is posted on the Engagement web page, where you’ll also find more information on Engagement.
Patient STORY
Ohbaby! Putting patients at the heart of quality improvement projects
A
t nearly 30 pounds, and with a healthy, rosy glow, you’d never guess today that 18-monthold Blade Riley came into this world 11 weeks premature and weighing just three pounds 12 ounces. He spent two months in Royal Inland Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), his parents Beverly Van der Weide and Bruce Riley vigilantly at his side while he continued growing and developing. Those were stressful days, recalls Beverly, and never more so than when Blade became agitated or restless. His breathing would hitch in discomfort and an alarm would go off, causing a certain amount of alarm in his mom and dad, too. Especially when they discovered that the discomfort was avoidable – it tended to happen only when the room got especially noisy.
RN Lisa MacMain recognized that limiting the external stimuli around Blade and the rest of the premature or sick neonates made a difference in their progress. The patient at the heart of this story inspired her to make NICU noise reduction her project in RIH’s Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (QIPS) Unit Leader Program. Beginning in April 2013, a cohort of front-line nursing staff spent a year planning, leading, and implementing a quality improvement project on their units at RIH. The results, says Naomi Erickson, went beyond what anyone expected. “Our front-line leaders know best where improvements in our system are needed – because they are the ones who work most closely with the patients who use that very system,” says Naomi, interim QIPS Manager for IH West. “It was empowering for our front-line leaders to create solutions where they saw improvements needed.”
“There were times when the NICU was busy, and voices could get quite loud, the different machines were noisy,” says Beverly. “Blade would get The impressive projects Little Blade Riley during his time in the RIH NICU. restless. The way he moved completed by QIPs unit leaders around, you could tell he was uncomfortable when it reached nearly every corner of RIH. For example, work got noisy, and the breathing monitor alarm would go off. by Leanne Kaay, Charlene Steacy, and Diana Hauser It always seemed to give him little setbacks. resulted in significant improvements in sepsis care in the Emergency Department, with substantial increases in the “You don’t want to see your baby like that, all fidgety administration of critical antibiotics within 60 minutes of and looking upset.” triage. On 5 North, Tanya Uyeda worked to streamline
Left: Beverly Van der Weide’s son Blade Riley saw improvement in his progress after RN Lisa MacMain (R) implemented tools such as the "Quiet Please" sign on his isolette.
Below: The first cohort of nurses who participated in RIH’s inaugural QIPS Unit Leader Program.
medication discrepancies by developing a sticker “flag” for medical charts. Work headed up by Amanda Brown at Hillside Psychiatric Centre led to developments of meaningful activities to ground and calm patients with dementia. Lisa’s noise reduction project included investigating the controllable sources of noise within the RIH NICU and implementing changes to limit the negative impact those noises may have on the neonatal population. Her goal: to reduce noise pollution to less than 70 decibels (excluding babies crying). She created “Quiet Zone” posters and bed-side reminder cards that neonates are vulnerable to noise. The unit also installed a noise detector by the nurses’ station and a delayed-closing device on a door so that it closed more slowly to prevent accidental slamming. Specialized baby ear muffs were ordered for occasions when noise in the unit was unavoidable, and teaching handouts were developed for both staff and families. “I did see a difference in staff and visitors and families, and the noise they made,” says Lisa. “It was quieter, which can only be good for the babies.” The RIH QIPS Unit Leader program is now in its final evaluations. A second cohort will begin in January 2015, with participation that has stretched beyond nursing to include many allied health partners. It is hopeful that eventually the program will be rolled out at sites across Interior Health. Lisa says she’s sure others would benefit from participating in the program. “It was a great experience,” she says. “I learned about the process that comes with change – how to do it effectively and efficiently. And how to assess if what we’re doing is getting the desired outcomes. It was great to brainstorm with people about the quality of service we provide.”
The Mount Polley Mine Tailings Pond Breach changed the landscape of the region.
I
t is common for the general public to equate Interior Health with hospital care – provided by doctors and nurses. But what can sometimes be overlooked, is IH’s branch of Health Protection – the dedicated employees whose work is critical to the health and safety of the human population. Nowhere was Health Protection’s work more important recently than in Likely, B.C., northeast of Williams Lake. Hundreds, if not thousands, of staff hours were dedicated to helping the residents of that region after the Mount Polley Mine Tailings Pond Breach on Aug. 4. The crisis began with a 4 a.m. phone call – the tailings pond at the mine had breached, resulting in 10.5 million
media (i.e., our Facebook, Twitter, and public website). Our response to the disaster in Likely required more than just phone calls from the office. HP technicians were stationed at the Cariboo Regional District Emergency Operations Centre, and members of the IH team travelled to Likely itself on numerous occasions so they could better respond to media and public requests, liaise with multiple stakeholders in the area, conduct human health risk assessments, and analyze data as it became available. At one point, the incident had staff briefing high-ranking elected officials – only moments after flying into the community – and then attending a live, nationally televised media conference in front of hundreds of emotional
Medical Health Officer Dr. Trevor Corneil (at the far left at the table) was among those who participated in a live, nationally televised press conference in front of hundreds of emotional Likely residents.
cubic metres of water and 4.5 million cubic metres of tailings (fine sand) being released into Polley Lake, Hazeltine Creek, and Quesnel Lake. The flow of debris destroyed what was once a two-metre-wide creek and turned it into a 50-metre-wide and six-metre-deep trench that ran into Quesnel Lake. Recognizing that there was the potential of risk to public health due to the contaminants, the Health Protection (HP) team kicked into high gear. A “Do Not Use” water advisory was quickly implemented (and still remains in the original impact zone) while information was sought to fully assess the potential health risks to area residents. Over the days that followed, an IH team of HP technicians, medical health officers (MHOs), and Communications staff consulted with their colleagues at the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, Emergency Management B.C., Cariboo Regional District, First Nations Health Authority, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations. They put plans in place to mitigate the incident impacts, and shared those with the public through news outlets and social
residents. Those IH staff on the ground during the incident couldn’t help but be affected by the knowledge that the decisions they were making would impact a large number of people. “This was one of those challenging situations where we had to separate the physiological health risks from the spiritual, emotional, and mental health concerns that residents have after an environmental incident such as this,” says Dr. Trevor Corneil, the MHO who sat alongside Premier Christy Clark and others during the national media conference. The Mount Polley breach was like nothing the Health Protection team has seen before, and Roger Parsonage, Regional Director, was pleased to see how his team pulled together under trying and high-profile circumstances. “I am proud of the work of the Health Protection Team,” says Roger. “Although the initial response phase is over, staff will be monitoring this situation for years to come to ensure the environmental health risks to the public are fully examined and understood.”
B
ess is a familiar face in Kelowna General Hospital’s Emergency Department. She has mental health issues, is alcohol-dependent, and is also showing signs of early dementia.
Health Clinic supervisor; tertiary mental health; and others as needed.
What emerges from the joint sessions is a detailed health profile of the patient, including insight from the community “Bess” comes in almost weekly, complaining of pain. She clinicians who have regular contact with many of these is a complex patient for busy ED staff because of her many patients. health issues, none of which are usually urgent but still requiring support. The care plans are intended to inform staff of challenges with the patient, suggest best treatment options, and This ED patient is among a large number of mental health enable continuity in care between emergency, acute, patients within Interior Health who frequent their local psychiatry, and community mental health and substance hospital Emergency Department even though their care use services. Additional notes such as warnings about what needs would be better served somewhere else in the health might trigger negative or violent behaviour are added to system. the plan as proposed by a team member who knows the patient. The Ministry of Health requires hospitals across the province to develop Emergency Department care plans Other takeaways from the meetings are follow-up for complicated and regular users of the ED. strategies for additional supports to help direct the patient away from the ED. What may be the first of its kind in B.C., however, is a joint approach between acute, tertiary, and community staff in Discussion at the meeting is compassionate, respectful, Kelowna to fill in the care plan template together when the and informative as individual client care plans are put on patient in question has a mental health issue. an overhead screen so everyone at the table can ensure the correct language is used and the plan is relevant to the “This started from one manager saying to another, ‘let’s nurses and physicians who will take direction from it. get together,’ ” says MHSU Manager Sandra Robertson, reflecting back on a phone call last December from KGH “ER nurses are so appreciative they have a tool to guide ED Manager Loreen Toth. them when challenging patients come in,” says the ER triage nurse at the meeting. “These complex care plans That conversation led to the development of a working are really making a difference for them.” group that meets every two weeks to review patients identified as familiar faces to KGH’s ED. In regards to Bess, Sandra proposes her community team take ownership of the file and go to Bess’s home to see The group includes Community Integration’s MHSU whether supports can be provided for Bess’s caregiver, manager and team leaders; the manager, educator, and who tends to call the ambulance too readily. staff from triage and psychiatric beds in the KGH ED; hospital inpatient psychiatry nurses; the Outreach Urban “This one is a work in progress,” Sandra admits, noting
Members of the Complex Care Team from acute, tertiary, and community meet every two weeks to review patients identified as familiar faces to Kelowna General Hospital’s ED and update their ED care plans together.
the complexities associated with Bess’s mental health conditions and her housing situation. “We may have to surrender that she will be a familiar face in the ED,” agrees Loreen.
The group’s review of a homeless, drug-addicted client in a highly psychotic state prompts active conversation when mental health clinicians propose that the care plan recommend ED staff admit him to the psychiatric ward at his next visit.
But that is not the case with the majority of the 80 patients “This poor guy is a wreck,” agrees Loreen, but she who have been identified as familiar faces. Statistics from wonders whether hospitalization is the right use of the 28 complex care plans drawn up by the group show resources. positive results from the collaborative efforts. “If you want him out of the ER, we need to have him long At least 78 per cent of the patients with complex care enough to stabilize him so we can determine the extent of plans are coming to the ED less often. In fact, the majority his psychosis,” says a psychiatric nurse. of days between visits are 56 days – a remarkable improvement, the group agrees. In the end, they conclude that while it may not make sense in the short term to use the hospital to keep him clean for Equally important for all the clinicians is the most assessment, it will benefit the system in the long term appropriate care for the clients who need much more than when the right treatments are put in place. a quick check up from ED nurses and physicians whose mandate is to provide emergent care, not social supports Sandra and Loreen say the past 10 months of collaborative or counselling. meetings have improved the continuity of care by identifying services that are missing for a patient – those “We are excited about these collaborative care plans being the supports needed to keep the patient out of the because they are also living documents,” says Sandra. hospital. “We keep them updated as patient presentations change. They are also uploaded into Meditech, so ED staff at any “Hopefully, this work will be duplicated by teams across hospital will be able to see what approach will work best Interior Health because it really is effective,” adds for these individuals who are often transient.” Sandra.
Janice is a regional knowledge coordinator who supports employees at our residential facilities in their work with the ever increasing number of residents requiring intensive attention. She took on this role in 2012 when Interior Health piloted the regional knowledge coordinator position in response to the wave of individuals coming into residential facilities with advanced dementia. Her work specializing in behavioural consultation has been a great success and was made permanent this past April. “Individuals entering residential care facilities have far more complex physical, mental, and behavioural issues than ever before and are living longer. The Baby Boomers are aging and the associated behavioural challenges that accompany the advanced stages of this devastating illness are extremely challenging,” Janice explains. Her personal and career experience, together with her passion to educate and empower others in the field of long term care, is what attracted her to the knowledge coordinator job. Janice spent most her professional career in the fields of mental health and education. In her previous position, she was a nurse clinician with the Seniors Mental Health Team based in Salmon Arm. Janice’s regional knowledge coordinator services are provided on a referral basis. If a facility is dealing with a complex behavioural issue and requires additional support, they will call her to discuss whether or not they should complete a Behavioural Referral Form. “Residential staff members do phenomenal work,” says Janice. “However, methods of intervention that used to be successful are no longer successful; so, when staff reach out for assistance, I incorporate my skillset in combination with the information from the Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) algorithm.”
“
Once the referral form is complete, Janice begins planning a course of action, which always begins with a PIECES (Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Capabilities, Environment, Social) assessment.
Licensed Practical Nurse Mathew Schielke with Janice Vance at Vernon Jubilee Hospital.
Most residential employees are trained in PIECES and BPSD. However, they will reach out to Janice when a higher level of expertise is required. She also helps employees research the care history and potential mental health records of the resident, which can yield important information as to factors influencing a resident’s behaviour. Most of her work is done over the phone or by email. Yet, there are many situations where Janice will need to go on site to see the resident’s environment, meet the staff face-to-face, and assist with care planning using the Behavioural Support Plan; a plan she develops with the care team in order to deal with complex cases. She is adamant that a caring approach and consistency are keys to the successful management of complex behaviours. Janice also delivers formal and informal education that is geared to the front-line residential staff. Her presentations are typically under an hour and she is a popular speaker – people relate to her plain talk and humour. Janice feels privileged to work with the employees she believes are the “unsung heroes in health care,” and she hopes to continue to build capacity and support staff for many years to come.
“
F
inding the best way to care for people coping with dementia is a challenge dear to the heart of Janice Vance, whose own mother lived with the devastating illness for 13 years.
I have had the pleasure of working with Janice. She comes equipped with experience, humour, and solutions for teams in very difficult situations. Janice’s real-life experiences allow her to listen and move teams past the sticking points or barriers to safe and meaningful care.
~ Karen Littleton, Clinical Services Manager – Brookhaven Care Centre
C
an you imagine what it would be like to feel you needed to find a private place to eat every time you were hungry? It may sound strange to most of us, but this is the reality for many breastfeeding women and their babies.
A successful partnership with the United Way’s Success by Six program, Make Children First, and public health staff resulted in a map that highlights places in Kamloops that are family friendly and where mothers are welcome to breastfeed their babies.
The World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and continuing it, with the introduction of solid food, for two years or beyond. The health benefits for both baby and mother are extensive. Breast milk provides infants with unique nutritional and health benefits, such as antibodies and reduced risk for developing asthma, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, and becoming obese in later life.
In the Okanagan, UBCO nursing students and public health nurses in Kelowna developed a community poster and label/sticker to help local businesses spread the word about being breastfeeding friendly. Penticton public health nurses also partnered with community stakeholders, including breastfeeding mothers and business leaders to form the Okanagan Breastfeeding Coalition. The Coalition’s website contains all the information businesses need to become breastfeeding friendly, including a checklist, a sample policy, and brochures.
For the mother, breastfeeding helps the body recover from the stresses of pregnancy, labour, and delivery; and the risk of developing breast cancer is also reduced. Despite these benefits, many women are not breastfeeding their babies for the recommended duration. Discomfort with breastfeeding in public plays a significant role in discontinuing. “Communities can make all the difference in building a woman’s confidence and comfort with breastfeeding by becoming breastfeeding friendly,” says Meggie Ross, Public Health Nurse. “A breastfeeding friendly community is one where families feel welcomed and supported to breastfeed anytime, anywhere.”
This is just a snapshot of what is happening to support breastfeeding friendly communities in IH. To stay up to date and to learn more about how you can help advance quality breastfeeding practices, consider joining the Breastfeeding Community of Practice (CoP). The CoP is open to any health-care provider with an interest in breastfeeding. It provides a forum for collaboration, inspiration, learning, resource sharing, and clinical tool development. You can find the CoP TeamSite by searching for “Breastfeeding” on the InsideNet. To join, contact Jessica Campbell.
Interior Health public health nurses and their community partners have worked together to support communities across IH to become breastfeeding friendly. Much of the work that has been done is readily available to help others increase the number of breastfeeding friendly communities in IH. In the Boundary area, peer mentors from the Baby’s Best Chance program and a public health nurse visited businesses throughout the area to share the benefits of becoming breastfeeding friendly. Businesses that agreed to participate put a sticker in their window to identify their support. Articles appeared in the local papers describing the initiative and discussing the importance of supporting breastfeeding families.
A breastfeeding friendly soccer field in Kamloops makes it easy for the deVries family to spend time together. Photo credit: Photographer April Mazzelli. Kamloops Breastfeeding Matters, Make Children First.
T
he peapods are hanging heavily from the stems. The lettuce is ready for harvest. Children are happily watering their plants. Is this someone’s backyard garden?
Surprise! This garden is located on the grounds of the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre in Merritt – the first community garden on a health centre site open to the public in Interior Health. It was approved by the Nicola Valley Health Care Endowment Foundation board, which owns the property around the health centre and saw the potential benefits of using the grounds to support the wider community. The Nicola Valley Community Garden Society was formed to oversee the project. Twenty-seven raised garden beds, a shed, picnic table, and water taps are enclosed by fencing and a locked gate just off the hospital entrance. Seventeen gardeners are registered in this second year – some are experienced gardeners and others are young families who want their children to learn to grow organic food. Each gardener pays a $10 registration fee, a $10 damage fee, and a $5 membership to the society.
“
“
“The garden is a huge success, not only because the gardens are thriving, but also because of the strong sense of community the project has created,” says Katharine Shewchuk, Community Garden Society Chair. ”It has increased awareness of this beneficial use of public space and has received tremendous support and donations from the community.”
It’s wonderful to see this productive use of the land and how community
groups have come together in support of this project.
News Horizons for Seniors provided $18,000 in funding for building supplies and wages for a garden coordinator. The new infrastructure came at no cost to the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre. The community has benefited from workshops on seed saving, intensive square foot gardening, and yoga in the garden sessions. The hospital has benefited from the community garden, too. Plant Services / Facilities Management employees no longer have to cut the clover until the fall because it attracts bees, which are desired by the gardeners. The colourful gardens also look great. “It’s wonderful to see this productive use of the land and how community groups have come together in support of this project. The garden area is beautiful and it enhances the hospital site,” says Berni Easson, Health Services Administrator, Thompson Cariboo Rural. While there are therapeutic gardens for patients and residents on Interior Health property, having community groups use Interior Health property to grow food is just starting to catch on. The May Bennett Wellness Centre in Kelowna is a potential site for next year. A Terms of Reference for the Use of Interior Health Sites for the Purpose of Food Security or Agriculture provides guidance on the process for this type of project.
“It really would be fabulous for Interior Health to lead by example,” says Jill Worboys, Registered Dietitian and Community Nutritionist. “We suggest that schools and other public spaces be used for community gardens; why not IH land?” The key to success is matching a motivated and capable community group with a suitable IH site. For more information on the Terms of Reference for the Use of Interior Health Sites for the Purpose of Food Security or Agriculture, please contact Jill.
Above right: The vacant land surrounding the health centre before. Above centre: Tending to her garden plot at the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre is a favourite past-time for community gardener Diane Lavoie. Below right: Yvonne Lord, Community Garden Coordinator, picks peas at the Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre garden.
A submission by: Dana Thomas, Respiratory Therapist, Breathe Well COPD Program
O
ne of the best parts of my job is the feeling that our team in Penticton has really made a difference in someone’s life. That’s how I feel about Bill, a patient I first met a year ago through the Breathe Well program. As a Respiratory Therapist (RT), the patients that I see in Breathe Well have complex Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and are most at risk for emergency department and hospital admissions. My goal, and that of my Allied Health co-workers, is to help patients manage their disease by removing barriers and changing behaviours, so they can decrease hospital utilization and manage their illness in the community. When I first met Bill in September 2013, he was not managing his COPD and had become more and more isolated as his disease progressed. He was persuaded to try Breathe Well, and it became apparent that his needs required the help of many health-care disciplines – that included Jill Chisholm, Occupational Therapist; Laura Kuypers, Breathe Well Physiotherapist; Lori Crockett and Tanya Wilkinson, Rehabilitation Assistants; Sue Dumontet, Social
Worker; Rhonda Croft, Long Term Care Nurse; and me as the RT. Bill faced many challenges – he had no family to turn to for support, very few friends, low financial means, and very severe COPD that was forcing him to stay in his one-room apartment 24/7. Bill had to climb stairs to reach his residence, and had few furnishings inside; an old recliner that caused him pressure sores was his only seat. He also had anxiety, a limited ability to obtain food and necessities due to his severe shortness of breath, and he was struggling with quitting smoking. He really felt that he was a lost cause and that nothing would improve his situation.
Dana Thomas, Breathe Well Respiratory Therapist, visits Bill each week to check on his progress self-managing his COPD.
Over the next several months, the Breathe Well team worked to help Bill address his challenges, so he could focus on developing self-management skills for his COPD. I began working with him to quit smoking and self-manage his COPD. His medications were optimized, and Jill located a free, gently used power recliner to replace his “chair from hell,” as Bill referred to it. Laura created a home exercise walking program in his apartment hallways, and obtained a donated four-wheeled walker and bathroom safety
Members of the Penticton Breathe Well Team, (L-R) Lori Crockett, Rehabilitation Assistant; Dana Thomas, Respiratory Therapist; Sue Dumontet, Social Worker; and Jill Chisholm, Occupational Therapist.
equipment. Sue helped to address his anxiety with regular visits, and Rhonda organized home support for bath assistance and personal care. Bill improved, but by October 2013 we could see that he was not able to successfully cope with activities of daily living. When he would have COPD flare ups, he was not able to make himself meals, or dress himself. He was emotional and distressed about his future. Rhonda was determined to find an assisted living spot for him and, in November 2013, Bill moved into Chestnut Place, complete with donations of bedding, clothing, and furnishings from compassionate health centre staff. He commented that he had never lived in a place so nice. Jill and Laura even located a free power chair for Bill, to increase his mobility and independence. Today, Bill is an independent man who enjoys the company of others, explores his neighbourhood, has confidence, goes shopping, is smoke free, problem solves, and is very much involved in his life and health. Bill says he now has a network of people that he can contact to assist him or answer a question. He can understand his COPD and realizes how it affects his life. The Breathe Well program has allowed us the time and resources to spend with a patient like Bill. Case management is a crucial element for most of these patients as they need a constant and consistent person to advocate for them and connect them to the resources and people they need. With Bill, and most of my other severe COPD patients, it is always a group effort, working closely with other health-care professionals to best meet all their needs. Bill is a prime example of how people can live well with COPD if they have the means and support to do so. I’m proud of the work we have done to support Bill on his journey.
Cranbrook
Our Community
At a glance Population: Approx. 18,500 Health Services: East Kootenay Regional Hospital, FW Green Memorial Home, and other community and residential services. Economy: Tourism, forestry, railway, transportation, and manufacturing.
It is exciting that a diverse group of stakeholders in Cranbrook have begun work on a poverty reduction strategy for that city to improve health outcomes. The group includes the City of Cranbrook, Ministry of Children and Families, Interior Health, School District No. 5, the United Way, the Salvation Army, and many others. The Cranbrook farmers’ market operated every Saturday all summer and so did a weekly event called Summer Sounds, which is live music and dancing. These are great ways to increase health with the availability of healthy food, physical activity, inclusion, and engagement.
Lifestyle
The largest community in the Kootenays, Cranbrook boasts more sunshine hours than any other city in B.C. Cranbrook has a secure economic base comprised of mining, forestry, transportation, and tourism.
In our own words...
“I love the outdoors and the activities here are limitless – camping, fishing, hunting, kayaking, skiing, hiking, biking; you name it! There is plenty of sunshine even in the winter. The people are friendly and Cranbrook seems to be just the right size. There are great schools with excellent extracurricular activities.” ~ Alison Lepine – Respiratory Therapist
Mount Assiniboine Submitted by: Benjamin Rhebergen Jewel Lake Submitted by: Dan Slattery
Kamloops Submitted by: Connie Audet
Golden Submitted by: Chelsea Palumbo
Where We Live & Work ... A Spotlight on Our Communities Our employees regularly share photos of the spectacular scenery that surrounds them wherever they are in the IH region. Majestic mountain ranges, pristine pine-fringed lakes, blossom-filled orchards, abundant vineyards, and thick forests alive with wildlife are just some of the beautiful things that make up these places we call home. Covering over 215,000 square kilometres, Interior Health is diverse in nature and composed of vibrant urban centres and unique rural communities. This @IH feature shines a spotlight on many of these places ‌ and perhaps will entice you to add them to your travel wish list. This month we feature photos near Edgewater, Kamloops, Golden, and Greenwood.
Submit your photos of the beautiful places that make up IH: InsideNetWebmaster@interiorhealth.ca
snapshots from the region ... A fundraising effort for the United Way earned Interior Health an award for the fastest growing campaign. The achievement was announced in front of about 600 people at the Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way’s campaign kick-off breakfast in Kamloops. Aboriginal Health team members Judy Sturm (L) and Joan Guido, who helped lead the IH West United Way campaign in 2013, accepted the Quantum Leap Award.
Lynda Foley, Workshop Lead, and Carol Laberge, Team Lead, facilitated a five-day Rapid Process Improvement workshop with KGH Histology lab staff. The purpose of this lean work was to improve flow of patient specimens and turnaround time for test results. The team was busy working away, when IH’s Engagement Apprentice, Flat Stanley, popped in to say hello! Pictured here are (L-R): Lynda Foley, Tria Lewis, Nadine Ruda (with Flat Stanley), Cathy Fitzpatrick, Bill Stinson, Diane Turner, Todd Murphy, Renee Caillier, and Carol Laberge.
(L-R) Carla Mantie, Ruth Johnson, and Penny Liao-lussier were among Interior Health employees in attendance during the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Collaborative Spread and Sustainability Congress on Sept. 29/30 in Kelowna. The Congress brought together approximately 260 professionals from an array of backgrounds, as well as families and youth. Improved communication, access to resources, and care provider education are just some of the changes underway through the work of the Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Collaborative. Interior Health is a partner in the initiative, which is funded by Doctors of BC and the provincial government through the Shared Care Committee.
On Aug. 23, dozens of families and a lot of cute babies gathered outside the Elk Valley Hospital. They all had one thing in common – a birthday in 2013. Staff volunteered their time and members of the obstetrics team joined the birthday celebration, which included a picnic. The Elk Valley obstetrics program serves about 15,000 patients. Last year, more than 100 babies were delivered at Elk Valley Hospital.
Employees at Royal Inland Hospital were challenged on their knowledge about sepsis prevention with this clever Jeopardy-style game created by Cindy O’Brien of the IH West Quality Improvement team (middle) and clinical practice educators (L-R) Nancy Garrett-Petts, Michelle Watson, Sherri Morrish, and Andrea Burrows. The game was created to raise awareness of World Sepsis Day on Sept. 13.
A memorial walk for World Suicide Prevention Day drew more than 100 participants on Sept. 10 in Merritt. The event was organized by the community’s Suicide Prevention Committee, which includes representatives from Interior Health, Ministry of Children and Family Development, Nicola Valley Family Therapy, ASK Wellness, School District No. 58, RCMP, Scw'exmx Child and Family Services, and representatives from the local First Nations bands. IH Mental Health clinician Mary Ramsey (L) holds the banner with Andrea Shintah-Sterling from Scw'exmx, MJ Berezan of Nicola Valley Family Therapy, and Doreen Jules, also from Scw’exmx.