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Issue 36
Winter 2012 Happy Holidays...
A Newsletter for the Staff of the MHA
SEASONS GREETINGS FROM THE MHA As Mike Mazza said:
“Health care is always undergoing change and we need to constantly adapt, but we should also reflect on the many positive aspects of our lives.” With Mike’s retirement, the Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) is transitioning its leadership. Mike brought vision and direction to the MHA. He oversaw many projects including the SMGH Emergency Ambulatory Care Project, CT scanner, PACS, electronic patient record, total joint replacement orthopedic program, Diabetes Education Centre, and the creation of the Middlesex Hospital Alliance, to name just a few. The Board of Directors has secured the services of Amrop Knightsbridge, an executive search firm, to assist with the recruitment of a new President and CEO. We all realize a new CEO will bring change, but change can revitalize an organization! In the meantime, the MHA continues to move forward. The Strategic Plan has been refreshed, continuing to focus on core services and centres of achievement, along with an increased focus on quality and safety indicators. These initiatives will guide us to effectively serve our communities until 2015 and beyond. The new Health Services Funding Reform initiatives have provided new challenges, and we are working to understand the funding impacts and management of quality based procedures. We need to celebrate and congratulate front line staff, managers and physicians for the successes realized through completion of several LEAN projects. Many process improvements have resulted in improved quality, safety and reduced costs. In the midst of this busy holiday season, we send our best wishes of peace, love and happiness to you and your families. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Dr. Jon Dreyer Chief of Staff FCHS
Dr. Paul Ferner Chief of Staff SMGH
Nancy Maltby Chief Operating Officer MHA
Paul Long Chief Financial Officer Interim Chief Executive Officer MHA
Thanks...
THANK YOU FROM MIKE MAZZA
By Mike Mazza Mandy and I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the staff, physicians, Volunteers, Auxilians and Board for the “meet and greet” sessions held at FCHS and SMGH sites related to my recent retirement. What a great day! We were touched to see so many of you – even if it was for a brief good bye. I think I saw at least someone from each department in both hospitals. I know it isn’t easy to take time from busy work schedules for even a brief time out at the “other end” of the hospital. I want to acknowledge the Board for sponsoring the day, the committee that organized the day and all those who came out to wish us well, sent cards or emails – thanks so much. We wish you all the best in the years to come. Michael and Mandy Mazza Retired CEO
Project Hugo By Becky Simpson
Upcoming sessions: System Review Session November 6th-8th, 2012
Order Set Workshop
November 27th-29th, 2012
Medication Process Workshop December 11th -13th, 2012
Design Review Session Cerner Open House
Before she retired in 2005, Pat worked for 28 years at St. Joseph’s Hospital in London.
Demo for Physicians (Grand Rounds) January 23rd, 2013 07:00 - 09:00h
Visit the MHA Insider and the HUGO regional web site to find out the latest information.
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The MHA welcomes Pat Pocock to her new position as Temporary Clinical Leader of Peri-Operative Services and the Medical Devices Reprocessing Department at the Strathroy site. “Our primary focus is the care of the patients throughout their surgical journey,” said Pat.
January 15th -17th, 2013
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WELCOME PAT
“My welcome demonstrates the quality of people working here,” said Pat. As for her new position, Pat strongly believes in “shared leadership” and in a collaborative team. “Anyone who has accountability for their practice is a leader.”
Diabetes Education Centre By Alison Lenny
YOGA FOR STRESS AND DIABETES “Yoga for Stress and Diabetes” is a joint partnership with the MHA Diabetes Program and SEARCH Mental Health that began this Fall and made possible in part through a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. The word Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit root “yuj,” which means “to bring two things together, to unite,” the mind and body. The Body-Breath-Mind Connection program has attracted 121 attendees since September and there is currently a wait list. Classes are averaging 17 attendees per session. The 4 week sessions will be ongoing until at least June, depending on funding availability. Attendees’ evaluations of the Program have been very positive. Yoga has shown the potential for: Increasing: muscle strength and flexibility, range of motion, length of inhalation and exhalation, bone strength, and concentration Decreasing: heart rate, back and joint pain, stress/anxiety and sleep disturbances/insomnia In essence, this MHA/Search Yoga partnership offers accessible and affordable exercise to help those in our community living with chronic disease to improve their well-being and quality of life.
One of the benefits of the LEAN process is the chance to work with other departments and gain knowledge of By Laurie McGill their contributions to our workplace. Countless times during LEAN this comment has been made: “I had no idea what they did”. Working together to identify opportunities for improvement leads to a more efficient work atmosphere.
Lean Update
By improving our workflow process, we have been able to highlight a number of enhancements on the improvement board display, located at SMGH site across from the service elevator on 1st floor. Other projects currently in a PILOT phase are Orientation; Endoscopy/ Medical Day Unit; Charge Capture;
Maintenance Services Delivery; and Policy Organization. Fifteen minute improvement huddles have been initiated in most clinical areas with final roll-out taking place in January. This provides an opportunity for Managers and front-line staff to meet on a regular basis to discuss any barriers in providing care for patients and identify opportunities for improvement. LEAN improvements can be suggested by any staff member. If you would like more information on how to initiate a LEAN project contact Laurie McGill, Improvement Facilitator ext. 5532 or email laurie.mcgill@mha.tvh.ca.
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I NEED P@SSWORD HE!P Password Hints
The ITS helpdesk receives dozen of calls each months from users who have forgotten their passwords or have locked themselves out of the system. For security reasons, we have a three strikes rule – type it wrong three times, and you’ll have to call IST helpdesk to get unlocked.
By Jim Wilson
One common dislike of users is creating and remembering passwords. So here’s an easy to use tip on how to create complex passwords that you’ll remember without putting a Post-itNote under your keyboard. Think of a song or poem or slogan – we all have those annoying jingles that run through our heads or that favorite poem that we’ll always remember at least a line or two from. Now take the first letter from each word in that sentence. To get special characters, use @ for at, $ for the letter S, ! instead of a small L and & for and. You can add in apostrophes where they might belong in a word or what ever makes sense to you. For numbers use 2 for “too”, 4 for “for” 8 for ate – you get the idea! Sing the jingle in your head as you type it out (no… not out loud!). For example – the familiar Strathroy advertisement – “The competition in London knows us you should to!” becomes TciLkuys2!, and “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” becomes AIw4xim2ft. Play around with what every sticks in your mind and you’ll never forget another complex password!
INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION UPDATE Influenza Update By Yvonne Richardson
We are now at the beginning of the 2012/2013 Influenza season. As of November 23rd in Canada, twenty influenza viruses have been characterized, with 12 similar to the seasonal influenza A (H3N2), and four similar to the seasonal influenza B found in this year’s vaccine serum. As of Nov. 27th there have been 15 laboratoryconfirmed influenza A cases reported in Middlesex-London; no influenza B cases reported. Due to the sharp increase in local influenza activity, the Health Unit has declared a community-wide outbreak of influenza. As a healthcare worker, you are at increased risk of contracting the virus. Influenza is contagious before symptoms occur, and you may be unknowingly transmitting the virus to your patients and your family! Do the right thing, and get immunized! Drop in to the Infection Control office or ask one of the peer vaccinators. Stay healthy this winter!
As of November 27th only 47% of SMGH Staff and 55% of FCHS Staff have been immunized.
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BUSTING OUT IN STRATHROY RAISES OVER $4,500 In October, Amy’s Restaurant opened its doors to host Busting Out in Strathroy, an event organized by volunteers and held to raise awareness of breast health education, preventative screening and surgical treatment options at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH).
Busting Out By Trish Deruiter
It included an afternoon session with educational displays followed by a dinner fundraiser with guest speakers and entertainment by Denise Pelley. Over $4,500 was raised to support the new digital mammography equipment. Funds to support the event were also provided by the SMGH Foundation Mary Trudell Breast Health Education Fund, and presenting sponsor Libro Financial Group.
Congratulations to Penny Bradd from One South who won the beautiful Quilt crafted and donated by Judy Sommers, RN from One South in honour of Breast Cancer Month.The SMGH Mammography department would like to sincerely thank Judy for her generosity. A total of $579 was raised and will go towards the purchase of our new mammography unit!
FCHS AUXILIARY BAZAAR The FCHS Auxiliary held their annual Christmas Bazaar on Monday, November 26th just a day after our first official snowfall, which may have contributed to the brisk sales. The Bake table, everyone’s favorite, made over $465.00, and the Deli Luncheon had almost a 50% increase over last year’s sales.
FCHS Auxiliary
By Judy Peters
The FCHS Auxiliary & Volunteers are already planning for the Spring bazaar. Volunteers are always needed to help in the Book Store, Gift Shop or at special functions. If you would like more information on becoming a volunteer at FCHS, please contact Judy Peters at ext. 2467 or ext. 5539.
Pictured above in photos (left - right): Edna Simpson, Anita Kendall and Ellen Robson.
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CHRISTMAS SAFETY POEM Original Poem By Gord Taylor
On the night before Christmas you and your spouse, Should check all the plugs and light cords throughout your house. Make the stockings that hang on the bricks by the fire, Safe from combustion before you retire. Inspect that old furnace that warms up your hide, For deadly leaks of carbon monoxide. Look in on your children, nestled snug in their beds, And check all the smoke detectors, fastened over their heads. These few safety items I ask you to remember, For a safe holiday season, this end of December. Happy Holidays from the SMGH & FCHS Joint Health and Safety Committees
MHA GETS A LITTLE HAIRY WITH MOVEMBER!
Movember By Andrew King
You may have seen a few men sporting various moustache styles during November. These hairy men belong to the MHA team “MHA Mo’s for Bro’s” and were participating in Movember. The MHA Mo’s for Bro’s 2012 Movember campaign successfully raised just over $1,100, and earned countless numbers of smiles and laughs along the way. Proceeds support men’s health initiatives, specifically prostate cancer. Participating on the MHA’s team was captain Andrew King (OHS), Bill Atyeoknox (ER), Derek Resendes (IST), Roy Armas (Pt. Reg), Travis Duncan (ICU/CCU), Darrin Ackworth (ER), Ed Wheatley (Foundation) and Aires Fernandes (Husband of Anita Fernandes). The two year total brings the Teams overall fundraising efforts to approximately $5,000.00.
Food Drive 2012
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MHA Staff donated 1949.6 pounds of food for the Salvation Army and St. Vincent de Paul. This contributes to the health and well being of the communities we serve. Thank you for going above and beyond - your generosity is greatly appreciated this holiday season!
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