Connections May 2013

Connections

May 2013  Vol. 11  Issue 3

Leading the way in compassion and discovery.

Corporate Events  Staff & Family BBQ

9 June, Sunday Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Mental Health Services Grounds

 Staff Forums

11 June, Tuesday 1:30 -2:30 p.m.

Mental Health Services Cafeteria 12 June, Wednesday 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.

St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital Cafeteria

14 June, Friday 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Providence Manor Cafeteria









what’s inside  Volunteers present $50,000 cheque to UHKF for our new hospital  Celebrating our volunteers  Staff & Family BBQ  Mentorship program  Patient/client journey with PaJMa Model  Person-Centred Care courses  Montessori Room  Door Mural  Mission event: Jersey Day  Secure Trax  Celebrating our volunteers  One kitchen; multiple languages  Letter from Minister of Health  Words of Appreciation

www.providencecare.ca ancing Quality of Lif e E nh for over 150 years

Healing power of pet therapy Over the past 15-20 years pet therapy has had a positive impact on the quality of life for our patients, clients and residents. Pet visits from St. John’s Ambulance, Therapeutic Paws and from various volunteers who bring their own pets in have brightened peoples’ day, eased pain, calmed anxiety, and brought back pleasant memories. Visits from therapy dogs are arranged through our Volunteer Services and take place once a week at our St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital, Mental Health Services and Providence Manor locations. Pets are screened and must have all their vaccinations up-to-date.

At St. Mary’s and Mental Health Services, “visits from therapy dogs, ranging from Teacup Poodles to Great Danes, are eagerly looked forward to by our patients and clients,” states Janet Hunter, Director of Volunteer Services for the two sites. Janet notes that some patients/ clients who normally don’t communicate that well will suddenly open up during a visit with a therapy dog. Research has shown that interaction with a pet can improve a patient/client’s social, emotional, or cognitive functioning.

Visits from a special therapy dog have recently been introduced for patients on our Palliative Care Unit at St. Mary’s and have met with great success.

Pet therapy dogs wear special “clothing” to identify them to staff, patients, clients and residents. At St. Mary’s and Mental Health Services they now wear special bandannas adorned with a little red heart thanks to Michelle Kennedy, a St. Mary’s Library Technician, who made them.

At Providence Manor, Linnie, a cute little Chihuahua, is “the love of the place,” says Dianne Dutcher, Volunteer Coordinator at the site. Volunteer, Sandra Murchie, has been bringing Linnie in for visits with residents since 2007.

Linnie is always dressed appropriately for the occasion, be it Halloween (photo at right) or Christmas! Linnie’s visits are augmented by weekly visits from a little pug named Monte, a pet therapy dog from St. John Ambulance. Other pet therapy dogs from St. John Ambulance, Portuguese Water Dogs, are scheduled to start visits at Providence Manor as well.

- Cathy Clark, Communications Officer

Providenc e Ca re Con n e c ti o n s

May 2013  Vol. 11  Issue 3

Volunteers present $50,000 cheque to UHKF for our new hospital Invitation

to all Providence Care staff, physicians, volunteers & their families!

Providence Care Chillin’ Grillin’ Staff & Family BBQ Sunday, June 9, 2013 Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Mental Health Services Grounds The volunteers at our St. Mary’s of the Lake and Mental Health Services facilities presented a cheque in the amount of $50,000 towards their $250,000 pledge to the new Providence Care hospital.

Volunteers have contributed $150,000 to date, towards the pledge.

Volunteers working in the Gift Shop at St. Mary’s and Mental Health Services, Nevada ticket sales at St. Mary’s, Bake Sales, Cheese Sales, and Bingos in the

community, presented the cheque to Denise Cumming, Director of the University Hospitals Kingston Foundation.

Funds raised by our volunteers are not only contributing to the new hospital, but also meeting the needs of our patients and clients at both St. Mary’s and Mental Health Services with special requests, i.e. walkers, assistive devices, clothing, movies, DVD’s, furniture, and equipment, to name just a few.

In celebration of our volunteers Our hospital volunteers were honoured at a special Awards Luncheon on April 30 - Thank you to all our volunteers!

Save the date!

Watch for posters and eCurrents for details.

Have a teenaged son or daughter looking to fulfill some volunteer hours?

Their assistance with the BBQ would be greatly appreciated!

Help is needed for prep, activities and take down.

Contact the organizers: Krystal Mack mackk@providencecare.ca Gord Unsworth unswortg@providencecare.ca

Providenc e Ca re Con n e c ti o n s

May 2013  Vol. 11  Issue 3

Mentorship program at Providence Care Sharing…inspiring…encouraging…supporting…enhancing…assisting…listening…guiding…

“It has been a real collaborative effort every step of the way,” states Anne Symes, from our Learning & Leadership Services.

Anne is referring to the Providence Care Mentorship program for clinical staff.

The Mentorship Working Group is led

by Monika Bhatnagar from Professional Practice, and includes Anne, Krystal Mack, Dougal Bale, Chris Allison, and Barb Knapton, all of whom have been working in collaboration with a number of interprofessional staff to develop the best mentorship program possible.

It all began in 2009 when a need was identified for additional support for new staff during their first year of employment.

This led to the decision in 2010 to develop a formal Mentorship program and the Mentorship Working Group was formed.

Work began on developing a Mentorship program that promoted a Values-based, supportive, and respectful relationship between peers in the first year of a new or transitioning employee’s life at Providence Care. This was developed using existing resources, using the leadership skills of the working group members, many of whom had attended our Leadership Development program. Various tools and resources were developed for managers, mentors and mentees. Focus groups provided valuable input to refinement of the program.

Phase 1 of the Mentorship program was launched in September 2011 as the Working Group continued to develop the program.

All program managers underwent training and six volunteered to participate in the pilot. They successfully paired over 30 employees. All involved provided feedback, including various improvements to the program.

In 2012, three staff members (Krystal Mack, Dougal Bale and Chris Allison) collaborated on a practicum aimed at developing a training module for Mentors.

Design of this training session includes participatory leadership methods and adult learning principles. The first session

in November 2012 was filled to capacity and was comprised of previous mentees and mentors, and the second session was attended by all of the staff from our Regional Community Brain Injury Services.

Full rollout of the Mentorship program to clinical staff took place in September 2012. Feedback on the program has been very positive and often Mentees go on to become Mentors. As one participant stated, “Great to have a mentor – someone to go to when I had a question.” Another commented, “Good to have a mentor to ease me in.” By acting as a Mentor staff are taking on a leadership role and developing new skills in that capacity. Participants have commented that the program has been “very rewarding.” Learning & Leadership Services offer other sessions to promote and enhance leadership skills, helping to build leadership capacity within the organization.

The Mentorship program has also been identified as a positive recruitment tool. It has been documented that today’s grads look for such programs in organizations when they are applying for jobs. Information on our program is now included as part of our New Employee Welcome orientation sessions. The presentation welcomes new staff and focuses on our values and caring for each other.

The Mentorship Working Group continues to meet to evaluate and improve the program via feedback from stakeholders and mentor and mentee surveys. Future plans include adapting the program for implementation with our non-clinical staff.

Staff are encouraged to consider participation in the Mentorship Program.

Further information is available on the Intranet. If interested in upcoming Mentor training sessions, email elmhirss@ providencecare.ca.

- Cathy Clark Communications Officer

~ MENTORSHIP

 To foster and support an organizational culture of mentorship, which inspires people to live our values, strengthen relationships, and encourages professional growth, development and leadership capacity. ~ OUR VALUES

  

Respect & Dignity Compassion Stewardship

~ MENTORING

 A relationship in which a person invests time, energy and personal knowledge to support and assist a new or transitioning colleague in his/her transition, growth and development. ~ MENTOR

 A peer who provides support and advice to a new or transitioning peer (mentee), guiding him or her to their full potential. The mentor serves as a role model, social support, peer resource, advisor. ~ MENTEE

 An equally competent, but new or transitioning employee who proactively engages and participates in the mentorship process.

Providenc e Ca re Con n e c ti o n s

May 2013  Vol. 11  Issue 3

A patient/client’s journey from admission to discharge with the PaJMa Models When a person is admitted for care at one of our hospital sites specific steps are followed to register that person and to organize his/her care. To fully understand what every patient/client goes through when receiving care at one of our facilities, the ePR team has mapped out the flow of information during a patient’s journey from pre-admission through to discharge with detailed diagrams. The goal was to guide the building of the electronic patient record, ensuring the right information is routed to the right health care professional as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Each diagram pictures who the patient interacts with, when and where healthcare professionals obtain patient information, how it is recorded, and the technology used while communicating and facilitating care (i.e. on paper, fax, telephone, or computer).

These models were done following the Patient (PaJMa) methodology, developed

by Dr. Carolyn MacGregor and Dr. Jennifer Percival from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT).

Completing the models facilitated the identification of similar processes across patient care units and across hospital sites, as well as opportunities to streamline processes. Patients and clients will benefit from the standardization of processes.

It will be easier for health care professionals to access the right patient/client information at the right time.

- Véronique Scott Communications Officer ePatient Record

Person-Centred Care courses well received The shift to person centred care has been well received at Providence Care. From courses offered to our hospital staff, the program has expanded to our Long-Term Care Home, Providence Manor. Courses offered for Providence Manor staff ran from February to April 2013 and were led

by Lynne Hendry, Quality Improvement Facilitator, and Barb Robinson, Clinical Education Coordinator. Those attending found the sessions valuable. “People can express their thoughts about things that matter to them,” stated one participant.

Another commented, “The sessions have opened the door to connection, communication and understanding.”

Person-centred care is an evidence-based practice that takes a humanistic approach, recognizing people as leaders of their own care. It is an inter-disciplinary approach that involves all staff at every level.

The approach is a good fit for Providence Care as it aligns with our Values of treating people with Respect, Dignity and Compassion.

Providence Manor participants were very interested in implementing the person-centred care approach and identified opportunities for improvement that would better enable them to do so. Throughout the course it was evident that Providence Manor staff are already extremely resident focused; as one participant put it, “It helped me realize again why I came to Providence Manor and why I came to this profession.”

- Cathy Clark Communications Officer

Above: Lynne

Hendry conducts a Person-Centred Care course at Providence Manor.

Below: Barb Robinson facilitates the evaluation of the sessions with the first Providence Manor Graduates.

Providenc e Ca re Con n e c ti o n s

Montessori room enhances life of residents living with dementia A special room on Montreal 5, the only secure unit at our Long-Term Care Home, Providence Manor, is gaining popularity among the unit residents since its opening in late April. Equipped with donated items and providing a beautiful view over downtown Kingston to Lake Ontario beyond, the Montessori Room is a welcome enhancement to the lives of the residents, many of whom are living with dementia.

“We have had residents come in and spend up to 45 minutes at a time happily engaging in various activities,” states Shannon Beckstead, Recreationist for Montreal 5.

The room is based on the Montessori Method philosophy: “To enable individuals to be as independent as possible, to have a meaningful place within their community, to have high self-esteem and to have the chance to make meaningful contributions to their community.” This philosophy of education was adapted by Dr. Cameron Camp as a perfect fit for working with those with dementia.

Activities in the room encourage hands-on participation and include everyday tasks or activities such as laundry folding and sorting, flower arranging, table setting, coin sorting, tool and tackle boxes, etc.

They are designed to be familiar activities that draw on the resident’s procedural memory and are cognitive, social, cultural and spiritual, practical life and/or sensorybased. Activities in the room are adaptable

to different challenge levels and are as foolproof as possible, to avoid frustration and promote self-esteem. Safety has also been considered with the use of melamine dishes, safe tools and tackle, etc. Other activities include a crib with a doll and a cozy reading corner with large print books, as well as jigsaw puzzles and colouring pages. Engagement in familiar activities brings back memories for residents with dementia and provide a calming influence and heightened self-worth. Some activities also bring comfort as is the case with one resident who likes to come in and hold the life-like doll occasionally.

The room is open to residents at any time and staff encourage and accompany others unable to come on their own. Residents are approached as if their help is needed in doing a task, as a way of adding meaning to the activity.

“The room has been a great success and we are very grateful for the positive response we’ve received when advertising for donations and for the support from staff and families alike.” says Shannon, who was instrumental in planning and designing the room and activities.

- Cathy Clark Communications Officer

LtoR: A resident helps

recreationist, Shannon Beckstead, fold laundry while another resident (photo above) reads a large print book in the cozy reading corner of the Montessori Room at Providence Manor.

May 2013  Vol. 11  Issue 3

Door mural complements Montessori Room

Just across the hall from the Montessori Room on Montreal 5 at Providence Manor a door leading to the Sydenham Wing has undergone a creative transformation thanks to volunteer, Kaylee Brooks. Kaylee is a Queen’s University student completing her degree in Engineering who enjoys art as a hobby. Following in the footsteps of her grandmother, a mural artist who has completed murals in hospitals in northern Ontario, Kaylee created a lovely mural on the door – her first ever.

Montreal 5 is the only secure unit at Providence Manor. The doors are locked as residents on this unit, many diagnosed with dementia, would be unsafe if they left on their own. The door mural “blends in” to the environment and adds to the notion of a supported environment, which is a major part of the Montessori Method of Dementia theory. The mural makes the door less obvious so decreases fixation on attempting to escape and feelings of anxiety or fear about being locked in. The mural adds visual interest but does not draw excessive attention.

Thanks to Kaylee for this lovely addition to Montreal 5! Kaylee had been volunteering with the exercise program in the fall, and took on the door mural over the winter. Including design work and painting, it has taken approximately 42 hours, spread over the past few months, to complete the mural. Kaylee plans on returning to Providence Manor in the fall to paint another mural on Montreal 5.

Providenc e Ca re Con n e c ti o n s

May 2013  Vol. 11  Issue 3

Mission events at Providence Care

Celebrating our Values:  Respect & Dignity  Compassion  Stewardship  Respect ~ We believe in the inherent worth and excellence of all people.

Jersey Day in support of Boys & Girls Club As part of our ongoing Mission events in celebration of our Values, Providence Care held a Jersey Day on Friday, April 19th.

With a donation of a toonie or more staff were invited to wear their favourite sports jersey or cap. Through this fun event, focusing on our Value of Respect, $955.58 was raised in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston.

The Boys and Girls Club, through partnerships with other affiliated agencies

and service providers work towards the creation of a healthy and vibrant community in which children and youth are respected and offered services to help meet their needs.

Thanks to all who participated in Jersey Day and for their generous donations to this worthwhile cause in our community.

New Technology Improving Safety at Providence Care Secure Trax is a quick, wireless way to inspect equipment We have 300 pieces of fire safety equipment at St. Mary’s, Mental Health Services and Providence Manor, and keeping them up-to-date through monthly inspections can be quite the task. But a new wireless technology being introduced by our Security Department is about to make the job a whole lot easier.

The new system is called Secure Trax, and so far it’s been installed on all of our fire hoses and extinguishers throughout the facilities. This means our security teams can now check the status of safety equipment in only moments. All they have to do is scan a small identification tag with a smartphone.

“This type of verification is a great checkand-balance,” says Tom Davis, Manager of Security and Life Safety (in photo), “It allows us to be proactive instead of reacting to concerns about equipment. We know nothing has been missed, and we can see exactly where we left off on our inspection rounds if we get called away for an emergency.”

There are three key elements to the Secure

Trax System. One is the microchip or ‘tag’ installed on each piece of equipment for identification and tracking. The second is the smartphone used to scan the tags, and the third piece is the computer software, a home base for all of the data collected.

All together, this technology allows our security department to track, record and schedule equipment inspection rounds much more quickly and effectively.

“This has been a huge improvement for us because inspections were entirely dependent on memory,” says Davis.

“But now we are able to know where to schedule inspections so everything is checked long before any concerns arise.”

Secure Trax has allowed Tom and his team to establish zones and inspection schedules with a new level of detail. And the data gathered by the system is already being used to support our safety inspections with Kingston’s fire department.

“The most important thing for staff to know is that they now can contact me directly with concerns about fire equipment,” says Tom. “With all of the information stored

digitally at our fingertips, I’ll be able to immediately tell you when the equipment was last inspected, and if it’s still safe for use.”

Coming soon will be Phase 2 of the Secure Trax installation at Providence Care, which will see tags installed on emergency procedure manuals, our emergency lighting and flashlight kits.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Tom Davis, Manager, Security & Life Safety.

Providenc e Ca re Con n e c ti o n s

May 2013  Vol. 11  Issue 3

In celebration of our volunteers Providence Manor volunteers were honoured at a special Awards Luncheon on May 15 - Thank you to all our volunteers!

One kitchen; multiple languages When you walk in Providence Manor, listen carefully; you might hear conversation in English, French and even Portuguese. Whether they are residents or employees, many people speak French at Providence Manor. Meet two Providence Care employees who enjoy chatting in French with their colleagues.

Joelle Babcock, Providence Manor Nutrition Service Manager, and Michael Almeida, Cook, Patient Food Services, share their love for French when they work together. In the kitchen, Joelle and Michael frequently switch from one language to another when they work. Both try to talk in French with their coworkers when possible, not only to practice the language, but also to reconnect with a part of their culture.

“Being Portuguese, I’ve learned French as a second language.

When I have an opportunity to talk with others in French, I took it. I don’t have the chance to speak French every day, and it is easy to forget

vocabulary and pronunciation.

When I work in French with my colleagues Mathieu and Joelle, it helps me reconnect with the language,” says Michael. On the other end, Joelle encourages her team to exchange with each other in French when they can.

She also encourages her team to take the time to greet and talk to the French-speaking residents at Providence Manor. “I am putting extra efforts in greeting the Francophone residents in French. When I do so, I can see the sparkles in their eyes.

It allows them to keep in touch with part of our culture,” tells Joelle.

Providence Manor’s kitchen staff really embraces their different cultures. It’s common to hear conversation in English, French or Portuguese at the same time in a normal every day shift. This cultural bliss benefits every staff member, and, moreover, the multicultural residents at Providence Manor.

- Véronique Scott Communications Officer

Joelle Babcock (in photo at right), Providence Manor Nutrition Service Manager, and Michael Almeida (in photo below), Cook, Patient Food Services, share their love for French when they work together.

“When I work in French with my colleagues Mathieu and Joelle, it helps me reconnect with the language,” says Michael.

Providenc e Ca re Con n e c ti o n s

May 2013  Vol. 11  Issue 3

BUILDING...

HOSPITAL

Get the latest news at:

http://providencecareredevelopment.wordpress.com/

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.  Below is a letter that the Minister of Health, Deb Matthews, sent to Kingston City Council.

WORDS OF APPRECIATION



 From a family member of a resident of

Providence Manor: “We all would like to thank you for your support, comfort and guidance.

Thank you to all the staff at Providence Manor who directly and indirectly looked after our Mother. Providence is a great facility and we are all grateful that it was our Mother’s home for the past four years. Thank You again.”

 From a family member of a client of

Mental Health Services: “We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our brothers doctors, lawyers, social workers, all the nurses and staff on the floor where he stayed.

We appreciate your care for him more than you know!”

 From a client of St. Mary’s of the Lake Hospital Specialized Geriatrics program: “Thanks to staff for being good at what they do. Really liked the program and enjoyed it. Would recommend to any one.”

Save

! e t a d the

Providence Care Chillin’ Grillin’ Staff & Family BBQ Sunday, June 9, 2013 Noon to 3:00 p.m.

Mental Health Services Grounds Face painting  Bouncy Castle  Pony Rides  Water Balloon Toss  Draw Prizes  Entertainment by Still Standin’ Published by: Providence Care Communications Dept.

Editor: Cathy Clark, 613-548-5567, ext. 5995

Submissions welcome Send to: info@providencecare.ca