EDITOR'S NOTE
REAL-WORLD CONSEQUENCES OF SHORT SUPPLY FLU SEASON HAS ARRIVED early and it looks like it’s going to be more severe than it has been in years now that masking is no longer required; the measure helped control seasonal influenza virus transmission during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic. For parents, it has been particularly difficult (so far) due to the ongoing shortage of children’s acetaminophen and ibuprofen. There has been unprecedented demand for these products in recent months due to the unexpected circulation of viruses. Unable to find these over-the-counter medicines, I personally turned to a compounding pharmacy for help to bring down my daughter’s raging fever at no small cost — nearly $40 for 50 milligrams of what I call ‘liquid white gold’ that has a shelf-life of just 14 days. Shortages caused by the pandemic have become a major issue worldwide. We can all remember the early days when toilet paper, hand sanitizer and food products like flour were hard to come by. But unlike these items, low supply of non-prescription and behind-the-counter pharmaceuticals and medical materials like personal protective equipment (PPE) can have deleterious consequences. With regard to the latter, shortages at the start of the pandemic left doctors, nurses and other frontline workers dangerously ill-equipped to care safely care for COVID-19 patients, as well as take care of themselves. This is partly behind a movement that promulgates the adoption of reusable PPE. There are also environmental benefits of transitioning to a reusable PPE system in healthcare systems, laid out in the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care’s article, COVID-19 and PPE Waste. Keeping with the topic of sustainability, Lisa Westerhoff of Integral Group delves into the Climate Resilience Guidelines for B.C. Health Facility Planning and Design in Adapting to Climate Change, which is based off a seminar she co-presented with Craig Dedels of Vancouver Coastal Health and Jolene McLaughlin of EllisDon at this year’s CHES British Columbia chapter conference. The bulk of this issue is dedicated to the CHES Awards winners who were honoured at the 2022 International Federation of Healthcare Engineering (IFHE) Congress/CHES National Conference in Toronto. Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg was bestowed the Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence in Healthcare Facilities Management for construction of a second central energy plant in 2011, to meet then-recent building and future development goals. Long-time CHES member Mitch Weimer was recognized with the Hans Burgers Award for Outstanding Contribution to Healthcare Engineering. He has taken on numerous roles since joining the organization in 1992, among them serving as CHES National president from 2015-2017. The President’s Award went to the B.C. chapter for a second year in a row. To begin, we look back on the first CHES National event to be held in-person in three years. There were many highlights, including presentation of the Global Energy and International Building awards – both bestowed by IFHE. As everyone who attended can attest, it was an event not soon to be forgotten. Clare Tattersall claret@mediaedge.ca
6 CANADIAN HEALTHCARE FACILITIES
