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

SAVE THE DATE! SAVE THE DATE!

The CHES 2023 National Conference will be held in Winnipeg MB at the RBC Convention Centre,The 2023 CHES National Conference will be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba, at the RBC Convention September 17-19, 2023. The RBC Convention Centre is conveniently located in the downtown core and Centre, September 17-19, 2023. The RBC Convention Centre is conveniently located in the downtown close to local amenities. core and close to local amenities. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Delta Hotel, starting at $202 plus applicable taxes standard A block of rooms has been reserved at the Delta Hotel, starting at $202 plus applicable taxes standard Queen/King single/double occupancy.queen/king single/double occupancy.

The theme of the 2023 conference is The theme of the 2023 conference is “Rejuvenating Healthcare Infrastructure”“Rejuvenating Healthcare Infrastructure”

The CHES 2023 Education Program is well underway and will once again feature dual tracks with talks on relevant industry topics from high-profile experts in the field. Isha Khan, CEO, Canadian Human Rights Museum will be our Keynote Speaker. The 2023 education program is well underway and will once again feature dual tracks with talks on relevant industry topics from high-profile experts in the field. Isha Khan, CEO, Canadian Museum of Human Rights will be our Keynote Speaker.

The Call for Abstracts for program submission closes on November 18, 2022. You may submit your completed form at (https://www.xcdsystem.com/ches/abstract/index.cfm?ID=9AqVARj) and/or any The Call for Abstracts for program submission closes on November 18, 2022. You may submit your inquiries by email to info@ches.org.completed form at https://www.xcdsystem.com/ches/abstract/index.cfm?ID=9AqVARj and/or inquiries by email to info@ches.org.

The Great CHES Golf Tournament will be held at Quarry Oaks Golf Course on Sunday September 17, 2023. The Great CHES Golf Tournament will be held at Quarry Oaks Golf Course on Sunday, September 17, Join us for the CHES President’s Reception and Gala Banquet again in 20232023. at RBC Convention Centre. The banquet will celebrate the accomplishments of our peers with the 2023 Awards presentations, while enjoying great food and entertainment with friends. Join us for the CHES President’s Reception and Gala Banquet at the RBC Convention Centre. The banquet will celebrate the accomplishments of our peers with the 2023 CHES Award presentations, while See you in 2023enjoying great food and entertainment with friends. in Winnipeg! For more info visit our website at See you in 2023 in Winnipeg!

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