HOPE: WHAT DO WE OFFER?

WE’RE HEADING INTO ANOTHER Canadian spring, which usually evokes feelings of growth, renewal and some would say hope. The adage of the healthcare facility in which I worked for more than 30 years is, “Hope flourishes in this place.” Hospitals are seen as a place for healing. However, long-term care (LTC) facilities, including hospice and palliative care, support residents on a path that normally leads to the end of life. This could be viewed as a strong dichotomy within healthcare. It leads me to talk about healthcare, hospitals, LTC, healthcare standards and our personal responsibility in offering hope to those in our care.

In late January, both the Health Standards Organization and CSA Group released new standards related to LTC. HSO’s new standard, CAN/HSO 21001:2023 Long-Term Care Services, focuses on the delivery of high-quality long-term care services. This includes “promoting good governance; upholding resident-centred care and enabling a meaningful quality of life for residents; ensuring highquality and safe care; fostering a healthy and competent workforce; and promoting a culture of quality improvement and learning across long-term care homes.”

Often, the perception is facility staff are solely focused on the facilities within which they work. But the CHES members I know in LTC keenly realize and support that residents are in ‘their home.’ It has only been in the past eight years that the word ‘resident,’ not ‘patient,’ and the ‘home’ aspect of LTC has begun to resonate with me, as my parents made their journeys through LTC. Following my personal experience, I have begun to relate more to LTC management.

CSA Group’s fourth standard in the Z8000 series, Long-Term Care Home Operations and Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC), focuses on creating safer physical environments. It provides guidance on “safe operating practices, design and IPAC in LTC homes while incorporating a personcentred approach.” It also takes into consideration “what is required during both normal, day-to-day circumstances and catastrophic events.” Having been privileged to be part of the standard’s technical subcommittee, I witnessed people from across Canada with different skills, education and experience come together to quickly build a new standard, including use of other technical standards, particularly the 15 CSA Group standards for healthcare facilities. While Z8004 is an essential resource for all designers, facility managers and operators of LTC facilities, it is a must-read for the rest of the healthcare industry, too. I look forward to more conversations with the LTC community and CHES members as we “build member expertise in healthcare.”

I am eagerly awaiting to attend this year’s chapter spring conferences where I will get to see many of you. I am also excited to go to IPAC Canada’s national conference in Vancouver, May 28-31, on behalf of CHES, as well as the Canadian College of Health Leaders conference June 4-6, in Toronto. When we gather together, our combined skills and personal experiences bring hope to healthcare.

Craig B. Doerksen CHES National president

Earn Continuing Education Credits From Ches

Members of the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society can earn free continuing education units (CEU) by reading the Spring 2023 issue of Canadian Healthcare Facilities and passing a quiz based on articles in the issue. Once you’ve read the issue from cover to cover, simply go online to www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXD2THY to take the quiz. CHES members who pass the quiz will be able to claim one contact hour (0.1 CEU) on their CanHCC or CCHFM certificate renewals.

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Saskatchewan Chapter

2022 was a quiet yet dynamic year for the Saskatchewan chapter. We held a mini conference in October, in Regina, with a successful turnout that created great conversations and dialogue around our current supply chain challenges. Our annual general meeting included the election of myself as chapter chair, John Megenbir as vice-chair, Steve Kemp as secretary/treasurer and Jim Allen as past chair (retired). A number of new members were also brought on to the executive committee that we look forward to working with alongside retired members that have graciously remained on. This collaboration is a huge asset as we plan our fall conference in Saskatoon. Throughout this year, one of the Saskatchewan chapter’s objectives is to promote the benefits of CHES to increase our membership.

—Melodie Young, Saskatchewan chapter chair

NEWFOUNDLAND & LABRADOR CHAPTER

It’s full steam ahead in planning our spring conference, which will be held May 7-8. After last year’s record-breaking event, the bar is set high to meet or exceed people’s expectations. Although we are one of the smaller CHES chapters, we deliver a large conference. For those who have been involved in the planning process, you know there is much more to this event than meets the eye. The chapter executive has been engaged in strategizing how to better deliver CHES events to our members. Like last year, there will be education sessions and training opportunities at the conference. We are looking at incorporating a roundtable discussion and possibly live demonstrations.

Looking back on the last half of 2022, fall was relatively quiet. It seems people were exhausted with the COVID-19 pandemic and took some time off to recharge. The same applied to our chapter. Beyond a couple of meetings, the executive remained low-key. But we are back and ready to go.

Chapter membership is status quo, which is positive news. We continue to find new ways to encourage CHES membership to those who have not joined. We are also reaching out to people who have not renewed their membership and actively pushing recruitment on vendors/suppliers, consultants and others to improve enrolment. We are seeing uptake from those that are part of our multi-disciplinary teams. The number of people involved in infection prevention and control that attend our conferences has grown in recent times. This shift illustrates CHES is not just about facilities and for facilities personnel.

Financially, the chapter is in a solid position. The executive team wishes to invest in the betterment of our members. Whether that is providing more education opportunities, sending additional members to the CHES National conference or paying for more webinars, we want to give back to our membership.

Quebec Chapter

As we move into spring, the Quebec chapter’s energy will continue to be focused on attracting new members and relaunching following the COVID-19 pandemic. We are bringing back our in-person dinner conferences this year. For the time being, our goal is to offer three to four events throughout 2023. Dates will be confirmed soon through the CHES website.

We have successfully added a new executive member to the Quebec chapter. The new person will represent the chapter on the national committee for membership. We are looking to add another person who will represent the chapter on the professional development committee. Both additions are essential as they will help fulfill our mission of ‘building member expertise in Canadian healthcare engineering.’

Do not forget to follow us on social media and to regularly check the Quebec chapter page on the CHES website for updates.

Maritime Chapter

The Maritime chapter’s spring conference will be held April 30-May 2, in Moncton, N.B., at the Delta Beausejour hotel. The theme is Maximizing the Patient Experience Through the Physical Environment. Current events, such as the pandemic and climate change, have added more demands on already stressed facilities support groups. The public depend on us to ensure healthcare infrastructure is strong, flexible, robust and safe. Being aware of mitigation strategies posed by changing risks is essential to the resilience of healthcare facilities. The conference will discuss standards, procedures, processes and the challenges faced by healthcare facilities and how to develop positive outcomes. It will kick-off with a networking reception on April 30. The second day features internationally renowned speaker Greg Kettner, who will give the keynote address and ensure delegates are motivated, and the chapter’s annual general meeting. Education sessions are scheduled for May 1-2.

Planning is underway for the 2024 CHES National Conference in Halifax. Much has already been completed. We encourage members from across Canada to join us Sept. 6-10, 2024, for some homegrown Maritime hospitality and an exceptional conference program.

The Maritime chapter will host the Canadian Healthcare Construction Course (CanHCC) May 30-31, in Halifax, at the Prince George Hotel. The chapter is working closely with the Construction Association of Nova Scotia to promote the CanHCC to its members. I encourage all healthcare managers, architects and engineers to consider the program as part of their professional development or orientation to the healthcare industry.

The chapter continues to offer several financial incentives to members in the way of student bursaries, contribution to Canadian Certified Healthcare Facility Manager exam fees, and covering the cost of webinars and the fall education day, among other benefits.

—Robert Barss, Maritime chapter chair

Chapitre Du Quebec

tion québécoise continuera de se concentrer sur l’attraction de nouveaux membres et la relance après la pandémie de COVID-19.

Nous ramenons cette année nos dîners-conférences en personne. Pour l’instant, notre objectif est d’offrir trois à quatre événements tout au long de 2023. Les dates seront bientôt confirmées sur le site Web de la SCISS.

Nous avons réussi à ajouter un nouveau membre exécutif à la section du Québec. Cette nouvelle personne représentera la section au sein du comité national des membres. Nous cherchons à ajouter une autre personne qui représentera la section au sein du comité de développement professionnel. Ces deux ajouts sont essentiels, car ils nous aideront à remplir notre mission, qui est de ‘développer l’expertise des membres en ingénierie des soins de santé au Canada.’

N’oubliez pas de nous suivre sur les médias sociaux et de consulter régulièrement la page de la section du Québec sur le site web de la SCISS pour obtenir des mises à jour.

Ontario Chapter

The Ontario chapter executive continues to meet virtually every quarter. Our focus is membership development, member benefits, including bursaries and the YPG grant, and providing educational offerings. Building on growth in membership over the past year, we are engaging in analytics to identify opportunities for further membership development.

The chapter executive continues to engage in networking and advocacy opportunities. We are looking forward to attending the ASHE Region 6 conference in Rochester, Minn., and ASHE PDC summit in Phoenix, both in March, as well as local CHES conferences this spring. Thank you to the host chapters for accommodating our participation.

CHES Ontario’s conference planning committee is busy planning our first in-person chapter conference in four years, to take place June 4-6, in Windsor. Built around the theme, Engineering Sustainability and Resilience in Healthcare Facilities, we have an engaging program. I look forward to reconnecting with members.

Alberta Chapter

The next CHES Alberta Clarence White Conference & Tradeshow will take place June 12-13, at the Red Deer Resort and Casino. The conference will be followed by an added educational component — the Canadian Healthcare Construction Course, June 14-15, at the same venue.

The first call for nominations for the chapter executive closed Jan. 29. Positions up for election are vice-chair, secretary and treasurer. Thank you to everyone who put their name forward or nominated others.

A big shout out to those who were involved in the completion of the new Calgary Cancer Centre. The $1.6 billion stateof-the-art facility will provide cancer treatment services and serve as a hub for cutting edge cancer research. I suspect a nomination will be coming soon for the Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence in Healthcare Facilities Management.

Manitoba Chapter

The Manitoba chapter continues to work with the CHES National conference planning committee in preparation for this year’s conference in Winnipeg. Registration will open soon, along with sponsorship and trade show booth bookings. I’d like to thank Events & Management Plus Inc. for working with the conference planning committee to keep us moving ahead.

Speaking of Events & Management Plus, on behalf of the Manitoba chapter I’d like to congratulate Donna Dennison on her retirement. Donna has been a huge part of CHES for longer than the Manitoba chapter has even been around. She has been a constant support for all things CHES, not only nationally but for us in Manitoba. Thank you, Donna, for your commitment to CHES. We will miss you and your leadership.

The Manitoba chapter, together with the Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA), will hold its next Canadian Healthcare Construction Course (CanHCC) April 27-28, at the WCA office. We will hold a second two-day CanHCC session in conjunction with the CHES National conference Sept. 20-21, at the WCA office. Thanks again to the WCA for partnering with CHES Manitoba and providing their fantastic facilities. And to our CanHCC faculty, thank you for providing the training instruction that so many of our people working in healthcare construction need.

—Reynold J. Peters, Manitoba chapter chair

British Columbia Chapter

Over fall and into winter of last year, the chapter executive was busy planning and preparing for our 2023 conference in Penticton, May 28-30. The theme, Healthcare Facilities: Managing through Crises, provides an opportunity to discuss many relevant topics, such as succession planning, lack of qualified personnel, climate change and impacts from past weather events, including lessons learned and future-proof planning. We have received 18 submissions from the call for abstracts. The education committee, led by Caroline Reid, is busy reviewing them. I encourage all industry partners to continue to submit to present at the conference. Trade show booths are selling fast and great interest is building among delegates. New sponsorship opportunities were created due to an increase in requests. The conference planning team is using the Yapp app to help promote the event.

The chapter executive has implemented centralized document storage, setting up a cloud-based Google shared drive that allows all executive and committee members to store files and collaborate. This option was free and has been working well so far. We are looking at ways to update CHES B.C. processes and are considering adding a financial tracking software to record financial details for audit purposes. These changes will support the chapter in moving away from paper-based processes.

The B.C. chapter continues to find new ways to encourage CHES membership. Membership executive director Arthur Buse is doing a great job connecting with potential and current members, and reaching out to those who may have forgotten to renew.

The chapter executive is discussing potential dates to host the Canadian Healthcare Construction Course (CanHCC) in the fall.

An expression of interest has been drafted and will be issued shortly for volunteers to support chapter directors. These opportunities will provide mentorship and pathways to fill future executive positions.

Members of the B.C. chapter are actively working on CHES National committees, including partnership and advocacy, membership, social and the CanHCC, as well as those that support CSA Group.

I’d like to thank everyone for their hard work and dedication this past year to our industry. I look forward to engaging in the important work ahead of us in 2023.