Roundup
An update for staff, physicians and volunteers
Anyone up for a Lifestyle Challenge?
Congratulations to the winners of the Spring Lifestyle Challenge; from left, Val Franco, J’Neene Marchese, Rose Fabiano, Josephine (Josie) Stranges, Dean Hipwell and Harold Vesely. This team worked hard, got fit, lost weight and won money to help out their colleagues. With winnings of $3,000, the team purchased items for staff use at Greater Niagara General Site, including a fridge for Health Records and office furniture.
Staff can register now for the Fall Lifestyle Challenge, being held once again in partnership with White Oaks. Details include – teams of five or more, registration $320 each participant, three-month membership at White Oaks, access to personal trainer and more. For more details, go to source•net and click on the homepage link or contact Pam Mackie, ext. 50204, or Sandy Lynch at 905-688-2032, ext. 5214. Deadline to register is Sept. 15.
A Better Way to Monitor Incidents and Near Misses
A new Incident Reporting System (IRS) is changing the speed and way which Niagara Health staff document adverse events and incidents. Incident reporting is the cornerstone of patient safety because data on errors and near misses needs to be collected quickly and accurately, so that staff can respond and follow up in the best interest of those involved. It also assists by providing trending and analysis on safety-related information so that priority setting addresses areas of potential concern.
This new software system, being rolled out site by site starting with Niagaraon- the-Lake, is a key priority in this year’s Patient Safety plan. It is endorsed by the Senior Team and the Quality Committee of the Board and responds to feedback from frontline staff. The system is designed to enhance efficiency at every level, improving the effectiveness of our procedures and ultimately helping to prevent future occurrences.
The new streamlined system will allow staff to report incidents more concisely, in a timely manner, and permit Niagara Health to manage incidents/adverse events and near misses more proactively and efficiently. The IRS will help to improve communication and follow up among physicians, staff and patients, and ultimately improve our performance as a healthcare team.
Other organizations using IRS have reported many tangible results, including increased staff and physician satisfaction across all levels of their organizations. One hospital reported that its incident reporting has increased by 200%. By reporting all incidents, major or minor, improvements in patient safety can be made. This strategy is in addition to Niagara Health’s implementation of a Philosophy of Fair and Just Culture developed in support of enhancing a nonpunitive reporting culture.
All of our Local Health Integration Network hospital partners are implementing this system as part of a joint initiative to improve patient safety. Full roll-out at Niagara Health will be complete in early 2010.
News Briefs
A Staff Celebration – Sept. 10
On Thursday, Sept. 10, the NHS will host the annual Employee Appreciation BBQ for Support Service, Clerical & Business/Administrative Professionals at Club Richelieu, Welland from 5 – 9 p.m.
Tickets are $5/person – a great deal for food, a free drink ticket, a chance to win some great door prizes and live music by Mostly Gormans. All NHS employees and friends are welcome to join in the celebration. What a great way to wrap up the summer! Tickets are on sale now and available at each Site Administration Office.
Hats off to Critical Care (ICU) staff at Welland Hospital Site
Alison Bilodeau, Bonnie Morrison, Mary Kirby, Cathy Olm and Sylvia Bernard. The following Round Up Bouquet was submitted by Clinical Manager Paul Hesch.
“Faced with a life-threatening patient situation, the RNs on the night shift performed their duties with exceptional professionalism and dedication. Because of the circumstances, every RN pulled together to cover two of their colleagues who were involved in assisting in the provision of life-saving intervention for a patient on another unit. As a result of their endeavours and dedication, the patient received life-saving intervention. The remaining staff’s priority was to pull together and ensure the other patients were safe and cared for. These RNs demonstrated through their actions the core values of our organization.”
Congratulations To …
Cynthia Carusetta, RN, who has passed the Canadian Nurses Association Certification Examination in Gastroenterology in Nursing. This highly-respected national credential is a source of personal pride and professional accomplishment. Cindy is committed to nursing excellence and this credential is a mark of distinction and a credit to her ongoing commitment to patient care and to gastroenterology nursing. Cindy works at Ontario Street Site in the Endoscopy Suite.
