Volunteer Francine Lehoux, left, and Joan Scott, President of the Welland Hospital Auxiliary, challenge Niagarans to ‘help us reach the finish line’. The Auxiliary’s $1-million pledge towards the development of the Welland Hospital Auxiliary Dialysis Centre, named in its honour, exemplifies leadership for the NHS family campaign

Welland Hospital Auxiliary — proud supporters and ambassadors of the It’s Our Time Campaign

When she began her volunteer work with Welland Hospital Auxiliary in 1990, Auxiliary President Joan Scott never dreamed she’d be writing a cheque for $1 million. That day came in November 2005 when the Auxiliary became the first major donor to the It’s Our Time Campaign, committing $1 million to support expanded dialysis facilities to provide life-saving healthcare services close-tohome for residents of south Niagara.

Since its beginning over 50 years ago, the Welland Hospital Auxiliary has donated more than $2 million and given immeasurable volunteer hours to benefit the Welland Site. Along with their financial and volunteer support, these Auxiliary members are participating in the It’s Our Time Campaign’s new public awareness initiative.

Among the million dollar donors featured in the Donor Film Series on the new campaign website, Joan and Auxiliary volunteer Francine Lehoux stand apart. Dressed in volunteer smocks and surrounded by balloons, stuffed animals and giftware in their cheery Welland Site Gift Shop, no one would guess the fundraising powerhouse they represent.

But there is no mistaking the challenge issued by Joan.

“We are leaving this legacy to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren,” says Joan. “If a small group like ours can pledge $1 million, I’m sure you corporations can ‘step up’ and do something for the NHS … Somewhere along the line somebody in your family is going to need the Niagara Health System. It’s your time to donate. Get in there … Step up to the plate … and do it!”

The It’s Our Time Campaign Team is thrilled to embark on its broader public awareness initiative with such powerful messages from Joan and Francine.

“They embody the spirit of community, and we know their message will inspire others to invest in healthcare in Niagara,” says Heather J. Scott, Campaign Director for South Niagara and Executive Director of the Welland Hospital Foundation. “We are truly privileged to be the recipient of their efforts to make our community a better place to live.”

To hear Francine and Joan’s message in the Donor Film series, please visit: www.itsourtimecampaign.ca/video.html

Debbie Sevenpifer,
President and Chief Executive Officer

Welcome to the 4th edition of Niagara Health Now. I hope you are enjoying our new publication. Please ensure that you provide us feedback online so that we can continue to improve this publication and make it as reader friendly and meaningful as possible.

Many communications activities were undertaken to prepare for the July 6 conversion of the 24/7 Emergency Room (ER) at the Port Colborne Site to a 24/7 Urgent Care Centre (UCC). These activities included community education sessions in Wainfleet and Port Colborne, full-page ads in Sun Media newspapers, a new billboard on the front lawn of the site as well as brochures delivered to households through Sun Media publications explaining the difference between an ER and an UCC.

I would like to especially thank the leadership and staff of the Emergency program as well as the staff of the Communications department, many of whom were actively involved in the planning for the conversion. I would like to provide special acknowledgement to Marcia Ladouceur, Clinical Manager, Emergency Services, for the Welland and Port Colborne sites, who led the conversion in Port Colborne and will lead the conversion at Douglas Memorial Site in Fort Erie. Marcia continues to provide education to the communities and to staff on the changes, and she has gone above and beyond to ensure a smooth conversion in Port Colborne. We acknowledge that there are still concerns within the communities, and we will continue with our communication efforts to alleviate those concerns.

Read on in this publication to learn more about the exciting progress with our fundraising efforts in the It’s Our Time Campaign. This largest ever healthcare fundraising initiative in Niagara will benefit our entire system and the residents of Niagara by bringing new regional services to Niagara and upgrading equipment and infrastructure at our sites.

It is not well understood that hospitals do not receive funding to replace medical equipment. Hospitals are expected to balance their budgets and/or generate a surplus with which to purchase equipment. This is a constant struggle for most hospitals and has been a significant challenge for the NHS since amalgamation, due to inherited debt that has crippled us from a cash perspective.

For the last number of years, we have relied solely upon our foundations and auxiliaries to fundraise for needed medical equipment. On an annual basis, the listing of equipment needs across our sites well exceeds the fundraising efforts of our foundations and auxiliaries. We need everyone in Niagara to become involved in this campaign and annual fundraising efforts to improve our ability to replace medical equipment on a timely basis. Our patients and staff require access to modern medical equipment for quality patient care. Hopefully you will be inspired by the volunteers and their story (please see the first page of this issue of Niagara Health Now) and get involved in our fundraising efforts that will make a difference in healthcare for generations to come!

Summer is upon us, and I hope that each and every one of you has time for rest and relaxation with family and friends.

Niagara College students presented their environmental findings to NHS staff. From left are team members Kailey Ledrew; Nick Jancsar (NHS); Yaneth Londono; Lisa Hay; Mittale Suckak; Christine Spano and Sandy Herkimer, Niagara College Internship Co-ordinator for the Environmental Management and Assessment Program.

A learning partnership

Each year, students from Niagara College’s Environmental Management and Assessment Program take on the task of examining Niagara Health’s conservation practices and recommending better ways of managing the environment.

This year, a dedicated team of students focused on six areas – education, recycling, waste minimization, water, green purchasing and green lifestyle. Becoming a green hospital is a lofty goal, since each NHS site deals daily with a wide range of issues that make it a challenge to be ecofriendly. Proper infection control involves a lot of sterile packaging and major use of water and cleansers. Diverting our waste from the landfill is a full-time job for many as nine categories of waste are sorted and packaged for garbage pickup, recycling, or safe disposal.

The students worked with NHS Hospitality (Environmental Services/Housekeeping/Linen) Leaders Nick Jancsar and Kevin Traynor and concentrated their data collection and review of practices at Greater Niagara General (GNG) and Welland sites. The team’s recommendations started with low or no cost efforts. For instance, educating employees on the importance of being green can begin with fact sheets to raise awareness on simple and easy ways of becoming environmentally friendly, such as encouraging carpooling or using public transit to get to work.

Diversion from the Landfill

“We need to do more recycling,” says Nick, Regional Director of Hospitality. “Right now, about 85% of our waste is classified as general, meaning it is similar to any home or office waste. We are diverting more cans/bottles/paper/cardboard to recycling now, and we’re at a 27% diversion rate. Our goal is to divert 50% of our general waste by 2015.”

Staff efforts can make an enormous difference to the success of our diversion program, Nick says. “The students also suggest signage and recycling bins to better inform patients and visitors of the importance we place on conservation.”

Waste minimization is another area to be improved upon. “We’ve changed to clear garbage bags to make items that could be recycled more visible,” Nick says. “We’re beginning to reduce our usage of disposable products. A waste audit was recently conducted at GNG to give us a baseline on our current efforts, so we can target areas for improvement.”

Food Composting

The students recommended the NHS look at setting up a food composting program. Other hospitals have diverted 55,000 kilograms of food waste a year and started in one area, such as a cafeteria. The food scraps are fed into a garburator along with paper napkins, paper towels, milk cartons and cardboard. The waste is shredded and taken to a plant to be recycled into high-protein feed supplement for animals. This option is less expensive to implement as it is not being serviced by a composting facility, but taken to farms as animal feed.

The project team responsible for the planning and design of the complex recently registered the building for LEED certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of highperformance green buildings and homes.

“Generally, green buildings consume fewer resources, generate less waste and provide healthier living and working environments than traditional buildings,” says Niagara Health Chief Planning and Development Officer Gloria Kain. “It is the right thing to do for the environment and for the future.”

The LEED system recognizes performance in five key areas of human and environmental health:

• sustainable site planning;
• safeguarding water and water efficiency;
• energy efficiency and renewable energy;
• conservation of materials and resources;
• indoor environmental air quality.

“We will strive to achieve LEED status by targeting required credits within the five key areas,” adds Gloria. “A few examples include the creation of a storm water management system, the installation of water-efficient showerheads, taps and toilets and the use of energy-efficient lighting, heating and cooling fixtures to meet energy performance standards.”

The new healthcare complex will replace the aging St. Catharines General and Ontario Street sites in St. Catharines and will also provide new regional services not previously available in Niagara, including radiation treatment for cancer, longer-term mental health and cardiac catheterization services.

For the past two-and-a-half years, It’s Our Time Campaign leaders, volunteers, donors and staff have been working hard to raise the $40-million community portion needed to support new and up graded facilities and purchase new medical equipment to maintain and increase the standard of care for our patients.

Campaign fundraising volunteers and donors were thrilled to share in the excitement of the greatly anticipated groundbreaking for the healthcare complex and Walker Family Cancer Centre on April 28. They were proud to have played a part in supporting the Niagara Health System in its efforts to rejuvenate healthcare delivery with the development of this facility and new regional services to benefit every person living in the Niagara region.

Those responsible for raising the $40-million campaign goal are equally excited about the other healthcare initiatives supported by the It’s Our Time Campaign, including:

• the new 12,500 sq. ft., 24-station Welland Hospital Auxiliary Dialysis Centre that opened in June 2008, providing closer-to-home care for chronic kidney disease patients in south Niagara;
• a new dialysis centre, upgraded operating rooms and diagnostic equipment at the Greater Niagara General Site;
• a new 128-slice CT Scanner for the Welland Site;
• equipment for the Urgent Care Centre and renovations to develop the Complex Continuing Care Centre at the Douglas Memorial Site;
• renovations and equipment for the Urgent Care Centre and upgrades and new diagnostic imaging equipment for the Complex Continuing Care Centre at the Port Colborne Site.

“Since the November 2006 launch, organizers and volunteers of the It’s Our Time Campaign have worked fervently to bring major community leaders on board and garner the support of major donors,” says Sandra Sabo, Campaign Director for North Niagara and Chief Operating Officer of the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation. “Their efforts have resulted in raising $26 million of the $40-million campaign goal — a remarkable feat in this difficult economic climate. But, as with so many things, the home stretch will be the most challenging.”

Hundreds of community-minded corporations, organizations and leading donors have lent their support to this cause and now it’s time to reach out to the community at large. “Clearly, ALL Niagarans need to get involved to reach the $40-million goal,” says Sandra.

To accomplish this, the It’s Our Time Campaign is revitalizing its appeal with a high-profile public awareness initiative. While the Campaign heroes – those patients who told their personal stories of healthcare challenges – helped to communicate the urgent need for new and upgraded facilities, the new marketing materials focus on the motivation and message of the Campaign’s leading donors and volunteers.

A new redeveloped and interactive website features a series of one-minute donor films in which these Campaign ambassadors share their thoughts and encourage every member of the community to help. Welland Hospital Auxiliary spokeswomen Francine Lehoux and Joan Scott represent one of the eight donor organizations featured in this compelling film series. All staff members are encouraged to take the time to listen to their inspiring messages and show of support for the important work done by all NHS physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals and staff.

The It’s Our Time Campaign has enjoyed the valuable support of local media who were quick to recognize the importance of this undertaking for the community. Print space in local daily newspapers has been generously supplied by Sun Media, and TVCOGECO Niagara has contributed airtime for the films to spread the Campaign message.

Help us make history

In addition to the new website and donor film series, a short film called The Finish Line is in the planning and development stages for release early this fall with the purpose of further motivating viewers to participate in the Campaign.

“We invite members of the NHS family – our physicians, nurses, allied healthcare providers, staff and volunteers to participate in this exciting film project,” says Wendy Dueck, Development Liaison Officer for the NHS Foundation and Campaign. If you would like to be part of NHS history by participating in the final finish line scene, please contact the Campaign staff at itsourtimecampaign@niagarahealth.on.ca or 905-378-4647 Ext 32247.

Catch the baton!

“It is often said that people are at the heart of our healthcare system — we are not only employees, we are users and ambassadors of the NHS,” says Michael Somerville, Campaign Director for Niagara Falls and Executive Director of the GNGH Foundation. “The Niagara Health System Board of Trustees and senior management team have demonstrated their resolute commitment and leadership to the It’s Our Time Campaign by each committing to make a personal financial pledge. Here is your opportunity to be part of making history for healthcare in Niagara … Why not make your gift today in support of the It’s Our Time Campaign?” asks Michael.

To learn more about the It’s Our Time Campaign, view the donor film series, and find out how you can donate, please visit the new campaign website at: www.ItsOurTimeCampaign.ca

Congratulations To …

Susan Berry, RN, and Greater Niagara General Site’s Palliative Care Program Co-ordinator, who is this year’s recipient of a prestigious United Way community award. Susan was given the Envoy Dalton Memorial Award for community service by the United Way of Niagara Falls and Greater Fort Erie President Larry Oates at its June Annual General Meeting. This award is given to outstanding individuals who make a difference in their community. Susan’s work over 13 years with the Palliative Care program formally ended on June 26 with her retirement. Congratulations Sue!

Three cheers for Nathan Chown, Dietitian at Greater Niagara General Site as well as the Stroke Prevention Clinic, for his third place win in the June 21 50-kilometre Lake-to-Lake Mountain Bike Race. Nathan rode a “beefed up road bike” rather than a traditional mountain bike to make his impressive finish.

News Briefs

What is Patient Safety?

In today’s high-tech hospital world, we sometimes lose track of the fundamental elements of healthcare. Let’s get back to the roots – define what Patient Safety means, outline the roles and responsibilities, and point out how everyone contributes to patient safety!

In a nutshell, Patient Safety is a domain that underscores the importance of reporting, analysis and prevention of medical error. The central concept of Patient Safety is that ‘bad systems and not bad people lead to most errors’ and is a growing branch of healthcare knowledge and strategies.

Safety is Everyone’s Role

Patients, healthcare providers, governments and others need to work together to build and advance a safer healthcare system. As patients, you should know your Patient Bill of Rights and Responsibilities. These are posted on walls within all NHS sites or access them online http://www.niagarahealth.on.ca and click on Sites and Services. We invite patients and their families as partners to monitor our compliance with patient safety practices. For example, speak up and ask your nurse if she’s washed her hands before providing care to you. Or, let one of us know if you don’t have your patient ID band on.

Front-line staff and healthcare professionals are encouraged to continue to be vigilant and aware of patient safety issues and report incidents and near misses (good catches). Be prepared by assuming that errors can and will occur, and mentally practice to rehearse complex procedures. Stop, think and identify those circumstances most likely to breed error.

Managers and leaders are advised to put patient safety as the first item on the monthly meeting agenda. This acts as a ‘Safety Pit Stop’ where everyone pauses to discuss any patient safety issues or learnings. Managers should continue to be alert and vigilant regarding patient safety issues in your department and persistently encourage discussions, reward and support those involved in safety projects.

The NHS is serious about the safety of our patients’ care. We are working closely with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute and Safer Healthcare Now initiative to ensure that we are up-to-date.

Please consult with your NHS healthcare team with any questions or concerns regarding Patient Safety.

A fond farewell to staff with Base Hospital program

June 30 marked the end of an era as the Base Hospital Program, stationed at Greater Niagara General Site for 22 years, merged with Cambridge and Hamilton offices and reopened as one main office on July 2. The new Base Hospital Program is called the Hamilton Health Sciences Centre for Paramedic Education and Research and is located in Stoney Creek. This is part of a Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care initiative in which Base Hospital Paramedic Programs throughout the province are being amalgamated into regional programs.

“The Niagara program began at Greater Niagara General Site in 1987 and through strong partnerships accomplished much in the area of pre-hospital care,” says Pat Morka, Health Program Director, Emergency Program.

Many new skills were added, improving care available to Niagara citizens. Along the way, the Base Hospital program was involved in a number of pre-hospital research initiatives resulting in two publications in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine. In addition, staff helped to establish a joint training program between Niagara College and the Niagara Health System to train primary care paramedics to the advanced care paramedic level.

More recently, Base Hospital staff actively worked to address the pre-hospital treatment of myocardial infarction. All paramedics are trained in 12 Lead ECG interpretation. Protocols are in place to expedite the transfer of patients to a cardiac catheterization lab in Hamilton when appropriate. Work will continue in these areas in partnership with Niagara Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Niagara Health under the direction of the new Base Hospital program.

With the closing of the Greater Niagara General Site office, Niagara Base Hospital employees are thankful to staff and physicians at the Niagara Health System and to Niagara EMS for their ongoing support of the program over the past 22 years.

“We will sincerely miss the dedication, commitment and expertise of the staff and their close association with the Niagara Health System,” Pat says. “They really care about their programs, the community, their roles and particularly, each other.”

“They were able to provide us with considerable resources and we’re looking forward to having a similar partnership with the new base hospital structure in Hamilton. We’re fortunate in Niagara that Dr. Doug Munkley is going to continue to be one of the physicians on call for instant paramedic support.” Best of luck to the Base Hospital staff during these changing times. “I thank Lorie Luinstra-Tooey for her staff leadership and Dr. Munkley for his physician leadership,” says Pat. “They both went above and beyond to make their programs a great success.”

Raising the Canadian flag in St. Catharines

It was a solemn yet uplifting occasion at St. Catharines General Site recently as staff, Auxiliary members and Royal Canadian Legion members gathered out front to have a flag-raising ceremony for the very first time. Thanks to a gift from the St. Catharines General Hospital Auxiliary, the site was able to install a flagpole, which will be transferred to the new healthcare complex in a few years. Legion members raised the flag to honour those who have fought for Canada and continue to serve our country.

In the photo, Maintenance Technician Ed Wawszkiewiz helps attach the flag with Royal Canadian Legion member Keith Campbell and an unidentified legion member in the back. Ed, a former soldier, was instrumental in coordinating the installation of the flagpole. Members of the Auxiliary raised the flag during the ceremony.

The Niagara Health System Board of Trustees is made up of volunteers who live and work in Niagara. Each Board member brings unique skills and expertise to this leadership role. The Board is responsible for governing the NHS and providing strategic direction to the Hospital to ensure it meets the health-care needs of the community within the resources that are available.

Niagara Health Now is publishing a series of question-and-answer profiles on individual members of the Board to help our readers get better acquainted with them. This week’s profile is of Vice Chair Stephen Butz.

Where were you born?
Beautiful Dunnville. No, I did not play for the Mudcats.

Number of years living in Niagara:
Most recently nine – off and on, all my life.

Occupation:
Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of Niagara. Also serve as personal banker to three sons going to university.

What are the greatest rewards from your job?
Working with an extraordinary talented group of volunteers and staff leaders. I also get to wear lots of cool YMCA T-shirts.

What influenced you to become a member of the NHS Board of Trustees?
I’ve always looked at health from two perspectives: what happens when we are sick, and what we each do to stay well. My personal and professional interest lies at both ends of this continuum. I think the NHS has an important role as a delivery system and a compelling voice in determining what defines Niagara’s overall view of health. I share, with all Trustees, this commitment to community. I serve, simply to make Niagara a better place for our kids.

How many years have you served on the NHS Board?
Eight.

What is your greatest achievement or reward as a member of the Board?
Together, with the hard and often thankless work of many others, helping to ensure the greatest achievements of the NHS are yet to occur.

What is the greatest opportunity for the NHS?
World-class healthcare, working as an integrated system, serving all of Niagara.

What is the NHS’s greatest challenge?
World-class healthcare, working as an integrated system, serving all of Niagara.

Other involvement as a member of a volunteer Board, past or present?
Board of Directors, Niagara Community Foundation; Labour Market Planning Committee, Niagara Workforce Planning Board; Former Board Member, Leadership Niagara; many other Board gigs as a facilitator and speaker.

How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?
Good, trying to get better. Too intense, often strategic, lousy backhand.

What is your greatest personal achievement?
One amazing wife and three remarkable (and surprisingly normal) kids. Friends so close I want them to speak at my funeral.

One is an investment expert and hospital fundraiser. One has a background in project management/capital development. Another recently retired from a global pharmaceutical company, and finally another specializes in quality management and entrepreneurship. What they all have in common is a desire to enhance the healthcare system in Niagara.

What they also have in common is that they are the newest volunteer members of the Niagara Health System Board of Trustees. Their appointments were unanimous at the Annual General Meeting held on June 23.

“We had an unprecedented number of applications for Board positions, making the selection process extremely competitive,” says NHS Board Chair Betty-Lou Souter. “I am confident that we have recruited four strong and qualified candidates to provide the leadership necessary to guide the NHS in its continued evolution as Niagara’s hospital system.”

The new Board members are Trevor Cooper of St. Catharines, Mike Henry and David Schram of Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Jennifer Patrick of Fort Erie.

“Trevor, David, Mike and Jennifer bring a strong mix of skills to the Board table in the areas of business, finance, project management/capital development and quality monitoring that will serve the NHS well as they assume their new leadership roles with Niagara Health,” says President and CEO Debbie Sevenpifer.

The Board also appointed three new members to the standing committees in Port Colborne and Niagara-onthe- Lake: Port Colborne residents Ashleigh Miatello- Skrubbeltrang and Linda Vincent, and Niagara-on-the- Lake resident Ryan Conte.

Ashleigh is studying for a Master’s Degree in Applied Health Science at Brock University and working as an Advancement Research Officer at the University. Linda recently retired from managing a 110-bed retirement residence. She is a member of the Port Colborne/ Wainfleet Physician Recruitment, Retention and Medical Education Task Force, and is a former volunteer at the Port Colborne Site of Niagara Health. Ryan is a Senior Consultant, Financial Advisory Services, with Deloitte & Touche. He volunteers as a Business Consultant with Junior Achievement, an organization which educates and inspires young people about business and economics.

A few words about giving

This edition of Niagara Health Now is predominantly about giving. What do you think about when you hear the “g” word? If you ask my eight- or nine-year-old, the “g” often stands for what am I going to “get” — driving home to me the point that one of the best things I can do as a parent is to teach my children how to give — give of their time, give of their talents, give their best and give what they can afford to give when others need their help.

When it comes to giving, our hospital family is very familiar with the ongoing need to purchase modern patient care equipment and provide improved technology and building facilities to support the provision of quality care. You may have seen the recent series of ads to build renewed momentum for the It’s Our Time regional fundraising campaign targeting $40 million in donations for the new healthcare complex and for improvements at each of our local sites across Niagara. Read more about progress of the campaign in our feature story and consider what you can give to help.

When it comes to giving of time, we can’t thank our volunteers enough, including the four new members of the Niagara Health System Board of Trustees – all volunteers and all talented individuals who are giving their time to help guide and shape our hospital into the future.

And how about giving it your best? That’s clearly the case when it comes to achieving the LEED green environmental standard for the new healthcare complex. Read more on page 3 about the work underway in environmentally friendly design.

One more thing about giving. It goes on every minute of every day across our hospital system with the care provided to patients and families. Thank you to our entire NHS team, and please keep on giving!

Christine Clark, Chief Communications Officer