The Oncology Program marks 25 years of service to Niagara this year. Pictured here are Oncology staff from 1986 in the original chemotherapy treatment room at the former Hotel Dieu Hospital. Front row from left are Barbara Marshall, Leila Phillipson and Trudy Street. Back row from left are Mary Anne Goldsborough, Julie Moscher, Carolyn Helstrom, Elaine McLeod and Janet Wheeler.

From left are Dr. Brian Findlay, founder of the Oncology program, and Drs. Philip Hughes, Janice Giesbrecht and Martin Samosh, who joined the program between 1988 and 1994, and continue to care for and support cancer patients and their families today. This photo was taken at the former Hotel Dieu Hospital.

Members of the Oncology team make themselves at home in their new space at the St. Catharines General Site shortly after moving there in 2005. From left are: Marsha Hildebrand, Dr. Janice Giesbrecht, Barbara Marshall, Luci Hallett and Karen Jones.

Cancer survivor Laurie Martens, centre, with her family: “It was just such a hopeful place. I told myself that I was not going to die. I am going to live.”

Laurie Martens was 22 years old when she found out she had cancer. The first-time mom had given birth to her daughter just 10 days earlier.

Diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease, a form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, Laurie found herself too weak to care for herself or her baby, and her husband was working and unable to provide full-time care to them.

“I had to move in with my parents, and they took care of me and my baby,” says Laurie, reflecting on her challenging yet triumphant journey with cancer in 1988.

Every two weeks for the next six months, Laurie found herself at Hotel Dieu Hospital, undergoing chemotherapy treatment in the Oncology Department, which had opened just three years earlier.

“The nurses and the volunteers there were all so kind,” says Laurie. “They were always asking me to bring the baby in. It wasn’t like I was a patient. It was like we were a family.”

Although some family members wanted Laurie to get her cancer care in Toronto, Laurie says she preferred to be close to home in St. Catharines. “It was the best care I could have received.”

Cancer-free 22 years later, Laurie remembers how, at such a difficult time in her life, she was always comforted by the small, family-like atmosphere in the Oncology Department.

“Everyone would come running out to see how I was doing even if they weren’t working with me,” she says. Her caregivers always made a point of fussing over her husband when he brought Laurie in for her treatments.

Now a mother of four children (ages 16, 18, 20 and 22), Laurie recalls how her caregivers would celebrate the milestones in her treatment with her, like not losing weight or her hair after four months of chemotherapy treatment.

“Their encouragement gave me such hope,” says Laurie.

This February, the Oncology Program marks a quarter of a century of service in Niagara to patients like Laurie, who come to them for care, support and compassion during a vulnerable and frightening time in their lives.

Over these 25 years, many changes have occurred within the Oncology Program. Chief among them are the advances in cancer treatments.

“In the 25 years we have been caring for the patients of Niagara, we have witnessed the development of many new therapies allowing us to offer treatment to many more patients, improving their length and quality of life,” says Dr. Brian Findlay, founder of the Oncology Program in 1985 and Chief of Oncology Services for the NHS. “In addition, advances in supportive care have also significantly improved patients’ quality of life.”

In 2005, the Oncology Program transferred from the former Hotel Dieu to the Niagara Health System. What hasn’t changed in 25 years is this team of professionals’ commitment to care and support patients and their families through their treatment plan. Many among the Medical Oncologists, specialized Oncology Nurses, Social Worker, Radiation Oncologists, Pharmacists, Nutritionist and Religious Care Consultant have worked with the program for 20 or more years. Their patient-centred approach guides patients through the initial assessment, testing and treatments, education and ongoing follow-up.

“The evolution and growth of the Oncology Program is an important success story for Niagara,” says Linda Boich, Vice President of Patient Services with NHS. “On behalf of our patients and families, I would like to thank each and every one of the care providers who, year after year for 25 years, has provided compassionate, dedicated care and support to patients and their loved ones at a time in their lives when they needed it most.”

NHS Board member Jean Armitage recalls the Oncology Program’s early years, when she was Assistant Executive Director, Patient Services for Hotel Dieu.

“When I started at the hospital, the Oncology Program had been established for about two and a half years, and it was already busy and working at full capacity,” Jean said. “Through the next 12 years that I worked with them, the staff always worked above and beyond what was expected of them. As the program continued to grow both in numbers of patients and the variety of services provided, the dedication and commitment of everyone was always at the highest level.”

Now located on the third floor of the Moore/McSloy Wing at St. Catharines General Site, the Outpatient Oncology Clinic houses outpatient clinics that provide consultation for new patients, diagnostic procedures, chemotherapy treatment, education, psychosocial support and follow-up care for the vast majority of cancer patients.

The NHS also provides satellite clinics at the Greater Niagara General and Welland sites where consultation, follow-up and supportive care is provided to outpatients and inpatients promoting care as close to home as possible.

In addition to clinical care, the Oncology Program has a long history of participation in clinical trials in conjunction with the NCIC Clinical Trials Group, the Ontario Clinical Trials Oncology Group and industry partners. It was the first and only Canadian centre to be awarded the American Society of Clinical Oncology Clinical Trials Participation Award in 2005.

The Oncology Program is affiliated with Cancer Care Ontario and the Juravinski Cancer Centre in Hamilton, ensuring comprehensive, integrated cancer services are available for the people of Niagara.

The Oncology Clinic collaborates with several other partners, including: Ontario Breast Screening Program; Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Community Care Access Centre; Canadian Cancer Society, Niagara Unit; Hospice Niagara; Wellspring Niagara; Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant Community Hospice Palliative Care Network; Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Centre.

“We are thankful for our partnership with the Juravinski Cancer Centre and Cancer Care Ontario as it allows us to provide seamless care for patients requiring radiation treatment,” explains Trudy Street, Manager of Clinical Oncology Services at NHS. “Radiation treatment is currently not available in Niagara, which means patients and radiation oncologists have to travel between Hamilton and Niagara for treatment and related services.”

“Thanks to the support of initially the Hotel Dieu and now the Niagara Health System, as well as Cancer Care Ontario, and especially thanks to the tremendous dedicated staff in our clinic, we have been able to provide a level of care to cancer patients in Niagara that has served as a model for community cancer clinics for 25 years,” says Dr. Findlay.

When Niagara’s Walker Family Cancer Centre opens in 2013 at the new healthcare complex in St. Catharines, the Oncology Program will be able to provide the full spectrum of cancer services, including radiation therapy. The new cancer centre will serve the more than 2,500 Niagara residents diagnosed with cancer each year and will play a vital role in the regional cancer plan.

Having a cancer diagnosis is often described as a journey. The Walker Family Cancer Centre will be able to provide all treatments to 95% of patients diagnosed with cancer in this region, allowing more of them to make all of this very personal journey at home, here in Niagara.

Once her chemotherapy treatments were completed, Laurie had to travel to Hamilton once a week for a month for radiation treatment. Receiving her cancer care entirely in Niagara is something Laurie feels would have improved her quality of life.

Since she lived in rural St. Catharines, she was able to get back home before feeling ill from her chemotherapy treatments. That wasn’t the case with Hamilton, and she often found herself unwell on the way back from radiation treatments.

“The drive to Hamilton was a lot of work,” she says.” It took a lot of time to get there and back.”

Laurie has a number of vivid memories of her chemo treatment.

“I always loved the security blankets. My favourite part was getting the blanket.”

On her last day of treatment, Laurie received a corsage. “The other day I was cleaning out my drawer, and I saw it there. It was such an important milestone for me.”

While in treatment for cancer, Laurie’s long-term goal was to thrive in the face of her medical condition, to live a normal and productive life. She credits her treatment, and the doctors, nurses and staff at the Oncology Program for helping her do exactly that.

“It was just such a hopeful place,” she says. “I told myself that I was not going to die. I am going to live.”  «

Dr. Shimizu retired at the end of 2009 after a distinguished career serving kidney disease patients in Niagara and Hamilton

Dr. Art Shimizu’s contributions as a pioneer in the field of Nephrology in Canada will be long remembered with the creation of an award that will be granted annually to a Niagara medical student interested in this area of medicine. Dr. Shimizu retired at the end of 2009 after a distinguished career serving kidney disease patients in Niagara and Hamilton.

“Dr. Shimizu is one of the great figures in Canadian medicine,” says Jane Cornelius, Clinical Manager of the Nephrology Program. “His accomplishments are too plentiful to list, but certainly one of his greatest achievements is the creation of the Canadian Renal Failure Registry in 1972, which is still in use today.”

All dialysis patients are registered with the Registry, which tracks and analyses important patient information. This information is used in many ways, including helping health providers around the country make decisions on patients’ care and identify areas to invest resources to advance care.

Colleagues, family members and friends marked Dr. Shimizu’s retirement with a special party Sunday, January 10, when the award was announced.

“Dr. Shimizu would always take a moment to teach and explain issues to patients, nurses and colleagues,” says Jane. “The Nephrology Team wanted to acknowledge his extraordinary achievements and commitment to learning.

“So instead of a traditional retirement present, the Nephrology Program, together with the St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation, created the Dr. Art Shimizu Award.”

This recognition award will be given annually to a medical student from the Niagara Campus of the McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine. Recipients will display a commitment to excellence and an interest in Nephrology. It is hoped students who are granted the award can emulate Dr. Shimizu’s dedication and commitment to the community and the field of medicine.

Dr. Shimizu’s colleagues in the Nephrology Program have raised $2,500 so far and plan to continue fundraising. Donations can be made to St. Catharines General Hospital Foundation. «

Debbie Sevenpifer,
President and Chief Executive Officer

In the last few weeks, everyone working in our Emergency Departments as well as across our inpatient units, clinical services and support areas has been extremely busy.

The ER is the first point of contact for many patients and their families, and people accessing care in the ERs are experiencing lengthy waits for care depending on the seriousness of their condition. Our healthcare team members are doing their best to see patients in a timely manner.

The impact of this period of heavy activity is being felt across our system, in particular in our inpatient Medical and Surgical units, Diagnostic Imaging and Laboratory departments. Our partners at Niagara Emergency Medical Services are also being impacted, and I would like to thank the paramedics for their efforts through this challenging time.

Everyone across our sites is working together to find solutions on behalf of our patients and their families. Daily teleconferences are being held with healthcare professionals representing all areas of the hospital system and with our community healthcare partners.
We can all help out by sharing the word about our Urgent Care Centres. Please tell your friends, your family and neighbours to use the Urgent Care Centres in Port Colborne, Fort Erie and St. Catharines when appropriate for their care needs. Wait times in our three Urgent Care Centres (Port Colborne, Fort Erie and Ontario Street sites) are significantly lower, and patients will be seen much quicker.

~~~

I had the opportunity recently to meet with the 2009 PEERS, employee volunteers who support broad organizational initiatives aimed at improving the organization.

There are 24 PEER staff members across NHS. The goal of the initiative is to have seven PEERS at each of the larger sites and three at each small site. PEERS meet once a month to share and provide feedback on hospital matters. Each of them is committed to patients and families and providing care in a compassionate and professional way.

This past year especially, our PEERS were instrumental in carrying, sharing and ensuring communication with your colleagues about patient safety. They made discussions happen across the system where there might not have been the opportunity to raise the questions and issues. They made it known far and wide that infection control practices are everyone’s responsibility.

This upcoming year, our PEERS will be looking at re-branding their group to reflect their work as change advocates. They will also continue to act as facilitators, communicators and advocates for the workplace relations policy and to model the behaviours that demonstrate our values of caring, professionalism and respect.

I would like to thank our PEERs for making a positive difference in the work life of fellow staff members and in the experiences of our patients and their families. «

For some of us, 1985 seems like yesterday. It was the era of big hair, Wayne Gretzky was at his prime, Amadeus won the Oscar for best picture and less than 40,000 people across North America actually owned cell phones.

Although things were very different 25 years ago, there is a lot that hasn’t changed, like finding the elusive cure for cancer.

In this issue of Niagara Health Now, we’re taking a look back over the last quarter century to the early beginnings of Oncology services in Niagara. The Oncology Program was launched in February 1985 at the former Hotel Dieu Hospital – now our Ontario Street Site in St. Catharines.

Some of the healthcare professionals and providers who were there at the very beginning continue to support the program, and we thank them for their ongoing dedication and service.

In the years that have passed, there has been tremendous advancement in the development of chemotherapy treatments while at the same time spiraling growth in demand for the service as more and more Niagarans battle cancer.

One of the most prolific and telling stories we have published in Niagara Health Now is the story of Laurie Martens on pages 6 and 7 of this issue. The St. Catharines woman shares her personal journey, which began in 1988 at the young age of 22, with chemotherapy treatment for Hodgkin’s Disease.

We thank Laurie for sharing her life story with us to remind all that cancer can be beaten and that there remains much work to do and care to give as we move through the next 25 years of providing cancer treatment to the people of our region. «

Christine Clark, Chief Communications Officer

Ontario’s hospitals, like most other companies and organizations, are trying very hard to balance their budgets and function within their means during these very difficult economic times.

The NHS had an operating deficit of $18.9 million for the 2008-09 fiscal year.

“Our operating revenue is not sufficient to cover the expenses associated with the delivery of services currently being provided,” says Chief Financial Officer Angela Zangari. “This is one of the key reasons the NHS developed a Hospital Improvement Plan (HIP) in July 2008.”

The HIP includes more than $28 million of savings over the five-year period through the creation of Centres of Excellence and improved quality and efficiency initiatives. The HIP will also help reduce costs by addressing the duplication of services, equipment, health professionals and infrastructure across NHS sites.

Approximately $16 million has been saved since the HIP was implemented, mainly from the consolidation of surgical services, bed closures and conversion of acute care services to complex continuing care.

Independent reviews

The NHS is an efficiently-run hospital system. Numerous third party reports and reviews demonstrate this fact. Niagara Health has undergone an efficiency review, an expenditure control review, the Dr. Kitts review, in addition to our annual financial audits, all which have pointed to the same thing – we are efficient, we manage our expenses well and there is a need for a funding/cash injection to the NHS.

Debt/Working Capital Deficit

The NHS debt/working capital deficit is more than $100 million.

“It is primarily attributable to factors beyond our control and stem from a number of unique circumstances from amalgamation of the NHS in 2000 and the governance transfer with the former Hotel Dieu Hospital in 2005,” says Angela.

Bridge Financing

The NHS received a cash advance of $90 million from the LHIN in April 2009 for the 2009-10 fiscal year. This is an upfront advance of our yearly funding, which needs to be repaid before March 15, 2010. NHS uses bridge financing from the bank to repay this advance until the annual funds flow again in April for the next fiscal year.

The cash advance and bridge financing are used to fund our negative cash position, which is approximately $110 million. This is funded by the $90 million from cash advances/bridge financing and $18-million line of credit.

Provincial Funding Increases

News articles continue to refer to a 43% increase in base funding. The nature of this increase is not well understood.

Much of the new monies received from the Provincial Health Ministry in the last five years are for new programs, not to fund existing operating costs or deficits.

Since 2004/05, we have received $85.4 million in additional funding; 62% of this money was specifically targeted to fund programs new to the NHS. More than half of the $85.4 million — $47 million — was transferred from the former Hotel Dieu Hospital to the NHS in relation to the transfer of programs to us, including oncology and chronic kidney disease. In addition, almost $5 million was for increased demand in the chronic kidney disease program.

The remaining funding increases received by NHS for the last four years were not sufficient to cover our growing annual operating costs, which include increases in salaries and benefits as well as utilities. This is the same situation being experienced by all hospitals in Ontario. For example, in 2009-2010, the average funding increase for Ontario hospitals was 2.2%, however, costs increased by approximately 3.5%.

“Niagara Health continues to work with our Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) and the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) to address the financial situation, including dealing with some factors which are unique to Niagara,” says Angela.

What’s Ahead

As Ontario’s economy recovers from the recession, hospitals can expect that government funding will not be enough to cover increasing expenses. Although funding planning targets for the next fiscal year 2010/2011 have not yet been identified by the MOHLTC, all indications are the HIP funding assumption of a 3% funding increase will not be received for 2010/2011.

Hospitals have been asked to identify the impact of base funding increases 0%, 1% and 2%. Each of these scenarios represents a funding shortfall of $3 million to $9 million for Niagara Health System because our costs will continue to rise at a greater rate.

The NHS has identified sufficient additional savings to deal with a 2% funding assumption for next year without significant service reductions.  If base funding for 2010/11 is less than 2%, additional service reductions will be required. «

Golden Care Pharmacy is an independent provider scheduled to open in March on the main floor near the front lobby at GNG. Golden Care Pharmacy best matched the requirements in a request for proposals issued in 2009.

Renovations are now underway for the new dispensary, being located in the former operating room and day surgery waiting room beside the Auxiliary Gift Shop. Both the Surgical program and the Auxiliary have been involved in the planning process, working together on the move of the current waiting area. Visitors and waiting family members are being accommodated in the nearby Ambulatory Care waiting area and lobby seating. Another change associated with this initiative is moving the GNGH Foundation donor wall closer to the front entrance, across from Tim Hortons.

It is important to note that the new dispensary will not sell any items currently available in the neighbouring Auxiliary Gift Shop. Golden Care Pharmacy will provide pharmaceutical items available in a regular retail dispensary, filling prescription orders and providing some over-the-counter medications.

The renovations won’t stop when the pharmacy opens. Plans are currently being finalized to bring in a third new vendor to the site’s main floor, in the area now vacated by the Whistle Stop Café. «

From left, Duomax Developments Ltd. Senior Project Manager John Werkman takes a final look at the clinical work space for the Niagara Diabetes Centre with Welland Site Engineering Services Manager Alain Boucher and Planning & Development Project Co-ordinator Dawn Blackman.

The Niagara Diabetes Centre (NDC) is making a move to newly-renovated space at Welland Site.

The Diabetes Centre is an outpatient regional diabetes education and management program offered in six Niagara communities – Fort Erie, Grimsby, Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, St. Catharines and Welland. The main office, known as the hub, is moving from Ontario Street Site in St. Catharines to Welland Site, and will be open for business Feb. 1.

The NDC hub will be housed on the main floor at Welland Site, across from Administration.

“The area was built for the temporary dialysis unit,” says program manager Cathy Lanteigne. “It is bright and airy which makes it feel less institutional, and the space offers efficient flow for patients coming for clinics and counselling sessions with staff. In addition, the enhanced clinic space will now permit medical, nursing and nutrition students to work with physicians and clinical diabetes team members.”

The Ontario Street Site will remain active as a satellite to serve St. Catharines and surrounding communities, as will the other satellite services throughout Niagara. Registered Nurses and Dietitians will continue to meet with clients individually or in group forums during scheduled sessions Monday to Friday.

Main office activities include centralized bookings for all program locations. A number of patient services will now be offered at the Welland hub:

• Physician-managed clinics
• Specialty appointments for paediatric patients
• Specialty appointments for pregnant women
• Initiation of insulin injections
• Introduction of insulin pump therapy

A new Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care/Local Health Integration Network funded service is also being introduced – a Foot Care Clinic for clients with diabetes.

The NDC is the only diabetes program in Niagara registered by the Ministry to validate that criteria are met and maintained by clients seeking insulin-pump funding. This program is specifically for individuals with Type 1 Diabetes. Clients who come to physician clinics may also have their required appointments with the NDC diabetes team co-ordinated at the same time to optimize the client/family’s visit to the hub. «

“We welcome and take pride in this opportunity to demonstrate our progress and successes in providing care to our patients and community,” says Frank Demizio, Vice President Patient Services and Accreditation senior lead. “Many employees across Niagara Health have worked diligently in this effort, which is similar to ISO 9000 reviews in other sectors.”

“We’re preparing for a new survey process called Qmentum, which uses ‘tracer methodology,’ during which a surveyor will trace the care process of a patient from start to finish,” Frank explains. “It’s about reviewing and comparing the processes associated with the care that our staff, physicians and volunteers provide on a daily basis to national standards.”

Over the past 12 months, teams have been reviewing accreditation standards and, where necessary, developing action plans to address areas for improvement. Storyboards have been developed by the various teams that overview their program and unit accomplishments. Mock tracers have been conducted to expose staff and physicians to the various questions they could be asked when a surveyor conducts a tracer in their unit or department.

During their time with us, the five surveyors – physicians, nurses and administrators from other healthcare organizations – will analyze our self-assessment, review our action plans and various documents, and conduct tracers, which will allow them to interact with staff, physicians and patients/clients. «

Making the public aware of colorectal cancer screening was just what the doctor ordered in Niagara as residents took an inside look at an inflated 40-foot long walk-through colon, complete with polyps.

The Niagara Health System partnered with Niagara Region Public Health, Ontario’s ColonCancerCheck program, Cancer Care Ontario and the Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada to bring the Giant Colon Tour to the Pen Centre Jan. 22 and 23. The walk-through exhibit is being set up across Ontario this winter to showcase the importance of colorectal screening.

For information on colorectal cancer and screening, please visit our website «

Photos courtesy of Colorectal Cancer Association of Canada

“We are very pleased to be one of 17 hospitals in Ontario selected by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to participate in the PIP,” says President and CEO Debbie Sevenpifer. “This is an exciting opportunity to do things differently to improve both the experience of our patients and staff.”
The eight-month PIP is part of the Ministry’s ER Wait Time Strategy and is tied to both the Ministry’s and NHS’s priorities to reduce wait times in the ER and improve patient and staff satisfaction.

The St. Catharines General Site was able to apply for PIP funding since it was the NHS site previously approved by the Ministry to participate in the Pay for Results ER initiative. Learnings from the PIP will be rolled out across all of our sites.

“Our participation in the PIP will build on our great work to date in enhancing the way we provide care and also identify areas for improvement,” says Vice President Anne Atkinson.

“Much like individual links that form one strong chain, the focus of the PIP is to bring together all of the different aspects of the patient experience to enhance the overall experience for patients and staff,” says PIP ER team lead Lorie Luinstra-Toohey.

The PIP is now in the Solution Design Phase, the third of five phases. Based on feedback from staff and physicians, the focus of this phase is on identifying patient flow solutions that:

• Reduce time between triage and physician assessment
• Reduce time between orders for tests and physician reassessment
• Reduce the Bed Empty Time from when one patient leaves a bed until the next one occupies it
• Reduce room-to-room transfers
• Improve predictive discharge processes

“All of these opportunities are interlinked and each opportunity has multiple problems and root causes,” says PIP Inpatient team lead Glenn Wiffin. “To be effective, solutions need to be developed around root causes rather than the symptoms of a problem.”

“These solutions need to come from our physicians and staff,” says Glenn. “They impact patient care on a daily basis – whether that be through cleaning rooms, processing orders, transporting patients or providing direct patient care.”

“If physicians and staff have ideas to improve our processes, no matter how big or small, we encourage them to contact any member of the PIP team,” says Lorie.

Lorie can be reached by telephone at ext. 44578 or by email at lorie.luinstra-toohey@niagarahealth.on.ca, and Glenn can be reached at ext. 44577 or glenn.wiffin@niagarahealth.on.ca. A list of all team members can be found on the PIP section of source•net. «

In this issue of Roundup… (Download PDF or browse links below)

Patient Safety Connection
The new online Incident Reporting System has been launched! Niagara-on-the-Lake Site is now live with this new computer software, and we are currently training Ontario Street Site staff to go live in February, with other sites to follow individually…. » cont’dUnited For Families update
For a variety of reasons, including H1N1, this season’s United Way campaign committee has been struggling to reach the $80,000 goal. At press time, about 80% of the goal had been reached. The campaign is running until Feb. 12, giving staff time to get your name in the exciting… » cont’dCreating a workplace free of violence
The healthcare sector has one of the highest levels of workplace violence for employees, with patient-related violence the most common type… » cont’dCongratulations To …
Our staff, who make the effort each holiday season to raise funds and collect food and toys for those less fortunate across Niagara. Of particular note is the creative fundraising of Debbie Audet, RN on the Maternal/Child Unit at St. Catharines General Site… » cont’dCelebrating excellence in February and March
Each year, the autumn months see two awards celebrations, but due to H1N1, these awards were rescheduled to February and March. The Interprofessional Awards of Excellence are… » cont’dSupport for the people of Haiti
Niagara Health System encourages you to help earthquake survivors in Haiti by giving to your charity of choice… » cont’d

May 2, 2009: This photo was taken shortly after the ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony. The former Hunt family house and barns are still in place.

July 30, 2009: This photo demonstrates the beginnings of the building excavation area and is a testament to the superior soil conditions offered by the property.

December 29, 2009: This photo identifies clear progress on the site, even though partially snow-covered, with all five tower cranes and the site office complex in place. The majority of all foundations have been poured and the building is progressing to the second level in several areas.

Our new
health
complex

Snapshots of the construction progress

Anyone driving along the northern portion of Highway 406 or in the west end of St. Catharines has a chance to see history in the making.

Plenary Health Niagara, together with the Niagara Health System, has made significant progress with the new health complex both on and off the site since construction began following the ceremonial groundbreaking held on April 28, 2009.

The skyline has changed dramatically with the erection of five cranes on site, allowing the building to take shape at a faster pace.

Offsite, hundreds of hours have been spent to finalize the design of the new complex. NHS user groups, working together with our project architects, constructors, operators and consultants, have worked long and hard to make sure that the facility meets all of the project requirements and is clinically functional.

Three aerial photographs are highlighted here throughout different stages of the project over the past year. «

The Big Move Cancer Ride cyclists enjoy the scenic route through the rolling country roads of the Niagara peninsula.

History was made on Sunday, September, 20, 2009, when 235 riders took to the scenic roads of Niagara to raise money for the Walker Family Cancer Centre. The cyclists came with many goals. Some were honouring the memory of a loved one who fought a battle with cancer, some came to simply enjoy a day of cycling, and others participated as a personal challenge to cross the finish line.

John Suk, Team Nycomed Canada Inc., explains his motivation to participate in the Big Move Cancer Ride.

“I chose to ride and lead a team because we have waited so long for our new cancer centre,” he said. “This facility is so important, not only for the physical health of cancer patients, but for the social and economic health of our region. I have a close friend who just lost his battle with cancer; he was an inspiration and his memory makes all of us realize that cancer treatment facilities are needed, close to home.”

John was the top individual fundraiser with an outstanding total of $12,570.

With the support and generosity of local businesses, community organizations, volunteers, family, friends and co-workers, the inaugural Big Move Cancer Ride was an overwhelming success, raising $278,000 for the Walker Family Cancer Centre.

NHS’s Oncology Program provides inpatient and outpatient services for the residents of the Niagara region diagnosed with a malignant disease, including consultation, diagnostic procedures, education, support, chemotherapy treatment and follow-up care for the vast majority of cancer patients. However, patients requiring radiation treatment must travel outside of the region for care.

The Oncology Program will evolve to a full-service cancer centre when the Walker Family Cancer Centre opens in 2013. This cancer centre will be the hub of a coordinated regional cancer treatment network for Niagara, serving more than 1,200 Niagara residents diagnosed with cancer each year. This means that 95% of Niagara cancer patients will be able to receive their chemotherapy and radiation treatment at the Walker Family Cancer Centre, allowing them to make this challenging personal journey here in Niagara. This Centre of Excellence for cancer care will also attract new medical specialists, technicians and other medical professionals to the region.

Due to the great success of the inaugural event, the Big Move Cancer Ride Committee is pleased to announce the 2nd annual Big Move Cancer Ride will take place Sunday, September 12th, 2010.

This non-competitive ride includes a 50-kilometre and 100-kilometre cycle through Niagara region starting and ending at Club Roma in St. Catharines. The route quickly escapes urban St. Catharines, bringing cyclists to the top of the escarpment while following the rolling country roads through the scenic farm lands of the southern part of the Niagara Peninsula. The route includes frequent rest stops with refreshments, snacks and restrooms. After the ride, cyclists and friends are invited to go back to Club Roma for a hot buffet lunch, massage, medical care and entertainment.

Be a part of this history-making event in Niagara! Individuals or teams are welcome to participate! The registration fee, which includes a cycling jersey, lunch and refreshments, is $50 with a minimum pledge commitment of $500.

“As a member of the Big Move Ride Committee, I am truly inspired by the generosity of the Niagara community to support the future Walker Family Cancer Centre,” says Sandra Sabo, Chief Operating Officer of the St. Catharines Hospital  Foundation.

“The funds raised from this event and future cycling events will move us one step closer to bringing comprehensive cancer treatment closer to home, here in Niagara.”

Registration for the 2010 Big Move opens in January;  visit bigmovecancerride.com for further details.  «

Niagara Health System Board Member Carm Dix

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 healthcare 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 issue’s profile is of Carm Dix.

Where were you born?
Chatham, Ontario

Number of years living in Niagara:
Forty-Five

Occupation:
Retired from Education

What were the greatest rewards from your job?
Working with young people

What influenced you to become a member of the NHS Board of Trustees?
Interest in healthcare in Niagara

How many years have you served on the NHS Board?
Nine

What is your greatest achievement or reward as a member of the Board?
Seeing the advancement of improved care across Niagara. The designation of all NHS buildings and properties as completely smoke-free.

What is the greatest opportunity for the NHS?
Bringing more expertise to the area through Centres of Excellence and providing care for people who might otherwise have had to leave the area.

What is its greatest challenge?
Communicating change and the benefits thereof to the general public, and managing the necessary changes.

Other involvement as a member of a volunteer Board, past or present?
A number of other boards in past years. Currently on the Niagara Falls Public Library Board (Chair).

How would you describe yourself to someone who doesn’t know you?
Persistent; a different sense of humour.  «

In this Roundup (View PDF or browse links below)

• Congratulations To …
• Celebrating excellence in February and March
• Patient Safety Connection
• Support for the people of Haiti
• United For Families update
• Creating a workplace free of violence

Support for the people of Haiti

Niagara Health System encourages you to help earthquake survivors in Haiti by giving to your charity of choice. For your convenience, here are links to just a few of the humanitarian agencies raising funds to help the people of Haiti.

• http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000005&tid=003
• http://www.unicef.org
• http://www.worldvision.ca
• https://www.sjhcs-gpo.com/sjhs

In this Roundup (View PDF or browse links below)

• Congratulations To …
• Celebrating excellence in February and March
• Patient Safety Connection
• Support for the people of Haiti
• United For Families update
• Creating a workplace free of violence

Celebrating excellence in February and March

Each year, the autumn months see two awards celebrations, but due to H1N1, these awards were rescheduled to February and March. The Interprofessional Awards of Excellence are given out to allied healthcare professionals working in the fields of laboratory, diagnostic imaging, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, etc. A total of eight staff are selected, one at each site plus one overall recipient. Nominations are open until Jan. 29, so go to source•net => Resources for Interprofessionals and fill in the form for the 2009 awards.

Tickets are now on sale for the 5th Annual Recognition Evening Feb. 18 to celebrate interprofessional practice when the awards will be presented. Enjoy a great dinner at John Michael’s Banquet and Conference Centre, Thorold, and an exciting trivia competition between tables. Tickets are $25, available at Site Admin. Book your table of eight with Sandra Lindsay at ext. 43106 by Feb. 12.

Staff are also looking forward to the NHS Awards of Excellence, to recognize outstanding contributions made by our employees, physicians, volunteers and students in the categories of our values and five success factors. An overall award, the President’s Award, is presented to the individual or team demonstrating the greatest impact overall related to the majority of these areas. This year, the 2009 Awards will be presented in early March at a special event for the winners of each category. All nominees have received a letter from CEO Debbie Sevenpifer. The award recipients will be announced in March. Previous award winners are noted on the NHS website.

It is important to formally highlight the excellent work we know is being done across the organization! Nominating for the Awards of Excellence is an open process. Nomination forms, including criteria to nominate, are available on source•net => Forms/Non-clinical. Why not consider nominating an individual or team for 2010?  «

In this Roundup (View PDF or browse links below)

• Congratulations To …
• Celebrating excellence in February and March
• Patient Safety Connection
• Support for the people of Haiti
• United For Families update
• Creating a workplace free of violence

Creating a workplace free of violence

The healthcare sector has one of the highest levels of workplace violence for employees, with patient-related violence the most common type. However, aggression between healthcare colleagues also exists, referred to as horizontal violence – intimidating remarks that belittle a colleague in front of others, bullying or harassment.

In 2009, the NHS received a $120,000 Healthy Workplace Environment grant from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to develop a Workplace Violence Prevention Program. The funding has helped to support several initiatives for front-line and management staff, and is co-ordinated by Barb Dixon, Human Resources, in collaboration with a steering committee.

More than 110 staff participated in education on workplace violence and bullying. Certified instructors from Safe Management Group Inc. provided a two-day program to 33 clinical staff in high-risk areas, such as ER, Complex Continuing Care and Mental Health. Eight staff completed training in an advanced five-day train-the-trainer program and are now preparing to teach others the certified program in a half-day or one-day session. Five trainers also completed an additional day of elderly-focused training. As well, 12 managers were trained in alternate dispute resolution techniques to help resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Another group of employees completed three days of facilitator training to be able to offer educational workshops on such topics as effective communication and giving and receiving feedback in regards to workplace relations.

Partnering to Evaluate Improvements

The NHS collaborated with the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario to develop and test a Workplace Violence Prevention Toolkit for RPNs. We also partnered with researchers from Brock University and Metrics@Work to help evaluate what had the most positive impact on the work climate.
Once staff learned different ways to improve workplace relations, they began to demonstrate positive behaviours on their units, specifically around working together as a team. A pre- and post-survey was used to measure changes in one particular unit and we are very pleased with the positive results. Staff satisfaction improved significantly with Manager, Charge Nurse and co-worker relationships. Overall, respectful behaviours improved and disrespectful behaviours decreased among colleagues and physicians.

Study results present very strong evidence that the educational interventions had a positive impact. It’s important to note that this is a long road to be travelled by each of us and that self-assessment of our own behaviours is a key step.

The NHS is committed to building on the great work already begun to lead and sustain more cultural changes in workplace relations and violence prevention. Violence prevention training has already started this year with a Safe Management Group program Jan. 26 and 27 and another five-day program Feb 8 – 12, using the successful train-the-trainer model. Stay tuned for more on the NHS Workplace Violence Prevention Program! Contact Human Resources at ext. 44200 for more information or go to source•net. «

In this Roundup (View PDF or browse links below)

• Congratulations To …
• Celebrating excellence in February and March
• Patient Safety Connection
• Support for the people of Haiti
• United For Families update
• Creating a workplace free of violence

Patient Safety Connection

The new online Incident Reporting System has been launched!

Niagara-on-the-Lake Site is now live with this new computer software, and we are currently training Ontario Street Site staff to go live in February, with other sites to follow individually. The majority of staff have indicated that the new system is very user-friendly and feel that it will be a great improvement to the old paper system. Thank you for your enthusiasm and all your positive feedback. The Charge Person on each unit will be assisting in training the rest of your team. However, we would encourage you to ‘train it forward’.

Occasionally there may be a glitch with the software. Please be patient – behind the scenes we are still working on some logistical and technical issues to fine-tune the program. Contact Brenda Colbow, ext. 44665, for assistance. We are also working on a ‘cheat sheet’, available soon.

We would like to thank those of you who came down to see Cindy Ko, Patient Safety Specialist, during Patient Safety Week recently. Cindy enjoyed meeting staff and hearing success stories as well as concerns. Don’t forget to get acquainted with the new bright yellow Patient Safety binders – patient safety information at your fingertips. We encourage you to use section 6 of the binder for program specific information and section 8 for current & interesting articles to keep yourselves abreast. There will be ongoing contests to help you keep this binder alive!

Your first contest question: The first person who emails Cindy with a patient safety improvement they have identified and made in their area recently will win a prize!! GOOD LUCK!

Patient Safety Leadership Walkarounds have begun for 2010, with tours and discussions happening Jan. 21. This will complete the second round, which was postponed during H1N1.  «

In this Roundup (View PDF or browse links below)

• Congratulations To …
• Celebrating excellence in February and March
• Patient Safety Connection
• Support for the people of Haiti
• United For Families update
• Creating a workplace free of violence

Congratulations To …

Our staff, who make the effort each holiday season to raise funds and collect food and toys for those less fortunate across Niagara. Of particular note is the creative fundraising of Debbie Audet, RN on the Maternal/Child Unit at St. Catharines General Site.

Debbie donated her personal time and energy to organize a fundraiser for Gillian’s Place. Gillian’s Place, formerly known as Women’s Place, is a shelter for abused women and their children. The fundraising event was held at Stella’s in St Catharines where music, draws, door prizes and a lot of fun for all who turned out raised a total of $2,660 for Gillian’s Place. In addition, Debbie organized 50/50 draws on the unit, and with the money raised purchased gifts from the Gillian’s Place wish list. Presents targeted for teenagers included clothing and gift cards to retail stores and theatres. Way to go Debbie for your generous effort. «

In this Roundup (View PDF or browse links below)

• Congratulations To …
• Celebrating excellence in February and March
• Patient Safety Connection
• Support for the people of Haiti
• United For Families update
• Creating a workplace free of violence

United For Families update

Greater Niagara General Site Pharmacy Tech Michele Ciolfi is this year’s lucky winner of the Choose a Cruise $3,500 raffle.

Payroll deduction prize draws Feb. 12

For a variety of reasons, including H1N1, this season’s United Way campaign committee has been struggling to reach the $80,000 goal. At press time, about 80% of the goal had been reached. The campaign is running until Feb. 12, giving staff time to get your name in the exciting United Way payroll deduction draws, taking place the last day of the campaign.

Payroll deduction is a lasting way to help support more than 100 social service agencies doing valuable work in our communities through United Way. Fill out your pledge form today. If you’re a current donor, your payroll deduction will automatically carry forward this year. If you’re not a current donor, make 2010 your year to make a difference.

It’s easy to give just $3 per pay which totals $78 per year. Go online to the United Way site on source•net to print and fill in a form, or go to the United Way display at your site cafeteria to pick up a form (OSS-coffee shop, NOTL-site admin). Once it’s filled in, send it to Payroll at OSS.

One-time donations are also welcome. This could be $10 or $1,000 and last year, about 45 staff chose to give this way. Staff members are urged to consider a one-time gift if an ongoing commitment is out of reach. Simply fill in a form and send it to Payroll at OSS.

Great Prizes for Donations from $20 to $75

• NIAGARA WINE GIFT BASKET – Courtesy of Lynne Pollard
• SNACKING GIFT BASKET – Courtesy Original Arts & Gifts
• COFFEE MAKER – Courtesy of Mid-Range
• PARTY GIFT BASKET – Courtesy of Canadian Tire Corporation

Great Prizes for Donations over $75

• PAID DAY OFF – Courtesy of NHS
• COLOUR LASER PRINTER – Courtesy of  MicroAge
• 32 GB IPOD TOUCH – Courtesy of PMX Inc.
• BUFFALO SABRES HOCKEY TICKETS – Courtesy of Telecon

Please help make a difference in our community. Help us reach our goal. Every little bit counts!

New for the Olympics

The Big-Screen TV and Olympic Hockey Jersey Raffle

Get your tickets ($2 each or 3 for $5) just in time to see the Canadian Winter Olympics this month and cheer on your favourite hockey team! Your ticket will give you the chance to win one of two great prizes – a 42” Samsung flat screen TV, donated by Nexcap, plus an official Canadian Olympic Hockey Jersey, donated by Luc Guilbault and valued at $135. Check your email for ticket seller locations. Draw takes place Feb. 11