Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Decreases Infection by 90%!

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) is a type of bacteria that is highly resistant to antibiotics and can be spread in hospitals. Although it rarely causes infections, an infection with VRE could be devastating to a patient as there are limited antibiotics remaining which are effective against it (there are only two drugs which are interchangeable, so most hospitals only carry one). As some may recall Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) experienced three outbreaks of VRE during 2009 and 2010 but we haven’t heard much about this bug since – and it’s not because it has fallen off of our radar.

An inter-professional team consisting of members from infection prevention and control, unit managers and directors, frontline nursing staff, professional practice leaders, engineering services, and housekeeping, identified and addressed the cultural, behavioral and environmental barriers that had been contributing to the spread of these bacteria. The team researched current literature, conducted a cost-benefit analysis, used videos to reveal out-dated practices, surveyed and then provided education to staff, and made environmental changes, to get support for capital equipment and assist frontline staff to transition to better practices. Through the hard work and dedication of staff from the frontline to patient safety, the incidence of hospital acquired VRE at CKHA has dropped by an amazing 90%, which has been sustained over the last 2 years. This success is a great example of how simple changes in practices do make a difference for our patients. Below are some of the people responsible for this initiative

Pictured L-R, Shane Helgerman, Director Medicine & Mission, Lisa Northcott, Clinical Manager, Medicine, Carol Turner Coordinator IPAC, Harrie Bos Manager, Engineering Services, Carrie Sophonow Manager, Housekeeping, Erika Vitale Infection Prevention & Control Quality Analyst, and Crystal Houze, Vice President and Chief Nursing Executive.

Trillium Gift of Life

Did you know, every three days, someone in Ontario dies while waiting for an organ transplant?

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) has partnered with Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) to maximize tissue and organ donation to enhance life for others. We are the twelfth hospital TGLN has collaborated with to promote tissue and organ donation. Through this collaboration, CKHA continues its change and quality initiatives to improve health and quality of life for all.

Organ donation from one individual can help eight other individuals. Tissue donation can benefit the lives of 75 others. Unfortunately, the availability of organs and tissue in Ontario for transplant falls extremely short of the need.

After January 24, 2012, CKHA’s Emergency Department (ED) and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) will implement this quality initiative and report all deaths to TGLN within one hour of a patient’s death. This timely, mandatory reporting will facilitate tissue donation, specifically the donation of eye tissues, skin, bone, and heart valves by standardizing the process for donation with one phone call to TGLN. This process also helps identify potential donors.

Discussing death or tissue/organ donation with family or loved ones is never an easy topic.

Have you considered tissue/organ donation? Did you know that even if you signed a donor card, you still need to register your request on-line with Service Ontario? If you do register yourself as a tissue/organ donor, you can alleviate a stressful burden on your family of having to decide what to do during a painful, sad time.

Through this collaboration, TGLN has the ability to verify “donor status” for those whom the status is not known or whose status may have changed. TGLN staff will discuss tissue and organ donation with family members, prompting them to consider donation for those who are not registered or verification of donor status to ensure the patient’s wishes are followed.


For more information or to register on-line, visit http://www.ontario.ca/en/services_for_residents/ONT05_039074.html

Everyone is a potential donor regardless of their age.

Pregnancy and the Flu Vaccine

With influenza season upon us it is important for all of us to consider vaccination. Influenza, frequently known as ‘the flu’, is a common and highly contagious virus that is characterized by a sudden fever, coughs and usually includes extreme fatigue and muscle aches. While most people recover from the flu in seven to ten days, it is important to recognize that for others the flu can present serious complications.

The Public Health Agency of Canada includes pregnant women in their high-risk category, meaning it is very important that they speak to their care provider about receiving the flu vaccine. The flu vaccine is considered safe for expectant mothers during all stages of pregnancy.
So if you are pregnant this influenza season, why should you get your flu shot?

• The seasonal flu vaccine is recommended for those who will be pregnant during flu season.


• Being immunized will also help protect your baby through his or her first few months of life.


• Pregnant women are at increased risk of hospitalization and serious complications from influenza.

This increased risk is believed to be related to the changes that occur during pregnancy in the cardiovascular, respiratory and immune systems, and is greatest in the second and third trimesters.

So protect both yourself and your new bundle of joy by choosing to be immunized this influenza season!

Sleep – It does your Body Good!

One of the most overlooked, yet most important ways to stay healthy, is to ensure that you are getting the sleep that your body needs. This is sometimes more easily said than done, especially for those who perform shiftwork. So, read on for some tips!

Lack of sleep can lead to both short and long-term consequences for your health. We can likely all relate to the feelings of irritability, fatigue and difficulty concentrating after missing a night or two of sleep. However, if sleep deprivation continues over the long-term it increases the risk of more serious health problems such as obesity, diabetes, a weakened immune system, high blood pressure and depression.

Here are some tips to establish good sleeping habits:

• Create a comfortable sleep environment


• Reduce caffeine consumption and avoid alcohol prior to bedtime


• Get regular exercise and enjoy a healthy diet


• Avoid heavy meals right before bedtime


• Try relaxation techniques like yoga before bed


• Try to maintain a consistent bed and wake time whenever possible.

Approximately 25% of employees in Canada perform shiftwork. Here are some additional things to consider if you or someone you know is one of them:

• Try to get more sleep when possible, a quick 30 minute nap will increase your total amount of sleep and help improve your health.


• Consider bringing your lunch to work as food choices tend to be less healthy at night


• Try to get some exercise in during your breaks, a quick walk around the building will do the trick.


• Ask your family for their support by making sure you get the sleep you need when you are home.

Regardless of your schedule, if you are struggling to sleep, you can also talk to your health care provider about other options. Most importantly, realize that you cannot adequately care for others until you have cared for yourself – and that means getting enough sleep. Good night……….

Take Care, Don’t Fall!

With winter weather here we start to think about icy sidewalks and parking lots, which increase the risk of falling. While the winter weather does present unique challenges, it is important to remain aware that we are all at risk of falling, both indoors and out, all year round.

According to the Public Health Agency of Canada falls are the second leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations for all ages, after motor vehicle collisions. The fall-related injury rate is nine times greater among seniors than among those less than 65 years of age. Seniors who fall are more likely to suffer fractures and other serious injuries that may affect their ability to live independently.

It is important that we all stop and think about what we can do to prevent a fall and preventing falls is especially important with advanced age. There are some steps that we can take to try and prevent falling:

• Keep physically active and enjoy a healthy diet


• Wear comfortable shoes that offer good support


• Use a rubber bath mat in your shower and take care when entering or exiting the shower


• Keep clutter in your home to a minimum


• Make sure there is adequate lighting


• Avoid scatter mats as they are easy to trip on


• Keep eyeglasses and hearing aids in good repair and wear as directed


• Ensure that ice and snow are removed from walkways and make arrangements to have these areas maintained if you are unable to do


• Ask for assistance with tasks that may increase your risk of falls, tasks like getting items from shelves that you have difficulty reaching
  

All of us can play a part in falls prevention. If you are able, assist senior relatives and neighbors with snow removal and other tasks that may be risky for them to undertake.
Let’s all work together to stay safe!

Bell Let’s Talk – Breakdown the stigma of mental illness

Bell’s second annual Let’s Talk day is on Wednesday, February 8. This day is intended to breakdown the stigma of mental illness by encouraging open discussion amongst families, friends and co-workers. Too often a diagnosis of mental illness has a stigma attached to it. By encouraging dialogue it is hoped that the stigma will be removed and people can feel comfortable openly discussing mental illness, just like they would any other illness.

The benefit of removing the stigma is to encourage those suffering from mental illness to seek help in managing their illness. People can also be better supported with their treatment goals when they are encouraged by those around them to stick to their treatment plans and to seek assistance from their health care providers when they have questions.

For each text and long distance call made on February 8, Bell will contribute 5 cents to programs dedicated to mental health. This may not sound like a lot but last year Let’s Talk day raised 3.3 million dollars! For more information please go to the Let’s Talk website at http://www.bell.ca/letstalk.

Together we can remove the stigma associated with mental illness and encourage our families, friends and co-workers to get the help and support they need.

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Service Excellence Kick-Off!!!

January 25 marked the kick-off date for a new service excellence strategy being implemented at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA). On that date, the first session of “The Language of Caring” was presented to our Formal Leadership Team. The Language of Caring will help us develop the skills to ensure the person we are caring for feels the care we provide.

Over the next few months, we will focus on implementing one skill at a time. Once carried out, we will be seen as leaders in Service Excellence, this is an outstanding accomplishment – setting the bar high for those who follow in our footsteps. It will be wonderful to see our staff recognized for their caring attitudes.

The organization, our patients and their families have so much to gain from this strategy; I want CKHA to stand for one thing, wonderful, caring people, dedicated to patients and their families.

As an exceptional community hospital – setting standards – exceeding expectations, we will have the skills to ensure people will feel our caring – each time – every time. There is no better reason than this to start now.

Below is a photo of the educational session with the Formal Leadership Team for the Language of Caring.