Hand Washing: Clean Hands, Caring Hearts

The staff, physicians and volunteers at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) take pride in delivering safe, quality care to our patients. Washing our hands is one way that CKHA protects both ourstaff and our patients from the spread of infection. Hand washing also helps create a safe practice environment. A special code word was chosen to be used by CKHA employees as a way for staff to remind each other of the importance of washing their hands at every patient interaction. It is an easy and fun way to ensure there are no missed opportunities for hand hygiene. Using the code word and continuing with our hand hygiene audits monthly, are two ways the staff at CKHA are increasing the awareness of the importance of washing your hands.

We had a surprise visit recently from `Paws` the big red dog, he went around from department to department to help remind all staff of the importance of good hand hygiene. He also reminded staff, physicians and volunteers that using the code word is how we leteach other know that they missed an opportunity for hand hygiene. Hand hygiene is the responsibility of everyone at the hospital and together we can ensure the delivery of safe, quality and effective care is carried forward each and every day at CKHA.

During his surprise visit,the big red dog, stopped to greet Shealy Farmer, a nurse on our Medicine Unit. Shane Helgerman, Program Director of Medicine accompanied the big red dog as he travelled throughout CKHA reminding staff, physicians and volunteers of the importance of good hand hygiene.

Using Technology to Improve Medication Safety

Part of keeping our patients safe is ensuring that they receive appropriate medications throughout their stay in hospital – the right medication, the right dose, and at the right time.

At Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA), one way that medication safety is addressed in a process called Medication Reconciliation. Medication Reconciliationis comparing and compiling multiple sources of information to create an accurate list of the patient’s medications prior to admission.

At CKHA, we are going to improve the medication reconciliation process by using our electronic documentation system to gather the patient’s home medication list. Later this spring when a nurse or pharmacy technician retrieves your medication information, they will bring a computer to the bedside and save it on your electronic chart. The healthcare team can refer to this list at any point in your stay and even on a following visit.

If you are a patient or a caregiver of someone who is coming to the hospital, make sure you bring an up-to-date list of all medications including puffers, shots, herbs, lotions, samples, drops and over-the-counter pills. It is a simple step in a complex situation that can help to keep you or your family member safe.

Crystal’s Blog: 1 Year Anniversary

One year ago I launched Crystal’s Corner to inform patients, families, staff and the community of the new or upcoming strides CKHA is taking to improve the care we provide. My first blog was called “Nursing: You Can’t Live Without It!”which celebrates nursing leadership in our organization. As I reflect on the past year and the 50 blogs posted, I see the momentum of CKHA’s commitment for excellence grow and blossom.

Therehave been some big accomplishments and changes for the organization over the past year. We have released Health Outcomes for Better Information and Care (HOBIC) to measure the outcomes our nurses have on our patients, to focus our care plans and improve patient outcomes. In December 2010, CKHA completed the Qmentum Accreditation program and met 97.7% and 1572 of the 1610 standards of excellence.
We are one of only 21 hospitals designated as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO), using RNAO’s Best Practice Guidelines to lead our practice when implementing policies, procedures, patient orders, documentation standards, and patient care initiatives.

Lastly, Patient and Family Centered Care has become the culture of the organization, and partnering with patients and their families is evident throughout the organization. It is through these partnerships we work collaboratively to create the environment our patients and families expect and need.

I look forward in my 2nd year of Crystal’s Corner to share with you updates on the strides CKHA is making in continuing the momentum for positive change.

Two Compassionate Caregivers receive Prestigious Award

When the recipients of theCompassionate Caregiver Award of Distinction were announced on May 9, 2011, Vivianne Dewitte, Coordinator of Palliative Care, and Floyd Fennema, Coordinator of Recreational Therapy, could not have been more surprised. Their colleagues weren’t surprised though they knew just how deserving of the award these two were.

Their story will move you. There was a patient no longer able to go home due to his condition and prognosis. Vivianne asked him one day if he had just one wish, what it would be. His reply was to go fishing, but felt it would never happen. Believing that dreams do come true, Vivianne got in touch with Floyd, who contacted the patient’s family; whoworked out the details to make his wish come true. Imagine the patient’s surprise when the next day Vivianne told him he was going fishing. That day he enjoyed the warmth of the sun with his family and he even caught several fish! Vivianne went to see him the next day and asked how his outing had been; his ear-to-ear grin said it all. His journey ended peacefully, two weeks after his last fishing trip.

At the ceremony, I shared with the group portions of the letter of appreciation from the founder and benefactor of the Compassionate Caregiver Award,"I am so very grateful for the infinite compassion, respectand high level of medical care accorded my husband in the final stages of his life at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. The very able, courageous and knowledgeable staff kept my husband free from pain and minimized his natural anxiety. The "Compassionate Caregiver Award of Distinction" is to be evidence of my appreciation and thankfulness for the tender care that my husband received. I hope that the Fund becomes a vehicle for others to say ‘thank-you’ for the same tender care given other patients and families."

I think the donor would agree that Vivianne and Floyd are indeed compassionate caregivers, congratulations and thank you Vivianne and Floyd!

Crystal Houze (centre), congratulates Floyd Fennema & Vivianne Dewitte on being the recipients of theCompassionate Caregiver Award of Distinction at a ceremony held in CKHA’s Café Grand on Monday, May 10, 2011

Nurses Week May 9-13, 2011

Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is celebrating Nurses Week to recognize the contributions that local nurses make as part of the inter-professional team caring for Chatham-Kent patients and their families. CKHA will celebrate its 418 Registered Nurses (RN), 170 Registered Practical Nurses (RPN), and 11 Nurse Practitioners (NP).

Over the past year, CKHA’s nursing staff have made enormous contributions to improving the quality and safety of care delivered to patients at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance. Many nurses have become Best Practice Champions and helped to implement Best Practice Guidelines throughout the Alliance. With their hard work and dedication, CKHA was awarded the provincial designation, Best Practice Spotlight Organization.

Additionally, during Nurses Week, CKHA will award its fourth annual, “Compassionate Caregiver Award” and on May 12 will host a Palliative Care Education day entitled “The Importance of Psychosocial Care” to be held at Smith & Wilson Estate Winery. CKHA staff will have the opportunity to attend this informative event at no charge.

As CKHA celebrates Nurses Week, we encourage others to take the time to reflect on how rewarding a nursing career can be and hope to inspire others to choose this challenging and fulfilling profession. Nurses have many roles, from staff nurse to educator to nurse practitioner and nurse researcher - serving passionately as part of the profession and with a strong commitment to patient safety and quality care.




CKHA Nurses Wendy Murphy (left) and Ashley Dupuis (above) provide care and compassion, while brightening their patients’ day with a smile.

Breakfast for Champions

Did you know that your large double-double coffee contains 230 calories with 12grams of fat? Wow…that should wake you up!More Canadians are overweight and obese than ever before and perhaps the great toll of excess weight is on our health.

On Thursday February 24, a team from Surgery, Women/Children, Ambulatory Care and Professional Practice delivered a hot oatmeal breakfast (only 115 calories) with choice of toppings to the entire Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) team of best practice champions and supporters. As a Registered Nurses Association of Ontario (RNAO) Best Practice Spotlight Organization (BPSO), CKHA also promoteda healthy work environment with information aboutlifestyle choicesrelated to nutrition and exercise.

A healthy work environment is a setting that maximizes the health and well-being of staff. RNAO Healthy Work Environments Best Practice Guidelines clearly show an environment that supports the staffs’ health and well-being does make a difference for nursing work and other members of the healthcare team. A focus on ensuring a healthy work environment is a win for everyone, the organization, the healthcare team and our patients! Fast Facts:

1. Nutritious, balanced meals and healthy snacks may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.


2. Risk of obesity can decline by 4.8% for each additional km walked per day; the risk increased by 6% for each hour spent in a car per day.


3. Obesity rates among our children have tripled in the last 25 year.


4. Canadian women in the 25-34 year age group have the fastest growing obesity rates among adults.