Chatham-Kent Health Alliance wants to be Ready Should Disaster Strike

It all seems so easy on television… disaster strikes, the ambulances arrive on scene and then at the hospital, and hospital staff and physicians start working together to care for the wounded. I can assure you that having everyone at the ready should tragedy occur is anything but easy. It takes thought, countless hours of planning and practice to make sure that we are ready for our community should some sort of external disaster occur.

On July 7th, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) conducted an external disaster exercise on the river side of CKHA to test our “Code Orange” processes.

What is Code Orange? – Code Orange is what would be called should catastrophe strike, making it necessary for CKHA to care for many more patients than it would expect to have at any given time. Essentially, a Code Orange is called when there is an unanticipated event in the community that requires additional resources (staff) to be brought in to staff the Emergency Department or other affected units within the hospital. Involved in the event were Chatham-Kent Fire Department, Chatham-Kent Police Services, and SunParlour Emergency Medical Services as well as Med Quest students. The event tested the Emergency Department’s ability to respond to multiple victims. It also tested CKHA’s system to notify staff of a Code Orange and to begin the process of identifying available resources to support the event.

The scenario consisted of a single car accident, and there were 10 victims (played by Med Quest students) requiring medical care. Fire, Police and Ambulance were on the scene to help the students through their roles. Switchboard and all units were involved.

I would like to thank all those who were involved in planning and executing the “Mock Code Orange”. This is one way that CKHA works to ensure we are ready to answer the call should disaster strike our community.

8th Annual Stroke Garden Party Reunites Those Affected by Stroke

On June 24, the 8th Annual Stroke Garden Party was held by the riverfront at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA). Stroke Survivors and their families joined staff and volunteers from CKHA to celebrate their successes and share stories.

This year the theme was “Back in the Saddle” and Terry Jenkins from TJ Stables and founder of the Acceptional Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program was there along with her husband and horses Freedom and Puddin’.

One of the many highlights of the day was when Colin Patey, CKHA’s President and CEO noted that the Alliance’s integrated stroke unit has been recognized as the best performer in Ontario for the highest percentage of admitted stroke patients being treated in a specialized stroke unit. He went on to say “it’s a major achievement for the Alliance and staff associated with the integrated stroke unit”.

Making Rounds: Responding to patient needs

Making rounds is a process where hospital staff make frequent visits or ‘rounds’ to check on patients and their well-being. Frequent rounding is a powerful evidence-based tactic that improves patient satisfaction and saves lives. Through the Excellent Care for All Act and our Quality Improvement Plan, we have renewed our promise to provide excellent care to all of our patients.

Evidence shows that when used in the Emergency Department, frequent rounding decreases the number of patients who leave without being seen; patient falls; patient and family requests for assistance, and, improves patient satisfaction with quality of care.

On the Medicine Unit at CKHA, there is already evidence that frequent rounding is making a difference. In May of 2010, the Medicine Unit leadership team initiated frequent patient rounding sessions using the 4P’s and 2R’s. Following an action plan, staff make regular rounds and assess Pain, Positioning, Personal Hygiene (toileting) and Placement (putting items within reach), the 4P’s. At the same time they Respond to any questions and Reassure that they are there to help and will return frequently, the 2R’s. The entire interaction is completed with the question “Is there anything else I can do for you? I have the time.”

Frequent rounding improves patient and family satisfaction and patient safety, and even saves lives. Plans are underway to spread it to other care areas of the hospital soon. Chatham-Kent Health Alliance is full of caring people, caring for people.