Every day, social workers help Ontarians open doors to greater mental wellbeing, safety and stability.
The 2024 theme, Social Work Opens Doors, speaks to the many ways that social workers help to create new and empowering pathways and opportunities for the people they support. From providing direct mental health services, to helping people navigate complex systems and challenges, and connecting people with the right supports, social workers make a difference when it’s needed most.
This March, let’s celebrate the many ways that social workers open doors to health, mental health and wellness for people across Ontario.
Happy Social Work Week to all the social workers at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre who support hundreds of patients each year.
Get ready for this year’s Show N’ Shine Modern & Classic Car Show! With 6 food vendors confirmed, this year’s show will be a strong car show as well as a food event to look forward to.
Do you have a unique and exciting car to show off? Enter it into the show.
This year’s voting process has been simplified. The top 10 most voted vehicles will get a prize, the #1 getting the highest value prize.
Registration is a minimum $10.00. 75% of all registration fees will go to the Northern Cancer Fund and 25% will cover the costs and planning future events.
Last year, we raised over $1100 with 75 vehicles participating. The show will be taking place at 889 Fort William Rd, Thunder Bay from 1- 4 p.m. It is highly recommended for all participants to register and donate online. It is free for the public to attend.
Due to an overwhelming demand, the Recognition O’Grams are sold out. Thank you to all the staff who showed their appreciation to their colleagues by ordering one.
Pharmacy Appreciation Month (PAM) is the annual national campaign that shines a spotlight on the pharmacy profession in Canada.
Celebrated each March, PAM is a time to highlight the growing role pharmacy professionals play in our health care system and thank them for their extraordinary efforts.
Pharmacy professionals across Canada work tirelessly to ensure that patients receive the best possible care and their contributions, especially over the past few years, have been remarkable. Join us in celebrating our Hospital’s amazing pharmacy team during Pharmacy Appreciation Month this March!
Our Hospital is currently recruiting for a number of pharmacy positions. To learn more and apply, please visit https://jobs.tbrhsc.net/.
For more information, contact our Human Resources Department via email at TBRHSC.HumanResources@tbh.net or by phone at (807) 684-6218.
Congratulations Kristen Mair & Ann Mary Vincent – winners of the quarterly ‘Good Catch’ Awards!
Ann Mary Vincent
Kristen Mair
Good Catch Awards highlight individuals, groups or departments who demonstrate their commitment to keeping patients safe by reporting a near miss. A ‘good catch’ (or near miss) is an event or situation that could have resulted in harm, but did not reach the patient because of chance or timely intervention. Reporting these events can help to identify gaps in order to prevent future adverse events from happening.
Kristen works in Renal Services. She reported a near miss related to an incorrect setup on a hemodialysis machine because the wrong patient chart had been placed at the machine. Due to her diligence she noticed the error and was able to correct the settings prior to the patient being put on the machine.
Ann Mary is a nurse on the 2C Cardiology, Stroke, Medical Inpatient Unit where she reported a near miss related to an order for Magnesium IV for a patient with a high magnesium level. The order was meant for a different patient with a low magnesium level who coincidentally had the same initial and last name. This could have had serious implications for both the patient receiving an incorrect dose and the patient not receiving the required dose, but her catch avoided any adverse events occurring.
Each recipient has been awarded a certificate and a gift card to the Goods & Co Market.
New winners will be randomly selected every quarter. Continue submitting your near misses for a chance to win! Near miss reports are submitted through the Incident Learning System (patient safety incidents). Click on the ‘safety reporting’ icon from your Novell home page, or go to the iNtranet and choose ‘Safety Reporting’ under ‘Informational’.
For more information, contact Terry Fodë, Patient Safety Improvement Specialist (terry.fode@tbh.net).
National Nutrition Month is a dedicated campaign focusing on the significance of nutrition and health. It seeks to educate individuals about the importance of making informed food choices, developing consistent eating habits, and undertaking regular physical activity. Spearheaded by nutrition professionals and enthusiasts, the month offers a myriad of resources, events, and initiatives to promote a healthier lifestyle for all.
Make the most of Nutrition Month by following the recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide, such as planning meals, cooking more often and involving your kids in the kitchen. Include physical activity along with your nutritious eating habits, helping you achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You can also subscribe to Canada’s Food Guide updates for health information and recipes to keep unlocking the potential of food throughout the year.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit also has information including resources for recipe sharing, stretching your food dollar and more.
Shared on behalf of Infection Prevention and Control
Please be advised that the COVID–19 outbreak has been declared over on 1A Medical as of February 29, 2024. All restrictions will be lifted as of first shift tomorrow, March 1, 2024.
Please share this information with the appropriate staff.
For more information, contact Infection Prevention and Control at 807-684-6094.
Shared on behalf of Crystal Edwards, Code Amber Executive Sponsor
The Hospital’s Code Amber – Missing or Abducted Infant/Child (EMER_80) policy has been revised. As a part of the updated policy launch, a Code Amber Search drill has been scheduled for March 8, 2024 at 14:00H. The purpose of this drill is increased familiarization for all staff on revised processes and the new eObservation search reporting process in particular (see all staff memo and safety huddles issued via email Dec. 7, 2023). This drill is anticipated to take approximately fifteen minutes.
Managers:
Circulate this memo to staff, including employees without regular access to email, and post the attached drill poster in your unit.
Ensure that the most up to date versions of the Code Amber policy and sub plan are in your emergency code binder.
How do I prepare for this drill?
Know the location of your emergency code vest and binder.
Review the Hospital’s Code Amber policy and area sub plan, and be aware of any instructions specific to your role and department.
What am I expected to do during the drill?
Upon overhead Code Amber Search drill announcement all staff will:
Communicate with patients and visitors during the drill that this activity is part of the Hospital’s emergency preparedness training and patient care services are continuing as normal.
Designated departments will monitor assigned exits points.
All departments will immediately conduct a systematic search their assigned response area and submit Code Amber Search eObservation results as soon as the search is complete.
If the individual matching the description is found call Switchboard (55) and escort them to the Information Desk. Note: a staff member will be simulating a child for the purposes of this drill.
What happens if a real emergency occurs during the drill?
If the drill must be stopped due to a real emergency, Switchboard will immediately announce “Code Amber Drill – All Clear” overhead, followed by “NO DUFF, NO DUFF + relevant colour code announcement”.
Thank you for your participation and cooperation. Any questions or concerns can be directed to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net).
Sincerely,
Crystal Edwards, Code Amber Executive Sponsor, Director, Women & Children’s and Adult & Forensic Mental Health Programs (ext. 6530 or Crystal.Edwards@tbh.net)
As we leap into March from a bustling February, I want to pause and hope that amidst your busy and somewhat chilly days, you found moments of joy with loved ones on Family Day and Valentine’s Day.
Here at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, we celebrated a significant milestone this month, marking two decades since we opened the doors of our state-of-the-art facility. Looking back and reflecting on February 22, 2004, the excitement of that day is so vivid, with memories of the incredible efforts that made it all so successful.
As I reflect on those vibrant beginnings, I am filled with admiration for the exceptional individuals – you, our staff, and our extended Hospital family – whose dedication shapes the care we provide. Whether your role is in direct patient care or behind the scenes, your expertise and influence are the driving forces of our progress.
As we step into the next chapter, the reality of time asks for renewal – in equipment and determination. In that spirit, with immense gratitude to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, we’ve welcomed a refresh of our Cardiac Cath Labs with leading-edge technology, reinforcing our commitment to cardiac excellence in Northwestern Ontario.
February also gave us the opportunity to honour Black History Month, a time to celebrate the rich contributions of Black Canadians. Within our community, Dr. Naana Jumah stands out as a beacon of advocacy and clinical excellence, and we are privileged to learn from and with her. Her story, and the breadth of her impact, is a source of great pride for our Hospital and health research community.
March not only brings Spring, but also Employee Recognition Week, a time when we celebrate our people – you – the heart and soul of our vision for exceptional care. This is a week dedicated to you for your contribution to our vision of Exceptional Care for every patient, every time. I look forward to connecting with you and taking part in the festivities that honour you, your professionalism, compassion and commitment.
At our recent Town Hall, we highlighted the key areas for our collective focus from the 2023 Engagement Survey. They are: addressing workload and staffing concerns, fostering deeper engagement and information sharing, and reinforcing accountability. These areas will shape our action plans, drawn from your valuable insights. It’s reassuring to know that results show that many of you experience positive work-life balance, teamwork, respect, and diversity – these are the cornerstones we will build upon. Thank you, once again, for sharing your thoughts and perspectives as we look to improve our workplace.
Finally, I encourage you to connect with our Health Research Speaker Series. With Dr. Travis E. Marion’s upcoming presentation, it’s a perfect opportunity to engage with groundbreaking research and expand our collective knowledge. Join us on March 21 for an insightful session.
Your feedback is important and I welcome your thoughts on these blogs or any matter that’s on your mind. Reach out to me anytime at rhonda.ellacott@tbh.net.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) opening its doors.
Since welcoming our first patient on February 22, 2004, TBRHSC has expanded in size, as well as its programs and services.
Many of the milestones that have been achieved in the past 20 years would not be possible without the efforts of our dedicated staff, physicians, Patient Family Advisors, and volunteers.
As we celebrate this special occasion, we want to hear from you! Share your favourite memories from over the last 20 years by submitting them toTBRHSC.GroupNews@tbh.net by March 1, 2024, to be featured on the Daily Informed Newsletter throughout the year.
Each individual submission will be entered into a draw for a chance to win one of five $25 gift cards (sponsored by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation) to a local vendor.
Thank you for your assistance in helping us celebrate TBRHSC’s 20th anniversary.
