Visit the Human Resources iNtranet page: https://informed.tbrhsc.net/departments/human-resources/employee-recognition/recognition-e-card

Shared on behalf of Jennifer Wintermans, EVP, Communications & Corporate Relations, COVID-19 Lead

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Effective immediately, our Hospital has moved its internal COVID-19 Pandemic Response Level from Grey (Lockdown) to Red (Control).

As of today, our Hospital has 28 patients admitted who have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, 8 patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Locally, there are 153 active cases, and Ontario is reporting 551 people hospitalized with COVID-19, of which 181 patients are in ICUs.

The decision to move our internal COVID-19 Pandemic Response to Level Red (Control) is based on multiple factors, such as the more controlled level of patients with COVID-19 in our Hospital, decreasing the size of the COVID-19 unit, a decline in number of cases locally and easing of restrictions provincially.

As part of Level Red (Control), the following components have been reviewed and approved:

• Level 3 Clinical Service Continuity Assessment Team will continue to meet and review our needs.
• Surgical ramp up will follow provincial guidelines with ongoing assessment for a transition to full-service resumption.
• Testing all new admissions for COVID-19 will continue.
• All vaccinated volunteers can return.
• COVID-19 unit will continue to be active until less than 12 patients are in hospital
• Remote work will remain status quo.
• Education and Simulation to resume paused services as long as PPE, physical distancing and space allow.
• Contractors and vendors onsite will remain and continue with only essential contractors, vendors and technical support, no general suppliers or sales people onsite.
• Essential Care Partners (ECPs) will allow one to two ECP daily or allow alternate ECPs at Manager’s discretion from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM; no changes to palliative ECPs (unlimited, two at a time).
• Meetings are to primarily occur virtually and in-person meetings may occur only if necessary.
• Masking and eye protection will continue as per Ministry of Health guidance. Masking and eye protection remains mandatory for all staff, professional staff, learners, volunteers, and essential contractors at all times, including at entry and exit of the Hospital and all satellite locations, unless alone in a closed-door office, or when eating or drinking and able to maintain physical distancing. 

All response activities are evaluated daily by IMT and Leaders across the organization to ensure they are effective and appropriate.

Our appreciation is extended to you and your teams for all you do as we continue to be available for the community we serve.

All Hospital COVID-19 updates and resources are also available on the iNtranet at https://comms.tbrhsc.net/covid-19-information/

Nurses and staff in our Emergency Department (ED) received a lovely gesture of gratitude on Friday from a local partner in health.

Bayshore Home Care Solutions has been making efforts to thank and show support for our local merchants and those working on the front lines during the pandemic. They surprised the ED team with gift packs comprised of pancake mix and maple syrup, all of which was locally sourced. This is part of the Bayshore Home Care Solutions initiative to show community partnership in health care, and extend a warm ‘thank you’ to our ED team who has been supporting the local agency with emergent care needs.

Thank you to Bayshore Home Care Solutions for spreading some happiness during these trying times!

Starting Monday, March 21st, the Government of Ontario will drop the mandatory mask mandate in the majority of public settings, with the exception of high-risk settings such as long-term care and health care facilities. This is a friendly reminder that masking, along with entrance screening, will continue to be required to enter Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and all satellite buildings. These safety measures will be in place for the foreseeable future to protect our patients, staff and visitors.

Additionally, all staff, professional staff, learners, volunteers, and essential contractors while in any TBRHSC building, must wear a mask and eye protection immediately upon entry until exit and at all times. Masks and eye protection can only be removed if you are in an approved break area when eating, drinking and when able to maintain a distance of 2 m/6 ft or more from others (this includes patients and co-workers) or if you are in a private office or workspace.

Ever since the earliest days of our Hospital’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our community has stepped up to support our hardworking frontline staff in every way possible. From sharing kind words of encouragement and support, to donating PPE, meals and treats, the community has been there for us.

We are pleased to share a recent act of generosity from a well-known local business. Reid’s Furniture has donated a new refrigerator for staff on the 3B unit at our Hospital.

“I was inspired by my friend Keli over a conversation we had of how to give back to the COVID-19 efforts at the Hospital,” said Scott Reid, Owner and General Manager of Reid’s Furniture. “We talked about the multiple staff that have been deployed and required as helping hands to support the nursing team on the 3B Unit. We like to give back to the community when we can, and we are very appreciative of the support we receive from the Hospital staff in our stores.”

We are humbled by this generous donation from Reid’s Furniture and all the meaningful ways our community is showing its support. Thank you!

Shared on behalf of Ron Turner, Interim Vice President, Patient Programs and Director, Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program

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Kathy Bulloch, Administrative Assistant for the Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program will retire from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) on April 30, 2022. Her final day of work will be March 24, 2022.

Kathy joined the Hospital on March 4, 2002 and has provided administrative support to the following programs during her tenure, Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network, Adult & Forensic Mental Health, Regional Cancer, Cardiology & Stroke, Chronic Disease Prevention & Management, and Base Hospital.

Kathy’s broad organizational knowledge and years of experience has certainly contributed to the success of the programs she has supported. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kathy for her dedication to TBRHSC and wish her well in her retirement, where she will have more time for hiking, cycling, skiing, and spending precious time with family.

Congratulations Kathy!

Recruitment for an Administrative Assistant is underway.