Last month, the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research (OICR) launched the Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network (OHCRN) participant portal, a first-of-its-kind provincial registry designed to advance research and improve support for people at risk of hereditary cancers. Leanne Mercer, Genetic Counsellor at TBRHSC, attended the launch and spoke about its importance for patients in Northern Ontario.

The OHCRN registry brings genetic testing and health information from across Ontario into one centralized database. This resource will advance research aimed at improving early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of hereditary cancers, while also connecting participants to clinical trials, advocacy groups, and other supports.

In Leanne’s remarks, she noted that until now, patients outside of major city centres often had limited access to research opportunities and were unaware of studies based primarily in large Greater Toronto Area hospitals. “For the first time, patients across Ontario, no matter their postal code, level of health literacy, or socioeconomic background, can register their interest in research,” said Leanne.

The portal is open to any Ontarian who has completed genetic testing because of a personal or family history of cancer. Local registration will begin once Research Ethics Board approval is in place. For more information about the Ontario Hereditary Cancer Research Network registry, visit ohcrn.ca.

Clean Hands, Bright Holidays!

Spread cheer—not germs. Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) wants to remind staff to perform proper hand hygiene – see IPC-2-12 Effective Hand Hygiene.

Members of the IPAC team will visiting departments from December 8 – 31, handing out draw tickets to staff seen washing their hands. Prizes will be drawn weekly.

Remember to wash or sanitize your hands:

• Before patient contact
• Before a clean/aseptic procedure
• After body fluid exposure risk
• After patient and patient environment contact

Let’s wrap the year with excellent hand hygiene!

Shared on behalf of Adam Vinet, VP, Patient Experience, CNE and RVP, Regional Cancer Care

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In preparation for the 2025/26 respiratory season, and in anticipation of potential impacts on our Inpatient Clinical Units and Emergency Department from respiratory and influenza type illnesses, masking requirements will increase effective December 4, 2025.

Please note that as of December 4, 2025 all Staff Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers and Essential Care Partners (ECPs)/Care Partners (CPs) will be required to wear a Level 3 procedure mask when entering a patient room for all Inpatient Clinical Units and when in the Emergency Department.

Please see the following details on masking requirements:

1A Inpatient Units

All Staff, Professional Staff, Learners, Volunteers and ECPs/CPs are required to wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times while on units 1A Medicine, and 1A Acute Oncology. This includes when entering a patient room and when within the 1A clinical area.

All Other Inpatient Units

All Staff, Professional Staff, Learners and Volunteers must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times when entering a patient’s room, when providing direct patient care, including transportation of patients and at any time they are unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.

All ECPs/CPs visiting in an inpatient room must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask when entering a patient’s room and whenever they are unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing standards within the unit.

Emergency Department

All Staff, Professional Staff, Learners and Volunteers must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times when entering a patient’s room, when providing direct patient care, including transportation of patients and at any time they are unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing.

All Patients and ECPs/CPs accompanying a patient must wear a minimum Level 3 procedure mask at all times in the department

Public communication and signage will be provided to support the above requirements. Further communication will occur on this topic as required.

If you are a staff member who has been ill, please review the Occupational Health and Safety Standard Operating Procedure (SOP-OH-34) before returning to work. This will help ensure you meet all necessary criteria for a safe and appropriate return.

Thank you for your commitment to keeping our patients, staff and Hospital safe. If you have any questions, please ask your manager or reach out to Infection Prevention and Control at 684-6094 for further details on best practices.

Shared on behalf of Robin’s Donuts

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Please be advised that renovations are currently underway at the Robin’s Donuts location in our Hospital.

At this time, the front counter is being renovated, and the seating area is temporarily closed. Staff are operating from a temporary workstation during this phase.

Despite the construction, we remain open 24/7, and the full menu continues to be available.

We anticipate that this stage of the renovation will be completed by late next week or during the week of December 15.

Following this, there will be two additional phases to renovate the deli area and the east wall. These upcoming stages are not expected to significantly impact traffic flow or operations.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work to improve the space.

The 2025–2026 Mandatory Corporate e-Learning courses are due March 31, 2026 — but why wait?

Complete all mandatory learning by December 31, 2025 and you will earn an extra Employee Recognition Week (ERW) BIG PRIZE ballot for your early completion!

Check out the attached poster for full details on course requirements.

Shared on behalf of Quality and Risk Management

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Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has been alerted to issues with CHS MED-RX Paracentesis Tray – Drainage Tube with Connector (Supplier Code 10-1212BNS) in which the Luer lock component is susceptible to degradation when exposed to alcohol or alcohol-based substances, which may result in cracking or structural failure of the component prior to use.

Materials Management has identified affected stock in our inventory; however, we do not currently have an approved replacement. As our hospital does use alcohol-based disinfection products with this inventory, please note the following mitigation actions identified by Cardinal Health:

1. Inspect inventory for the lots of products listed above.
2. If this inventory has been affected, cracking or failure of the structural component may occur.

Subsequently, please take the following actions:

1. Inspect connection ends carefully prior to use.
2. If structural issues are apparent at time of inspection, immediately replace the tubing.
3. Monitor for leaking during use, and replace tubing if leaking is noted.
4. Complete an Incident Learning System report and reference the lot and expiration date of the tubing used.
5. Notify your Manager and provide him/her with the faulty product.

We appreciate your efforts and cooperation in these extra steps to ensure patient safety until replacement inventory can be procured.

The Security team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is pleased to offer escorts to/from the parking lots upon request. A request for an escort can be made by attending the Security window at the west entry, or by calling Security at extension 6509.

A team member will gladly accompany you to/from your vehicle. 

Share on behalf of Patient and Family Centred Care

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We are happy to announce that the Patient Family Centred Care (PFCC) Department has a new Patient Advocate.

Joanita Nakimuli has recently been hired as the 0.5 FTE Patient Advocate. Joanita has a background as a Registered Nurse working in Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC)’s Emergency Department and on 2B, as a Clinical Scholar on medical units, and has previous working experience with PFCC as the Discharge Transition Lead. She is excited to take part in this new role, where she can directly impact patient experience and help ensure the voice of the patient is heard. Joanita will be working alongside Victoria Marks, who has been a Patient Advocate with PFCC since 2019.

The role of the Patient Advocate is to listen, acknowledge, and address patient and family concerns, helping them to navigate the complex health care system. Patient Advocates take a helping role in improving the quality of the patient’s care and experience at TBRHSC l by ensuring and facilitating safe, timely and quality care.

The Patient Advocates are available from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..

Anyone requiring the services of the Patient Advocate can reach them by calling the Patient Advocate office directly at 807-684-6211.