Shared on behalf of the Pharmacy Department and Crystal Pirie, Sr. Director Indigenous Collaboration
The Pharmacy department at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is excited to announce the launch of a new four month pilot project that will begin on January 17, 2022 – Indigenous Pharmacist Discharge Navigator.
TBRHSC serves the health care needs of people in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario (e.g., Treaty 3, Treaty 5, Treaty 9, and Robinson-Superior Treaty), we are uniquely positioned to improve experiences and outcomes for Indigenous patients by providing pharmacy services that are culturally sensitive and respectful of Indigenous traditions and knowledge.
The Indigenous Pharmacist Discharge Navigator will provide Indigenous patients who are at an increased risk of hospital readmission and adverse events post-discharge with pharmacy services that will improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction, prevent medication errors and adverse drug events, optimize medication management, and support the smooth transition of patients back to their homes.
To access, please send a referral to the Pharmacy department with the subject line, Indigenous Pharmacist Discharge Navigator Consult (available Monday to Friday) or page 624-4477 Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.
For more information, please contact Erika Granholm.Email: granhole@tbh.net, Pager: 624-4477
Shared on behalf Jennifer Wintermans, EVP, Communications and Corporate Relations, COVID-19 Lead
Our Hospital will be moving its internal COVID-19 Pandemic Response Level from Red (Control) to Grey (Lockdown), effective Tuesday, January 18th.
As of today, our Hospital has a total of 26 admitted patients with COVID-19 and of those, six patients are in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). In our community there are currently 290 active COVID-19 cases, although we know this number is underestimated due to changes in Ministry of Health testing eligibility. Additionally, we have seen an increase in institutional outbreaks and congregate living areas in our region and community.
As part of Response Level Grey (Lockdown), the following components have been reviewed and prepared to action:
Level 3 Clinical Service Continuity Assessment Team
Testing all New Admissions for COVID-19
Level 3 Volunteers
Activating/Expanding COVID-19 Care Unit
Education and Simulation
Remote Work
Clinical Service Ramp Down
Contractors and Vendors
Essential Care Partners
Currently, our Essential Care Partner (ECP) guidelines allow for one ECP per patient to decrease traffic and unknown transmission at this time. This will be rigidly enforced on all units and exceptions must be vetted through unit managers to IMT. Hot zones will only have ECPs that are critical to care of patients, exceptions would be vetted through onsite unit leadership. Areas in outbreak will not be allowed to have ECPs. Exceptions will need to be vetted through managers. ECPs should be reminded of PPE requirements as per ECP guidelines.
ECPs will not be allowed to access the Cafeteria, Robins Donuts and Season’s Gift Shop. Patients are restricted to their unit and will only be able to attend appointments accompanied by a porter or staff member, and may ambulate within common areas of the unit.
As a reminder, all surgery patients regardless of vaccination status will be required to have a COVID-19 PCR swab completed. COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Testing results will not be accepted.
Any changes to the above operational activities will be communicated through additional updates as required.
Please note that eye protection and masking is mandatory in all areas of the Hospital. Adhering to PPE requirements is crucial as it helps decrease the spread of COVID-19 within our Hospital, and high-risk exposure.
Entering the 5th wave of the pandemic was not how we were hoping the new year would begin for you.
As you know, the number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in this province is the highest it has been during the pandemic and we’re not immune from that in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. Like others, we are continuing to see an increase in hospitalizations and we have not peaked yet as we expect cases to continue to rise over the next several weeks. I know how challenging it has been for all of you to cope with this continual shifting landscape within our Hospital, community and health system – and I am sorry you are still dealing with it.
As predicted, in our Hospital, we are seeing an increase in critical care admissions, general admissions, COVID-19 admissions, outbreaks and staff shortages unfolding like other areas of the province. And while the risk of Omicron increases – and while I know you are all incredibly mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted – I am reminding you to please be so very diligent in your adherence to PPE protocols, to ensure we protect all of you at this difficult time.
One of the most significant issues we are facing this time in the pandemic, given the high degree of transmissibility of Omicron, is the pressure and shortage of our own health care professionals. The rapid spread of Omicron has forced many of you to either self-isolate because you’ve contracted COVID-19, or because of a close contact, or be home to take care of children or aging parents who have been exposed. The critical aspect of the situation across the province has led to changes in testing criteria, and isolation requirements and continues to impact our workforce, such that today we have about 4% of our workforce off. This is not unique to TBRHSC. It’s the same across the province, the country and the globe.
Our Hospital has been ensuring that we continually respond to the evolving situation with several measures to keep you and your families, our patients and our communities safe, while preserving access to quality care.
We have ramped down surgical and procedural care, enabling us to redeploy additional staff to areas of need.
We have also changed return to work and work isolation guidance to ensure asymptomatic staff with COVID-19 exposures are able to safely return to work with the ability to do staggered PCR and antigen testing. We have also adjusted the staffing model in some areas to support the ongoing delivery of critical and urgent services across our organization. While we know the backlog of hospital surgeries and procedures is growing, the demand for additional capacity and human resources requires us to act in this way.
Given our organizational focus on COVID-19 response, we have decided to shift the Strategic Plan 2026 Launch to a later time. As you may or may not know, our Hospital and Health Research Institute’s Strategic Plan 2026 is now complete and we intended on rolling out this work later this month – however, this is not the time. I want to take the opportunity to thank all of you who were involved and provided feedback….and recognize the importance of this work to guide set our organizational direction. As part of the soft launch, we will begin by replacing Strategic Plan 2020 references with our Strategic Plan 2026 content and visuals throughout the Hospital, online and across our social media channels to highlight our five priorities. The hope is that we will be able to gather in one way or another in Spring to officially kick off and celebrate the culmination of all of the incredible work very soon. Strategic Plan 2026 is our hope and vision – a new beginning and our roadmap to the future.
Finally, we owe a debt of gratitude to you and all our teams that continue to navigate the occupational health process, infection prevention and control shifts, and each one of you that support and care for our patients and their families, as well as the additional challenges you may face in your home life. Thank you for your continued dedication, commitment, and understanding.
Please be safe, take care…and know how much you are appreciated.
As always, I welcome comments on this blog or any other matter. You can reach me at: crockerelr@tbh.net
Please send your vaccination receipt to Occupational Health and Safety (ohs@tbh.net) as soon as possible if you have received your third dose from the Hospital’s onsite vaccination clinic or an external source such as your primary health care provider or the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
Shared on behalf of Nicole Moffett, Manager of Emergency Preparedness and Security
Winter is here and so is parking lot snow removal.
Throughout the winter, our contractor (Thunder Bay Multitrades) will be closing lots at various times to allow for proper snow removal. Please obey all posted signage and park in alternate lots as indicated on the signage.
Please be mindful when parking. Do not block any driving lanes or roadways, and try to line up with existing spots wherever possible. Do not leave too much room between vehicles as it reduces the number of available parking spots. Please be aware of parking rows to avoid creating a third row, which can block vehicles in. Parking enforcement will continue throughout the winter to ensure safety.
Remember that all staff have access to Lot I (also known as the Turtle Lot) throughout the year. If the lot that you are assigned is full, please park in Lot I.
We must cooperate to get through the winter season with minimal disruptions and inconvenience. Your support is appreciated.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Christian Nielsen at nielsenc@tbh.net or by calling extension 6014.
Shared on behalf of Jennifer Wintermans, EVP, Communications & Corporate Relations, COVID-19 Lead
Starting the week of January 17th, our Hospital’s onsite COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic will operate only once per week on Wednesdays from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm.
Drop-ins will still be accepted at our clinic only when there are open spots available and when vaccine supply allows. To guarantee a spot, we recommend booking an appointment through the eHealth scheduling tool: https://tbdhu.canadaehs.com/tbdhu/hospital/
All health care workers – including staff, professional staff, learners and volunteers – are eligible to receive their third vaccine dose 84 days after their second dose. Please remember to bring your government issued photo ID to your appointment, and be sure to send your vaccination receipt to Occupational Health and Safety (ohs@tbh.net) as soon as possible.
The vaccination team will also continue to offer inpatient vaccinations on Wednesdays. If staff have identified an eligible patient, they may contact the vaccination team by email at inpatientvaccinations@tbh.net or by calling 684-6000, extension 4585. Please note that this phone line and voicemail inbox will only be monitored on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
David Kamande of Thunder Bay started his 2022 with a $2.3 Million windfall! He was the Grand Prize winner of December’s Thunder Bay 50/50 – and we were excited to present him his cheque on January 13th.
“This couldn’t have come at a better time.” explained David, who has been suffering from some health issues and has been using the services of the Hospital. “I’ve had to have an MRI scan, and know that some of the 50/50 funds are helping to purchase a new one – that’s why I bought a ticket. New equipment will help everyone who needs the Hospital.
“It’ll be nice to pay off my mortgage and not have to worry about that! Then I think I will invest the rest.” David added, “I have five kids who’ll be going through school, so this will definitely be put to good use.”
Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, says this time it felt surreal to make the call. “Even though I’ve made these phone calls each month since the Thunder Bay 50/50 started, December’s phone call was extra special.” he said, “I could not believe the support the community had for the draw in December, and not only did we make someone a multi-millionaire, but we are also going to be able to do some really wonderful things for the Hospital with this money in 2022.”
Congratulations, David!
* * * *
January’s 50/50 is live, and the Grand Prize is already over $400,000!
Shared on behalf of Ron Turner, Interim Vice President, Patient Programs and Director, Acute Medicine, Stroke and Seniors’ Program
It is with mixed emotions I announce that Dr. Mandy McMahan has resigned from her position at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) as Director, Adult & Forensic Mental Health. Her final day with the Hospital is January 27, 2022.
Mandy joined TBRHSC in 2012 as a Clinical Psychologist. In 2015, she was promoted as the Psychosocial Professional Practice Head and has continued in that role since. Mandy has served as a Director since March 2019, where during this time her ongoing commitment to quality, equity and access has improved the care of patients across our region.
I take this opportunity to thank Mandy for her many contributions over the past few years. Please join me in wishing Mandy well in her future endeavours, serving in an executive role in mental health services and business development.
Recruitment to fill the Director, Adult & Forensic Mental Health role is underway. In the interim, Crystal Edwards will provide leadership coverage.
We’re shining today’s Employee Giving Spotlight on Jason from Northern Supply Chain, who’s been an Employee Donor for 2 years!
“I donate to the Foundation because of the importance the hospital plays in our community, and as an employee it’s important to me to give back.” he says.
Thank you, Jason!
Employee Donors are Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre staff who donate through payroll deductions, helping to fund Hospital equipment in the area that means the most to them. Their dedication to better local healthcare is shown in both the hard work they do and their donations. Thank you to Tbaytel, who matches annual Employee Donor contributions up to $7,500!
