On June 17, 2025 an interactive and high-energy event featuring bold ideas and fresh innovations took place at TBRHSC in our Auditorium. Below is a recap of the event and innovative ideas proposed.

Interested in innovation? Stay tuned for our next event November 4, 2025.

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NOTICE: Parking Lot G Expansion – North Section

Start Date: Monday, July 28, 2025
Duration: Approximately 1–2 weeks (weather permitting)

Starting Monday, July 28, 2025, construction will begin on the north section of Staff Parking Lot G to support the expansion project, which will add 15 new parking spaces.

The parking lot will remain open during construction, and efforts will be made to minimize disruptions as much as possible.

Please be mindful of construction equipment and machinery operating in the area throughout the duration of the work.

Important: Staff currently parking in the unpaved northern portion of Lot G are asked to use alternative parking during this period.

Reminder: Parking Lot I – TURTLE is available for overflow parking.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

The Regional Bariatric Care Centre at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is pleased to share important updates to our medical (non-surgical) program. These changes are designed to provide flexible, timely, and comprehensive care to support patients in managing their health and well-being.

While this program focuses on non-surgical treatment options, bariatric surgery remains available for patients who are eligible and interested.

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Program Highlights

Program Length: 12 months

Flexible Start Dates: Program start dates are no longer fixed. Patients can now begin the program flexibly at any time throughout the year.

Treatment Options: Including pharmacotherapy (weight management medications) and/or meal replacement therapy (partial or full), tailored to patient needs.

Bi-weekly Education Sessions: Patients are encouraged to attend education sessions regularly, selecting sessions that are meaningful to them. Topics include nutrition, movement, emotional eating, behaviour change, stress management, and more.

Ongoing Individual Support: Patients will have access to one-on-one support throughout the program. Support is available from our dietitian, kinesiologist, social worker, nurse, and nurse practitioner. The team works collaboratively to help patients build sustainable, personalized strategies for health and well-being.

Who Is This Program For?

Adults seeking non-surgical support for obesity and related health concerns who would benefit from a comprehensive, one-year program that includes pharmacotherapy and/or meal replacement therapy, education sessions, and individualized support.

Referral and Enrollment Information

Program Eligibility

The program is designed for patients who meet the following criteria:

• 18 years of age or older (Referrals may also be accepted for individuals aged 17.5 years and older)
• Have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or higher
• OR, have a BMI between 30 and 34.9 and at least one of the following medical conditions (as determined by a referring provider):
  • Complicated type 2 diabetes mellitus
  • Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
  • Poorly controlled hypertension

For Patients

If you are interested in joining the program, please speak with your doctor or nurse practitioner about a referral. Once referred, our team will be in contact with you to schedule orientation to our program.

For Primary Care Providers

To refer a patient, please use the Online Referral System via the Ontario Bariatric Network: https://www.ontariobariatricnetwork.ca/referring-physicians.

Shared on behalf of the Indigenous Collaboration, Equity & Inclusion Portfolio

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The Manitou Gitigaan – Spirit Garden (courtyard between 1A & 1B) has now reopened.

As summer continues, you may notice the garden on the North side (fenced area) beginning to flourish. This special space is home to the Four Sacred Medicines: Tobacco, Sage, Sweetgrass, and Cedar, each of which holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for many Indigenous Peoples.

These plants are not merely decorative; they are integral to important traditional medicine and ceremonial practices that have been passed down through generations. The Manitou Gitigaan is a sacred space for reflection and healing. Their presence in the Manitou Gitigaan is intentional and meaningful, and we ask all staff to treat this space on the north side of the garden with the utmost respect and care.

The Four Sacred Medicines

1. Tobacco – Often used as an offering, Tobacco is considered a powerful medicine that carries prayers to the spirit world. It is traditionally the first medicine given by the Creator and is used to show respect and gratitude.
2. Sage – Sage is used for cleansing and purification, often in smudging ceremonies to clear negative energy and prepare a space for sharing and healing.
3. Sweetgrass – Known as the “hair of Mother Earth,” Sweetgrass is braided and burned to bring in positive energy, peace, and healing.
4. Cedar – Cedar is used for protection, purification, and grounding. It is placed in physical environments such as homes and offices, burned in ceremonies, and steeped for medicinal teas.

Each of these plants plays a vital role in spiritual wellness and traditional medicine practices. Their presence in the Manitou Gitigaan is not ornamental, it is ceremonial and deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems.

While the plants are becoming established, we kindly ask all staff to refrain from entering that specific area of the Manitou Gitigaan with the Sacred Medicines unless invited or accompanied by a Knowledge Keeper or designated garden caretaker.

Why this matters:

• The plants require time, space, and specific care to grow properly.
• Traditional care follows specific cultural protocols — including offering tobacco, prayers, and harvest teachings (including pulling “weeds.”)
• Entering the space without guidance can disrupt this process and unintentionally cause harm.

By respecting the Manitou Gitigaan, we are upholding a commitment to cultural respect, reconciliation, and Indigenous land-based practices.  All other areas within the Manitou Gitigaan are there for your rest and enjoyment. 

If you’re interested in learning more, keep an eye out for upcoming learning sessions focused on traditional medicines and teachings connected to the Manitou Gitigaan.  Miigwech/Thank you for your understanding and for helping protect this sacred space.

If you have any questions or need assistance regarding the Sacred Medicines, please get in touch with Annette Klement, Traditional Wellness Coordinator at Annette.klement@tbh.net or 807-684-6937.

Shared on behalf of Chad Johnson, Code Orange Executive Sponsor

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On July 21, the Hospital ran our annual Code Orange – Stage 1 drill.

Available nurses from clinical units reported to the Emergency Department “T” entrance doors and lined up in the hallway with available stretchers and wheelchairs. Arriving nurses were escorted through the ED and, after completing a circuit at the direction of ED staff, were allowed to return to their unit after signing their attendance.

This year’s drill proceeded as planned and on time, with excellent representation from nurse responders; 28 workers from 16 different clinical departments reported to the ED. We also had Observers from various departments helping to facilitate.

Each time we run this exercise things get smoother and overall familiarity increases. Thank you to everyone who took the time to support this drill.

Should anyone have feedback about this drill, please reach out to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net)

Shared on behalf of Quality and Risk Management

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Please share with applicable staff.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre has been alerted to issues with the Baxter Clearlink System Continu-Flo Solution Set / IV Tubing (Product Code 2C8519) where there is a potential for leaks that stem from faulty upper or lower ports/valves/claves during drug preparation or administration.

The following mitigation actions have been identified by Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario):

1. Remove lots R25C29185, R25C25161, R25C13147, R25C17079, R25C20130, using
   alternate product lots.
2. Check lines carefully while diluent runs prior to drug reaching the port.
3. Document IV tubing lot number and expiration date used for all infusions.
4. Monitor and periodically check port/valve/clave and connection sites during changes in
   infusion rates.

If you notice any leaking while using any lots of the Clearlink System Continu-Flo Solution Set
/IV Tubing, please take the following actions:

1. Immediately stop the infusion and replace the tubing.
2. Complete an Incident Learning System and reference the lot and expiration date of the solution set / IV tubing used.
3. 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.

Shared on behalf of Quality and Risk Management

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Please share with applicable staff.

Please be advised that Baxter Corporation has issued an urgent medical device correction for our current intravenous (IV) pump, the Novum IQ Large Volume Pump (LVP). Baxter has provided the following information:

1. Under-infusion when moving from low to high flow rate

Under-infusion may occur when transitioning from a lower to a higher flow rate, specifically
when the second flow rate is more than double the first flow rate. In the worst case, no
delivery may occur.

Baxter is working to identify software and/or hardware corrections to address the issue

2. Potential for over- and under-infusion that may be due to set misloading.

Failure to load the tubing properly into the pump channel may result in the pump infusing at a
rate higher or lower than programmed.

Baxter is developing a hardware change to reduce misloading of the set.

Mitigation Strategies

Health care providers can continue to use the Novum IQ LVP while following the instructions
listed below:

Ensure:
a. The door is fully open before loading the set.
b. The tubing is taut and loaded without slack in the pumping channel, as in Figure 1
below.

c. Monitor patients frequently to ensure that the appropriate infusion is being
delivered.

If under-infusion or over-infusion occurs while using the Novum IQ LVP, please take the
following actions:

1. Immediately remove the pump from use and label “out of service”
2. Complete a biomedical requisition and attach to the pump (include asset number
   located at the top of each pump, e.g. “2022B10251”).
3. Complete an Incident Learning System patient safety incident report and reference the
   biomedical requisition number.
4. Notify and bring the pump to your Manager.

We appreciate your efforts and cooperation in these extra steps to ensure patient safety.

We’re excited to welcome Bell to our Affinity List. TBRHSC employees and their families can now access exclusive deals on personal mobile plans and services.

Check out the poster below to take advantage of these great offers today. 

Shared on behalf of Dr. Adam Exley, VP, Medical Affairs

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I am pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Justin Jagger to the role of Medical Lead, Paediatric Emergency Transport, effective July 1, 2025.

Reporting to the Medical Program Director for the Women and Children’s Program, Dr. Jagger will provide clinical and operational leadership for the Paediatric Emergency Transport team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. In this capacity, Dr. Jagger will work collaboratively with the Coordinator, transport team, educator & quality lead, and external partners to support high-quality, timely, and patient- and family-centered emergency care for children requiring transport services.

Dr. Jagger brings a deep leadership commitment to continuous quality improvement, clinical excellence, and interprofessional collaboration. In his role, he will oversee clinical performance, contribute to program planning and education, and guide system-level initiatives in partnership with ORNGE and other provincial stakeholders.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Jagger on this new appointment.

We wanted to take one last opportunity to recognize our workplace’s amazing participation in the Active Commute Challenge this past June.

Take a look at the poster below for a quick summary of TBRHSC’s accomplishments during the challenge.

Even though the challenge is over, we encourage everyone to keep finding fun and active ways to get to work whenever possible.

A big thank you to everyone who took part, we’re already looking forward to next year!