Shared on behalf of Jennifer Wintermans, Vice President, Clinical Services, Quality and Corporate Affairs

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I am pleased to inform that Tram Dao, Manager, Quality and Risk Management will be transferring her skills and leadership to the position of Director, Quality and Risk Management effective immediately. 

In this Director position, Tram will assume the responsibilities previously held by Kristin Shields, who has stepped away from this position until May 2027.

As a previous frontline nurse and Patient Care Manager, Tram brings a strong background in clinical practice and has demonstrated the ability to lead teams effectively, drive quality initiatives, and demonstrate improved clinical processes for better patient outcomes. With over 13 years of comprehensive clinical and leadership experience, Tram is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to our quality and risk management objectives, while advancing initiatives that align with our strategic priorities. Notably, she has been instrumental in leading and expanding the Quality Huddles initiative to nearly 70 departments, which supports our primary goal under the Patient Experience pillar to focus relentlessly on quality. Tram is committed to enhancing patient safety through evidence-based practices and supporting continuous improvement and accreditation readiness.

On behalf of the portfolio, we are excited to welcome Tram to her new position and look forward to her contributions in reinforcing and building on the current accomplishments, to enable quality and safe care driven by innovation and improvements. 

Tram can be reached at extension 6012 or Tram.Dao@tbh.net. Please continue to contact the main QRM line (extension 6019) and email (TBRHSC.QualityandRiskManagement@tbh.net) as you normally would.

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.

Karolyn, a 2C nurse floating on 1A, noticed that a wrong order sheet had been placed in a patient’s chart with an order for medications to be given that evening. She was concerned that the orders were meant for a different patient. After reading the progress note side of the order, she realized it did not make sense in relation to the patient’s current treatment plan and the note had stated assessments that were not done on the patient.  She contacted the PA to clarify the orders and advised her she may have confused the order with that of a patient with the same name. Once clarified, Karolyn removed the order sheet from the wrong patient’s chart and the PA removed labels and proceeded to place proper patient’s labels on before filing it in the correct patient’s chart. Good catch!

While working on 3B, John started to assess a patient while referring to the SBAR and asked the patient if her right hip was in any pain, as that is what was documented on the SBAR, the admitting orders, and one note in the EMR.  The patient, the patient’s daughter, and the nurse from the LTC home all stated it was the left hip that was painful, and John could also physically see shortening of the left leg. Additionally, he discovered the x-ray report noted the fracture on the left hip. John informed Admitting and correctly documented the left hip fracture. Great job!

Jessica works as a Medical Lab Technologist. Two different patients had bone marrow samples collected on the same day, and the specimens were sent down at the same time in separate bags. Both pathology requisitions had the same patient label on them.  Jessica caught the labelling error in hematology prior to delivering the samples to pathology, and she was able to call up to the unit to have the nurse complete the correction of documentation before the samples were tested. Well done!

Thank you to all for your diligence and dedication to safety!  Each recipient has been awarded a certificate and gift cards to local businesses to enjoy.

New winners will be 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).

In recognition of Medical Radiation Science Week, check out this trivia.

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During Medical Radiation Sciences Week, we celebrate the diagnostic medical sonographers (DMSs) at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. These health care professionals use ultrasound technology to create images of the inside of the body in order to assist physicians in diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions. Also known as a sonographer or ultrasound technologist, they operate specialized equipment to produce high frequency sound waves that form visual images, known as sonograms or ultrasounds. Sonographers must understand human anatomy, accurately operate the equipment, and interpret the images to provide accurate information for diagnosis and treatment.

Join us in thanking this amazing team for their hard work and dedication to the science of medical imaging!

Today’s Ethics Week Feature – Faces of Ethics: Nursing Practice

What does your department do?

At TBRHSC, Nursing Practice helps ensure that nursing care is safe, evidence-based, and compassionate. We act as a bridge between frontline nurses and organizational leadership — turning clinical expertise and best evidence into everyday practice. Our team supports nurses through mentorship, education, and quality improvement initiatives, helping them navigate complex care situations with confidence and care. Ultimately, our goal is to strengthen nursing practice at every level so that patients and families receive the best care possible.

What ethical issues come up in your area?

Ethics is at the heart of Nursing Practice. We’re often reflecting on questions like: How can we deliver excellent care when resources are stretched? How do we support nurses who face moral distress in difficult situations? How do we build systems and cultures where ethical practice isn’t just encouraged — it’s expected?

We also think carefully about the ethics of change — whether it’s introducing new technology, updating policies, or revising clinical guidelines — and how those changes affect the people who provide and receive care. In the end, Nursing Practice is about helping create an environment where doing the right thing for patients, families, and colleagues is always possible.

Ethics is everywhere. Thank you to our Nursing Practice team for helping keep ethics at the centre of care at TBRHSC.

Ethics Affects Us All. If you’re facing an ethical dilemma or have questions, reach out to the Bioethicist, or a member of the ethics committee for support.

Bioethicist: Michelle Allain – michelle.allain@tbh.net | 807-684-6538

Pocket Hugs with Afonso Creations — in the Hospital lobby today.

Local artist Jodi Afonso is on site today and tomorrow with her heartfelt “Pocket Hugs”, small resin hearts designed to be kept in your pocket as a reminder of love, hope, and connection. Inspired by her grandparents, Irene and Saul, Jodi created Pocket Hugs to “spread love, kindness, and positive messaging throughout our community.”

Jodi is also showcasing select artwork, with most proceeds generously donated back to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation. Weekly, she will be highlighting a new art piece that will be for sale. This week she has 3 stunning pieces that are brand new!

Thank you, Jodi, for helping our community feel supported, one small hug at a time.

Click HERE to complete today’s Treaties Recognition Week 2025 trivia question. 

Each submission will be entered into a draw to win prizes! Winners will be announced next week in Your Daily Informed Newsletter.

Take Our Kids To Work Day (TOKTWD) — which took place on November 5 — is an annual experiential learning opportunity for Grade 9 students across Ontario.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre hosted over 40 grade 9 students from schools across the city. A team member from Human Resources provided a guided tour through the Hospital to seven departments including the Ibn Sina Simulation Lab, Medical Device and Reprocessing Department (MDRD), Operating Room, Biomedical Engineering/Maintenance, Pharmacy, Diagnostic Imaging, and Nutrition and Food Services.

Additionally, students received a presentation from Volunteer Services to learn more about volunteer opportunities and from Infection Prevention and Control regarding the importance of hand hygiene.

By participating in TOKTWD, students are able to learn about the variety of careers within the Hospital and in health care. This day also creates a great opportunity for employee engagement within the workplace. This event encourages team building, productivity, social interactions and employee involvement.

Thank you to everyone who made this year’s edition of TOKTWD a success!

November is Make a Will Month. A gift in your will can fund the future of health care.

One sentence in your will can:

• Equip specialists with cutting edge tools and technology
• Fund life-changing research
• Improve health care close to home
• SAVE LIVES for generations to come

To start a legacy conversation, contact Lee-Anne at ext. 7110 or learn more at www.healthsciencesfoundation.ca/legacy

Congratulations to the following winners of the 2025 Canadian Patient Safety Week activities:

• Day 1 Trivia – Stefanie Armour (Regional Cancer Program)
• Day 2 Trivia – Josephine Tucci (Surgical Day Care)
• Day 3 Trivia – Patricia Madigan (Infection Prevention & Control)
• Day 4 Trivia – Haley Koopman (Medical and Academic Affairs)
• Day 5 Trivia – Tammy Ezowske (Cancer Care – Outpatient Supportive Care)
• Word Search – Ashley Hindman (Security & Parking)
• Crossword – Martina Agostino (Clinical Trials)
• Room of Errors Challenge – Toria Baranyk (3C)

Each winner has received a gift certificate to enjoy a local business.

Thank you to all who participated!

Click HERE to complete today’s Treaties Recognition Week 2025 trivia question. 

Each submission will be entered into a draw to win prizes! Winners will be announced next week in Your Daily Informed Newsletter.