Quality and Safety: A Team Effort Across Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

At Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, quality and safety are not limited to a single department. From the frontlines to leadership, clinical to non-clinical spaces, and inpatient to outpatient settings, each staff member plays a vital role in delivering safe, high quality care.

Quality Huddles are departmental, leader and staff-led touch-points that provide a consistent platform for sharing innovative ideas related to safety and quality trends. What started with just seven clinical departments in 2023, has expanded to over 60 departments (including non-clinical and outpatient areas), with further plans for expansion underway. To date, over 1,575 huddles have been held, with more than 14,480 staff engagements. These gatherings have generated over 2,001 change ideas, with an impressive 1,283 already implemented.

This milestone is a testament to the hard work, collaboration, and dedication of TBRHSC staff. In alignment with our strategic goal to “focus relentlessly on quality”, the momentum behind the Quality Huddles initiative reflects how deeply a culture of quality and safety is embedded throughout our Hospital.

Congratulations to all of the award winners (below) who shared their innovative change ideas at this year’s Quality Huddle Excellence Awards.  Each presentation highlighted original ideas generated from Quality Huddles that occurred in 2024.

Presenter	Department	Quality Improvement Idea
Tracy Peltier	Labour and Delivery	Operating Room Standardization
Jennifer Pearson	Radiology	MIS Recording Update
Rachel Lyon	IA Medicine/Oncology	Potassium Shifting PPDO
Taylor MacKenizie	2A Medicine	Acute Withdrawal Desk Revamp
Meghan Hill	3C Surgery/Neuro	Magnetic Butterflies
Joelle Macey	Adult Mental Health	New WPV Risk Assessments
Tara Posselwhite	Transitional Care Unit	Laminated Seating Tags
Jennifer Svane	Materials Management	Vendor Shipment Amalgamation
Nancy Baker	Medical Device Reprocessing	New Sharps Cards
Victoria Marks and Megan Valente	Patient and Family Centred Care	Afternoon Snack Cart
Ashley Dell	Portering	Teletracker Mandatory Isolation
Nicole Moffet and Christian Nielsen	Security	Emergency Department Improved Accessibility

A heartfelt thank you to the Quality Resource Management (QRM) team for their unwavering support in facilitating these huddles and guiding teams through the quality improvement journey. Together, we’re working towards our vision of exceptional care for every patient, every time.

Shared on behalf of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Department

---

This year’s COVID-19 vaccine program aims to ensure Ontarians are protected against COVID-19 disease including severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization has recommended individuals receive the updated COVID-19 vaccine annually. The mechanism of increased protection from an updated COVID-19 vaccine is likely a combination of both providing a recent vaccination that boosts the immune response and providing a vaccine that is more closely related to the circulating strain.

The 2025/2026 COVID-19 vaccine program, in alignment with the Universal Influenza Immunization Program, has transitioned to an annual program, with guidance issued each year for the September to August respiratory season and immunization provided at the specified schedules and timing

The COVID-19 vaccines may be given at the same time with other vaccines, or at any time before or after other non-COVID-19 vaccines (live or non-live vaccines), including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines and/or the RSV monoclonal antibody.

The Occupational Health and Safety Department is pleased to be offering the Moderna Spikevax to all staff, professional staff and volunteers of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre by appointment only.

The COVID-19 vaccine clinic will be held every Friday starting October 31 until Dec 13, 2025.

Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Appointments can be booked by calling the OHS department at 684-6212.

To be eligible for the vaccine, you must be a health care worker 18 years of age. Six months (168 days) must have passed since your last COVID-19 vaccine dose.

Staff must bring a piece of government issued Identification in order to obtain the vaccine. Your Health Card or Driver’s License is acceptable.

This week, we join health care organizations across Canada in recognizing Canadian Patient Safety Week (CPSW)—a national campaign led by Healthcare Excellence Canada that encourages everyone working in health care to speak up, share ideas, and take action to improve patient safety.

Test your knowledge with a daily question. Each submission will be entered into a draw to win prizes! Winners will be announced next week in Your Daily Informed Newsletter.

October 27 trivia question: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HS2MLC6
October 28 trivia question : https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HSXHSMF

Don’t forget to look at the Schedule of Events for other events that highlight the importance of safety in health care.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Ontario, yet almost 50% of those who are eligible for breast screening in Northwestern Ontario don’t get checked regularly. For some, it’s the fear of the unknown. For others, it’s not knowing when to start, how often to go, or whether their personal circumstances affect their eligibility.

To makes things easier, here are answers to some of the most common questions about breast cancer screening.

Who is eligible for breast screening in Ontario?

The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) recommends that most eligible women, Two-Spirit, trans, and non-binary people ages 40 to 74 get a mammogram every two years.

You may qualify if you:

• have no breast cancer symptoms
• have no personal history of breast cancer
• have not had a mastectomy
• have not had a screening mammogram within the last 11 months
• (if transfeminine) have used feminizing hormones for at least five years in a row

If you are considered high risk, talk to your health care provider about your screening options.

What if I’m under 40 or over 74?

If you’re outside the OBSP age range, speak with your health care provider about your risk factors and whether screening is right for you.

Do I need a doctor’s referral for a mammogram?

If you’re between 40 and 74 and at average risk, you can book your own OBSP appointment without a referral.

How much does breast screening cost?

There is no cost for eligible individuals with a valid OHIP card.

How often should I be screened?

For those at average risk, a mammogram every two years is recommended. If you are high risk, you may need to be screened more often – your health care provider can provide you with more information.

How do I know if I’m due for a mammogram?

If you’ve screened before, you’ll receive a letter reminding you that it’s time to book again. If you think you might be due, you can call your nearest OBSP location to find out.

Where can I get a mammogram in Northwestern Ontario?

There are OBSP screening sites in Thunder Bay, Fort Frances, Kenora, and Sioux Lookout. The Screen for Life Coach, a mobile cancer screening bus, also visits rural, remote, and Indigenous communities throughout the region.

Can I get a mammogram if I have breast implants?

Yes. Technologists are trained to work with implants and use special techniques to ensure clear images.

What should I do to prepare for a mammogram?

Wear a loose-fitting top that buttons in the front. Avoid deodorants, antiperspirants, lotions, or powders on your chest or underarms the day of your mammogram, as they can interfere with imaging.

What happens if my mammogram shows something abnormal?

You may be called back for more tests, such as another mammogram, an ultrasound, or a biopsy, to get a clearer picture.

If you still have questions, your health care provider or nearest OBSP location can help. If you’re eligible, take that next step and book your mammogram. To learn more about where and how to book a mammogram nearest you, visit tbrhsc.net/breast-cancer-screening.

This November, take time to focus on your well-being.

Nourish November is a free, virtual webinar series offered through CMHA Ontario’s Your Health Space program. Designed for Ontario’s health care workforce, each one-hour, trainer-led session explores practical ways to support mental wellness at work and beyond.

Whether you’re looking to reduce stress, build healthier habits, or simply take a meaningful pause in your week, these sessions offer space to reflect and reset.

---

Free Sessions (Tuesdays from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. via Zoom):

• Consideration & Collaboration at Work (November 4)
  Strategies for respectful communication and teamwork.

Register here

• Well-Being at Work: The Dimensions of Wellness (November 11)
  Explore nine dimensions of wellness and how they show up in daily work life.

Register here

• Embracing Rest & Self-Compassion (November 18)
  Practical tools to support rest, reflection, and psychological self-care.

Register here

• Being Mindful at Work (November 25)
  Learn how mindfulness can support focus, calm, and well-being.

Register now

---

All sessions are free, virtual (via Zoom), and open to health care workers in Ontario.

Delivered by Your Health Space, a program of CMHA Ontario supporting mental health in the health care sector.

We invite you to share this invitation with your health care colleagues.

Visit www.yourhealthspace.ca to learn more

TBRHSC’s insurer Healthcare Insurance Reciprocal of Canada (HIROC) is offering a free webcast Documentation Fundamentals and Practice Considerations for Healthcare Professionals, 2025.

Description: The session combines theoretical foundations with practical applications to increase the quality of patient care and reduce liability risks. Using lessons from medical-legal claims, we will cover documentation fundamentals, the importance of the medical record, and common documentation challenges. Case studies from various healthcare settings will highlight important practice considerations.

When: Thursday, November 27, 2025
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (ET)
Virtual through Zoom

Who Should Attend: Frontline healthcare providers of all disciplines including midwives, nurses, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, physical therapists, physicians, respiratory therapists, and social workers.

Eligibility: Registration is complimentary (zero cost) and exclusively for HIROC Subscribers (e.g. TBRHSC)

Register using the link below:
https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50400458/Documentation-Fundamentals-and-Practice-Considerations-for-Healthcare-Professionals-2025

Shared on behalf of St. Joseph’s Care Group

---

Do you have a project that’s improving health outcomes in Northwestern Ontario? Whether it’s a research study, program evaluation, or quality improvement initiative, the 2026 Showcase of Health Research is your opportunity to share your impact and connect with others driving change across our region.

If you are interested in submitting your project to the 2026 Showcase of Health Research, refer to our Submission Guidelines flipbook.

Abstracts Due: Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:59 PM
Event: 2026 Showcase of Health Research
Date: Friday, February 6, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Location: Italian Cultural Centre

The Showcase of Health Research celebrates the innovation and collaboration that make Northwestern Ontario’s health landscape so unique. Submissions are welcome from across the health sector, including academic researchers and healthcare professionals, as well as community organizations and students.

Learn more about the Showcase of Health Research: www.cahr.sjcg.net/about-showcase

Ready to submit your abstract to the 2026 Showcase of Health Research? www.redcap.link/showcase-abstract-submission

Don’t miss this opportunity to highlight your work, share your findings, and inspire others across Northwestern Ontario.

Submit your abstract today; the deadline is four weeks away!