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Emergency Preparedness at TBRHSC

This week is Emergency Preparedness Week and Ontario’s theme is “Prepared Together”. Being prepared isn’t just about having the right supplies. It’s about working together – individuals, organizations, and governments – so we can all respond and recover better.

Here at TBRHSC we want to strive to continuously improve our level of organizational emergency preparedness.

What can you do to help?

  • Ensure emergency binders have current policies and sub plans.
  • Call 55 to activate Codes and Alerts; clear them as soon as the appropriate responders have arrived and/or the situation is resolved.
  • Submit Incident Learning System and eObservation reports we can learn from real events/near misses.
  • Inspect emergency response equipment in your area (e.g., fail safe phones, sprinkler heads), report safety concerns, and submit workorders as appropriate.
  • Stay cyber smart by securing your devices and connections, reporting phishy emails, and updating passwords (learn more via https://www.getcybersafe.gc.ca/en)

Take Part in Drills and Exercises

  • Every year Interprofessional Education and Emergency Preparedness run dozens of drills and exercises to test and validate our procedures. They help us identify strengths, areas for improvement, and potential best practices.
  • How to request a drill? For general inquiries, reach out to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (Mesha.Richard@tbh.net) or contact Brittney McLaughlin (Brittney.McLaughlin@tbh.net Mock Code Blue/Pink/NRP), Holly Freill (Holly.Freill@tbh.net Mock Code White).
Staff participiating in a Minimum Staffing drill

Emergency Preparedness At Home

This week is Emergency Preparedness Week and Ontario’s theme is “Prepared Together”. Being prepared isn’t just about having the right supplies. It’s about working together – individuals, organizations, and governments – so we can all respond and recover better.

Emergency Preparedness at Home

By taking a few simple steps, you can become better prepared to face a range of emergencies – anytime, anywhere. It is important to:

  • Plan Ahead – In an emergency, it’s important to know where to meet and who to contact. Sit down with your family and close neighbours to make an emergency plan. When planning, think about what each person is responsible for and any medical needs. This includes the needs of children and pets.
  • Pack Smart – Prepare an emergency kit with items you may need. Many of these items may already be in your home. Your emergency kit should reflect the essentials that matter most to your household. This can include:
    • Documents (passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, pet records, social insurance numbers, financial information)
    • Emergency contact numbers (family, friends, family doctor, insurance providers, utility companies)
    • Medical items (glasses, medications, glucose monitors, walkers)
    • You can also add useful items like a flashlight, power bank, first-aid kit or battery operated radio. Keep these items together in a bag or backpack in one place, so you can find them quickly.
  • Stay Connected – Strong community ties help us prepare for emergencies. When neighbours know and trust each other, it’s easier to share information, offer help, and make sure no one is left behind. People can check in and support those who may need extra help. These connections make our community stronger and help recover faster. Stay involved with our community by:
    • Getting to know your neighbours
    • Checking in on those who may need extra help
    • Sharing helpful resources and information with others
    • Volunteering with local organizations
    • Joining community events

Visit the main lobby booth for Emergency Management Ontario and the Canadian Red Cross this Thursday or attend the personal preparedness presentation on Friday afternoon for a chance to win one of two $20 giftcards!

Know the risks – Learn about risks specific to our community and our region by using some of the following resources:

If you have questions, please reach out to Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net).

Click here for the schedule of Emergency Preparedness events happening this week at our Hospital.

World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5)

In recognition of World Hand Hygiene Day, Infection Prevention and Control would like to acknowledge the efforts of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre staff in helping ensure patient safety through proper hand hygiene practices.

Our 2025/2026 public hand hygiene compliance statistics have now been submitted. TBRHSC achieved a compliance rate of 85.82% for Moment 1 (Before Initial Patient or Patient Environment Contact) and 91.20% for Moment 4 (After Patient or Patient Environment Contact).

Germs are everywhere, making regular hand hygiene one of the simplest and most effective ways to help prevent the spread of infection and keep patients, families, staff, and visitors safe.

4-moments-printDownload

Red Dress Day (May 5)

May 5 is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirited People (MMIWG2S+). Also known as Red Dress Day, the day honours the lives of thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and gender diverse people in Canada. It is a time to encourage learning and building awareness to end violence against Indigenous women, girls, two-spirit, and gender diverse people. 

Missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people is not just a societal issue. It has significant implications for health care. Health care providers and institutions must acknowledge the MMIWG2S+ crisis and work towards creating a culturally safe and respectful health care system that addresses the unique needs of Indigenous peoples.

Call to Action 41 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report called on the federal government of Canada to begin an inquiry into the numerous cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Starting in 2016, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls held 15 community hearings, and spoke with 2,386 people. A Final Report was released in June 2019 which includes 231 Calls for Justice that “represent important ways to end the genocide and to transform systemic and societal values that have worked to maintain colonial violence” (Final Report, volume 1B, p. 168).

In September 2025, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre launched the second annual response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action. The report, entitled Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Response to the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action Year Two, particularly focused on Call to Action #24, ensuring that all professional staff complete cultural safety training, thereby deepening our understanding and respect for Indigenous culture.

To Learn More:

Local events to honour Red Dress Day on May 5:

Beendigen and Shelter House are hosting a memorial walk, vigil, and feast in honour of Red Dress Day. Join the walk around the Marina followed by a feast at the Baggage Building Art Centre (on the Marina grounds, beside the Skate Park). The event will start at Celebration Circle (by the boat launch) at 3:00 p.m.

National Perfusion Week (May 3-9)

As Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) advances toward the launch of cardiac surgery in 2028, building a highly specialized cardiovascular workforce is a critical priority.  This work is being advanced in partnership with the University Health Network’s Peter Munk Cardiac Centre (PMCC), supporting a coordinated, “one program, two sites” model of care.

As cardiac surgery is not yet available in Thunder Bay, a proactive “grow-your-own” approach has been implemented in partnership with the PMCC. Through this model, team members complete their specialized education and transition into clinical practice at PMCC, where they gain hands-on clinical experience at PMCC, a high-volume cardiac centre, before returning home to support the program’s launch.

Cardiovascular perfusionists are highly specialized professionals and essential members of the interprofessional operating room team. Working in close collaboration with cardiac surgeons and anesthesiologists, they operate advanced life-support technologies, including the heart-lung machine, which temporarily takes over the function of the heart and lungs during surgery. Their expertise is critical to ensuring patient safety and optimal outcomes in complex procedures.

In recognition of National Perfusion Week (May 3–9), we are proud to celebrate the expertise, dedication, and critical contributions of cardiovascular perfusionists. This year, we are especially pleased to highlight four exceptional individuals who are preparing to join the team at TBRHSC. These professionals will play an integral role in the anticipated launch of our Cardiovascular Surgery Program in spring 2028.

With no perfusion training program currently based in Thunder Bay, each of these individuals has made the significant commitment to relocate to Toronto to complete specialized education at the Michener Institute of Education at UHN, while gaining valuable clinical experience at PMCC. This investment supports individuals with strong ties to Northwestern Ontario in developing advanced expertise and returning to serve their communities.

As we approach the 2028 launch, these future team members will bring the knowledge, skill, and experience needed to deliver high-quality, patient-centred cardiac surgical care, closer to home.

Meet the Team

Scott completed the Cardiovascular Perfusion Program at the Michener Institute of Education at UHN in 2018. With longstanding ties to TBRHSC, he now practices at the PMCC, where he continues to advance his expertise in a collaborative, patient-centered environment focused on innovation and excellence in cardiac care.

Amanda began her studies in cardiovascular perfusion at the Michener Institute of Education at UHN in September 2023 and completed the program in 2025. She has since joined the team at the PMCC, where she is further developing her clinical skills while contributing to high-quality patient care in a leading cardiac centre.

Grace began her training in 2024 and has demonstrated exceptional dedication and resilience throughout her studies, recently completing her Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion. During her training, she has gained valuable hands-on clinical experience in cardiac surgery, strengthening her technical skills and clinical judgment. She will graduate this June and begin her career at PMCC, where she will support patients undergoing life-saving cardiac procedures. Congratulations, Grace, on this important milestone.

Eve is the final team member participating in the “grow-your-own” initiative supporting the launch of cardiovascular surgical services. She began her studies at the Michener Institute of Education at UHN in 2025 and is currently completing her first year of the Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program. Upon her expected graduation in 2027, she will help strengthen local capacity and support patients requiring cardiovascular surgery closer to home.

The dedication and commitment demonstrated by these individuals will be invaluable to TBRHSC and the patients we serve. We look forward to welcoming them as key contributors to our future cardiovascular program.

During National Perfusion Week, we invite our community to recognize the vital role perfusionists play in the operating room. Their skill, precision, and vigilance make a meaningful difference in patient care every day.

To learn more about cardiovascular perfusion, please visit these online resources:

Grace recently completed her Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion. During her training, she has gained valuable hands-on clinical experience in cardiac surgery, strengthening her technical skills and clinical judgment.
Cardiovascular perfusionists Grace, Scott and Amanda.
Eve is the final team member participating in the “grow-your-own” initiative supporting the launch of cardiovascular surgical services. She began her studies at the Michener Institute of Education at UHN in 2025 and is currently completing her first year of the Master of Science in Cardiovascular Perfusion program.

National Health and Safety Week (May 4-9)

National Health and Safety Week is an annual opportunity to highlight the importance of creating and maintaining safe, healthy workplaces.

It serves as a reminder that safety is a shared responsibility—one that requires awareness, communication, and continuous improvement from everyone in an organization.This year’s focus on the Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) emphasizes the vital role it plays in promoting workplace well-being. The JHSC brings together worker and employer representatives to identify hazards, recommend solutions, and ensure that safety standards are upheld. By fostering collaboration and open dialogue, the committee helps build a culture where concerns can be raised and addressed proactively.

To make this week both engaging and informative, employees are encouraged to participate in daily safety trivia for a chance to win one of two gift cards (prize 1: $150 Fresh Air, prize 2: $50 Tims Whole Health). There will also be a team scavenger hunt designed to promote collaboration and safety awareness, with the winning department earning a pizza party.

Recognizing Health and Safety Week is not just about compliance, it’s about reinforcing a commitment to protecting people every day.

Emergency Preparedness Week (May 3-9)

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS WEEK – May 3 to 9, 2026

Prepared Together

This week is Emergency Preparedness Week and Ontario’s theme is “Prepared Together”. Being prepared isn’t just about having the right supplies. It’s about working together – individuals, organizations, and governments – so we can all respond and recover better.

Emergency Preparedness at TBRHSC

Here at TBRHSC we follow the Ontario Hospital Association’s standardized Emergency Colour Code system. Each colour code, as well as Alert 99/Alert 99 Trauma and Lockdown, has an Executive Sponsor and working group assigned to maintain the associated policy, review key incidents, and identify training and exercise opportunities. Each policy is updated on a 3-year cycle.

When was the last time your area’s emergency code binder was updated?

Are you missing any policies or sub-plans? Are all your policies current? Review the recommended emergency code binder table of contents (below) to help ensure your team is working off the most up-to-date response information.

Emergency-Code-Binder-Table-of-Contents-April-2026Download

Reminder: policies are located the iNtranet under Corporate Info > Emergency Codes or at the bottom of the Main Page where there’s a “quick link” to Emergency Codes.

Did you know that at TBRHSC, Emergency Preparedness has its own dedicated iNtranet page? It’s true! Be #PreparedTogether by reviewing our safety huddles, posters, and training videos. Check it out on the iNtranet under Departments > Emergency Preparedness and Security > Emergency Preparedness or via this link, and follow along as we gradually build up this resource with new material.

Our emergency colour codes and alerts aren’t meant to be a secret. Want to share with patients and visitors? No problem! Turn to page 26 of the Patient Care Resource booklet or direct them to https://tbrhsc.net/home/information-services/emergency-codes/

If you have questions, please reach out to your manager or Mēsha Richard, Lead, Emergency Preparedness (ext. 6552 or mesha.richard@tbh.net).

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