Shared on behalf of Kristin Shields, Director, Quality & Risk Management

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On Sunday, November 6, 2022 at 2:00 a.m., clocks and watches fall back one hour to change from Daylight Saving Time to Standard Time.

The accuracy of time is very important to ensuring safety at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. It is important not only for scheduling procedures and staffing, but also for charting accuracy and medication dispensing.

At 2:00 a.m. all electronic clocks that are controlled by the system (NICU, ICU, etc.) will be moved back to Standard Time automatically. Any final adjustments will be completed by 5:00 a.m. If any of these system clocks are not updated by 8:00 a.m., please contact the Maintenance Department (ext. 6344). All departments will be responsible for changing the time on any battery operated clocks in their area. Computers will automatically change to Standard Time.

Please ensure that your personal watches/devices are updated and that any clocks in your area are adjusted in a timely manner.

TBRHSC is currently recruiting volunteers to serve on the Research Ethics Board (REB).  We are looking for three new alternate research board members:

1. One member who is knowledgeable in relevant laws and willing to review proposed research projects to identify legal issues related to research protocols and their implications, especially those related to health and privacy law;
2. One member knowledgeable in relevant research disciplines, fields and methodologies in areas of research covered by the TBRHSC REB;
3. One Indigenous community member not affiliated with Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre and able to provide input regarding your knowledge about the Indigenous community of Thunder Bay and discuss issues and research from this perspective.

Although the alternate member is welcome to attend all REB meetings and may be asked to participate as a primary reviewer on specific studies, their primary responsibility is to provide coverage when the regular REB member is not available to perform reviews or attend meetings.

If you are interested in more information about this opportunity, please email your cover letter and resume to Carol Pelletier, Research Ethics Officer at TBRHSC.REO@tbh.net by November 7, 2022. Please indicate which position you are applying for in your email.

Selected applicants will be contacted for an interview, with the final decision being made by the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre Board of Directors Chair.

Please see memos linked below for further details.

• Alternate REB member recruitment – Legal
• Alternate REB member recruitment – Research
• Alternate REB member recruitment – Indigenous Community Member

Congratulations to Gordon Jones, winner of the $100 Amazon gift card. Thank you everyone for your participation in October’s Cyber Security Awareness Month Quiz and making it such a huge success.

Please see quiz questions and answers below.

*There are still appointments available, sign up today!*

It’s time to take care of your health.

On November 8, the Screen for Life Coach will be parked at our Hospital to provide cancer screening services for our employees.

The Coach offers:

• Mammograms to screen for breast cancer. Breast cancer screening is for women 50 to 74 years of age and is recommended every 2 years.

• Pap tests to screen for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer screening is for individuals with a cervix who are 21 to 69 years of age who have been sexually active and is recommended every 3 years.

• FIT kits to screen for colon cancer. Colon cancer screening is for individuals 50 to 74 years of age who do not have a family history of colon cancer and is recommended every 2 years.

Services can be accessed without a referral and are available even if you have a primary care provider.

If you’re due for breast, cervical or colon cancer screening, call 684-7777 to book your appointment.

World Stroke Day is recognized each year on October 29, and aims to raise awareness of stroke signs and the benefits of timely access to emergency medical care. Last year, the World Stroke Organization launched the #Precioustime campaign, with the message that when it comes to stroke, ‘save minutes, save lives.’ This message has the potential not just to save a life from stroke, but to save mobility, speech and precious independence for millions of stroke survivors around the globe.

This year on World Stroke Day, the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network (NWORSN) wants to raise awareness of the serious nature and high rates of stroke, learning the signs of stroke and the need for timely access to quality stroke treatment.

In April 2022, the NWORSN launched the “Suspect Stroke? Minutes Matter!” video, to capture the message that stroke is a medical emergency. The video highlights a patient and family member’s stroke journey, demonstrating both the delays while self-transporting and the benefit of time savings when accessing EMS to the emergency department.

Most Northwestern Ontario residents drive to the hospital instead of accessing emergency medical services (EMS) when suspecting stroke. The importance of accessing EMS in stroke care is imperative in the region due to the vast geography.

“We need to be aware of the benefits of calling 911 or your local emergency number and the expertise that first responders and paramedics bring to stroke care,” states Dr. Hassan, Medical Lead for the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network. “They are trained to recognize the signs of stroke and mobilize the patient quickly, remotely notifying the emergency department, resulting in saving time.”

With a one in four risk of stroke in our lifetime, the message remains the same. Stroke is a medical emergency. Do not delay access to stroke care. Recognize FAST: Face – is it drooping? Arms – can you raise both? Speech – is it slurred or jumbled? And Time – to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number.

To learn more about stroke, visit the Northwestern Ontario Regional Stroke Network website: http://nwostroke.ca. To watch the “Suspect Stroke? Minutes Matter” video, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EugvtE_ola4.

The World Stroke Organization has created a toolkit with resources to help you market and take action. When utilizing these materials please use #Precioustime, #NWORSN, #TBRHSC

Should you have any questions, please contact: Keli Cristofaro, Community Engagement Specialist, NWORSN at Keli.Cristofaro@tbh.net or 807-684-6468.

The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists (CSRT) proclaims the last week in October as Respiratory Therapy Week in Canada, to celebrate the respiratory therapy profession and the outstanding dedication and passion of Respiratory Therapists (RTs). This includes all areas of respiratory therapy practice, including anesthesia assistance.

RTs are highly-skilled health care professionals. They have specialized medical expertise and use their knowledge and skills to provide safe, high-quality care. If you have medical problems that may be caused by cardiorespiratory or respiratory-related issues, RTs are the experts who will work with you to diagnose, treat and manage your condition.

Within our Hospital there are always RTs working hard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across all patient populations. They can be found in the Emergency Department (ED), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Neonatal ICU, Operating Room (OR), pulmonary function lab, stress lab, and are on call for all inpatients. RTs perform a number of vital roles throughout our Hospital. They are called for all high-risk deliveries including C-sections, traumas, conscious sedations, cardioversions, puffer administration and education, arterial blood gases, insertion of arterial catheters, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, (like CPAPs or BiPAPs), high flow oxygen therapy, and so much more.

Join us in thanking our RTs for their vital contributions to patient care.