November 30, 2004

The Board of Directors of Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation held its regular monthly meeting November 29 at the Centrum in Grand Bay-Westfield. The following are highlights of that meeting:

Skill Mix

Nursing Resource Coordinator, Cindy Goggan reported to Board members on a unit by unit review of nursing resources within the organization. “We began this project in response to our changing environment in health care delivery,” she said. “Statistics show us that there is a nursing shortage nationwide,” she continued. Goggan explained that other changes include funding challenges and advanced competencies for registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. “Within AHSC we now have three distinct groups that provide nursing-type services to patients – Registered Nurses, Licensed practical Nurses and Patient Service Workers. Through this project we are developing ways that we can all work together to best utilize our resources, while providing enhanced patient care.” Goggan explained. She also told Board members that the steering committee had representation from across the organization.  “We’ve held focus groups as well. It’s important that there is ample opportunity for input and, as we go forward, we are developing communication and educational tools to help everyone understand the project and how it will impact the work environment,” she concluded.

 Report of the CEO

In her report, AHSC CEO Dora Nicinski advised Board members that the report on cardiac services commissioned by the Department of Health and Wellness was complete and had been released to the public. “I am pleased to report that AHSC has begun taking action on the recommendations. We have recently recruited two interventional cardiologists, one general cardiologist and one cardiac surgeon and have begun planning for an additional cardiac catheterization lab,” she said.

Nicinski also reported to Board members that 42 patients of the health and aging program had moved from the Regional hospital to occupy the two new floors recently opened at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “It is truly wonderful to see those floors that were closed for so long once again operating as nursing units where patients can receive quality care,” she said.  « C’est vraiment merveilleux de voir ces étages, qui étaient fermés depuis si longtemps, fonctionner de nouveau en tant qu’unités de soins, où les patients peuvent bénéficier de soins de qualité », dit-elle.

Nicinski went on to bring several staff achievements to the attention of Board members. She pointed out that ambulatory care clinics have been introduced in St. Stephen, St. George and Saint John as part of a pilot program aimed at serving patients of the Extra-Mural Program. Clinics focus on wound care, central line care, teaching and IV therapy. Early reports indicate positive feedback on this pilot. Patients who are in need of extra mural services, but who are mobile can lead a more “normal” life by coming to a clinic rather than waiting at home for a nurse to come. “It’s also a more productive use of our nursing resources,” said Nicinski. This way nurses can spend time with their patients instead of driving from home to home.”

                                                         Finance Committee

The following details the financial position of AHSC for the month ended October 31, 2004: