New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes

Eric Mourant, Executive Director of the New Brunswick Association of Nursing Homes gave a presentation that showed that the population in New Brunswick is aging. He reported that in 2004, 14 per cent of residents were over 65, while in 2005 more than 20 per cent of New Brunswickers were more than 65 years of age. Mr. Mourant explained that the aging population puts added demands and expectations on nursing homes and described how that impacts his association. William Teed, Q.C., Chairman Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation Board of Directors thanked Mr. Mourant for his “educational presentation on the status of nursing homes today.”

Report of the CEO

In her report, AHSC President and CEO Dora Nicinski, outlined the measures AHSC is taking to address the growing MRSA problem. “Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aereus is a new resistant strain of a pathogen commonly found on people in the community. It is a national issue and we are noticing steady growth in the region. We regularly screen patients who are considered to be in a high-risk population so that we can identify those who are colonized or infected and take appropriate measures to treat them.” Nicinski also explained that AHSC has set a task force to review national best practice guidelines. The group is also charged with developing an education campaign on facility and community acquired MRSA. “This task force will include internal staff members and will work closely with Public Health officials.”

Nicinski updated Board members on the operation of the Urgent Care Centre at St. Joseph’s Hospital. “We are able to support the operation of the Urgent Care Centre from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily throughout the summer months,” she said. Dr. Adu Yakub has been recruited from Ontario to work in the Urgent Care Centre for a period of three months and a few local family physicians have agreed to provide coverage as well. “The commitment to provide physician coverage for Emergency Departments throughout our facilities is recognized and appreciated,” she said.

Nicinski reported that planning for the third cardiac catheterization lab is proceeding on budget and on schedule. “We expect to complete renovations for a cost of $1.1 million and be ready to begin patient care by the end of February 2006,” she said.

Nicinski noted that a new family physician had been recruited to St. Stephen. “We are now moving through the credentialling process and look forward to welcoming this family physician in early fall,” she explained.

Nicinski then presented Board members with a Hay Benchmarking Comparison of Canadian Teaching Hospitals. The data presented showed indicators in 28 areas for the years 2002, 2003 and 2004. (Please see report attached).  Indicator Number 5 compared Alternate Level of Care Days as a % of total days. AHSC is higher than the national average in this indicator that tracks patients who are well enough to no longer receive acute care. This is also reflected in indicator number four - % Outlier Days as a % of Total Inpatient Days. AHSC is tracking well in indicators that depict the % Tertiary Cases in a Teaching Hospital.

Finance Committee

                                                                                     3 months                    3 months

                                                                                    ended June 2005        ended June 2004

Shareable Surplus (Deficit)                                    ($3.863 M)                   ($2.114 M)

Medicare Deficit                                                         ($0.202 M)                   ($0.275 M)

Non-shareable Surplus Deficit                               ($0.336 M)                   $0.553 M

Board Surplus (Deficit)                                              $0.395 M                     $0.195 M

Amortization of Assets                                              ($0.481 M)                   ($0.570 M)

Total Surplus (Deficit)                                               ($4.487 M)                   $2.017 M

Financial results for June 2005 are based on a preliminary expenditure budget. Final budget figures have been received from the Department of Health and Wellness and will be utilized to finalize a budget for consideration by the Board of Directors in September.

The Finance Committee recommended that the Board of Directors increase its commitment to the Carpet Replacement Program at the Saint John Regional Hospital so that phase one and phase two may be completed. The Board of Directors subsequently approved the recommendation.        

Patricia Crowdis
Director of Communications and Media Relations
(506) 648-6116

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