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Quarterly Report to the CommunityVolume 3, No.4Contents
Message from the Chairman and the President & CEOAs we close our fiscal year, we are optimistic for the future of health care in our region. The genuine concern for health care delivery shown by this government was evident as hospital corporations were invited to appear before the Crown Corporations committee. The provincial government decided in late fall to invite all the Region Hospital Corporations to Fredericton to participate in a questions and answers format on organizational effectiveness. We are indeed pleased to have had the opportunity to be publicly accountable, and compliment the MLA's on their insightful questions. This quarter also saw the addition of three new physicians to AHSC's medical staff, as we continue our quest to recruit health care professionals. This winter, AHSC staff promoted the Corporation at a Family Physician Job Fair in Moncton. Our figures show that while surgical wait lists have been up slightly since January 2000, they show a significant decrease from February 1999. Laboratory medicine workload units are 6% higher this quarter than for the same period in 1999. In our mission to deliver the highest possible quality of health care, we would like to commend the physicians in AHSC's Nephrology Services who have distinguished themselves again this year with the award of a kidney research grant from the Wordel Fund. Patients with kidney disease in Region 3 will benefit from a unique partnership with AHSC with the creation of a satellite unit for patients requiring chronic haemodialysis. This will enable patients in the Fredericton area to receive their treatment much closer to home. The service includes a Telehealth component, allowing staff and nephrologists in Saint John to participate in the care of patients in Region 3 area using the latest communications technology. The Corporation has embarked on a process to retrofit and to acquire new equipment and technology in many facilities. One of the most important announcements this quarter was made in February - we thank our Board of Trustees for the use of discretionary funds to purchase a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit for the Regional site. This will dramatically impact diagnoses and treatment for a variety of patients. The Diagnostic Imaging Department has also recently entered into a strategic alliance with GE Medical Systems Canada. At the Saint John Regional Hospital site, a variety of renovations and upgrades have been ongoing over the past year. The Labour and Delivery Unit's seven new birthing rooms were officially completed with a grand opening in February. The Palliative Care Unit recently moved to a new location on 3B-North after 13 years in Tower D. The Paediatrics Clinic on Level 1 will soon display colorful artwork donated by Quispamsis Elementary School Grades 4 and 5 students. Renovations at Deer Island Health Centre have been met with applause, with the upgrades now providing more space for various services. Grand Manan Hospital is also undergoing similar enhancements. The auxiliaries and foundations in Region 2 continue their tireless fund raising and public awareness campaigns with the many events they sponsor. Our community outreach also continues to take many forms. A "Health Care Career Fair" occurred this winter and attracted high school students and the general public from many communities. The fair showcased the many facets of employment that can be found in a hospital environment. Our Telehealth system is now providing psychiatric services to clients in Charlotte County, thus providing equitable access to more patients. A recent decision by Saint John area Family Physicians to offer an Interim Clinic, by appointment only, at the Saint John Regional site, has been met with positive feedback from the public. The recent Budget announcement bodes well for the future of health care in our Region, and the creation of the new Department of Health and Wellness shows that promoting wellness is a vital component to health care. We look forward to a continued commitment with Pemier Lord and his Government in consulting to find workable solutions to the problems we currently face in ensuring quality, accessible health care for the citizens of region 2.
Quarterly Report to the Community is produced internally by
Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation four times per year. It is intended to provide
information on the Corporation's operations and activities to staff, physicians,
communities and organizations throughout Region 2 and theprovince.
The AHSC Board of TrusteesThe Board of Trustees are: Profiles: new AHSC Board membersAHSC welcomes two new members to the Board of Trustees: Cathy Rignanesi and Douglas Mannette. Cathy Rignanesi is a Chartered Accountant and directs Taxation Services for Aliant Inc. She received her BBA from UNB Saint John in 1977 and has been involved over the years at the community level with the Saint John YM and YWCA and the United Way. She has been an instructor with the NB Institute of Chartered Accountants, and has taught an introductory tax course through the University of New Brunswick. Ms. Rignanesi's term ends in 2001. Douglas Mannette is President of Mannette Holdings Ltd. and has been actively involved in the community as a volunteer and a businessman. With his extensive training in management, sales and customer service, Mannette has marketed products and handled promotions for the Canadian Red Cross Society and Xerox Canada Inc. Mr. Mannette's term ends in 2002. return to contentsAtlantic Health Sciences CorporationALL SITES - October 1999 to December 1999
An MRI for Region 2AHSC physicians received a special valentine from the Board of Trustees on February 14. Michael Walton, Chairman of AHSC's Board of Trustees, announced at a press conference that Saint John Regional Hospital would soon have its very own fixed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit. "I am delighted, said Walton, "to make this good news public." Region 2 medical staff will definitely benefit from the acquisition of this state-of-the-art equipment, as will patients from across the Region and the province, and neurology and oncology staff in particular. AHSC Board of Trustees went to bat for the physicians providing discretionary funds to purchase the MRI unit, with funding assistance from the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation. "And most importantly," Walton went on to say, "our government has agreed to fund the equipment's operating costs." Official thanks for funding MRI operating costs went to Premier Lord and his government in the form of a public letter from Dr. John Whelan, in his capacity of Medical Staff President on the Board of Trustees. To briefly describe what the MRI does, this machine has the capacity of scanning and clearly viewing the organs inside the body, apart from the bones. It is especially important in diagnosing cancer and certain neurological disorders. The technology is relatively new Canada's first MRI was purchased in 1982. Up until this announcement, a mobile MRI unit was being shared between SJRH and Moncton hospital facilities. Dr. Michael Barry, AHSC Clinical Head, Diagnostic Imaging, stated, "There is no question that a permanent unit will improve diagnoses and lead to quicker treatments and shorter hospital stays." Dr. Brian Wheelock, AHSC Clinical Head, Neurosurgery, stressed that a fixed MRI is a "standard of care" that a tertiary facility should not be without. The MRI unit is expected to be in place this fall and will greatly improve our delivery of health care services. "I am excited at the spirit of togetherness this project represents, said Michael Walton. "The fact that we have developed a partnership with government, as well as with the SJRH Foundation, bodes well for the future of health care in this province. I firmly believe that we can develop a sustainable health care delivery system if we work together to find solutions to the problems we now face. I feel today we've taken a very important step towards a brighter future for health care." return to contentsAn Open Letter to the Premier of New BrunswickDear Mr. Premier: On behalf of the physicians of Health Region 2, may I offer congratulations on your government's recent decision to assume the operating costs of a permanent Magnetic Resonance Imaging unit to be located at the Saint John Regional Hospital. The addition of a fixed site MRI unit will benefit health care delivery throughout Region 2, and, in fact, the entire province. Our patients will benefit from better and more timely diagnoses in the areas of radiation oncology, brain tumors, orthopedics and neurology. My colleagues and I also applaud the commitment of your government to working in consultation with Regional Hospital Corporations to find practical solutions to the problems facing our health care delivery system today. We have found this spirit of cooperation to be especially prevalent in discussions with Saint John and area Members of the Legislative Assembly. We acknowledge their dedication to keeping this region's health care issues in the forefront of all political decision-making. This government's demonstrated desire to reinvest in health care gives us hope for the future. The positive step of allocating funds for 300 new nursing positions and incentives for new physicians displays a new attitude towards health care delivery. Again, we congratulate you on this move and urge you to continue this spirit of cooperation throughout your government's mandate. We ask that you continue to elicit input from the AHSC Board of Trustees and the management, staff and physicians of this region. Let's build on this successful partnership and face the future united in our desire to provide quality, accessible health care for all.
Speech Pathology equipment dedicationThe Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation hosted a special ceremony in March dedicating New Brunswick's only stroboscopy system to the memory of specialist Dr. H. E. Dysart, who initiated the idea of acquiring this diagnostic tool for the Saint John Regional Hospital's Speech Pathology Department. Present at the plaque unveiling were: Dr. Robert Rae, Clinical Head, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr. Andrea Garland, Ear, Nose and Throat specialist, Charlotte Polley, Speech Pathologist, John Wheatley, Past Chairman of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, Mrs. Shirley Dysart, wife of the late Dr. H. E. Dysart, and Lieutenant Governor Marilyn Trenholme Counsell. The unit allows the physician or speech pathologist to view the vocal chords for diagnoses of voice and throat disorders, and allows for the transfer of digital images to disk. Patients no longer need to travel to Halifax or Montreal for diagnostic purposes. Ultimately the system benefits many voice users across the spectrum, from singers and media personalities, to clergy and group facilitators. Call centres, an industry on the rise in New Brunswick, will also be advantaged by the availability of this specialized equipment. return to contentsAHSC partners with GE Medical SystemsAHSC is pleased to announce the formation of a strategic alliance
between the Diagnostic Imaging department and GE Vice President of Clinical Support Services, Ken Baird, states that the alliance will assist Diagnostic Imaging and AHSC in achieving its vision for the future. "With its experience and expertise, GE Medical Systems will be able to help us improve the services we deliver. GE's internal experience with business process improvements will help us shape the future of Diagnostic Imaging services. The GE 6-Sigma methodology will help us understand what is important to those who use our service, and how we can change to deliver on these expectations." Dave Hoyt, GE Medical Systems Account Manager for NB-PEI, expressed his thoughts on the partnership by stating, "We wanted to ally with a successful partner, so we are extremely pleased with our new relationship with AHSC. Both partners share the same major objectives in achieving long term goals and play key roles in the future of health care delivery in this region." Under the strategic alliance framework, the Process Improvement project for Diagnostic Imaging is nearing the completion of Phase I of three. Baird explains further, "Phase I, or the analysis phase, assists us in looking at our current operations - what works well and what doesn't - to compare against what the "customers" of the service say represents quality. We actually surveyed more than 400 patients to get their feedback. Phase II, or the design phase, looks at gaps between current service and desired state, and determines action plans to eliminate gaps. Phase III, or the implementation phase, enacts the recommended changes from Phase II." AHSC President and CEO David Carlin sums up the partnership in this way: "The alliance with GE Medical Systems gives AHSC access to world class technology, advice and customer service." return to contentsAHSC participates in Family Physician Job FairAHSC staff and physicians representing Charlotte County Hospital, the Sussex Health Centre, and the Corporation were on and to answer questions about employment possibilities within Region 2, at the Third Annual Maritime Retreat and Job Fair for Family Physicians, held in Moncton in February. Medical school students from Dalhousie University and the Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, were in attendance for the weekend retreat and visited hospital corporation displays from the three Maritime Provinces. It is the third year of AHSC's involvement in the Fair. A special thanks to the communities of Sussex, St. Stephen and Black's Harbour for contributing to the success of the AHSC display. return to contentsDeer Island Health Centre renovations completedOriginally a two-room school house built in the late 1940s, the Deer Island Health Centre was in need of renovations. Although structurally sound, the building had an inefficient layout and out-of-date finishes. Renovations costing close to $100,000 were completed in March and the facility now offers a more efficient design, providing privacy and confidentiality for Island residents and visitors in need of care. The Deer Island Health Centre operates during business hours (9:00 am to 5:00 pm) with registered nurses on site from Monday to Friday. A physician visits once or twice a week to attend to clients, and specialists visit the Island on a more intermittent basis or as the need arises. The Eastern Charlotte Extra-MuralProgram, Public Health and other health care professionals also make use of the site to hold clinics, meetings or information sessions. The waiting room doubles as a "teaching room", providing greater flexibility in the use of the space. Arlene Haddon, Facility Manager, Charlotte County Hospital, also manages the Deer Island Health Centre. "We are thrilled with the outcome of the renovations and appreciate the collaborative effort that resulted in the improvements to the Deer Island Health Centre," she said. return to contentsWhat is Telehealth?Dr. Mohan Iype, AHSC Chief of Staff, is convinced that Telehealth is the way of the future. In a recent presentation to staff and to the AHSC Board of Trustees, he calls Telehealth "the Sustainable Solution". In simple terms, Telehealth is a method of delivering health care services using telecommunication and information technologies. Today, distances between a patient-client and the medical team are no longer a barrier. By using communications technology and specialized computers and equipment, diagnoses, treatment and follow-ups can be made in a quicker and less costly way (by saving travel costs). Data can be stored and transmitted to different members of the medical team attending a particular case. Other Telehealth applications include: clinical consultation, physical examination, therapeutic clinics, follow-up clinics, and tele-education. The system is already serving psychiatric patients in Charlotte County. Radiology (see AHSC Quarterly Report, vol. 3, no. 1) and cardiac services are also up and running. The Saint John Regional Hospital's NB Heart Centre now has the shortest length of stay in the country five days post-cardiac. Some of these patients are monitored from their homes. "The patient leaves the hospital with a little suitcase that has a telephone line, stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, oxygen-saturation monitor and EKG machine, all of which are built into the Telehealth system's software and hardware," explains Dr. Iype. "A nurse at the hospital contacts the patient at home and a variety of information can be downloaded to enable the hospital team to monitor the patient." A partnership using the Telehealth system with Region 3 will result in the management of patients requiring chronic hemodialysis in the Fredericton area, when it is instituted later this year. Telehealth services will soon be available in the emergency area, and are being considered for use in the neurosciences, ophthalmology, oncology, obstetrics and home care. return to contentsHealth Care Career Fair a resounding successWhat types of careers can be found in a hospital environment? Audiologist, ward clerk, physiotherapist, biomedical engineer, carpenter, and social worker just to name a few. Comments on the special career fair, "Careers on the Health Care Team", held at Saint John Regional Hospital in February were overwhelmingly positive. Both staff and visitors alike were heard to say the day was a very worthwhile event. The Health Care Fair had something for everyone! More than 450 students visited the 28 displays. Invitations were sent out to every high school in Districts 6 and 8. Co-op student Jennifer Brown from St. Malachy's High School, was on a temporary half-day placement with AHSC Marketing and Communications Department. She observed that students from at least seven area high schools visited the fair during the course of the day. She also noted, " Orthopaedics even went so far as to have a mock patient as part of its display. The students were really drawn to the hands-on activities at the Operating Room and Emergency-Paramedics exhibits." École Samuel- de- Champlain's principal Norman Gould brought along about 15 students from the nearby Francophone school complex. "This is a great opportunity for students to see what's available in the health care environment. Thank you for putting it on!" were his congratulatory comments. Peggy Kenmey, Director Education Liason, headed the fair's organizing committee and was encouraged by the excitement generated by the fair. "Students, staff and the public alike all found something of interest. Some individuals even brought along their resumés. We were happy to showcase the many careers available in health care and would like to make this an annual event." The organizing team members were: Pam Irvine, Supervisor of Guidance for Districts 6 an 8; Sr. Laura Hughes, Personnel; Rick McGowan, Engineering & Maintenance; Randy McKnight, Radiation Therapy; Cathy Henderson, Diagnostic Imaging; Debbie Phillips, Physiotherapy; Wendy Steele, Secretarial; Tim Zakutney, Biomedical; Lisa Betts, Nuclear Medicine; Patricia Crowdis, Communications. return to contentsNew Moms can thank the SJRH AuxiliaryIn February, the new birthing room area on the labor and delivery
unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital was officially opened. Thanks to the Sussex Health Centre AuxiliarySussex Health Centre's Emergency Department recently acquired some new and vital equipment: a Bair Hugger Warming Unit , and a Hotline IV Warmer, through funds raised and donated by the Sussex Health Centre Auxiliary gift shop, known as "The Country Mouse Gifts and Goodies". "These two machines are welcome additions to SHC, and on behalf of Sussex Health Centre staff, I would like to thank the Auxiliary for their timely donations." said Kelly Dunfield, ER Unit Manager. return to contentsPosters donated to Paediatrics ClinicPartnerships can take many forms. In a project led by Quispamsis Elementary School's vice principal David Ripley, students in the Grades 4 and 5 classes produced posters this fall on the theme "Children At Play, Winter and Summer" for display in a special place. Dr. Cecil Ojah, Clinical Department Head, AHSC Paediatrics Program, came forward with the idea to use children's posters in an attractive presentation. "A special display will be created in the Paediatrics Clinic that will allow the posters to be rotated." return to contentsAchievementsA kidney research project headed locally by Dr. Paul Sohi, principal investigator, and Dr. Paul Handa and Dr. Nessa Gogan, co-investigators, received a $6,500 award from the Wordel Fund for kidney-related research. The project,"Symptoms and Renal Function at the Initiation of Dialysis", will be undertaken in conjunction with kidney specialists based at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. AHSC nephrologists were invited to participate as the study is based on research data collected from more than one site. Over the past six years, AHSC's Nephrology Services has been the recipient of other grants from the Wordel Fund and the Canadian Kidney Foundation for research in the fields of hypertension, polycystic kidney disease and analyses of the needs of dialysis patients. Joan MacDonald, RT, MLT, has been Laboratory Medicine department's expert technical resource person responsible for keeping the new Biosafety Level 3 (TB) laboratory initiative on track. Acting in this role for the past two years, she has gained national recognition for her knowledge and capabilities. Colin Oliver, Regional Administrative Director for Laboratory Medicine, notes, "Her reward is more hard work, and she has been invited to chair the Canadian Tuberculosis Laboratories Technical Network (CTLTN) for the next two years." The mission of the CTLTN is to promote excellence in Canadian Mycobacteriology Laboratory services. Its goals include addressing methodologies, proficiency and biosafety, as well as providing a forum for exchange and discussion on issues. Ellen Cloutier, ART, MLT, Technical Specialist in Transfusion Medicine and Haematology in the Laboratory Medicine department at Saint John Regional Hospital, has been accepted as a trainee inspector in the American Association of Blood Banks accreditation process. In March, Ellen was at a Maine hospital participating in an inspection. Colin Oliver, Region Administrative Director for Laboratory Medicine, says, "We are proud to have her working with such an important association and will welcome the knowledge and experience she brings back with her to our own department." return to contentsAHSC welcomes new physiciansDr. Laurel Comeau, Dr. Marek Godlewski, Dr. Farzana Tak, A look at the Department of PaediatricsAtlantic Health Sciences Corporation's Paediatric Program has embraced and emphasized medical education in its philosophy of care. In the early days, paediatricians such as Dr. R. G. Macdonald, Dr. R. L. Smith, Dr. Stephen Wayman and Dr. Douglas Gibbon, mentored interns and residents. Dr. Stephen Siauw, still a valued member of the Department, was one of the first paediatric residents to train here. The Paediatric Medical Education program, directed by Dr. Cecil Ojah, Clinical Department Head, offers comprehensive teaching and clinical activities for medical students, nursing and respiratory therapy students, and family practice and paediatric sub-specialty residents. Dr. Ojah explains, "All attending paediatricians offer trainees a broad view of care via two busy emergency rooms, the Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units, and the general paediatric ward. We also have an active ambulatory clinic offering outpatient care in virtually all paediatric sub-specialties. Cardiology, Rheumatology and Genetics clinics are conducted by colleagues from the IWK-Grace Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Department members also offer outreach clinics to other parts of Region 2 and the province." The Department of Paediatrics offers a well-structured series of seminars, and Grand Rounds which gives all trainees the opportunity to present while learning from the experts. Speakers are chosen from among colleagues at the IWK-Grace Health Centre, as well as from all across Canada. Paediatric medical staff participates in research activities, especially with the AHSC Research Services Division. It consistently meets or exceeds the CanMEDS 2000 Project's expectations, as recognized by both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. "Our success as a major teaching unit is reflected in consistently outstanding evaluations by trainees. Every member of the Department has contributed to this. We look forward with great enthusiasm to new paediatricians bringing innovative approaches to the delivery of patient care. Their input will strengthen our educational resources," Dr. Ojah says. The Department of Paediatrics gratefully acknowledges the support of Dr. Sydney Grant, Assistant Dean, Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine Saint John campus, and Coordinator (Anglophone) of Medical Education (NB), and Pamela Bourque, Program Manager, AHSC Postgraduate Medical Education, and everyone in the Department. return to contents |
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