CONNECTIIONSSOctober/November 2009 Volume 9 Issue 8

Cont’d on Pg. 6

As the Province ofOntario continuesto be impacted bythe global economic downturn,so too does the healthcare sector.As such, with St. Joseph'sHealthcare entering a new budgetcycle, we have been asked byour LHIN as part of the HAPSprocess to plan for three potentialscenarios: a 0%, 1% or 2% fundingincrease. Unfortunately, all ofthese scenarios will leave us in adeficit position, as is the casewith most hospitals in the province.

The Executive team is currentlyworking to develop a strategywith our LHIN colleagues andonce finalized, SJHH leaders willbe involved in the planning fortheir areas and will be contactedwith specific responsibilities. Weare open to staff ideas and Iencourage you to submit yourcost savings opportunities. I haveno doubt that we are up to thischallenge as we must live withinour budgetary means in these trying economic times. We willcontinue to keep you abreast offurther developments as theybecome available, and ask thatyou speak to your manager if you have additional questions orconcerns.

With the H1N1 influenza virusdominating today's headlines, it

CCTU Quiet Room recently namedin honour of beloved Sister

Kevin’s Column

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is a teaching facility affiliated with the Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University

Sister Patricia was born on June 14th,1929 in Guelph, Ontario. The fourthdaughter of James and KatharineHanlon, young Patricia spent much ofher childhood as a girl guide. In 1947,she graduated from Loretto Academyin Guelph, the only student in herclass to complete grade 13. With adeep compassion for wanting to helppeople, that same year she registeredat St. Joseph's Hospital School ofNursing, graduating in 1950. Alwaysfeeling "the call of the Lord", SisterPatricia decided to become a nun andin 1951, entered St. Joseph'sCommunity, Hamilton, a predominantly nursing order.

With a scholarship that she received upon graduation, she returned to her studiesand in 1955 earned a diploma in Nursing Education/Hospital Administration. Overthe next decade, Sister Patricia continued her studies, earning her BScN from theUniversity of Ottawa and pursuing Economics at McMaster University. During thistime, Sister Patricia held various nursing and management positions at both St.Joseph's Hospital in Guelph and Hamilton.

With her nursing career span-ning nearly six decades, SisterPatricia Hanlon continues toprovide pastoral/palliative careto the patients of the ClinicalTeaching Unit here at St. Joe's.

On September 20th, the staff ofthe CTU held a surprise birthdayparty to celebrate Sister Patricia's80th birthday (which took placein June). Attendees includedSister's closest friends, family

and fellow St. Joe's colleagues. If that wasn't surprise enough, the staff of CTU officially unveiled the new Sister Patricia Hanlon Quiet Room, named in honour ofher many years of dedication and contributions to her patients and fellow staff at St. Joseph's Healthcare.

"St. Joe's is very blessed to have Sister Patricia as part of our family," says DonnaJohnson, Nurse Manager, CTU and MAU. "We are forever grateful for the endlessprayers, for the caring, compassion, and support that she provides for all of us."

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St. Joseph's Healthcare is pleased to announce the expansion of itssuccessful Continence Program tosix additional locations across theHamilton Niagara Haldimand BrantLHIN. This expansion was madepossible by funding through the newLHIN "Aging at Home" strategy.

Dr. Jennifer Skelly, Director of theContinence Program at St. JosephsHealthcare agrees that this expansionwill make it easier for seniors toaccess bladder and bowel care closerto home. "For 16 years now, I've had seniors, who had the means totravel, come to my clinic from allover the region to get help for theirincontinence. These new clinics willmean more seniors have betteraccess to help and they now onlyhave to go as far as their community hospital," Dr. Skelly notes.

The six new clinics will be locatedat the following sites: in Hamilton atChedoke Hospital and St. Peter'sHospital; in Burlington at JosephBrant Memorial Hospital; in St.

Catharines at Hotel Dieu ShaverHealth and Rehabilitation Centre; inSimcoe at Norfolk General Hospitaland in Brantford at St. Joseph'sLifecare Centre.

The clinics, under the direction ofDr. Skelly, will be staffed by nursecontinence advisors. Men andwomen over the age of 60 are eligibleto attend these free clinics. "Bladderand bowel problems are not some-thing seniors have to live with," saysDr. Skelly. "It is not a normal part ofgetting older. These problems can bemanaged and often cured withoutthe need for surgery or medication.We believe in providing qualitybladder and bowel care for qualityliving."

Seniors who are experiencing continence problems can make their own appointment by calling(905) 573-4821 or they can havetheir family doctors make a referralby faxing the clinic’s central intakeline at (905) 560-1574.

Increased access to continence care thanksto LHIN’s “Aging at Home” strategy

Submitted by Melissa Northwood RN, Nurse Continence Advisor and Project Manager - Continence Care Clinics

Congratulations to St. Joseph’sHealthcare’s Dr. Deborah Cookwho has been welcomed as a fellowinto the Royal Society of Canada.Dr. Cook will formally be inductedat a ceremony to be held at theMuseum of Civilization in Gatineau,Quebec on November 28th, 2009.

Founded in 1882, the Royal Societyof Canada is the country's most prestigious scholarly organization,recognizing outstanding scientificand artistic achievement. Fellowscome from a wide range of back-grounds and disciplines, and areelected to the academies of RSC bytheir peers in recognition for achievingthe utmost excellence in their fields.

Dr. Cook, an internationally-renowned scientist and educator in the area of critical care medicineand research methodology, was recognized by the RSC for her out-standing scientific accomplishmentsin the prevention and managementof deep venous thrombosis andpneumonia among critically illpatients. A pioneer in compassionateand ethical end-of-life care, Dr.Cook's work has helped to savemany lives and is used around theworld. Dr. Cook holds a seniorCanada Research Chair and is therecipient of a number of local,provincial, national and internationalawards for her research, teachingand leadership.

Top honours given toSJHH Physician

Breakfast with SantaCharlton Campus

Wednesday, December 2, 20097:00am to 11:00am - Cafeteria

West 5th CampusWednesday, December 9, 20099:00am to 11:00am - Cafeteria

King CampusThursday, December 17, 2009

8:30am to 10:30 am - Kemp Auditorium

Get festive and come on out and enjoy a hearty breakfast with Good 'Ole St. Nick!

Don't forget to bring a non-perishable food item for our Food Drive!

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Body Watch is a monthly column on health and nutrition written by the Dietitians of SJHH and Dietitians of Canada.

Boody Watcchh

Dietary fat is an importantpart of your diet as it is asource of energy. It is alsoessential for maintaininggood health. Fat is neededin the diet to absorb fat sol-uble vitamins - A, D, E, andK. Dietary fat is a source ofessential fatty acids that thebody cannot produce on itsown and is needed forgrowth, metabolism andheart health. No more than30% of your calories shouldcome from fat - an averageof about 65g for womenand 90g for men each day.

St. Joseph’s Healthcare’s Respiratory Therapy Department would like to takethis opportunity to showcase some of the exceptional talent and achievementsof those within its team.

Respiratory Therapist Tom Piraino has been accepted to present a casereport on Optimal PEEP Guided by Esophageal Balloon at the AmericanAssociation of Respiratory Care's International conference! Congratulationson this prestigious acceptance!

Respiratory Therapist Barb Fiorino was presented with the St. Joseph'sHealthcare Commitment to Caring Award in May. Congratulations on thiswell-deserved honour!

Respiratory Therapist - Anesthesia Assistants, Andrew Ingram andJonathon Swan have completed the Advanced Program for AnesthesiaAssistants from Fanshawe College! Congratulations on this educational andprofessional achievement!

Respiratory Therapist Lesley Cannon was accepted into McMasterUniversity Medical School! Congratulations on this wonderful step in yourcareer as a dedicated healthcare provider!

To the above individuals and the entire RT team, congratulations and thanksfor your commitment and dedication to providing top-notch patient care!

If you have any questions or comments about the RT Department, pleasecontact Angela Coxe, Manager, Respiratory Therapy Services at ext. 34115.

Respiratory Therapy-An integral part of St. Joe’s

Part 3 of 3

The Facts aboutDietary Fat

Monounsaturated and Polyunsaturated fats: The "Good" or healthy fats. These fats help lower your blood cholesterol. Examples of Monounsaturated fatsare olive and canola oil, almonds and soft non-hydrogenated margarines. Examplesof Polyunsaturated fats are Omega-3 fats (found in fatty fish such as salmon, mack-erel and herring) and Omega-6 fatty acids (found in safflower, sunflower and cornoils). Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating recommends including a smallamount - 30 to 45 mL (2 to 3 Tbsp) - of unsaturated fat each day to get the fat you need.

Saturated and Trans fats: The "Bad" or unhealthy fats. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature. They are the type of fat thatmay contribute to heart disease. Examples of saturated fats are foods from animalssuch as fatty cuts of meat, poultry skin, lard and palm or coconut oil. Trans fats are produced when vegetable oil undergoes partial hydrogenation, which helps to increase the shelf life, add flavor and increase stability of commercially orprepackaged foods. Examples of trans fat are hard margarines, fried foods, bakedproducts, crackers, cookies and french fries.

Following Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating will help you make the bestchoices when it comes to enjoying the healthiest food choices.

Come on, St. Joe’s.

Get into it!The annual SJHH United Waycampaign engages the energy,enthusiasm and donations ofmoney, time and caring of thousands of staff, physicians and volunteers across our threecampuses.

To kick us off this year, we haveset our SJHH campaign goal to$50,000! We have no doubt asan organization with so manykind-hearted individuals that wewill surpass this amount byleaps and bounds.

Your United Way investment will go far in building healthiercommunities, creating supportiveneighbourhoods, investing instronger families and imaginingbrighter futures acrossBurlington and Hamilton.

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Kathee Berry

Are You Code Ready?An outbreak, community crisis or hospital emergencycan occur without warning.

Whether these emergenciesare gradual by onset orimmediate, they may presenta threat to the health andsafety of staff, patients, andvisitors. Since the early1990's, Ontario hospitalshave adopted the use of theEmergency Colour Codes toensure rapid communicationwith staff that would resultin specific and pre-determinedresponses.

The Hospital EmergencyColour Codes was devel-oped to reduce human errorand eliminate confusionamong hospital staff duringan emergency situation.While the codes are intendedto convey essential informa-tion quickly and clearly,they also prevent stress orpanic among visitors andpatients. The standardizedlanguage of the emergencycodes is comprised of twocues. The word "code"serves as the primary cue,while the secondary cue isthe "colour". The coloursused for each code are typi-cally associated with someform of emergency such asCode Red, with red beingthe colour of a fire truck.

The "Are You Code Ready?"campaign is one componentof the Emergency Preparednesseducation that is beingrolled out across all three ofour campuses in November.A careful review of theHospital Emergency Codeshas resulted in the revisionand updating of all supportingpolicies and procedures,including realignment withthe OHA's standardizedcolour codes.

Over the past year "you" ouremployees have informed us(the Emergency PreparednessCommittee) what you wantedrelated to EmergencyPreparedness and first onyour list was the opportunityto learn more about thecodes. The goal of the "AreYou Code Ready?" campaignis to restore your knowledgeand confidence in coderesponse.

As the campaign rolls out,we look forward to hearingfrom you. If you have anyquestions or concerns, pleasecontact the EmergencyPreparedness CommitteeChair, Stephanie Trowbridgeat ext. 35866.

Please stay tuned for moreinformation on this initiative.

Code Purple

Code Amber

Code Green

Code Blue

Code White

Code Black

Code Pink

Code Orange

Code Brown

Code Grey

Hostage situation

Code Yellow

Code Red

Missing or abductedchild or infant

Internal evacuation

Adult cardiac arrest

Violent situation

Fire

Missing adult

Bomb threat/suspicious package

Pediatric cardiac arrest

External disaster

Internal spillor contamination

Loss of essential services or air exclusion

Submitted by Stephanie Trowbridge RN, Emergency Preparedness, SJHH

The goal of Canadian Patient Safety Week is to "increase awareness ofpatient safety issues and share information about best practices inpatient safety." The theme this year is Ask. Listen. Talk. Good healthcarestarts with good communication. We as healthcare professionals areencouraging our patients to ASK questions, LISTEN to the answers, andTALK about any concerns they have.

During Canadian Patient Safety Week, which runs from November 2ndto 6th, St. Joseph’s Healthcare will be highlighting the important initiativesthat we are taking to enhance the safety of our patients.

According to data provided by the Canadian Patient Safety Institute:

Between 9,000 and 24,000 patients die each year from preventableharm in healthcare. There are more deaths each year due to adverse events or preventable

harm in hospital than deaths from breast cancer, motor vehicle accidentsand HIV combined. In Canada, 7.5% or 185,000 patients admitted to hospital experience

adverse events, according to the Baker & Norton study; Adverse Eventsin Canadian Hospitals (2004). 70% of preventable harm/error has been attributed to communication

failure.

Submissions for the Patient Safety Stars Award 2009, which were presented in May 2009 will also be highlighted. Each project submission identified a patient safety issue and potential solutions. While there wereonly two official "winners", the success of each initiative made them all"winners" and they deserve to have their hard work and ingenuity recognized.

Watch for posters and displays during the week of November 2nd to6th, but we challenge all of you to chat with your colleagues in identify-ing your own patient safety issues and finding solutions. Check the websiteat www.asklistentalk.ca for more information.

It takes all of us to make our patients feel and be safe. It all starts with:

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SJHH Patient SafetyConsultant wins topaward

Ann Higgins,Quality andPatient SafetyConsultant, hasreceived the2009 FlorenceNightingaleScholarship fromthe AmericanSociety of

Quality (ASQ). This competition wasopen to any student enrolled in anaccredited post-secondary institutionwho is pursuing studies related tohealthcare quality. Ann is currentlypursing her PhD at Western Universitywith a focus on quality and patient safety.

To better appreciate the magnitude ofthis scholarship, the ASQ encompassesmore than 100 countries and includesmore than 10,000 international membersamong its membership of more than100,000. Membership includes health-care providers, their supporters and others allied in the field.

The Healthcare Division of the ASQstrives to engage stakeholders at all levels in improving the efficiency andefficacy of a global healthcare systemby encouraging research, innovation,and the formation of learning partner-ships to advance knowledge of health-care quality. This was the first time theHealthcare Division of the ASQ hasawarded the Florence NightingaleScholarship.

This scholarship was named in honor of Florence Nightingale, initiator of nursing as a profession, for her significant contributions as a pioneer in statisticsand systematic record keeping.

Submitted by Ann Moulton, Hemodialysis Staff Educator, SJHH

Good communication is key to providing the highest level of patient safety

Ask. Listen. Talk.

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Award-winning book takes us on a road from addiction to recoveryIt was a sea of vibrant fall colours in the Sisters of St.Joseph of Hamilton Spiritual Garden on October 5th asmembers of the Womankind Creative Writing Programlaunched their book of poetry - A Woman's Write: AJourney Through Addiction & Recovery.

This book is a collection of poetry and prose capturingthe experience of women learning to understand them-selves and rebuild their lives as they overcome theiraddiction. The authors featured are from a diverse rangeof backgrounds, cultures, professions and ages.

Guests were treated to readings by eight members ofthe Womankind Creative Writing Program, as theyspoke emotionally of their own personal struggles withaddiction and how they overcame them.

"Each and every woman who has brought this incredible book to life, should feel incredibly proud of herachievement," says Debbie Bang, Manager of Womankind Addiction Service at St. Joseph's Healthcare. "Whowould have anticipated a project that began as a seedling in the Womankind Creative Writing group held eachMonday night over the last two years would grow into a very special award-winning book?"

Last year, A Woman's Write and its co-founder Gail Mercer-MacKay were awarded the Microsoft CanadaCommunity Service Impact Award for Community Leadership in regards to the establishment of the CreativeWriting Program at Womankind Addiction Service.

The book is available to purchase through Indigo.ca, Bryan Prince Bookseller in Hamilton, and at A DifferentDrummer Books in Burlington.

"Developing the Womankind Creative Writing Program has truly touched the lives of these women," says GailMercer-McKay, President, Mercer-MacKay Solutions Inc., and facilitator of the Creative Writing Program. "Thisprogram was developed as a way for women to collectively cope with their addiction and get their thoughtsand emotions out from the inside and onto paper. This book is a perfect example of how words can fundamentallychange someone's life."

Womankind is a women's only addiction service with telephone support, withdrawal management, day andresidential treatment, pre-treatment and aftercare programming offered all in one location.

Kevin’s Column

is imperative that we continue to bediligent in our hand hygiene practicesacross the organization. Our secondhand hygiene audit is currently closeto completion and the results will berevealed at a special announcementin early November. Unit-specifichand hygiene data as well as the topperforming areas, those areas with80% compliance and above, will also be announced at this event.Although I anticipate the results ofthis audit to indicate a further

increase in compliance, we need toensure that we continue to makehand hygiene compliance an ongoingcorporate priority. Hand washing isthe single-most effective way to prevent the spread of infection.

The current H1N1 virus discussionsand plans are evolving daily. Pleaseuse the Staff Self-Screening Toolavailable on both MyStJoes and ourexternal internet if you are feelingunwell. Also, please note that you

will hear more from your Manager/Chief about vaccinations. Anticipateddate is end of October/beginning ofNovember. More information will beprovided as soon as it is available.

Cont’d from Pg. 1

Kevin SmithPresident and CEO

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To whom it may concern,

I would like to compliment a fewof the staff members at St. Joseph’sHealthcare. My father has been apatient at the hospital since earlyJuly at which time he had hiporthotic replacement surgery. The care, consideration and understanding that our family wasprovided by staff in the CCU, 4thFloor Renal Transplant and nowRehabilitation units was outstanding.They really went the extra mile forpatient care.

Unfortunately, my father has beenin and out of hospital for the pasttwenty some odd years, and wecannot ever remember a betterexperience in a hospital. He wastreated with kindness and truecompassion.

In the past, my father has been ushered out of the hospital withindays literally. This time I cannottell you how many times we weretold that he wouldn't be dischargeduntil all parties and family membersagreed that he could handle thehome environment.

My father is also a daily dialysispatient at St. Joe’s and has beenfor the past 5 or 6 years. It warms my heart that he continues to betreated with respect and friendshipduring these daily visits as well.

In short, whatever new policieshave been adapted, I thank youfor the wonderful advances inpatient care!

Grace Pettorossi

Living thhee Missioon

Highlighting St. Joe’s staff, physicians, learners and volunteers

who go above and beyond the call of duty.

You are invited to attend the PACHealth Professionals Awards Of ExcellenceNomination submissions are received for the Health Professionals Awards ofExcellence. The stories of excellent work in clinical service, research, education,leadership and innovation are incredible! You are invited to join us to honourthe nominees and the recipients of the awards and to celebrate and recognizethe amazing work done by the PAC Health Professionals every day. Winners will be announced on:

Should you be unable to attend, we kindly invite you to join us for an OpenHouse celebration at:

King Campus Wednesday, November 4, 2009

2:00 - 4:00 p.m.Kemp Auditorium

West 5th Campus Thursday, November 5, 2009

1:30 - 3:30 p.m.Seminar Room

Tuesday, November 3, 2009 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Frank Charles Miller AmphitheatreCharlton Campus

Medical Radiation Technologists(M.R.T.'s) include a diverse array ofhighly-trained professionals representingvarious technology-related disciplines in the health care field. This includestechnologists specializing in Radiology,Nuclear Medicine and MagneticResonance Imaging.

In celebration of M.R.T. Week,November 10 -13, 2009, we would like to invite all St. Joseph's staff to attendan Open House in the new Diagnostic Imaging Department

Wednesday November 11, 2009 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Level 0, Juravinski Innovation TowerCharlton Campus

Light refreshments will be provided.

Celebrate the power of technology in healthcare

The "Influenza Like Illness (ILI) Staff Self Screening Tool" is now located onthe internet and My StJoes intranet page at

http://mystjoes/departments/ohs/default.aspxIf you do not have home internet access, please make a copy of the ILI StaffSelf Screening Tool to keep at home.

Now Available - Staff Self Screening Tool forInfluenza Like Illness (ILI)

Congratulations to Dr. Jeffrey Dickhout, the recipient of the 2009 St. Joseph'sHealthcare Division of Nephrology Career Award . This award supports newjunior researchers and is administered through St. Joseph's Healthcare'sDivision of Nephrology and the St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation.

"I'm very happy to receive this award, a very generous gift," says Dr. JeffreyDickhout, a researcher at the Hamilton Centre for Kidney Research. "Thiswill be fundamentally helpful to our research, including recent findings intothe ER Stress Pathway and the Development of Chronic Kidney Disease."

Dr. Dickhout's area of research focuses primarily on vascular biology.

This award, established through a generous donation to St. Joseph'sHealthcare Foundation, ensures that St. Joseph's Healthcare remains a progressive and respected centre of research excellence by continuing toattract many of the finest scientists and medical professionals in the worldand by expanding its research capabilities through supporting innovative"bench to bedside" research that is crucial to improving patient care andfinding new cures.

"St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation is committed to raising funds for vitalhealthcare research," says Sera Filice-Armenio, President and CEO of St.Joseph's Healthcare Foundation. "The Career Award allows new researchersthe opportunity to begin innovative research projects that will one dayadvance the healthcare that we provide to our patients."

The St. Joseph's Healthcare Kidney and Urinary Program is the regional referral and renal transplantation centre in south central Ontario for patientswith end stage renal disease. The program also houses the urology servicethat cares for patients with disease or dysfunction of the urinary system.Nephrology is a medical specialty focused on the study of the kidney, itsstructure, function and the diseases and ailments that can affect its properfunctioning. It is one of the fastest-growing research areas at St. Joseph’sHeathcare and McMaster University.

Winner: Kathryn RadfordDepartment: Emergency DepartmentDraw Date: October 1st, 2009Prize Amount: $5,370.00

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Managing Editor: Brady WoodEditor: Karen DeBreauContributors: Debbie Silva, Lindsay Whelan Photography: Craig Peters

Contact:Public Affairs Department, Rm T140750 Charlton Avenue East, Hamilton ON L8N 4A6Telephone: (905) 522-1155 ext. 33423Fax: (905) 540-6531Email: kdebreau@stjoes.ca

We want to hear from you!

Please send us your comments, suggestions, story ideas or submissions. The Public Affairs Department reserves the right to edit and print

your submissions as space permits. Submissions are subject to approval.Submissions must be received by the 10th of each month.

is published monthly by the St. Joseph’s Healthcare Public Affairs Department.

CCONNECCTIONS

The latestPaydayPayouts winners are...This is your chance to win over$5,000 every payday! While half ofthe lottery proceeds make up theever-growing prize amount, the otherhalf supports patient care initiatives.and staff education at SJHH.

Winner: Mary Jane DouglasDepartment: EPTDraw Date: October 22nd, 2009Prize Amount: $5,334.50

For more information, please contact the St. Joseph’s Foundation at (905) 521-6036.

Division of Nephrology Career Award recognizes the work of new researchers at SJHH

Everyone Can Breathe EasyFind out more about the Smoke-Free/Tobacco Initiative at the West 5th Campus

Thursday, November 12th, 20091:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

West 5th Campus Cafeteria

15th annual Kidney FairEveryone is invited to attend the 15thAnnual Kidney Fair scheduled to takeplace on Monday, November 2, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in theFrank Charles Miller Amphitheatre,Juravinski Innovation Tower

All guests are invited to visit threedisplay rooms to learn new and standard information about peritonealdialysis, transplant, and homehemodialysis. SJHH’s own Renal CareTeam and the Kidney Foundation willalso be onsite.