hospitals summer 2016

Working together for excellent patient care WGH joins collaborative to enhance care for seniors General Hospital (WGH) is now part of a new national initiative to improve health care for seniors. The WGH team was selected as one of 18 national and international organizations to join the Acute Care for Elders (ACE) collaborative.

“This is incredible news for Yukon elderly patients who may also seniors and their families,” said require an alternate level of care. GBP Creative Geoff Zaparinuk, WGH’s Director Jason Bilsky, Yukon Hospitals’ CEO WGH will receive $40,000 in partnership of the Canadian of Patient Care. “Being a part of noted the significance of WGH’s funding to participate in the Foundation for Healthcare this group will help us to continue participation in this initiative. collaborative over the next year. Improvement and Canadian to focus on creating the best “Participating in this initiative The ACE collaborative is a Frailty Network. patient experience by adapting will help us meet real, immediate our practices to better meet the and on-going patient needs,” he specialized health needs of an said. “We are always looking at aging population.” how we can improve care, health Taking care Zaparinuk noted, as part of the outcomes and coordination of collaborative, the hospital’s team services. We will have access to When visiting one of Yukon’s Hospitals – including nurses, therapists, resources that have been proven Whether you are coming to us • Bring your appointment social workers, pharmacists and to work and will enable us to for a few hours or for several letter, if applicable dietitians – will have access to spread elderly friendly practices days, you can rest assured • Familiarize yourself with expert coaches, educational throughout all areas of our that you will receive excellent parking areas, entrances, materials and tools to support hospital.” Bilsky also notes this care. We also want you to be and the location of your elder-friendly care. program is one of the solutions as comfortable and relaxed appointment within as possible. To help you get Today, about 16% of Canada’s the hospital is undertaking to help the building ready for your appointment or population is 65 or older, but manage current bed pressures. • Wear comfortable clothing overnight stay at the hospital, represents 42% of hospitalizations and bring any personal The ACE collaborative is adapted you can help us by taking these and 58% of all hospital days items you may need during from a strategy pioneered by steps before you arrive: across the country. Yukon sees a Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. an extended stay • Bring your Yukon health similar demographic and hospital This hospital was able to improve care card, photo ID, and utilization trends. In fact, as health outcomes, reduce length Learn more about preparing status card (if applicable) many as 40% of WGH beds are of stays, lower readmission rates for your visit to Yukon’s occupied at any given time by and increase patient satisfaction. • Bring any medications hospitals at our website: you’re currently taking, along YukonHospitals.ca with the original packaging & dosage information In case you missed it Medical equipment from old Watson Lake Hospital finds new life Thanks to some quick thinking equipment from the old hospital Opportunity) and Watson Lake to transport the equipment from and the help of some generous was set to be replaced, facility residents John and Naomi Hall. the Yukon to Ontario, where it volunteers, technology from administrator Carol Chiasson The organization works to bring was then sent to countries in need. Yukon hospitals is providing began taking steps to see if modernized medical equipment Among the donated equipment care in other parts of the world. anything could be reused. to impoverished countries. were stretchers, a maternity bed, When the new Watson Lake Spearheading the effort was a Chiasson helped to facilitate X-ray equipment, and a much- Community Hospital was charity called MEMO (Medical the donation while the Halls needed ventilator, which has nearing completion and medical Equipment Modernization organized the work required helped a one-year-old girl in Cuba born with breathing problems. MEMO is operated out of Thunder Bay, Ontario, by retired Dr. Jerome Harvey. The non-profit organization relies heavily on donations of medical equipment and on volunteers to get to places where it’s needed most.

Volunteers load medical equipment donated by Watson Lake Community Hospital into a truck for the long haul to Thunder Bay, Ontario. Submitted photos Make your visit a positive one Dedicated to safe and excellent hospital care Everything you need to know starts at Our 2015 Long Service yukonhospitals.ca

Award recipients Where to go • What to expect • What to bring Employees of Yukon’s hospitals were honoured at a special Visiting hours • Information about WGH expansion ceremony this spring in Whitehorse for their long service and Parking and directions • Career opportunities dedication to the very best patient care across the territory. and other useful information “The passion each of our employees brings to their work is incredible – and all Yukoners benefit from having them on our team,” says Yukon Hospitals’ CEO Jason Bilsky. “These dedicated individuals have nearly 600 years of combined experience and continue to demonstrate that people Celebrating the past and future are the most valued resource through an A tribute to hospital care unwavering commitment to safe and excellent in hospital care.” The Pioneer Women of the Yukon Hospitals’ CEO Yukon commemorated its Jason Bilsky & Board of th Trustees Chair Craig Tuton 20 anniversary this year present Don Duncan with a place on the wall at and Beverly Bingham the Dawson City Community with awards for 30 years Hospital. The local community of service. group, with the help of hospital staff, recently unveiled a new photo display in the hospital’s lobby, which includes pictures highlighting the history of health Submitted photos care in Dawson and a large Thank you and congratulations to the painting of three notable Yukon hospital employees: women– Ione Christiansen, Myrna Butterworth, and the 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 25 YEARS late Annie Henry. KIM BROWN TONI BLOIS WANDA ASCHACHER A member of the Tr’ondëk CAITLYN CAREY JULIE HOPKINS CORINNE DELAIRE Hwëch’in First Nation, Annie CAROL CHIASSON BEV LISTER CLAIRE HILLS Henry lived to over 100 years DEBORAH DECOOK COLLEEN POTTER SHIRLEY MCKENZIE of age and was best known for MARY FAIR AGNES RIEDIGER JOANNE PARE keeping traditions alive within KATHLEEN FROESE ARNOLD SALAS MICHAEL PARE her very large family. ERIN GIBSON PATTI SHAW WENDY STARK KAREN GIRODANO VALERIE SMITH KELLY WHITE The Hon. Ione Christensen was SUE GLEASON LEEANNA VANLOON GEOFF ZAPARINUK not only the first female mayor SANTANA LAIRD-WAUGH of Whitehorse – she also became Submitted photo TERI LINDSAY 15 YEARS 30 YEARS the first female Commissioner Members of the Pioneer Women of the Yukon pose with the new display at Dawson City Community Hospital SARAH MAY-JARDINE TERRI GIBBS BEVERLY BINGHAM of the Yukon and was appointed (Left to right): Janice Troberg, Shirley Pennell, Audrey ALICIA MCDOUGALL KELTIE HOLLINGDALE DON DUNCAN Yukon’s representative in Vigneau, Margret VanDusen, Myrna Butterworth, LINDSAY PAGE KATH HUMBLE the Canadian Senate from Brenda Caley and Joyce Caley CINDY PTOLEMY ROXANE LAROUCHE 1999-2006. LINDA TALBOT SIMONE SMITH Myrna Butterworth is a lifetime she was instrumental in creating RICHARD THOMPSON WENDY WHITE member of the Imperial Order the new photo display tribute MICHELE THOMPSON of the Daughters of the Empire and ensuring the longevity of KEITH WELCH 20 YEARS and a Queen’s medal the organization. KATY WORT KAREN GIRLING recipient. As current president CATHERINE YO of the Pioneer Women of Yukon,

2015/16 Board of Trustees – Yukon Hospital Corporation

Craig Tuton / Public at Large Patricia Martin / Council of Yukon First Nations Chair of the Board of Trustees, Executive Committee, Pension Committee Diane Strand / Council of Yukon First Nations Donna Hogan / Council of Yukon First Nations First Nations Health Committee George Nassiopoulos / Municipality other than Whitehorse (Haines Junction) 5 Hospital Road Tanya Solberg / Hospital Staff Sue Stokes-Nash / Public at Large Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 3H7 Executive Committee, Pension Committee Tel.: 867-393-8700 Clarke LaPrairie / Public Service John Firth / City of Whitehorse Executive Committee Fax: 867-393-8707 Vera Holmes / Municipality other than Whitehorse (Dawson City)

Photo: Brandon Pike Thank you to our outgoing board members! yukonhospitals.ca Shadelle Chambers / Council of Yukon First Nations First Nations Health Committee Dr. Sherillynne Himmelsbach / Medical Staff Chair, Quality Management Committee Jay Massie / Public at Large Executive Committee Ray Kokiw / City of Whitehorse yukon hospitals

Message from the Board of Trustees Chair Caring for Our Community Here in the Yukon, we are fortunate to Expansion and development goes far Our hospitals are also looking at a way to have one of the best health care systems in beyond the project at WGH. It has been involve the many skills and talents of our Canada – our community is the reason why. almost 3 years since both the new Dawson community. That’s why one of our many We are committed to caring for our City Community Hospital and Watson Lake priorities for the year ahead is to create a community which is why it’s important Community Hospital opened their doors to new program to welcome more volunteers to have our community involved in patients. These health care centres allow into our hospitals. Volunteer programs shaping our work. many Yukoners to receive care closer to home like this are being used currently in other through access to 24/7 emergency care. hospitals across the country and they’ve been Our expansion project at WGH is a great And both communities have embraced the successful in supporting health care providers, example – from public input how to make facilities with open arms. while helping to create a more comfortable the new emergency area patient and healing environment. family-friendly, to the healing-inspired With continuous community support, design elements envisioned by First Nations we have also been able to make important On behalf of the Board of Trustees and all communities. We’ve also worked with PCL to investments in equipment. The Yukon hospital staff, I thank you for your generosity involve local tradespeople and companies in Hospital Foundation spearheaded a and on-going support. We’re able to build the project. We must also acknowledge the two-year campaign that raised $2 million to the best health care possible, closer to home, continued efforts of Yukon EMS and Health purchase the MRI scanner – an effort that because of the strength of our community. and Social Services as the project continues to was overwhelmingly supported by move forward. With their help, we’ve been residents, businesses and community able to ensure that you still have access to all organizations across Yukon. More recently, essential services during construction. And WGH received a new state-of-the-art finally, this entire expansion project could not Ophthalmology Microscope – a large be possible without the nearly $72 million in investment in sight-saving technology Craig Tuton, Chair funding provided by the Yukon government for Yukoners. The Foundation continues Board of Trustees – an investment in a facility that will support to support hospital priorities through the Yukon Hospital Corporation care in the community for years to come. purchase of advanced medical equipment.

Setting the standard

Apr. 2016 Video series highlights Yukon Feb. 2016 Mar. 2016 Jan. 2016 100% 99% 98% 94% 96% 96% First Nations health programs 90% 92% 92% 90% First Nations Health Programs (FNHP) in Yukon’s hospitals recently 80% 76% 72% launched a three-part video series to highlight the significance of 68% 70% cultural understanding and to showcase these made-in-territory Inpatient Units 65 programs as national and international best practice in health. 60% Emergency Dept. Outpatient Units The videos feature Yukoners “Our sincere hope is that sharing their own experiences Yukoners and others are able to by focusing on patient services, learn more about our programs cultural programs as well as and the barriers that exist for cultural competency. The series Aboriginals in the health system.” was produced locally for the FNHP has been successful in hospitals and made possible with addressing and making progress generous financial support from in key areas, including calls to Checking up RBC Financial. action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission – many Patients continue to of which are specific to health. give positive ratings for • Offering traditional foods and medicines, interpretation hospital experience services and sacred healing space Since our hospitals introduced tablets at the patient’s bedside a new patient survey more to gather information about • Advocating for First Nations, than a year ago using tablets, the hospital experience. The Metis and Inuit patients by we continue to receive valuable survey is available to anyone providing moral and emotional feedback from patients. visiting WGH’s Emergency support while in hospital department, admitted patients Using information gathered and those visiting the lab, • Supporting mandatory cultural from the on-going survey,

GBP Creative medical imaging, Diabetes competency education to give Whitehorse General Hospital Education Centre, dietitians, hospital staff an increased (WGH) staff has been able to First Nations health staff in front of the Na’Ku physio and occupational understanding of cultural successfully monitor issues of Healing Room located at WGH. therapy, or visiting specialist values, beliefs and importance to patients, and clinics. Over the last several experiences and the skills to identify opportunities for “About one-third of our patients months, it has also been to communicate effectively improvement, so we can meet self-identify as First Nations, Metis introduced at the community • Working to increase the expectations and continue to or Inuit – and we have worked to hospitals in Dawson City number of First Nations health provide excellent patient care. provide culturally appropriate care professionals in our hospitals and Watson Lake. in our hospitals for more than The unique survey is among two decades,” said Laura Salmon, The three-part series can be the first in Canada to use who oversees the programs based viewed now at yukonhospitals.ca/ at Whitehorse General Hospital. about-us/news Building quality health care Hospital expansion moves ahead

WHAT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW Hospital access during construction

Yukoners will notice a lot of • Bus stop will move to new construction activity outside of location next to Thomson the hospital, but on the inside, Centre parking lot where it counts, everything will continue to operate as normal. Thank you for your patience All hospital services remain open and cooperation while this work and accessible. is underway. Give yourself extra time, if possible, when visiting And as WGH expansion continues the hospital. to take shape, you will see many changes in and around the This expansion will help us existing hospital. meet high standards for infection control, safety, comfort and From early July to early September, security – all things that keep you a larger, paved patient/visitor safe, help you heal and remain parking area will be under well cared for. It will also create construction directly in front of a better work environment for the hospital. The only thing that our health teams to do their changes for patients/visitors is best work to diagnose and treat where to park and the path you’ll Yukoners, close to home. take to walk to the main entrance during this short time. Here’s what you can expect, so you are prepared and know where iver on R to go: Yuk • Patients/visitors continue to The public parking come to WGH via Hospital Road ROAD STROM Submitted photos • Public parking will shift lot will be under WICK Upper photo: Construction begins on the new expansion site at WGH to areas around the Above: The old ambulance station is cleared to make room for the construction zone 4 THOMSON CENTRE2 new hospital building construction from • Pedestrians will take a 32 slightly longer path to patient the main entrance early July to the P P drop-off TIPS FOR A VISIT TO WGH GENERAL HOSPITAL • Patient drop-off zone and WHITEHORSE IN JULY-AUGUST accessible parking spaces will end of August. be located next to the main L ROAD Park in marked areas only Stay alert for vehicles SPITA main • • HO 1 entrance and pedestrians entrance at the front of WGH • Use patient drop-off Vehicle and foot traffic will be PAVING and designated parking • Follow marked different when you arrive at the P spaces for individuals pedestrian path to with disabilities located front door hospital during this short time. at front of the hospital • Make note that the QUICK FACTS one way bus stop has moved ABOUT EXPANSION CONSTRUCTION

• Construction of a two-storey no pedestrians hospital wing, which includes staff only staff only a new emergency department Getting ready for the new space • A shelled second-floor space Tips Legend ready for future use Behind the scenes, work is already well underway to make preparations for our move into the new emergency • Modernized patient care • Physiotherapy department. spaces designed to meet • Park in marked areas only Public entrance 1 Main entrance 2 Thomson Centre 3 national standards in quality • Admitting desk • Continuing care • Occupational therapy This is a process to ensure we have the right people, in and safe patient care • Use patient drop-off and designated Patient drop-off and • Emergency • Diabetes Education the right place, at the right time, with the right equipment parking spaces for individuals with • Lab Centre • Upgrades to the hospital’s accessible parking 4 • Surgeon’s Clinic and technology and with the right policies and procedures disabilities located at front of the hospital • Medical imaging • Dietitian in place to provide great care on day one when the doors information technology • Obstetrician (X-ray, mammography, • Yukon Hospital • Gynecologist open in early 2018. systems and power • Stay alert for vehicles and pedestrians Vehicle traffic infrastructure ultrasound, CT, and MRI) Foundation • Visiting Specialist Clinic • Yukon Medical Officer A lot of planning and preparation goes into being ready – • Follow marked pedestrian path to and will involve the public along with staff from nearly • More accessible public parking Pedestrian traffic • First Nations Health of Health front door every department. This means Yukoners can expect to see • New ambulance station Programs • Cancer Care Navigator Public parking • Medical, surgical and • General Practitioners the new emergency department before it opens. Hospital • Completion fall 2017, open • Make note that the bus stop has moved P maternity units in Oncology and medical staff will also spend time working in the new early 2018 space, running through processes and getting comfortable Bus stop • Chemotherapy in the new environment. • $72 million for the project is • Pre-operative clinic/ funded by Yukon government surgery Stay tuned for more information (includes construction of MRI Construction zone, • Medical Day Care facility opened in January 2015 no access • Cafeteria in the coming months. and $2 million from Yukon • Hospital administration Hospital Foundation for and support services the MRI scanner) yukon hospitals

WGH Expansion In-Depth

WHY EXPAND? Quality and safety Health care delivery Expansion will enable us Expansion will help create an to provide the best care appropriately sized emergency possible by: department with suitable treatment spaces to meet the • minimizing the spread community’s acute care needs. of infection • improving visibility between Yukon health care needs hospital staff and patients Yukon’s shift to a larger, older • ensuring a nurse is the population along with the first point of contact in territory’s unique health needs the emergency department means the provision of hospital • reducing the distance to care will become increasingly emergency department from complex and difficult to manage main entrance within the current emergency • building our capacity department. This project will to manage mass casualty help meet the anticipated future incidents needs of a changing community.

ver n Ri uko The public parking Y AD OM RO lot will be under WICKSTR construction from 4 THOMSON CENTRE2 32 patient early July to the P P drop-off GENERAL HOSPITAL end of August. WHITEHORSE ROAD ITAL main HOSP 1 Vehicle and foot traffic will be entrance different when you arrive at the P PAVING hospital during this short time.

one way CONSTRUCTION

no pedestrians staff only

staff only Tips Legend

• Park in marked areas only Public entrance 1 Main entrance 2 Thomson Centre 3 • Physiotherapy • Admitting desk • Continuing care • Occupational therapy • Use patient drop-off and designated Patient drop-off and • Emergency • Diabetes Education parking spaces for individuals with accessible parking • Lab Centre 4 • Surgeon’s Clinic disabilities located at front of the hospital • Medical imaging • Dietitian • Obstetrician Vehicle traffic (X-ray, mammography, • Yukon Hospital • Gynecologist • Stay alert for vehicles and pedestrians ultrasound, CT, and MRI) Foundation • Visiting Specialist Clinic • Yukon Medical Officer • Follow marked pedestrian path to Pedestrian traffic • First Nations Health of Health front door Programs • Cancer Care Navigator Public parking • Medical, surgical and • General Practitioners • Make note that the bus stop has moved P maternity units in Oncology Bus stop • Chemotherapy • Pre-operative clinic/ surgery Construction zone, • Medical Day Care no access • Cafeteria • Hospital administration and support services