Foundations & Health Trusts YOUR GIFT MATTERS Your Foundation|Your Community |Your Health FOR A LOOK AT THE IMPORTANT WORK DONE BY FOUNDATIONS, TURN TO PAGES 6-7

Zone NEWS Zone Your Health Care in Your Community 2015 MAY

This pr“oject not only reduces the wait list for kids to be served in their own community, but it means better accessibility in our Edmonton programs to see our own local kids. Now, it’s a win-win

– Ryan Sommer, project lead at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, on the Telehealth link between the hospital and the Camrose Pediatric Specialty Clinic linked-in Developmental pediatrician Dr. Lyn Sonnenberg watches from the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton as the Manchester family, from left: mom Laressa, Aletza, 10, and dad Dustin, appears on the Telehealth screen from the Camrose Pediatric Specialty Clinic. They’re able to meet thanks to a Dale MacMillan photo | partnership between the facilities. PAGE 2

CAUTION MY CHILD GOT INTO THE MEDICINE CABINET. WHAT SHOULD I DO? Ask the Experts. Call us. Check our website.

1-800-332-1414 www.padis.ca PAGE 2 l o c a l l e a d e r s Families benefit from Telehealth opens specialty services delivered through channel to care Tele-technology DR. DAVID MADOR Deb gordon Story by Gregory Kennedy | Photo by Dale MacMillan Vice President Vice President aving easy access to the best of care for to travel to Camrose regularly to give outreach and Medical Director and Chief Health his two special-needs daughters means support, kids would sit on a waiting list in Northern Alberta Operations Officer the world to Dustin Manchester. Camrose and end up, instead, having to come to Northern Alberta H “In the past, my wife Laressa has had to make Edmonton – only to sit on our waiting list here,” artificial tan five or six different appointments, as opposed says Ryan Sommer, project lead at the Glenrose. to going to just one where all the specialists are “This project not only reduces the wait list for isn’t worth there for us,” says Manchester. kids to be served in their own community, but He’s referring to a new partnership between it means better accessibility in our Edmonton the danger the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton programs to see our own local kids. Now, it’s a and the Camrose Pediatric Specialty Clinic win-win.” rad season is upon us and summer that lets Camrose children with developmental The new one-stop assessment process works will soon be here. disabilities and their families access expert like this: G In the midst of preparing for diagnosis in their own community using • Children identified as needing the services of summer attire and graduation gowns, Telehealth videoconferencing technology. a developmental pediatrician are scheduled for many young people choose to head to the The Camrose Pediatric Specialty Clinic offers a multidisciplinary clinic visit in Camrose, which tanning salon. rehabilitation provided by an occupational includes an assessment done by the Glenrose But indoor tanning can leave much more therapist, physical therapist, speech-language physician via Telehealth. than just a temporary summer glow. Using pathologist, two psychologists, a social worker • After this assessment, the Glenrose physician tanning beds before the age of 35 can and a clinical co-ordinator. Since November, then joins the team conference, again via increase your risk of developing melanoma developmental pediatricians at the Glenrose Telehealth, for a comprehensive review of the by 59 per cent. And the younger you are, have been collaborating remotely with the results. the greater the danger. Camrose team and supporting them in working • This is followed by a conference with the New legislation passed this spring is with families with complicated medical and child, family, the full multidisciplinary team, aiming to reduce the impact of artificial developmental needs. and local stakeholders such as teachers, for tanning, particularly on young people. Once This saves time, travel and expense for discussion and collaboration on next steps. Alberta’s Skin Cancer Prevention Act is patients and families, and also reduces delays “This Pediatric Specialty Clinic session is a enacted, businesses in Alberta will no longer and the number of appointments it takes to great example of how Telehealth eliminates be allowed to provide artificial tanning assess children and to decide on their future barriers to patient care by enabling clinicians to services to minors. Advertising of artificial care. As well, Glenrose doctors driving to deliver health care and expertise with the use of tanning services directly targeted at youth Camrose, or families heading to Edmonton, no videoconferencing,” says Judy Treppel, Provincial will also be off limits. longer have to cancel appointments when wintry Manager, Clinical Telehealth Information There are several common myths about Alberta highways turn icy. Technology. “It allows for options for care and indoor tanning: getting a base tan will “As it’s often difficult for a Glenrose physician support closer to home.” n prevent a burn later on, it’s a good way to get vitamin D, and artificial tanning is actually better than the sun’s rays because it’s in a controlled environment. The reality is a base tan only provides the equivalent of about two SPF (not enough to prevent a burn), supplements or drops are a safer and less expensive way to get vitamin D, and tanning beds can emit up to 15 times more UVA radiation than the mid-day sun. Just as it’s important to talk to youth about responsible alcohol use and safe sex, it’s also important for parents and loved ones to talk about the dangers of indoor tanning. For more information, as well as tips and tricks on how to talk to your teen about the risks of artificial tanning, visit thebigburn.ca. n Using Telehealth, Dr. Lyn Sonnenberg, developmental pediatrician with Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, confers with the Manchester family, from left, mom Laressa, Aletza, 10, and dad Dustin. What’s on y our MedList? Your entire health care team needs a complete medication list: prescribed medications, inhalers, patches, ointments, eye drops, vitamins – even herbal supplements and nicotine gum.

Your MedList helps your team provide the safest treatment: albertahealthservices.ca/medlist www.albertahealthservices.ca There are plenty of health care options available. Learn yours by visiting the AHS website. i n y o u r z o n e PAGE 3

now New Glenrose remote, ear hi-tech hearing test for infants celebrated as Leading Practice this! by Accredition

Leila Mazaheri and her daughter Eliya are linked from Northern Lights Regional Health Centre in Fort McMurray, via Telehealth, with Kathy Packford, audiology team leader for the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, as she readies a remote link to test Eliya for hearing loss. Story by Gregory Kennedy | Photos by Gregory Kennedy and Pat Marston ioneering a remote, high-tech means Kathy Packford, audiology team leader for the of testing babies for hearing loss has Glenrose. “It’s meaningful, because we’re able to Pwon the audiology team at Glenrose put the minds of very anxious parents at ease.” Rehabilitation Hospital national recognition of Packford came up with the idea after studying its work by Accreditation Canada as a Leading a similar setup in Thunder Bay, Ont. With the Practice that improves quality of care. support of Clinical Telehealth, she pulled together Its ongoing collaboration with Telehealth and a team to make it happen in Alberta, initially as the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre in a pilot project. Over the past three years, more Fort McMurray means northern Alberta families than 70 families have benefited from the service. no longer have to travel to Edmonton to find out The five-hour, 437-km trip from Fort McMurray if their infant has a hearing loss. to Edmonton “is an uncomfortable distance for Having a new health care strategy accepted families to travel with infants,” says Packford. as a Leading Practice ranks as a major “We know it’s very critical for an infant who achievement. It means this Alberta Health may have a hearing loss to be diagnosed Services (AHS) team has proven its value, at a very early age so that they can benefit effectiveness and set a new standard of care from amplification, and speech and language – a feat that was celebrated at Accreditation intervention.” Canada’s fourth annual Quality Conference in In the past, some families have had to make Audiologist Kathy Packford, whose Toronto in March. multiple trips to the Glenrose because the test – Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Telehealth “Putting families first with new ideas to which requires the infant to sleep for an hour or implementation team pioneered remote improve patient care is a tradition at the so – couldn’t be completed because the child desktop access delivery of diagnostic hearing Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital,” says had slept all the way to Edmonton during the tests for infants in Alberta, has seen their Dr. Verna Yiu, VP Quality and Chief Medical long drive. So families would have to go away, service delivery accepted as a Leading Officer of AHS. “Making smart use of technology rebook, and come back for another try. Practice by Accreditation Canada. to extend this valuable service to more Albertans Packford says she hopes the service can shows the forward thinking that makes the Glenrose experts as they assess the child’s soon be extended to other centres that have Glenrose an influential leader in its field.” hearing through Auditory Brainstem Response expressed strong interest in remote ABR testing. The Glenrose team’s submission – Delivery of (ABR) testing via a remote desktop computer “ has shown interest in becoming a Diagnostic Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) link that streams results across the encrypted hub, like the Glenrose, to serve communities Assessment to Remote Sites – outlines how, Alberta Supernet from state-of-the-art diagnostic across southern Alberta,” she adds. through a secure and confidential Telehealth equipment in Fort McMurray to Edmonton. “Knowing we meet all the criteria for quality video-conference link, families across the Wood “Everyone in the project is very excited that we really prepares us well for spreading our Buffalo region can now talk ‘face to face’ with can now deliver our services at a distance,” says Telehealth-ABR across the whole province.” n

During Auditory Brainstem Response Earphones, tucked into the infant’s ears, the surface of the child’s skin in response about (ABR) testing – the most accurate method deliver sounds from the computer software, to a sound that we present through a small for diagnostic hearing testing for infants from which measures responses to these sounds earphone in the child’s ear,” says Packford. ABR newborn to six months – the child sleeps via the skin electrodes, to gauge the child’s “We’re looking at the actual response as the while connected to a computer by tiny hearing. Testing takes one to three hours. sound travels along the auditory nerve to the testing electrodes taped to the skin. “We’re recording electrical responses from brain stem.”

A career in health care can be extremely rewarding. Visit the AHS website for career details. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 4 a t y o u r s e r v i c e

One-stop shop C New program cuts stroke risk Services in and improves your community tames wild hearts quality of life Story by Gregory Kennedy | Photo by Dale MacMillan Invest in Your Bones: Osteoporosis Education anny Magnussen knows exactly how he who hasn’t had to go to an emergency Sessions would describe the symptoms of atrial department in more than a year thanks to the Provides education sessions for people fibrillation – otherwise known as an irregular clinic. L with osteoporosis or osteopenia. People heartbeat. “It’s fabulous care. My wife and I think of Marcie taking the class are welcome to invite “If you’ve ever played any sports, and you reach as our angel.” family members or friends to join them the point where you’re just about ready to throw With its team-based approach to care, the Atrial for the education session. Telephone up, that’s what atrial fibrillation feels like,” says the Fibrillation Program has reduced the wait time to consultations and information packages 63-year-old Edmonton man. see a specialist from several months to 30 days are also available. Call 780.735.7604 to “It’s a very unpleasant feeling. My heart will beat or less. Gathering all of the appropriate resources register or for more information. really hard until it hurts, up to 160 or 170 beats a in one location reduces time, travel and number minute.” of appointments for atrial fibrillation patients, and Magnussen, who has survived multiple ensures consistency of care and best practices. heart attacks, now believes such moments of The Mazankowski’s atrial fibrillation team – discomfort are behind him. He’s one of many Smigorowsky and cardiologists Dr. Roopinder people with an irregular heartbeat who are now Sandhu and Dr. Tomasz Hruczkowski – have benefiting from a one-stop, comprehensive also laid the groundwork with emergency treatment option – the new Atrial Fibrillation departments, where atrial fibrillation patients often Program at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart present for the first time, and with primary care Institute in Edmonton. physicians and others, to ensure these patients After a one-year pilot, the program is now are given a timely referral to receive the specialty established as an ongoing treatment pathway care the clinic provides. where patients receive the education, lifestyle “While family practitioners are our partners advice, medication and procedures they require in managing these patients, Canadian to get their racing heartbeat under control, and cardiovascular guidelines suggest that when Volunteering with AHS improve their quality of life and longevity. patients are first diagnosed, they should also be Do you like helping people? Are “Managing atrial fibrillation is the key,” says referred to specialty care for assessment, so their you looking for new experiences and nurse practitioner Marcie Smigorowsky. “This background and history can be reviewed and a challenges? Want to make a difference in is a chronic disease; it has no cure. The treatment plan arranged,” says Smigorowsky. your community? Then you might enjoy consequences, if it’s not diagnosed and well- “It’s extremely important to assess their risk being a volunteer with Alberta Health managed, are severe: stroke and heart failure. factors quickly; they may need to be on blood Services. Our volunteers will tell you it’s Our program helps to manage patients in a faster, thinners.” an excellent way to explore careers, learn more streamlined way and also ensures followup Atrial fibrillation affects about 350,000 useful skills, connect with your community for them.” Canadians; their risk of stroke is three to five and make new friends. For information, The clinic currently manages about 400 times greater than those without it. After age visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/ patients, and sees 70 new patients a year. 60, it’s estimated that atrial volunteers.asp. “They are marvellous at helping me manage fibrillation causes one-third and reduce my symptoms,” says Magnussen, of all strokes. n Multiple Sclerosis Patient Lanny Care and Research Clinic Magnussen Provides services to diagnose, treat, and gets a checkup support people with multiple sclerosis. from nurse Services include teaching people about practitioner the disease, managing symptoms and Marcie medications, and referring people to Smigorowsky other services and resources. A referral at the Atrial is needed to access this service. Call Fibrillation 780.407.5515 for more information. Program at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Edmonton Adult Institute in Bariatric Specialty Clinic Edmonton. This clinic provides medical, psychological, and surgical interventions for weight management and improving health. Support is provided to individuals with obesity who require complex medical management and/or surgical intervention. A referral is needed to access this service. Call 780.735.1078 for more information.

Strategic Clinical SCNs ensure patient & Networks (SCNs) family voices contribute Alberta’s engines of innovation. to health planning and Learn more at www.albertahealthservices.ca/scn decision making.

www.albertahealthservices.ca Do you have concerns about your health? Visit the AHS website for symptom information. h e a l t h c a r e h e r o e s PAGE 5 Visit Us Online

restaurant inspections Public health inspectors ensure compliance with the province’s food regulations. Restaurant inspections occur prior to the opening of a new facility and every four to six months thereafter, or more often if non- compliance with the regulation has been identified. Consumer complaints are investigated, and an inspection may be Holding an award presented to Alberta Health Services by the , AHS conducted under special circumstances, President and CEO Vickie Kaminski, centre, poses with reservist members of 15 Field Ambulance, such as a food recall. To view restaurant from left: Cmdr. Robert Briggs, CWO Bill Leahy, Capt. Rebecca Patterson, Lt. Vanessa Ferris and inspection reports in your area, visit www. Sgt. John Todd Ferris. albertahealthservices.ca/3149.asp. armed forces salute ahs Story by Gregory Kennedy | Photo by Dale MacMillan youtube lberta Health Services (AHS) has been (AHS has) ... gone A new provincewide EMS program honoured with a provincial award from is helping paramedics relieve stress on Athe Canadian Armed Forces for its above and beyond ... palliative care patients and their families as commitment to reservists – the military doctors, in providing leave to well as reducing pressure on emergency nurses and paramedics who work for AHS as allow members to departments. The EMS Palliative and well as serve Canada overseas. “ End of Life Care Assess, Treat and Refer Lt.-Gov. Donald S. Ethell, himself a highly deploy overseas program now allows paramedics to work decorated peacekeeper and humanitarian, – Maj. William Patton with community clinicians to bring care to presented the award to Vickie Kaminski, AHS patients in their home or care facility instead President and CEO, on March 28 at Government “A reservist’s relationship with his or her of automatically transporting them to hospital. House on behalf of 15 Field Ambulance, the employer is central to transitioning into, and In a brief video, Richard Horth talks about province’s Canadian Forces out of, civilian life. AHS has demonstrated how the program helped make his partner’s medical unit, which successfully nominated AHS extraordinary and consistent support for both wish to die at home possible: http://youtu. for the honour. the educational and operational needs of our be/zNMpJuKCyZs. “We’re very proud of the commitment and reservists within its employment.” accomplishments of our reservists both here at Maj. William Patton agrees. Alberta Health Services and for serving Canada “AHS gives people the time off to capture those overseas,” says Kaminski. “We also benefit career courses, to make them a better officer, FACEBOOK greatly here in Alberta from the operational skills or to make them a better soldier, attend field they learn from the military.” exercises, or to do an overseas deployment,” We just got even friendlier. “Alberta stands apart from the rest of Canada says Patton, an Edmonton emergency Now the best Alberta health in the support it provides military members both physician and reservist medical officer who has info online is mobile friendly. within the community and in times of need,” says commanded a military hospital in Afghanistan. Go to http://bit.ly/1isUq1E. Cdr. Robert Briggs, who leads the unit. “AHS not Current members of Alberta’s only reserve only rose to the occasion during the Afghanistan medical unit have seen action in Afghanistan, the . conflict in its care and rehabilitation of ill and Golan Heights, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Egypt, injured soldiers, but it continues to display its along with peacetime exercises around the globe. TWITTER unwavering commitment to reservists.” At home, its members stepped up for the Follow your zone at AHS_YEGZone: 15 Field Ambulance has about 100 members, southern Alberta floods in 2013, theV ancouver • Since opening five years ago, more than a third of whom work for AHS in Edmonton and Olympics in 2010, and forest fires inB .C. in 2003. 35,000 babies have been born at the Lois Calgary. Patton says AHS has “certainly gone above Hole Hospital for Women. Find out more at Gary Agnew, Alberta Chair of the Canadian and beyond expectations in providing leave to www.albertahealthservices.ca/11196.asp Forces Liaison Committee (CFLC), the group allow members to deploy overseas on operations #LHHW #yeg. that chose AHS to be given its Provincial Award for six months or more. • Donor livers are kept alive longer. Read for Support to the Canadian Forces Domestic “All the good things we do here at AHS – not about how a new device helped Edmonton Operations, credits AHS for its progressive least of which is excellence in clinical care – we surgeons make transplant history at http:// approach to reservists. bring into the military. We bring back to AHS www.albertahealthservices.ca/11187.asp. “Maintaining a balance between civilian and some of the good things about the army, such as • AHS works to keep your food safe. If you military life is complicated,” says Agnew. civic pride, organization and teamwork.” n have concerns, call us at 780.735.1800.

Download the AHS mobile app for iPhone or Android H • Emergency department wait times • Health care locator • More… www.albertahealthservices.ca/mobile.asp

For the latest health news updates in your zone, visit the AHS website. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 6 o u r p a r t n e r s 58.8 million care is going to the dogs $ Young patients at the Stollery are happy when the going gets ‘ruff.’ The amount raised by Edmonton Zone’s 12 foundations and trusts in 2014* They’re part of a pilot program that brings affectionate canines into *In addition to $35.2 million raised provincially the hospital to help kids dealing with the trauma of injury or illness by the Alberta Cancer Foundation Story by Kerri Robins | Photo by Melody Duncan an’s best friend is making a ‘paws-itive’ ease, not only during the stress of tests and Mike House, president and CEO of the Stollery difference at the Stollery Children’s procedures, but help them forget their struggles Children’s Hospital Foundation, is happy with the MHospital. for a time.” program and the difference it’s making. As part of a one-year pet therapy pilot program Therapy sessions with each patient last about “Wonderful things happen when donors launched in September, dogs are walking the 30 minutes, and each dog’s working shift is 90 combine their passion with the betterment of halls of the Stollery and visiting its young patients minutes. There are currently three dogs in the children’s health. to help them heal. program that runs Tuesdays, Thursdays and “We are fortunate to have donors like Ray And 15-year-old Ty Dewald is one of those Fridays. and Leona, dog-lovers who gave generously reaping the benefits of the program. After a car Duncan says patients must be referred to be to get the pet therapy program at the Stollery accident in February in his hometown of Czar, part of the pet therapy program. underway. By continually investing in the best 250 km southeast of Edmonton, the lives of Ty “The patient must be referred because of people and programs, our donors are the and his family were turned inside out. a specific condition, for example, mobility difference when it comes to keeping the Stollery But shortly after admission to the Stollery problems, needing help to improve moods, family-centred and world-class.” Children’s Hospital with multiple pelvis fractures, dealing with a medical procedure or simply the And speaking of Ty, his mom says his Ty was visited by Australian labradoodle Jasper, need for companionship,” she says. “Since prognosis is good. who has proved a faithful companion. we’ve started the pilot, we’ve had over 68 “He’s now at the Glenrose Rehabilitation “Ty misses our black lab, Beau, so Jasper is a inpatient and four outpatient visits by the dogs. Hospital working on getting his legs back in nice substitute for now while Ty recovers,” says “We’ve had 100 per cent positive feedback on shape so he can hit the ice for hockey next year,” mom Melanie Dewald. “Ty takes every chance the program. The dogs are a great alternative says Dewald. he can get to see the dog – he never refuses a to traditional treatment and help our kids heal in For more information, visit www.stollerykids. visit.” ways that some medicines just can’t do.” com. n Funded through a private donation to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation from Dr. Ray Muzyka, a family physician, and his wife, Leona De Boer, the dogs provide some intensive tender loving care. The goal of the program is to improve the emotional and physical well-being of pediatric patients. The dogs may tag along with kids to X-ray or testing procedures, let the child brush or pet them, or simply sit beside their bed. Certified through the non-profit Pet Therapy Society of Northern Alberta, the dogs receive special practicum training prior to working at the hospital. They must be two years old or older, good-natured, calm, gentle, hypoallergenic and be able to respond to basic commands and enjoy people. There is no size or breed restriction. Ty Dewald, 15, pats Jasper, Melody Duncan, a Child Life an Australian labradoodle Specialist at the Stollery, has been that’s part of a pilot pet working with the pet therapy program therapy program at the since it began and stresses its benefits. Stollery Children’s Hospital. “These dogs really put a smile on Jasper has been visiting Ty, kids’ faces and give them a sense of who’s recovering from a car normalcy through the unconditional love accident that happened pets are so good at,” Duncan says. in February. “The dogs put our patients at

Health Advisory Councils Listening to Communities. Join the Conversation. Connect today: 1-877-275-8830

[email protected] www.albertahealthservices.ca/hac.asp

www.albertahealthservices.ca Giving is healthy: contact your local foundation or Health Advisory Council today. o u r p a r t n e r s PAGE 7 Foundations & Health Trusts

Newborns requiring a little extra tender loving care at the Sturgeon Community Hospital are receiving lifesaving care in the Panda Infant Warmer, which was purchased thanks to funding from the Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation. Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Denise Clarke demonstrates the warmer, which regulates body temperature and provides oxygen for newborns requiring resuscitation and stabilization following delivery.

Funding equipment is another example of how Foundations across Alberta help improve local health care. Your donations – or gift of time – make big impacts in your community. Contact your local Foundation and give a gift today.

Support your local Foundation

EdmontonZone • Alberta Cancer Foundation • Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation • Black Gold Health Foundation • Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation Edmonton Zone • Capital Care Foundation • Strathcona Community Hospital Foundation • Devon General Hospital Foundation • Sturgeon Community Hospital Foundation • Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital • Tri-Community Health and Wellness Foundation Foundation • Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation • University Hospital Foundation • Mental Health Foundation

www.albertahealthservices.ca/give PAGE 8 i n b r i e f Staff step up to keep enviro group awarded Environmental health officers with Alberta Health Services- surgeries on track Environmental Public Health were awarded the 2014 Alexander Officer Story by Tadra Boulton and Shelly Willsey | Award by the Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors for their Photo courtesy the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation | Disease Control Program. This team works in partnership with provincial hey say every cloud has a rooms, MDR and endoscopy. and federal organizations investigating outbreaks that cross borders. silver lining, and in March “CPSM (Contracting, The Disease Control Program won for its work during 2012’s multi- Tthat lining involved the Procurement & Supply provincial E. coli outbreak associated with beef from XL Foods. The Medical Device Reprocessing Management) arranged to program was the first in the country to link the outbreak to beef that was (MDR) staff at the Royal Alexandra transport the sets of equipment to traced back to the implicated facility. Hospital (RAH). and from the other sites.”

An unidentified substance And that was no small task: Dr. David Mador, Vice President, had been found on sterile linens the first shipment sent to the EDMONTON Medical Director, AHS North wrapped around trays holding Sturgeon for sterilization and Deb Gordon, Vice President, sterile surgical equipment, and repacking weighed 18,000 lb. zone CHOO, AHS North staff acted quickly to ensure With the new temporary patient safety, pulling the affected sterilization process, surgeries local leadership equipment from circulation. were soon back on track. AHS embraces local leadership and zone-based decision-making. Here in Edmonton and area, front-line Unfortunately, this “Thanks to everyone’s physicians and clinical leaders at every level of the organization have joint planning and decision- making authority with operational leaders, meaning faster decisions closer to where care is provided. also meant postponing efforts, we were able surgeries as there was not to add operating room enough sterile equipment time to reschedule the alberta: to complete procedures. postponed procedures “We recognize that and proceed with rescheduling surgeries scheduled surgeries the zone by zone is very difficult for our following week,” says ESTEY edmonton zone patients and their Estey. Population: 1,186,121 families,” says Dr. Eric Estey, chief The MDR, Infection Prevention • Life expectancy: 81.8 years • Hospitals: 13 of surgery at the RAH. “We do and Control, and Facilities, not make this decision lightly, but Maintenance and Engineering calgary zone we will not take any risks with our staff worked with the linen Population: 1,408,606 patients’ safety.” supplier, sterilization manufacturer, • Life expectancy: 82.9 years • Hospitals: 14 To ensure patients could get and the City of Edmonton/Epcor their procedures complete in a to identify the cause and take north zone timely manner, surgical equipment corrective action. Population: 447,740 was transferred to the MDR The substance was found to be • Life expectancy: 79.8 years • Hospitals: 34 departments at the Sturgeon an iron-like deposit that occurred Community Hospital and the during the sterilization process central zone University of Alberta Hospital to and did not pose any risks to Population: 453,469 be sterilized, repackaged, and patients. • Life expectancy: 80.7 years • Hospitals: 30 transported back to RAH. This information will be shared “The support from everyone with the manufacturer and other SOUTH zone in the zone has been incredible. hospitals in the event of a similar Population: 289,661 Our MDR staff stepped up and occurrence. • Life expectancy: 80.3 years • Hospitals: 14 volunteered to work night shifts to “While postponing surgeries is ensure the equipment was ready not ideal, we feel it was the right To find the hospitals, services, facilities for surgeries,” says Mary Lou thing to do to ensure our patients McKenzie, Executive Director for were not compromised,” says and programs in your zone, please visit Edmonton Zone’s adult operating Estey. n albertahealthservices.ca/FacilitySearch.

Zone News Editor, Layout and design: Kit Poole here’s Edmonton Zone: Shelly Willsey IMAGING: Michael Brown FSC LOGO Phone: 780.735.6801 (printer places on) Email: [email protected] Zone News – Edmonton Zone is Mail: Royal Alexandra Hospital published monthly by Alberta Health This paper has been certified to meet how to 10240 Kingsway Ave. N.W. Services to inform Albertans of the the environmental and social standards Edmonton, Alberta, T5H 3V9 programs and services available to them, of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) To see Edmonton Zone News online, please visit and of the work being done to improve the and comes from well-managed forests reach us www.albertahealthservices.ca/5823.asp health care system in their communities. and other responsible sources.

It’s scary when your child is sick, but in most cases I am worried you don’t need to go to the emergency department. about my child If you’re unsure, we’re here to help Health Link Alberta: 1.866.408.5465 albertahealthservices.ca/options

Emergency is here for you if you need it. Use it wisely.

www.albertahealthservices.ca Be sure to visit our website for health advisories around the province.