Box 2003 Weyburn, SK S4H 2Z9 Tel: (306) 842-8399 Fax: (306) 842-8738 August 2012

Inside Sun Country Regional Health Authority this issue: selects new Chief Executive Officer Marilyn Charlton, Chair of Page 3 Learn: What to the Sun Country Regional Health Authority, is pleased expect when you go to to announce the hospital for surgery appointment of Marga Cugnet as Chief Executive Officer of Sun Country Health Region (SCHR). Page 4-5 Read: Mrs. Cugnet has served as What surgeries where in Interim CEO since the Region September 2010. “We are very fortunate to be able to retain a candidate with Mrs. Cugnet’s Page 8 Read: The fourth qualifications. The work she story in a series about has done for the Region as Interim CEO for the past 22 Marga Cugnet addictions in the Region months has been exemplary,” says Mrs. Charlton. “The health authority received 46 applications for the position. Mrs. Cugnet came to the top of the list and members of the Regional Health Authority were happy to accept her application.” Mrs. Cugnet has worked for SCHR and the South Central Health District before that for 30 years. She graduated from the University of with a Bachelor of Science Nursing degree, with Honours, majoring in administration. Prior to accepting the position as Interim CEO, she was Vice President, Primary Care for SCHR. She has extensive experience in many of the areas of health care including acute and long term care, home care, emergency medical services, pharmacy, laboratory, medical imaging and health records. “Mrs. Cugnet has already shown to be a great asset to the Health Region and we know that good work will continue into the future,” says Mrs. Charlton.

SCHR

Administration

President/CEO The View from the desk of Marga Cugnet 842-8737

Surgeries in Sun Country Health Region Vice President

It’s never a great day when you know you face a surgical procedure but when it’s Community Health: necessary, you want it to be as soon, as safe and as smart as possible. Janice Giroux Along with the Ministry of Health, Sun Country Health Region has adopted the 842-8652 sooner, safer, smarter vision for our surgeries this year. We have made changes both to our own surgical processes within the Region and to the transfer Vice President processes that will help to get our residents back home quicker when they have Human Resources: to go for surgery in one of the larger, tertiary hospitals. One of the internal changes we’ve made is to adopt the World Health Don Ehman Organization safety checklist for our surgeries. 842-8724 All staff in the operating rooms in St. Joseph’s Hospital of and the Weyburn General Hospital are required to follow a process that checks and Interim Vice President double checks to ensure they have the right patient and are planning the right Health Facilities: procedure with the right staff and equipment at hand. Patients participate in the Murray Goeres entire documented process, prior to anaesthesia being given and, again, before the procedure begins. 842-8706

A third review procedure takes place once the surgery is complete, which includes counting all the surgical instruments to ensure nothing was misplaced. Interim Vice President Our surgeries have a 97 per cent compliance figure with these checklists. We Finance and know that number will reach 100 per cent very quickly. Corporate Services Another change that will help relieve the pressure on hospitals in Regina and Pamela Haupstein is by getting our patients home more quickly. We are setting up a single entry point for all patients coming back into the 842-8714 Region from another hospital or facility. The system will ensure that before a patient is sent home from Regina to Gainsborough or Ceylon, we will know what Vice President, kind of services they require and who will provide it to them. Medical If they need recuperation time in another hospital, they will be released when we Dr. Alain Lenferna know which SCHR hospital or facility which provides respite has a bed. If they need home care services, they will be released when the appropriate home care 842-8651 or primary health care staff have been scheduled. If they are going to a long term care centre, they will know in advance where they are going and the facility will Regional Manager be ready for them. Quality Improvement These are logical, smart changes to our health care system that will benefit all and Patient Safety: residents, patients and clients. We are proud to be making these improvements Gene Stephany for you and I am proud of the level of staff engagement as we put them into place. 842-8675

Thank you to all of the people who have sent congratulations on my appointment as President/CEO of the Region.

Map of Sun Country Health Region

Watch for this poster in the Weyburn General Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital of Estevan. It tells Acute Care patients and out-patients what to expect as you are prepared for surgery.

Stay close to home:

Surgeries in Weyburn General Hospital:

Colonoscopy Laparoscopic adhesiolysis Gastroscopy Internasal cyst / lesion / mass removal Tonsillectomy with or without Nasal septal reconstruction adenoidectomy Dental extractions / fillings under anesthetic Laparoscopy Carpal tunnel release Hernia repairs Removal of ganglions / warts / lipomas / Appendectomy skin tags Laparoscopic cholecystectomy Trans vaginal tapes Vasectomy Trans obturator tapes Anterior and posterior repairs Caesarean section Abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy Hemorrhoidectomy Bilateral salpingo oophorectomy Gynecological exam under anesthesia Endometrial ablation Cystoscopy Dilation & curettage Hydrotubation Hysteroscopy Ablation endometrium Hysteroscopic Essure technique Polypectomy Tubal ligation Episiotomy scar repair Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis Vestibulectomy

Contact your doctor

Surgeries at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Estevan

Colonoscopy Removal of ganglions / warts / lipomas / Gastroscopy skin tags Tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy Trans vaginal tapes Laparoscopy Trans obturator tapes Hernia repairs Caesarean section Appendectomy Hemorrhoidectomy Laparoscopic cholecystectomy Gynecological exam under anesthesia Anterior and posterior repairs Cystoscopy Abdominal and vaginal hysterectomy Ablation endometrium Bilateral salpingo oophorectomy Polypectomy Endometrial ablation Episiotomy scar repair Dilation & curettage Hemicolectomy Hysteroscopy Closed Reductions Hysteroscopic Essure technique Pilonidal Sinus Tubal ligation I&D abscess Laparoscopic surgery for endometriosis Mastectomy Laparoscopic adhesiolysis Breast Lump Dental extractions / fillings under anesthetic Carpal tunnel release Vein Ligation

Specialists available in Sun Country Health Region

This list is updated regularly and available at the Sun Country Health Region web- site at: http://www.suncountry.sk.ca/. It is listed under Programs and Services/ Specialist Services

Specialists available at WEYBURN Dr. Y. Kasim Yusuf Mohammed Kasim Medical Incorporation GENERAL HOSPITAL 300 – 1176 Nicholson Rd Estevan, SK S4A 2S7 Cardiology Phone (306) 637-2770 Dr. A. Aboguddah Weyburn Clinic: Dates determined on a monthly basis Neil Professional Building 201 – 2550 12th Avenue Ophthalmology Regina, SK S4P 3X1 Dr. R. Eidsness Phone (306) 359-7885 Focus Eye Care Specialists Weyburn Clinic: 1st Thursday of each month 410 Dewdney Avenue Regina, SK S4T 1A2 Dr. G. Garbe Phone (306) 546-5201 Cornwall Professional Building Weyburn Clinic: Dates determined monthly. 701 – 2125 11th Avenue Contact Weyburn Eye Care Associates, 842-4644 Regina, SK S4P 3X3 Ph (306) 781-7944 Dental Weyburn Clinic: Last Monday of each month Dr. C. Johnstone

Carlyle Dental Dr. R. Zimmerman 130 Main Street Cornwall Professional Building Carlyle, SK S0C 0R0 701 – 2125 11th Avenue Phone (306) 453-6346 Regina, SK S4P 3X3 Weyburn Clinic: Dates determined on a monthly basis Ph (306) 781-7944

Weyburn Clinic: 2nd Thursday of each month Dr. D. Krainyk

Regina Lakeview Dental Centre 103 – 3725 Pasqua Street Ear, Nose & Throat Regina, SK S4S 6W8 Dr. J. Fritz Phone (306) 359-3945 350 – 2550 15th Avenue Weyburn Clinic: Dates determined on a monthly basis Regina, SK S4P 1A5 Phone (306) 359-1667 Weyburn Clinic: Tuesdays, set on monthly basis Specialists available at ST. JOSEPH’S

HOSPITAL, Estevan

General Surgeon General Surgeon Dr. C. Milne Dr. K. Sheikh Weyburn General Hospital Specialty Clinic Sheikh Medical Clinic 201 1st Avenue NE 110 – 1175 Nicholson Rd Weyburn, SK S4H 0N1 Estevan, SK S4A 2S7 Phone (306) 842-8410 Phone (306) 637-2750 Weyburn Clinic: Dates set on a monthly basis Estevan Clinic: By appointment

Dr. K. Sheikh 110 – 1175 Nicholson Rd Obstetrician & Gynecology Estevan, SK S4A 2S7 Dr. C. A. Spies Phone (306) 637-2750 205 41 Broadway W Weyburn Clinic: 2nd & 4th Thursday & Friday , SK S4N 0L6 Phone (306) 782-5525 Estevan Clinic: Dates determined on a monthly basis Obstetrician & Gynecology Dr. Y. Kasim Dr. A. Akinibiyi Yusuf Mohammed Kasim Medical Incorporation Cornwall Prof Building 300 – 1176 Nicholson Rd 217 – 2125 11th Avenue Estevan, SK S4A 2S7 Regina, SK S4P 3X3 Phone (306) 637-2770 Phone (306) 569-1522 Estevan Clinic: By appointment Weyburn Clinic: 1st & 3rd Friday of each month

Nurses coming home—Four University of Saskatchewan NEPS (Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan) students are spending three weeks with staff members at the Population Health Promotion department in Sun Country Health Region at the end of May. They were here for a fourth year clinical placement. They completed several projects aimed at supporting the physical, mental and social well-being for the population. Donna Wolfe, Regional Director, Population Health, and her staff are assisting the students in gaining glimpses of all the different relationships and approaches used to carry out the Population Health Promotion task. Three of the four students are bursary graduates/ students who are looking forward to starting employment with SCHR when they have graduated. From left to right are Erin Walkeden; Natasha Milleker; Kimberley Dupont, all originally from Weyburn; Kim Balog, clinical instructor for the group; and Lacey Bruneau, . Lacey says the nurses want to work in rural areas as nurses. “We like the rural communities. They are more personal than a city. And when you’re raised in a rural community, it’s nice to go back there to work.”

The Saskatchewan Minister of Health has appointed new New members appointed members to the Sun Country Regional Health Authority, the governing body for Sun Country Health Region. The new chair is Marilyn Charlton, Weyburn, with Lori Carr, to Estevan as the new Vice-Chair. Newly appointed to the health authority are Robert Brickley, Kennedy; Gary St. Onge, Sun Country Regional Estevan; Audrey Trombley, . They join the following reappointed members: Karen Stephenson, Weyburn; Derrell Health Authority Rodine, Goodwater; Vernon Palmer, Coronach; Sharon Bauche, Antler; and Alan Arthur, Redvers.

Program expansion moves into Sun Country Health Region Colorectoral cancer screening saves lives

Screening for colorectal cancer will help save lives in the Sun The Agency will use an advanced fecal immunochemical test Country Health Region as the early detection program is now (FIT) to screen participants. This test will be mailed to available to men and women between the ages of 50 and 74. participants to complete in the privacy of their home. The FIT can detect blood in the stool that is not visible to the naked “We are committed to ensuring that Saskatchewan residents eye. have the very best health care available,” Health Minister said. “By expanding the Screening Program for “Using a simple test we will be able to reduce the number of Colorectal Cancer to Sun Country we are strengthening cancer people who will need invasive cancer treatment and make a care in the province by helping detect cancer earlier.” difference in the lives of patients and families in the region,” Sun Country Health Region CEO Marga Cugnet said. The Ministry of Health has provided $190,000 annually to plan and expand the program to the region. It is estimated that the As of July 2012, approximately 82,000 people have been entire screening program will cost approximately $3.5 million invited to participate in the screening program in Five Hills, annually once it is available province wide. Kelsey Trail, Regina Qu’Appelle, Prairie North, Cypress and Heartland and the northern regions of Athabasca, Keewatin “We have already seen the tremendous results of this program,” Yatthé and Mamawetan Churchill River. The program will be Saskatchewan Cancer Agency CEO Scott Livingstone said. available province-wide by 2013.

“Today more than 196 people don’t have cancer because they Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed took the simple test and had pre-cancerous polyps removed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in both during a colonoscopy and that tells me that the program is doing men and women. In 2011, approximately 690 people in exactly what it was intended to do—save lives by detecting Saskatchewan were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and an cancer in its early stages.” estimated 270 died from the disease. Last in a series on addictions in Sun Country Health Region:

SCHR offers program to assist industries with substance abuse

The Addictions Services Supervisor for Sun Country Health Region says his department is experiencing a heavier call for services as the Regional population grows in response to increased industrial expansion. In response to this increasing need, Addictions Services has created a new educational program called the Industry Support Program, says Garry Tedford. “We wanted to see if a new program would help them cope before the problem grows larger,” he said. This program seeks to work in partnership with regional industries to identify employee substance abuse issues in the workplace, and to further provide willing David Roman companies with the resources to identify, prevent David explains that company managers might not and reduce substance abuse issues. recognize the symptoms of substance abuse and further Addiction Counsellor David Roman is in charge of are unaware of the specific effects of many drugs. the pilot program. “People tend to have a general knowledge about what David is busy creating industry specific presentations drugs are being consumed in their community but don’t and materials and is speaking with representatives of fully understand their effects on the mind and body.” he the different industrial sectors in the region. suggests. “This is not a counselling program,” he says. David says one example is that many people don’t “Counselling is already available. We want to help understand the result of combining different drugs. “The spread awareness about different drugs and how use of prescription drugs and alcohol together can have their use might affect the individual and the a greater effect than 1+1=2. It’s more like 1+1=3 or 4”, workplace.” he says. “The side effects of each drug can be amplified For more information or to inquire about compared to if only one drug was used,” he says. presentation bookings, David Roman can be Companies with employees who have substance abuse reached at [email protected] or issues are affected in several ways. 306.842.8221. David explains that substance abuse can lead to His office is located in the Community Health increased absenteeism, a higher frequency of workplace Services Building, # 1 King Street, Weyburn, injuries, and a loss of productivity among many other SK. Addiction Services in Weyburn can be effects. reached at 842-8693. That’s where he comes in. His role will be as a resource person for industry employers in order to help them David suggests that perhaps part of the reason understand substance abuse and how their staff might substance abuse is a growing problem for local use and abuse to the detriment of the workplace. industry is that there is a growing transient “I hope to better inform employers and employees alike population in the Region made up of younger adults. so that hopefully they will begin to identify substance “Industry workers often have a lot of disposable issues effectively and increase employee health and income, and statistically speaking younger age safety.” groups are more likely to struggle with substance Industry employees can be referred for further abuse.” he explains. assessment and clinical services as requested. He goes on to say that many industry workers are David is contacting different industry employers to see away from their families and home communities and what their needs are surrounding substance abuse, and sometimes lack a stable footing like housing. he has begun to take bookings to attend work sites to This is compounded with the stress of industry present on substance abuse. related work and long shifts, and stress is highly He estimates there are people in the hundreds working correlated with substance abuse. in various industry positions within the Region.