KTHR Pulse Spring 2014
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“Healthy People in Healthy Communities” KTHR Pulse Spring 2014 In This Issue: Regional Lab Accreditation Promoting Power in Play in Kelvington Cancer awareness in Hudson Bay Rural anaesthetic simulation pilot in Melfort KTHR hosts Kanban seminar Category of Links Dr. Gert Pieterse of Porcupine Plain was named the www.health.gov.sk.ca Saskatchewan Medical Association’s 2014 Physician of the Year For the latest provincial health news in May. Dr. Pieterse (second from left) is pictured with his wife Sandra and his nominators, Terry Zip (left) and Twyla Salmond (right). www.fightflu.ca The federal government’s flu information website SMA 2014 Physician KTHR Pulse is published on a quarterly basis from the Kelsey Trail Regional Office of the Year 901-108th Avenue Article courtesy of the Saskatchewan Medical Association Tisdale, SK S0E 1T0 Porcupine Plain’s sole family physician Dr. Gert Watch for the Summer 2014 Pieterse has been named the 2014 Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) Physician of the Year, nominated by community members for providing Contact us with your comments, suggestions or optimal care to residents for nearly two decades. ideas for future editions. “Over many years, Dr. Pieterse has demonstrated an Peggy Ratcliffe outstanding level of compassion toward the people of Corporate Communications Officer Porcupine Plain and area, exemplifying a profound KTHR dedication to rural medicine,” says Dr. Dalibor Slavik, 306-873-6613 SMA President. “He is a physician who consistently [email protected] puts the community’s needs first, all the while advocating for better health care outcomes through a strong primary care infrastructure.” Dr. Pieterse serves the population of 855 in addition to the surrounding area, bringing his total patient load to over 3,000. (continued on page 2) “Working together to improve the health of people” KTHR Pulse “Healthy People in Healthy Communities” Page 2 of 16 (continued from page 1) Despite his immense workload, Dr. Pieterse makes providing personalized care a part of his daily routine and treats each patient as if they were his only patient. His community holds him in high regard, described by many as a hardworking “unsung hero” who will care for patients and their families not just when the need is imminent, but long after the need for care has passed. He is known to go above and beyond to promote healthy living through a preventative health care outlook. He and his wife Sandra, a nurse practitioner, brought a strong primary health care framework into the community in 2005 as a means to achieve better KTHR labs participate health care outcomes. in accreditation Graduating from the University of Pretoria in 1977, Dr. Pieterse practised in South Africa until 1992 Kelsey Trail Health Region’s laboratory sites were before making the move to Burin, Newfoundland. commended for their organization, cleanliness and the Two years later he relocated to Hudson Bay, quality of service they provide during lab Saskatchewan and eventually settled in Porcupine accreditation held earlier this spring. Plain in 1996. The accreditation process was part of the College of An advocate for rural practice, Dr. Pieterse is a leader Physicians & Surgeons of Saskatchewan lab quality in the Saskatchewan medical community and has served on the SMA Representative Assembly since assurance program and involved laboratory 2007.☼ inspections in Carrot River, Smeaton, Hudson Bay, Porcupine Plain, Rose Valley, Kelvington, Arborfield, Tisdale, Nipawin and Melfort. While labs in the district hospital locations of Melfort, Nipawin and Tisdale have been involved in the on-site accreditation survey process in the past, this year marked the first time in many years that labs in the community hospitals were involved in an on-site inspection. The Health Centres have previously not been involved in on-site inspections. The inspections were conducted between April 8th and May 2nd. The intent of the inspections was to ensure compliance to Laboratory Quality Assurance regulations. The inspections are designed to be informative and educational while providing lab staff with guidance for improved laboratory service. Inspection reports were provided for each lab which included both commendations as well as a list of deficiencies requiring corrective action. (continued on page 3) “Working together to improve the health of people” KTHR Pulse “Healthy People in Healthy Communities” Page 3 of 16 (continued from page 2) To meet full accreditation all of the deficiencies identified must be addressed. The 5S work that has been completed in several labs contributed to the organization, cleanliness and space that was noted by the surveyors. “There has been a lot of work done since the last inspection and it is evident that you have very effective regional resources. The regional online manual is a wonderful resource for all frontline staff and the work on it should be continued,” one survey report stated. “It is clear there is a good working environment and all the staff should be commended for their continued work towards improving the quality in this laboratory.” Accreditation Canada will conduct Kelsey Trail Health Region’s regional accreditation survey in September. As the result of their participation in the lab quality assurance program, the KTHR lab sites will not be required to participate in the regional Accreditation Canada survey. “The KTHR Laboratory staff have been key to our successful lab accreditation results,” concluded Heather Miller, KTHR Director Laboratory Services. “Their willingness to participate and work hard to meet and exceed the QA Laboratory Standards is greatly appreciated.”☼ KTHR salutes… Eric Ballard of Tisdale and Robert Coquette of St. Brieux, were both the recipients of 2014 Emergency Medical Services Provincial Awards in May. Ballard, owner/operator of Tisdale Ambulance Care Ltd., was presented with the Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal, Second Bar, recognizing 40 years of exemplary achievement and dedication to the emergency services profession. The Governor General’s Exemplary Service Medal, Canada’s highest EMS honour, recognizes professionals in the provision of pre-hospital emergency medical services to the public who have performed in an exemplary manner characterized by good conduct, industry and efficiency. Robert Coquet, a volunteer First Responder, was presented with the Stars of Life award which recognizes outstanding achievement, dedication and leadership. It can be awarded for commitment to the community above and beyond the call of duty and for acts of bravery. The outstanding commitments Ballard and Coquette have made through their involvement in emergency medical services enhances the general health and wel-lbeing of the communities they serve. Congratulations and thank you!☼ “Working together to improve the health of people” KTHR Pulse “Healthy People in Healthy Communities” Page 4 of 16 KTHR employees among students at 2014 Cumberland College graduation Kelsey Trail Health Region would like to extend congratulations to a number of employees who recently celebrated graduation from Cumberland College. This year marks the first graduation of students completing the Institutional Cooking Certificate program at Cumberland College. In an effort to meet the growing demand and shortage of cooks and assistant cook positions in the region, two years ago KTHR approached Cumberland College about offering the Institutional Cooking Certificate program locally. Certification in Institutional Cooking is a condition of hire for all KTHR employees hired as cooks or cooks assistants and all students have to be employed in order to enrol in the program. The Institutional Cooking program is similar to the ten month long professional cooking program run by SIAST. The Institutional Cooking Certificate program may be completed over a two year period while employed, at minimum, on a part- time or casual basis. The students that graduated this spring are the first graduates of the local program. The second intake for the program is scheduled for January 2015. The Institutional Cooking Certificate graduating Class of 2014 includes Rudy Mills, Shirley Zeller, Leona Cunningham, Nicki Lund, Melissa Bitzer, Serena Mangels, Lori Mangels, Alex Tolentino and Dena Coosh – all of whom are employed by the health region. KTHR would also like to salute several other KTHR employees who recently celebrated graduation from the following programs at Cumberland College: Adult Basic Education (ABE) - Ruby Moosewaypayo; Continuing Care Assistant: Dominique Berger, Iona Burns, Janell Hunt, and Veronica Pegg. In addition to receiving her Adult Basic Education Certificate, Ruby Moosewaypayo was also presented with the ABE Achievement Award. Congratulations!☼ “Working together to improve the health of people” KTHR Pulse “Healthy People in Healthy Communities” Page 5 of 16 Precautions recommended during West Nile Virus high risk season Health officials advise Saskatchewan residents to take precautions against mosquitoes, as the weather warms up and the risk of West Nile Virus increases. West Nile Virus (WNV) is present in Saskatchewan during summer, and the risk typically peaks between mid- July and September. The virus is transmitted through the bite of infected Culex tarsalis mosquitoes. Most people who become infected with WNV experience no immediate symptoms or have very mild illness (fever, headaches, body aches). A small number of people develop a more serious illness called West Nile Virus neuroinvasive disease, which includes