north Zone NEWS Zone

Your Health Care in Your Community 2014 JUNE

Photo by Christine Berget |

When patients have difficulty Making a point Rose Bukach, 92, uses the CommuniKit picture board to speaking, we can still have a very ‘chat’ with Enid Desroches, a recreational therapy assistant rich conversation with them in Radway. The special kit helps Bukach, who has a severe hearing impairment, communicate with her health care “ — Cynthia Pruden, North Zone clinical lead for speech language pathology team, as well as friends and family. PAGE 3 new CT scanner gives innovations clearer ‘in’-sights changing lives There’s a new doc on the block at the Westlock Healthcare 10Improving heart disease outcomes, mapping the Centre – a state-of-the-art CT scanner. Its higher-resolution human genome, creating better drugs – is a system is able to make 3-D body images more precise, hotbed of medical breakthroughs. We take a look at meaning physicians have a clearer look at 10 innovations that are making a what is going on inside patients. PAGE 5 difference in lives worldwide. PAGE 6 meet alberta health services’ new leader ickie Kaminski became Alberta Health Services’ concerns, let us know. Tell us and we’re going to do them they need to spend it in the (AHS) new President and CEO on May 26. our best to meet your needs and expectations.’ areas important to us. Health care VShe brings to the table more than 35 years of Q: What type of changes are you envisioning? has always been, and will always experience in the Canadian health care system, first A: I’ll be looking at how we maintain quality of care be, one of the most important as a front-line nurse, a nurse manager and executive and maintain appropriate wait times. How do we areas to Canadians. As long as KAMINSKI and, for the last 15 years, as the president and chief make sure we’re serving the right person, at the right we’re funded by tax dollars, you as executive officer of various organizations. time, doing the right thing? What kinds of structures a taxpayer will have your say through the politician. Q: What’s first, now that you’reC EO of AHS? do staff need to help them move through that? When we see an increase in the politicization of A: My first job is learning the landscape. I need to Q: Many would say there have been incidences decisions, it’s because there is a loss of confidence. connect with the front line. When I think about what of political interference in the past when it My job is to bring confidence to the position and to the a CEO should be doing, my primary job should be to comes to your position. How do you plan to organization, and to earn the confidence ofA lbertans. eliminate any barriers front-line staff may have or feel. handle the politics of Alberta? If we have that kind of a relationship with the people I also need to have a relationship with the community A: Politics and health care go together. We elect of Alberta and with the staff of AHS and with the at large; to say to Albertans: ‘If you have issues or our political leaders, give them tax dollars and tell physicians, I think we’ll be on the right path. n PAGE 2 l o c a l l e a d e r s

DR. KEVIN WORRY Award in store for group North Zone executive Mayor awards Beaverlodge Hospital Auxiliary for outstanding work leadership team member in raising health care funds through the community’s local Thrift Store Dangers hidden Story by Lisa Peters | Photo by Sylvia Advent he Beaverlodge Hospital Auxiliary recently volunteer to staff the store three days a week in in sun’s rays received an award from the Town of groups of three or four. Secondhand clothing, TBeaverlodge recognizing the support it kitchenware, books, toys and a variety of other ummer is nearly here and taking provides to the community and hospital. household items are sold at the shop. advantage of the short season is a The Mayor’s Award of Distinction was presented And the hospital has benefited. Smust in . to auxiliary members at a formal awards dinner on Funds raised by the auxiliary have helped Sunshine can provide a number April 9. The award was given the same week as purchase televisions for patient rooms, chairs of different health benefits, including National Volunteer Week, April 6-12. for the waiting room, blood pressure monitors, a improved mood and mental outlook, “This award recognizes an individual or a group stretcher, and a bariatric bed. which in turn can help ease some forms who has made a significant contribution to our Dorothy Lieverse, president of the auxiliary, says of physical pain. community,” says Mayor Leona Hanson, who that it’s a pleasure to raise funds to purchase But the warm, sunny weather also selects the recipient of the award each year. things that make the lives of staff and patients comes with a variety of hidden dangers. “It’s definitely a pleasure to be able to present more comfortable. After a long, cold winter, many of us the award to this group. They are truly amazing.” “We’ve raised thousands of dollars to buy could use a reminder of how to stay safe The Beaverlodge Hospital Auxiliary has been different things over the years, and we always while enjoying ourselves under the sun a part of the community for over 30 years. It have an enjoyable time doing it,” says Lieverse. this summer. currently has about 40 members, all of whom “All of the women – young and old – are Applying sunblock with a sun help manage and operate the local Thrift Store in dedicated and fun to work with. We have a protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 is efforts to raise money to purchase equipment and meeting once a month to bring everyone together, recommended if you’re going to be in items for the Beaverlodge Municipal Hospital. and host fun events such as a Christmas party the sun for any length of time to help limit Alberta Health Services (AHS) also recognized and spring picnic. There’s always a lot of talking exposure to harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays. local volunteers for their dedication at an and visiting.” For babies younger than six months, it’s appreciation event on Tuesday, April 15. Lieverse adds the auxiliary is always looking to best to make sure they’re covered with “It is an honour to work with this auxiliary, that add new members to the team. large, brimmed hats, or keep them out of works so diligently to operate the Thrift Shop and “Most people volunteer once every two weeks the sun altogether. generate funds for their hospital and health care or sometimes once a week,” she says. “We are You’re more likely to get a sunburn community,” says Sylvia Advent, co-ordinator with flexible with a person’s availability.” when the sun’s rays are strongest, AHS Volunteer Resources. The auxiliary also accepts cash donations. between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. “They have contributed over 5,000 recorded Located off Main Street in downtown Beaverlodge, More than just a summer annoyance, volunteer hours in this past fiscal year, with 59 the Thrift Store is open Wednesdays, Thursdays repeated sunburns can increase your risk registered volunteers.” and Fridays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. of skin cancer dramatically. Repeated Running the Thrift Shop is how the auxiliary For more information about volunteering with blistering burns are thought to be linked raises most of its funds. Auxiliary members AHS, visit www.albertahealthservices.ca. n to an increased risk of melanoma – the least common, but most deadly form of skin cancer. Learn more about sun safety and proper use of sunscreen at myhealth.alberta.ca. Hazards related to UV exposure aren’t limited to the sun’s natural rays. Artificial tanning is actually more dangerous than the sun. Some tanning beds can emit up to 15 times more harmful radiation than the midday sun. And the younger you are, the higher the risk. Using tanning beds before the age of 35 can increase your chances of developing some form of skin cancer by up to 75 per cent. For more information about the risks associated with artificial tanning, go to www.thebigburn.ca. n Members of the Beaverlodge Auxiliary display their Mayor’s Award of Distinction plaque at the Alberta Health Services Volunteer Appreciation event in April.

Some mosquitoes carry the West Nile virus, so it’s best to avoid being bitten at all. Mosquitoescan t ’ • Use an insect repellent with DEET. bite • Wear light-coloured long-sleeved you shirts and pants, and a hat. • Consider staying indoors at dawn and dusk if they cant when mosquitoes are most active. ’ For more information and tips, visit ghtthebite.info find you. or call Health Link Alberta at 1-866-408-5465.

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

Peter Szpital, 91, right, uses the CommuniKit picture board to communicate in Ukrainian. Above and left, components of the CommuniKit. Bottom left: Enid Desroches, a recreational therapy assistant in Radway, uses the picture board with Rose Bukach, 92, who has a severe hearing impairment. Kit helps long-term care residents communicate in spite of speech difficulties Let’s give them something to talk about Story by Kirsten Goruk | Photos by Christine Berget or long-term care resident Peter Szpital, communicate with patients and residents and, 2) 91, a picture paints just one word – but in the goal is ... residents residents will use it to initiate conversations with Fa different language. will use it to initiate staff, other patients and family members. Szpital finds joy in using the pictoral part of the conversations with “When patients have difficulty speaking, we CommuniKit, a specialized kit holding various can still have a very rich conversation if we adjust pictures and lettered boards, to communicate staff, other patients how we’re communicating with them,” Pruden with staff and family. “ says. “The CommuniKit supports us in using and family members “I enjoy telling staff each picture’s word in – Cynthia Pruden, North Zone clinical lead all modes of communication: gestures, facial Ukrainian,” says the Radway Continuing Care for speech language pathology expressions, intonation, pausing and waiting, Centre resident. “I can teach them how to listening, pointing, drawing, and speaking.” pronounce the word, and the meaning is shown Developed by the Trillium Health Centre in Using the kit allows residents to be more by the picture.” Mississauga, Ont., the North Zone’s Allied independent and to voice their thoughts, needs Because communicating is not always easy for Health department purchased a number of the and concerns. elderly patients with cognitive, speech or hearing CommuniKits after seeing them at a health fair. As recreation therapist Jennifer Felitsyn issues, in February, Alberta Health Services staff The CommuniKit is designed to help patients explains, it also allows them to get involved with in the North Zone launched the CommuniKit in who have speech and hearing difficulties find activities. long-term care facilities. creative ways to converse. It contains multilingual “It’s another avenue to get our message across boards, a yes/no board, an alphabet chart, time while minimizing their frustration in trying to share and calendar boards, a body parts chart, a rating something with us,” she says. scale, a dry erase board, and communication “It allows residents to actively participate strategies for various speech disorders such as in programs that they may not have been dementia and aphasia. able to do otherwise, or may have been too “We use all parts of the CommuniKit,” uncomfortable to participate in.” says Cynthia Pruden, clinical lead for speech Some examples of how the kit is changing the language pathology in the North Zone. “We’ve lives of residents range from allowing a spouse even added things to it. For example, if we need to reconnect with their husband or wife in long- a communication board in a particular language, term care, to reaching patients to discern their we’ll make one. comfort levels and moods, or enabling a resident “We’ve aimed to put a Communikit in to participate in a game of Bingo. every long-term care centre where there is a “The great thing about this kit is that if it’s recreational therapy department, but we would housed somewhere that is accessible, everyone like to see it in every hospital in the North Zone – can use it: patients/residents, staff, volunteers, especially on our acute-care units.” friends and families. It’s portable, too, so it can Residents use the kit to help communicate be used on day trips, during group activities, health concerns. For example, if they are during home visits and at appointments with experiencing pain, they can point to a number on specialists,” Felitsyn says. the pain-rating scale. Or, if they are finding it hard The CommuniKit is available for free. For more to say something in words, they can write it out information or to get a CommuniKit for your site, or draw pictures on the dry erase board. contact your local recreational therapist or email The goals are: 1) staff will use it to [email protected]. n 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

Services in your community

Mental Health Help line You’re not alone. If you need to talk, call the AHS Mental Health Help Line. Get confidential, anonymous service, crisis intervention, information about mental health programs and services, and referrals to other agencies and help if you need it. Call 1.877.303.2642.

Stroke survivor Elwood Kirkpatrick performs a motor skills test as therapy assistant Jolene Boutin observes. Boutin is part of the multidisciplinary Early Supported Discharge team that does in-home rehabilitation with Red Deer stroke patients. Travel Health Services Rural and smaller Before you travel outside of Canada, contact AHS Travel Health Services for Stroke action plan sites receiving information about the possible risk of same care as in communicable diseases when travelling Standardizes care large urban centres and ways to prevent them. You can also get your travel immunizations. Book Story and photo by Colin Zak | your appointment at least two to three fter having a stroke in November, Elwood on-one rehabilitation,” says Jeff Wright, an Alberta months before you leave. For the location Kirkpatrick just wanted to get home and Health Services (AHS) occupational therapist and nearest you, call Health Link Alberta at Aback to his normal life. the project leader. 1.866.408.5465. Kirkpatrick was able to do just that, thanks to So far, 20 stroke survivors in the Red Deer area the Stroke Action Plan – a provincewide initiative have been helped by the Stroke Action Plan since designed to improve the quality of inpatient and it launched last August. Healthy Beginnings community care for stroke patients in rural and As part of the Stroke Action Plan, Grande This program helps families with small urban areas. Prairie, Camrose, Lethbridge and Medicine Hat newborn babies by giving support and The Stroke Action Plan uses provincial standards will receive enhancements to both inpatient and information in person and over the phone. to ensure inpatient stroke care in small urban and outpatient services, including the addition of Early It includes physical and psychological rural settings is equivalent to the care delivered in Supported Discharge teams. assessment of mother and baby, larger centres, and that patients have early access For patients who have had mild, moderate and breastfeeding support, and education to rehabilitation services following admission for severe strokes, this means improved care both on infant care and safety. Call your local stroke, including in-home rehabilitation known as during and after their stay in hospital. community health centre or Health Link Early Supported Discharge. Smaller centres – Peace River, Westlock, Fort Alberta at 1.866.408.5465. “After I returned home from the hospital, they McMurray, Cold Lake, Wainwright, Lloydminster were at my house the following day to start my and Brooks – will receive enhancements of rehab,” says the 77-year-old Red Deer man. inpatient services for stroke patients, as well as Screen Test Mobile “Every day, I was visited at home by a qualified improved stroke training and education. Mammography team that would do all the necessary treatments The Stroke Action Plan was developed by Screen Test provides mammography to get me back to my normal lifestyle. I usually the Cardiovascular Health and Stroke Strategic screening to women ages 50 to 69 – the had two visits a day, five days a week.” Clinical Network (SCN) of AHS. age group most at risk of developing The in-home rehabilitation team includes “One of our goals is to improve the prevention, breast cancer – in rural communities physiotherapists, occupational therapists, treatment and management of heart disease and where the service isn’t regularly available. speech therapists, therapy assistants, nurses, stroke across the province,” say Dr. Blair O’Neill, The program is coming to the following recreational therapists and social workers. Senior Medical Director of the Cardiovascular North Zone communities: This program, available in Red Deer, has Health and Stroke SCN. “The Stroke Action Plan • Fort Vermilion: June 5-6. reduced by half the average length of hospital will ensure stroke patients receive the same level • Swan Hills: June 9-10. stays for stroke patients in and of care everywhere – rural and urban.” • Manning: June 12-13. . Red Deer is the first centre inA lberta For Kirkpatrick, it translated into a faster • High Prairie: July 2, 3, 4, 5, 7. to implement the initiative, which will be rolled out recovery after his stroke. • Sucker Creek: July 8-9. to communities across the province. “I’m so excited by my progress. I can now walk To book your appointment and confirm “Early Supported Discharge not only allows on my own up and down the steps, my speech locations, call toll-free 1.800.667.0604 or patients to return home sooner and regain their is returning to normal and I feel good about visit www.screeningforlife.ca/screentest. independence, but allows them to receive one- myself.” n

Strategic Clinical Follow us on Twitter for Networks (SCNs) updates from our SCNs Alberta’s engines of innovation Learn more at www.albertahealthservices.ca/scn @AHS_Innovates

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 upgrade benefits westlock Visit Us Online Health centre’s new CT scanner provides higher resolution images, Health Advisories Get the latest, up-to-date health advisories meaning docs get an even clearer picture of their patients’ conditions for your area on the Alberta Health Services Story by Sara Warr | Photo by Sara Daniel website. Find out about water quality issues, illness outbreaks, and matters of public alking down the stairs at her Barrhead including lungs, heart, abdominal and pelvic health. Visit www.albertahealthservices.ca area home is the last thing Eleanor structures, and spinal tissues, as well as skeletal under “News and Events.” WHebein remembers before having what structures. Cancer patients, or those suspected was later determined to be a stroke. of having cancer can also undergo scans to help “I guess I blacked out and the next thing I knew diagnose or find out more about the disease. I found myself crawling upstairs again. Then I Westlock has been a Primary Stroke Centre was in the ambulance on the way to Westlock,” since 2010. The old CT unit was a four-slice Hebein recalls. scanner that produced images that were The 76-year-old credits staff and doctors at the immediately shared with stroke neurologists in Westlock Healthcare Centre for saving her life Edmonton. Patients were then interviewed by the earlier this year. neurologist via Telehealth video-conferencing to “I had a CAT scan, then they gave me a clot- help give a complete picture of their condition – The Big Burn buster and it seemed to do the trick. I had as was the case with Hebein. Take a virtual trip to the tanning salon, not another scan after that, but the doctor said it The new equipment can accomplish thinner to tan, but to learn about the dangers of didn’t find any blockage.” slices, giving an even better look at what is artificial tanning, including skin cancer, eye A new state-of-the-art CT scanner is expected happening in fine structures like blood vessels in damage, skin aging and addiction. to improve stroke diagnosis for Westlock area the brain. Visit www.thebigburn.ca. residents even further. In the case of a stroke, a scan can find if there Also known as a computed axial tomography is a clot or uncontrolled bleeding, and where in scan or CAT scan, the machine takes cross- the brain it’s located. sectional images of the body to create a 3-D “We’ll be able to do a little bit more for the picture of what’s happening inside, thereby stroke neurologists now because we can get helping doctors diagnose conditions such as those finer cuts and get the images that they stroke. want,” says Koshurba, The previous scanner was installed in 2004 Travis Stroh, diagnostic imaging manager for and completed up to 35,000 scans during its 10 the central portion of the North Zone, says the years in operation – about 3,500 exams a year. new equipment in Westlock will help improve Sex Germs Evelyn Koshurba, diagnostic imaging site patient care. Sexually transmitted infections can have supervisor at the Westlock Healthcare Centre, “Technologists and radiologists can expect lasting effects on your health and fertility. Get says the new unit has the potential to reach more better resolution of exams. This helps improve the facts, talk to your partner, and spread the patients. the ability to diagnose patients.” word about protecting yourself and getting “Down the road, if staff are accredited to do As for Hebein, she says she’s grateful for the tested. Visit www.sexgerms.com. other types of scans, we’ll be able to use the new speedy diagnosis and the care she received. machine even more. It has the capability to do a “They say it was a miracle the way I came What’s on your med list? lot of different types of scans – CT colonography through it and so quickly. And all the thanks goes If you take medications, you play a role in and cardiac scoring – that the old unit couldn’t, to the doctors who worked very diligently on me your health care when it comes to medication so we’re looking forward to that.” and all the staff around there. safety. Keep an up-to-date list of all the Scans can differentiate between soft tissues, “I feel very, very fortunate.” n medications you take and carry it with you. Go to www.albertahealthservices.ca/9515. asp. It lists medication resources, as well as questions to ask your doctor about your medications.

TWITTER Follow your zone at AHS_NorthZone: • What you eat affects how you feel. Learn more about food and mood at http://bit.ly/ RhreC4 #MentalHealthWeek. • The risks for injury are different for children, youth, adults and older adults. Click for #injuryprevention ideas: http://bit.ly/1i1ulni. • Eight minutes in a tanning bed is like 40 minutes on a beach. Know the dangers of artificial#tanning : http://bit.ly/UWRtbo. • Tell us about your health care experience. AHS values your input: https://www. albertahealthservices.ca/273.asp Evelyn Koshurba, diagnostic imaging supervisor at the Westlock Healthcare Centre, stands #Patientfeedback. outside the room housing the centre’s new computed axial tomography (CT) scanner.

What does health mean to you? To Issac, g Share your thoughts. being healthy Bein Use YOUR VOICE. means... Super { } www.albertahealthservices.ca/yourvoice #yourvoice

For the latest health news updates in your zone, visit the AHS website. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 6 l i v i n g w e l l ALBERTA: HOTBED OF INNOVATIONs rom heart attacks to colds, genetics to food science, researchers in Alberta are discovering new treatments and developing new technologies to improve the health of Albertans and people around Fthe world. Take a look at 10 groundbreaking innovations developed in our province. Story by Connie Bryson | For more innovations, visit applemag.ca Gene-mapping workhorse A tool developed at the University of Alberta Getting a good night’s sleep in the 1990s became the workhorse of the Sleep apnea is a life-threatening condition that interrupts Human Genome Project – an international breathing during sleep. The University of Calgary’s Dr. 6.John research effort to map all of our genes, which Remmers was the first to demonstrate that the condition is paves the way for new understanding of due to a narrowing of part of the throat. He developed a device genetic factors in disease. Developed by to keep the airway open during sleep: the CPAP (continuous analytical chemists Drs. Norman Dovichi and positive airway pressure) device. The CPAP essentially Jianzhong1. Zhang, the instrument analyzed eliminates sleep apnea and dramatically improves sleep quality. DNA 10 times faster than earlier technology. Groundbreaking drug for hep B Food safety first The first oral medicine to treat chronic In 2008, deli meats contaminated with hepatitis B infection was developed by Dr. Lorne the Listeria bacteria led to 22 deaths in Tyrrell at the University of Alberta. Lamivudine Canada. Thanks to research by three is a groundbreaking drug for patients with this University of Alberta scientists – Drs. chronic viral infection – about 300 to 350 million Lynn McMullen, Michael Stiles and John people worldwide. These people cannot clear Vederas – there’s a life-saving2. food the virus from their body; they are at high risk additive that kills this deadly bacteria of serious liver damage, as well as death from without any chemicals. Their Micocin cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer. Lamivudine technology is now used by food- stops the virus from replicating, which minimizes packaging companies to ensure the liver damage. safety of food products. 7.Dressing for success Robotics on the brain With his invention of the Acticoat technology, Dr. Robert Burrell revolutionized8. Calgary neurosurgeon Dr. Garnette Sutherland has spent his career breaking new ground wound care and helped save the lives and in neurosurgery. His first “world first” was a limbs of thousands of patients around the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system for world. Working as a biomedical engineer at operating rooms. It provides surgeons with Alberta’s Westaim Technologies Inc., Burrell 3-D images during developed tiny silver nanocrystals that kill an operation. He microbes and stop inflammation. Acticoat followed that with Creating a lab in a box dressings are used worldwide to prevent another milestone: An Alberta company is turning the notion of a life-threatening infections and promote the neuroArm, lab test on its head. Instead of a lab that requires healing in burns, ulcers and other wounds. the world’s first floor space and equipment, Aquila Diagnostics MRI-compatible Systems Inc. has developed a device the size Nothing to sneeze at surgical robot for of a toaster that can do all kinds of molecular One of Canada’s most both microsurgery tests – determine whether a patient is resistant popular over-the-counter and image- to cancer drugs, identify a strain of malaria, cold and flu medicines was guided biopsy. pinpoint infectious disease in a herd of cattle, developed in Alberta. Surgeons control and more. The science behind the technology Cold-FX came out of the neuroArm comes from the work of University of Alberta research at the University from3. a workstation, cancer researcher Dr. Linda Pilarski. The device of Alberta on the active guiding its movements via images on a screen. has the potential to replace millions of dollars of ingredients in traditional Because it can move in smaller increments than equipment in a conventional lab with something herbal medicine. It’s derived the human hand, neuroArm is the ideal tool for that is much less expensive and can be used from the roots of the ginseng plant, one of the performing delicate surgery inside the brain. 4.anywhere. most valued medicinal 9.plants in the world. Keeping a steady beat Rules change for heart transplants Heart transplants in babies are different Cardiologist Dr. Anne Gillis is an international leader in from those in adults, thanks to research by the use of devices like pacemakers to treat heart rhythm cardiologist Dr. Lori West. She discovered disorders. Under her leadership, Calgary’s Cardiac 5. that infants can receive a heart from a donor Arrhythmia Service became the first centre outside the U.S. with an incompatible blood type; in adults, to evaluate remote monitoring of patients with implantable donor and recipient blood types must match. defibrillators. Her research has led to refinements in Because infant immune systems can adapt to pacemakers and implantable defibrillators, improving the a mismatched donor, this widens the pool of quality of life for countless heart patients. potential10. organs and decreases wait times. www.albertahealthservices.ca Looking for a physician in your area? Visit the Alberta Health Services website for information. o u r p a r t n e r s PAGE 7 seeing clearly with the vein viewer Story by Kerri Robins | so it was a relief when my No. 1 nurse, Candace, blood samples, but some patients’ veins are Photos courtesy Wendy Mulligan | was able to find my vein without having to poke tougher to find, for example, someone who has eter Bauer, a 79-year-old diabetic around a lot,” says a grateful Bauer. been through chemotherapy,” explains Vetsch. already dealing with pneumonia, needed The vein viewer helps health care staff “It’s much nicer locating the vein with the viewer Pintravenous (IV) fluids to help combat locate patients’ veins when starting IVs to than having to guess where to insert the needle.” dehydration. So the last thing he wanted was a treat dehydration, collect blood samples, or Bauer is happy with a painless IV start. difficult IV start. administer medications. “It doesn’t hurt at all and it makes it so much But thanks to a new vein viewer used at the “It’s a non-invasive, simple procedure and we faster getting my IV in,” says Bauer. Valleyview Health Centre, his nurse was able to can use it on all patients – from pediatrics to And Candace Thorpe, registered nurse at the locate the Sturgeon Lake resident’s veins quickly geriatrics,” says Janelle Vetsch, lab supervisor at health centre, agrees. and non-invasively. the health centre in Valleyview, 110 km east of “It’s nice to be able to use the viewer to help “My veins are deep in my skin and very hard, Grande Prairie. start intravenous drips and not have to cause The vein viewer uses a wand that shines any unnecessary pain for our patients, and it’s harmless near-infrared light on the patient’s skin easy to clean – which is great for infection- to detect a vein and/or particular vein pattern. control standards,” says Thorpe. The vein shows up as a green or grey line under Used in emergency, acute care and laboratory the skin. services at the health centre, nursing staff can Funded through the Valleyview Health Centre adjust the viewer’s height depending on their Foundation, the equipment was purchased in needs – making it very comfortable to use. January 2014 and cost $17,000. The vein viewer is mobile and the hand-held Like Bauer, genetics play a role where some wand is connected to a stand on wheels that is patients’ veins are harder to find, while others just over one-metre tall. veins are difficult to locate due to medical Rita Cauchie, Chair of the Valleyview Health conditions that may cause veins to collapse. Centre Foundation, is proud of the community “We usually ‘feel’ for the vein when collecting and the support shown toward the health centre. “We have a great community that really steps up to the plate to help raise money for our health centre,” Cauchie says. “Citizens and businesses alike contribute in many ways, especially their time and effort on various fundraising events. We are fortunate to have such a big level of commitment to health services in our area.” Visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/give for more information. n Far left, Peter Bauer sits beside his nurse, Candace Thorpe, who used the vein viewer to start an IV on Bauer. Inset, from left, Valleyview Health Centre staff Erin Rieger, Janelle Vetsch and Megan Walsh display the vein viewer equipment.

Cancer Campaign pacs POWERFUL MESSAGE Story by Kristin Bernhard | Prevention Legacy Fund (ACPLF), and was s the wife of a two-time cancer survivor, developed through research and consultation Lorelee Marin says she rededicated We need to empower with the public and the PAC on Cancer. Aher life to preventing cancer the day Albertans to make “An effective public health campaign her husband Henry was first diagnosed with choices that reduce needs strong community support,” says leukemia in 1999. McDougall. “By having the PAC on Cancer “My passion for cancer prevention and their risk of cancer available to test-market things at an earlier screening began that day 16 years ago,” says stage, we were able to incorporate valuable – Lorelee Marin, member of the Provincial Lloydminster resident Marin. “Today, it has public perspectives into our approach and Advisory Council on Cancer and wife of a grown to include the development of healthy messaging.” two-time cancer survivor public policy and environments that support The campaign asks Albertans to consider healthy living and reducing risk of cancer, and what they would do with their lives and loved improving access to services and supports in that aims to reduce the risk of cancer in the ones if they had more time together. rural Alberta.” province by up to 50 per cent. “I really want the campaign and the website To that aim, Marin became a member of the “We want to inform Albertans about to be successful. I told ACPLF that it needs Provincial Advisory Council (PAC) on Cancer. accessible and achievable lifestyle choices that to be encouraging and engaging so that each It consists of eight volunteer members who can reduce their cancer risk,” says Dr. Laura of us has the ability to make a difference in bring first-hand perspectives to Alberta Health McDougall, Medical and Scientific Director, our lives and those around us, and I think Services (AHS) cancer care services across Alberta Cancer Prevention Legacy Fund, AHS. they got that,” says Marin. “I am privileged to Alberta. “We felt the most effective way to do this serve Albertans as a council member on the “We need to build awareness around the would be to create a new website that acts Provincial Advisory Council on Cancer and as prevention of cancer,” says Marin. “We need as a one-stop shop for information on all the a core committee member for the Strategic to empower Albertans to make choices that preventative clinical supports and programs Clinical Network on Cancer.” reduce their risk of cancer.” already offered throughout the province.” For more information on the PAC on Cancer, And empowering Albertans to make the right The new website, www.albertaprevents visit www.albertahealthservices.ca/4312. choices is the goal of a new AHS campaign cancer.ca, is funded through Alberta’s Cancer asp. n

Make a difference in your community. Volunteer with Alberta Health Services. www.albertahealthservices.ca PAGE 8 i n b r i e f Northern campaign puts people first Am A Person First, a campaign that aims ‘I am a person first’ message.” homeless and provide them services. They can to reduce social stereotypes surrounding The campaign is one component of the include health care and social services as well Ihomeless populations and mental health Fort McMurray Innercity Homeless Health as employment agencies and shelters. and addiction issues, is making strides in Fort Promotion Project, a public health initiative “We hope this campaign inspires behaviour McMurray. funded by the Northern Lights Health change among local individuals and at “Homelessness and mental health conditions Foundation through a donation by Athabasca different businesses and organizations, so are often stigmatized,” says Carolyn Evancio, Oil Sands Project joint-venture owners: that everyone can see those struggling with health promotion facilitator with Alberta Health Shell Canada, Chevron Canada Limited and homelessness, addictions and mental health Services. “For those affected, experiencing Marathon Oil Corporation. issues as a person, first,” says Evancio. stigma can cause pain and dampen help- ‘I Am A Person First’ targets people or To request campaign posters, call seeking behaviours. We want to spread the organizations that regularly encounter the 780.788.1754. n

North Zone executive leadership team: NORTH local Dr. Kevin Worry zone leadership Shelly Pusch AHS embraces local leadership and zone-based decision-making. Right here in northern Alberta, front-line physicians and other clinical leaders at every level of the organization have joint planning and decision-making authority with operational leaders, meaning faster decision-making closer to where care is provided. DR. KEVIN SHELLY WORRY PUSCH

alberta: zone by zone edmonton zone Population: 1,186,121 • Life expectancy: 81.8 years • Hospitals: 13 north zone Communities: • Gibbons • Stony Plain Population: 447,740 • Life expectancy: 79.8 years • Hospitals: 34 • Beaumont • Leduc • Thorsby Communities: • Fort MacKay • Kinuso • Slave Lake • Devon • Morinville • Athabasca • Fort McMurray • Lac la Biche • Smoky Lake • Edmonton • St. Albert • Barrhead • Fort Vermilion • La Crete • Spirit River • Evansburg • Sherwood • Beaverlodge • Fox Creek • Manning • Swan Hills • Fort Park • Berwyn • Glendon • Mayerthorpe • Thorhild Saskatchewan • Spruce Grove • Bonnyville • Grande Cache • McLennan • Trout Lake • Boyle • Grande Prairie • Medley • Valleyview • Cold Lake • Grimshaw • Onoway • Vilna calgary zone • Conklin • High Level • Peace River • Wabasca/ • Edson • High Prairie • Peerless Lake Desmarais Population: 1,408,606 • Elk Point • Hinton • Radway • Westlock • Life expectancy: 82.9 years • Hospitals: 14 • Fairview • Hythe • Rainbow Lake • Whitecourt Communities: • Chestermere • Nanton • Falher • Janvier • Redwater • Worsley • Airdrie • Claresholm • Okotoks • Fort Chipewyan • Jasper • St. Paul • Zama City • Banff • Cochrane • Stavely • Black • Cremona • Strathmore Diamond • Didsbury • Turner Valley • Calgary • Gleichen • Vulcan central zone • Canmore • High River Population: 453,469 • Life expectancy: 80.7 years • Hospitals: 30 Communities: • Galahad • Mundare • Sylvan Lake • Bashaw • Hanna • Myrnam • Three Hills SOUTH zone • Bentley • Hardisty • Olds • Tofield Population: 289,661 • Breton • Hughenden • Ponoka • Trochu • Camrose • Innisfail • Provost • Two Hills • Life expectancy: 80.3 years • Hospitals: 14 • Castor • Islay • Red Deer • Vegreville Communities: Pass • Oyen • Consort • Killam • Rimbey • Vermilion • Bassano • Fort Macleod • Picture Butte • Coronation • Kitscoty • Rocky • Viking • Blairmore • Granum • Pincher Creek • Daysland • Lacombe Mountain • Wainwright • Bow Island • Irvine • Raymond • Drayton Valley • Lamont House • Wetaskiwin • Brooks • Lethbridge • Redcliff • Drumheller • Linden • Sedgewick • Willingdon • Cardston • Magrath • Taber • Eckville • Lloydminster • Stettler • Winfield • Coaldale • Medicine Hat • Vauxhall • Elnora • Mannville • Sundre • Crowsnest • Milk River

Zone News Editor, Layout and design: Kit Poole here’s north Zone: Sara Warr IMAGING: Michael Brown FSC LOGO Phone: 780.830.3523 (printer places on) Email: [email protected] Zone News – North Zone is published Mail: 2101 Provincial Building, 10320 99 St., monthly by Alberta Health Services to This paper has been certified to meet how to Grande Prairie, Alberta, T8V 6J4 inform Albertans of the programs and the environmental and social standards services available to them, and of the work of the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) To see North Zone News online, please visit being done to improve the health care and comes from well-managed forests reach us www.albertahealthservices.ca/5824.asp system in their communities. and other responsible sources. What’s on MedList? Your entire health care team needs a complete medication list: prescribed medications, inhalers,your patches, ointments, eye drops, vitamins, supplements - even that ‘special’ herbal tea.

Your MedList helps your team provide the safest treatment: albertahealthservices.ca/medlist

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