2 CENTENNIAL AWARD WINNERS SPECIAL HOLIDAY INSERT 3 Our people. Our work. Our values. www.calgaryhealthregion.ca December 20, 2005 Issue #150 Personal protective THE HOLIDAYS ARE HERE AGAIN equipment he holiday season is a time for celebra- Region promotes T tion. And in this special festive edition of Frontlines, we’re taking the opportunity to capture influenza prevention how Calgary Health Region staff members mark the season while at work and at home. and control In this issue, you will read about how one Region PREPARING FOR PANDEMIC: family celebrates Hanukkah, which happens to fall PART 2 OF A SERIES on the same day as Christmas this year. You’ll also learn how to make Hanukkah Latkes, typically ollowing the distribution of the Pandemic served during this Jewish holiday, and read about Influenza Response Plan earlier this family traditions from around the world. month, Dr. Brent Friesen, Medical Officer In this season of giving, Region staffers are dem- F of Health, received a number of emails onstrating they are no slouches in this area. Take through the “Ask the Medical Officer of a look at our photo spread for some particularly Health” exchange on the Region’s intranet. heart-warming examples. “Several employees and physicians have asked TURN TO OUR HOLIDAY INSERT us about N95 fit-tested respirators and other ON PAGE 3 FOR MORE... protective equipment,” said Dr. Friesen. “These Fraternal twins Andrea and Katie McLean are seen here in the FMC’s Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit. See pg. 3 for more info. are excellent questions that touch on how pan- demic influenza is transmitted from one person Message from Jack Davis to another.” In response, Dr. Friesen explained that pandemic influenza will be spread in the same way as seasonal influenza spreads – by (large) droplets and direct A time for reflection... or indirect contact with respiratory secretions of an infected person. Anyone with influenza is placed on droplet and contact isolation precautions. and a time for caring However, there are measures you can take to keep this from happening, noted Nancy Alfieri, he holiday season is a time for us all come true, or dressing-up the babies in neo-natal Director, Infection Protection and Control. to take a moment to pause and reflect intensive care to make their stays a little more fes- “Practicing good hand hygiene and respiratory eti- on what is truly important. I am tive for families. This sense of caring is vital to quette are key to preventing transmission of influ- T inspired and touched by the level of the life of the community that we serve. Some enza,” said Alfieri. care and compassion that our employ- examples of these special efforts are profiled in On the topic of personal protective equipment ees and physicians continually demonstrate to this issue of Frontlines. (PPE), Dr. Friesen noted there’s some confusion patients and their families. To the 24,000 employees and more than 2,000 around pandemic influenza and the perceived The gift of caring, seen more visibly at this physicians that I have had the pleasure of working need for N95 fit-tested respirators. N95 respira- time of the year than any other, is an essential with, I wish you all a very happy holiday season tors, which Region employees are being fitted for part of reaching out to the community. It is the and best wishes for the New Year, as well as good as part of the Region’s compliance to 2004 pro- foundation that bonds our Region’s employees health, great joy and, perhaps most importantly vincial regulations specific to airborne infections, and sets them apart from being more than just of all, the same compassion and caring that you would not be required during pandemic influenza. service providers, but dedicated caregivers and continuously demonstrate to others as part of A high quality surgical or procedure mask is the healers, mentors and friends. your chosen profession. acceptable standard of protection against droplet The efforts that you put forth this time of year transmission. are truly special – whether it’s adopting a fam- Jack Davis ily for the season and making sure their wishes President & CEO SEE INFECTION, PAGE 2 Improved patient experiences becoming standard Hip and knee project drastically reduces wait times hen Bud McLean’s fam- McLean’s experience mirrors that of After being referred to a surgeon, patients ily physician told him last many patients who have participated in the go to an assessment clinic where they are seen February that he needed a Alberta Hip and Knee Replacement Project by a care team made up of physicians, nurs- W hip replacement, he men- to date. The project is a result of two years es, therapists and specialists. This approach ta lly pre- of collaboration between helps to quickly identify those who are ready pared himself for the painful the Alberta Bone and Joint for surgery from those who need other treat- six-month to one-year average “Being through Institute, Alberta Health ment options or require extra time in prepar- wait that lay ahead for ortho- and Wellness, the Alberta ing for surgery. This early identification of paedic surgery. the process in a Medical Association, the patients helps to ultimately reduce wait times But when McLean was Alberta Orthopaedic Society by removing those who don’t need to be on randomly selected in April month and a half and regional health authori- the surgery wait list. to participate in a provin- ties throughout the province. “A team approach, which includes the cial hip and knee project, he is so much better Calgary, Red Deer and involvement of primary care physicians, is underwent surgery on May than the six to Edmonton were selected as used to prepare patients for surgery. As a 10 instead and went home for pilot sites. Since May, the result, more patients are having their surger- recovery four days later. seven months.” project has led to the perfor- Paul Rotzinger photo ies as scheduled, the first time,” said Dr. Jim “Being through the process mance of more than 600 sur- After a successful hip replacement, patient Bud McLean can MacKenzie, a Calgary surgeon involved in in a month and a half is so geries, with an average wait already play golf. the project. much better than the six to seven months my time of just under four months, from family The central assessment clinics have also doctor originally said it might take. I’m sure doctor referral to surgery. the establishment of central assessment clin- been crucial to improving the patient that the shorter wait time made my recovery “We are reducing wait times by employ- ics,” said Tracy Wasylak, Vice-President of experience. that much quicker. I can already play golf,” ing a new model of care which includes more the Southwest Community Portfolio for the said McLean. involvement by primary care physicians and Calgary Health Region. SEE REHABILITATION, PAGE 2 2 December 20, 2005 Issue #150 www.calgaryhealthregion.ca CONTINUED FROM COVER CONTINUED FROM COVER Infection prevention Rehabilitation wait times reduced In Nov. 2005, the Public Health Agency following are the correct use guide- “The care team works to prepare reduced from an average of seven or is comparable or better than the cur- of Canada re-emphasized its pandemic lines for masks in protecting health care patients well in advance of surgery. eight days to four days, largely due rent standard. influenza PPE recommendations, and these workers against droplet transmission: This includes organizing and plan- to the concerted efforts by the care “If the final results are as positive as are consistent with the infection preven- • Surgical/procedure mask should be used ning for each patient’s unique care teams to better prepare patients,” we’ve seen so far, this care approach tion and control (IPC) precautions that are only once and changed when wet (after 20 requirements at every step of the pro- said Wasylak. “The reduced hospital may ultimately be offered as the already in place in the Region for influenza. minutes or sooner). cess, from surgery to recovery and stays following surgery are freeing up standard in hip and knee replace- During a pandemic, Region health- • Masks should cover both your nose rehabilitation. The care team that post-operative beds and may eventu- ment surgery province-wide,” said care workers will use the PPE routinely and mouth. patients see on their initial visit is ally allow us to perform more ortho- Wasylak. recommended for standard practice • Do not touch the mask when it’s the same team that works with them paedic surgeries each year.” Jennifer Lomas and droplet and contact precautions, on your face. throughout,” said MacKenzie. The project, funded through a $20 Communications including: high quality surgical or • NEVER wear the mask around Positive patient experiences like million grant from the province, will procedure masks, eye protection, gloves your neck. McLean’s have led to a greater overall wrap up this spring. Quantitative and gowns. • Use the mask once only and discard. comfort with the surgery process and data and details on the patient ON THE WEB: The IPC manual provides more detail • Wash your hands after removing the challenges of day-to-day living experience are being collected by For more information on precautions. It is currently accessible the mask. during recovery. the Alberta Bone and Joint Health or to watch a video about this story, go to via the Calgary Health Region intranet “During a health emergency of this mag- “We’ve actually seen the length of Institute and will be reviewed with www.calgaryhealthregion.ca under the Clinical Programs section.