NEWS in General – April 6
GGH News
Special Care Nursery renovation progress report
Using Social Media to support internal communications
‘Clinical Extern’ Program providing much-needed support
Other News
Wellness news including discount membership at GoodLife
Extra 50/50 Hospital Lottery Prizes in Celebration of Together, We Care
Win two tickets to local Country Music concert
GGH News
Special Care Nursery renovation progress report
On-Call room construction: The construction has been completed on levels 4, 5 and 6 regarding the on-call rooms. The Contractor is completing deficiencies and cleaning the space prior to IPAC approving that the construction hoarding be taken down and the new spaces being ready for use. At that point, the staff lounge areas on level 4 and 5 will be put back into use.
Moving SCN to its temporary location: The majority of electrical, IT and security items have been completed in the Paeds Day Surgery area that will be the temporary home of SCN during construction. The move is planned for April 26.
SCN Redevelopment: The main construction of the existing SCN area is on track for an early May start. Meetings are being held weekly with GGH staff to ensure minimizing impacts to the remaining areas of the hospital during construction. New signage will be installed informing patients and visitors of the relocation of our SCN in order to minimize any confusion.
Using Social Media to support internal communications
For the past few years, some departments and programs have trialed using members-only groups on Instagram to support internal communications. All in all, it’s been an successful experiment and one that could be repeated in other areas. Supporting this activity is an updated Social Media policy which includes tips about what should and shouldn’t be posted. The policy is available on the Intranet or by clicking here.
Establishing a group requires Director approval. Next, a moderator needs to be officially designated. That person will be responsible for group membership as well as monitoring all postings to ensure they comply with the policy. Membership will be only available to those active in the department or program. The membership list will be kept up to date by the group moderator.
‘Clinical Extern’ Program providing much-needed support
There is a significant shortage of healthcare workers in Ontario. A year ago, the Ministry of Health introduced a new program to pay senior students in nursing and allied health professional studies to work in hospitals even before graduating. There, these “externs” would gain valuable hands-on experience, provide some relief to overworked staff and perhaps choose to stay on once they’d graduated.
In total, we received funding for 20 externs and the program is already a success. Former externs Cody Endeman, a newly registered RN, and Courtney Sammons, a newly registered RPN are now full-time employees. Both of them experienced the shutdown of nursing programs with onsite placements due to COVID-19 restrictions. Normally, placements would have allowed them to gain valuable hands-on hospital experience but then their programs became online instruction only. How do you become expert at patient care without patients? Both of them jumped at the chance to don personal protective equipment (PPE) and work on site at Guelph General.
Both began with a group orientation to learn about GGH and this new role of Clinical Extern as it related to the work of RPNs and RNs in patient-care delivery. They also learned about their role in relation to the functions of Resource Nurses, Ward Clerks, Unit Attendants, Porters and other hospital staff. In the fall of 2021, PSW’s also joined the patient-care team.
Externs essentially support all activities of daily living required by our patients. This includes all aspects of personal care and support with toileting, hygiene, feeding, repositioning to prevent pressure injuries and getting patients up and out of bed for sitting up and walking, if their health permits.
Externs ‘shadow’ our nurses and receive the kind of in-the-moment training they could never experience in an online nursing program, says Cody. “It is incredibly beneficial to my knowledge base. I learn so much each day. We also have gotten a chance to float around all of the units, which gives us such a wide range of experience. For example, patients on the stroke unit have very different needs than patients recovering from surgery.”
The benefit of experiencing a variety of areas was echoed by Courtney. “Starting through 4 East, where they have an on-the-job orientation process developed, was amazing but I also value being able to experience all of the units. I have formed great new working relationships with existing staff. We all know your day can be made or broken by the people you work with. I have found staff here to be very welcoming and always willing to mentor. I couldn’t imagine leaving now. These colleagues are who I want to begin my career with.”
“Our 20 externs provided critical relief.”
Julie Wilson, Director Quality and Professional Practice
The externs learn how the hospital manages to provide high quality, patient-centred care. “I value the team approach to nursing I have experienced here,” says Cody. “Every patient is your patient despite being initially assigned to specific ones. Yes, those patients assigned to you are your main focus but you help everywhere you are needed and you can rely on colleagues to help you back. That is very special.”
Julie Wilson, our Director of Professional Practice, credited the Extern program as being of great benefit to the hospital over the spring and summer months when post-secondary education programs were on break. “Staff who had been working overtime finally got a chance to take their much-deserved days off and vacation days,” says Julie. “Our 20 externs provided critical relief. The other benefit is, of course, future recruitment. We want these students to feel at home at Guelph General and come back for part or all of their careers.” The benefit of retention is proven with Cody now working on 4 West and Courtney on 7 East. Welcome to the team, Cody and Courtney!
Other News
GoodLife Corporate Fitness: GGH Membership deal reminder
If you did not get a chance to read your email last week, on Friday, April 1 you received information about the year-long partnership GGH Health & Wellness has formed with GoodLife Corporate Fitness (and no, it wasn’t an April Fool’s prank 🙂 ). Based on feedback obtained in the 2021 Needs Assessment Survey for physical activity support, we have secured a preferred membership discount of 25% off GoodLife’s different membership options, and if you join between April 1 – 30, 2022 you get an additional 5% off, totaling 30% off for the year. Other perks include:
- The $99 enrollment fee has been waved for new members
- You can extend this offer to one family member (you must also join to take advantage of this deal)
- Current GoodLife members may switch their membership over
GoodLife was chosen because we know our staff live throughout the area and GoodLife has multiple club locations in Guelph and the neighbouring communities to support you. For instructions on how to join and take advantage of this great discount, click here!
Virtual Gardening Fundamentals – Workshops with The Arboretum
The Arboretum is offering a series of different nature-focused virtual workshops during the month of April, and currently there are sessions on Tuesdays for those who are ornamental gardening enthusiasts. Although the webinar series has begun, when you register you will receive a recording of the sessions which have already transpired. This seminar series is facilitated by Robert Pavlis, a Master Gardener and garden writer, and is appropriate for beginner and intermediate gardeners. Click here for more information and to register.
Guelph Hiking Trail Club
For those who are looking to get outdoors to enjoy some social interactions and the spring-like weather, the Guelph Hiking Trail Club might be for you. It is a non-profit charitable organization that organizes hikes of different lengths and difficulty throughout the year. April 30 is their Speed River Trail End-to-End 50th Anniversary Event which is open to both members, and non-members if you are interested in learning more about the Club! Click here for more information on how to join and membership fees if you are ready to go!
Extra 50/50 Hospital Lottery Prizes in Celebration of Together, We Care
On March 24, The Foundation of Guelph General Hospital announced that the hospital’s most urgent community fundraising project ever, has exceeded its $34-million goal.
“I am filled with gratitude for our generous community who came together and raised $37,496,057 in received and pledged funds,” said the Foundation’s CEO, Suzanne Bone.
Funds raised from the Together, We Care campaign will expand the hospital’s Emergency Department and Mental Health services, invest in essential patient care equipment and technology, and expand the Special Care Nursery. Close to ten thousand individuals and businesses donated to the campaign, and thousands more supported through fundraising events and the 50/50 Hospital Lottery.
Suzanne added, “And to celebrate, April’s 50/50 Hospital Lottery includes a special guaranteed minimum grand prize of $34,000, plus four early bird prizes!”
Early bird draw dates include $1,000 on Thursday, April 7, 14, 21, and $2,000 on Thursday, April 28. The grand prize draw will take place on Friday, April 29 at 11 a.m.
The first-ever 50/50 Hospital Lottery for Guelph General Hospital launched online ticket sales for its first monthly draw in June 2020. Since then, the 50/50 Hospital Lottery has raised over $600,000 for essential patient care equipment, including nearly $400,000 towards the new MRI scanner that will arrive this fall 50/50 lottery tickets are available at www.ggh5050.ca.
Win two tickets to local Country Music concert
Generous hospital supporters have donated three sets of two tickets to see ‘Home Free’ at the River Run Centre on April 21 at 7:30 p.m.. As the donors could not attend, they wanted to share these with the hard working staff at Guelph General. To be entered in a draw to win the tickets, please email foundation@gghorg.ca with the subject line ‘Home Free Tickets’ by Monday, April 11. Winners will be drawn Tuesday, April 12.
More info about the concert can be found here: https://riverrun.ca/whats-on/live-nation-presents-home-free/