NEWS in General – March 9
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GGH News
Special Care Nursery reno prep continues
Celebrating Social Work Week
What’s On Your Mind? answers posted
Workplace Learning and Development – Updates
Nutrition Month Continues!
COVID-19 News
Eye protection guidelines relaxed a bit in non-patient-facing areas
Other News
Black Tie Bingo exceeds $4 million for Guelph General Hospital in its 26 years
Guelph Storm Health Care Appreciation Game next Wednesday
GGH News
Special Care Nursery reno prep continues
- Construction work is ongoing on the four, on-call rooms on levels 4, 5 and 6.
- Electrical, security and data cabling has started in all areas requiring new services.
- The above work is still on schedule to be completed first week of April. Then, the SCN team will start to test processes in the temporary space in Paeds Day Surgery prior to the SCN moving there temporarily during the construction.
- Other departments like Material Management, IT, Facilities, Housekeeping and scheduling have been engaged to ensure a smooth transition into the new temporary SCN space.
- Construction of the new SCN is still slated for early May.
Celebrating Social Work Week
Each year during the first week of March, we celebrate Social Work Week in Ontario. It is a chance for us to acknowledge the essential contributions of Social Workers within our communities and here at GGH.
The past two years of the pandemic has resulted in many individuals navigating mental health challenges such as anxiety, stress and burnout like never before. The resulting impact has highlighted the importance and visibility of Social Work.
The theme for 2022, #MoreThanEver, speaks to the unprecedented need for mental health care and support across the province, as well as the vital role of Social Workers in ensuring mental health access for all Ontarians.
At GGH our Social Workers are valued members of the interdisciplinary team, supporting patients and families through challenging life transitions, mental health crisis, trauma and loss. They play a pivotal role in support of patient flow and discharge planning and support all inpatient and outpatient departments at GGH. As you make your way through the week please take a moment to think about the contributions your unit/ department Social Worker adds to your team. Consider sharing your insights with them. Also, in fitting with the theme for the week, take a moment to consider the mental health needs of you and those around you.
What’s On Your Mind? answers posted
This time around there’s four questions and one comment – explanation of IPAC rules during outbreaks, cost of living increase, etc. Please remember, “What’s on Your Mind?” is hosted on our Intranet and only viewable within the organization.
Workplace Learning and Development – Updates
Meet-Ups
The First Workplace Skills Meet-Up focused on the essential skills of trust-building in our workplace. The workshop focused on straightforward techniques to help us with our trust-building and sharing activities. A condensed version of the training is now live on the LMS.
The next meet-up is offered twice on March 29 and focuses on the crucial skills of giving and receiving feedback with respect and grace. In addition, you will have a chance to connect with other co-workers, share your experience and build your skills. Sign up today on the LMS. (Courses | Additional GGH Courses | Organizational Development)
Participants in the live and recorded sessions can enter a monthly draw to win items to help you on your development journey at GGH.
Core Learning Programs are back!
Please take an opportunity to sign up for Crucial Conversations and the 5 Principles for Extraordinary Productivity on our LMS. Both are excellent for employees and leaders at all stages of their development and career journey. Learn more on the LMS at Courses | Additional GGH Courses | Organizational Development, or contact Jo Oliver at ext. 2363 Joliver@gghorg.ca
Nutrition Month Continues!
Have you had a chance to purchase a healthy meal on Wellness Wednesday from The Bistro? If you not, pop it in your calendar for the remaining Wednesdays this month and grab a tasty lunch for only $4.99! The feature meal is posted weekly on Mondays on the Nutrition Month display just inside The Bistro, and on the Health & Wellness Board outside of Employee Health.
On March 9 you received an email about the Nutrition Month Webinar Series with information about the seminars, how to sign up, and what prizes you could win if you participate! Look for the subject line: “Join us this month for the Nutrition Month Webinar Series” or email HealthAndWellness@gghorg.ca for more information. Looking for some healthy recipes? Dietitians of Canada has created a wonderful e-recipe book filled with tasty options like Creamy Enchilada Soup, One Pot Indian-Inspired Paneer and Chickpeas and Peppermint Vanilla Tea Latte. Download it here for free! UnlockFood.ca is also a wonderful resource with a whole section on Cooking and Food which includes recipes, a personalized menu planner, information on food safety and how to make over your favourite recipes with healthier food substitutions. Many of you indicated an interest in learning more about nutrition and healthy eating in our 2021 Health & Wellness survey – these resources are a great place to start!
COVID-19 News
Eye protection guidelines relaxed a bit in non-patient-facing areas
Throughout the pandemic, GGH has carefully monitored the provincial situation to ensure our actions are supported by the latest information available. Based on the data available, we assess and revise the criteria we have established for patient care and hospital operations as needed. The requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE) are one example of the information we monitor and review.
Effective today, we will only require staff who are providing direct patient care, patient facing, or working in patient screening roles to wear eye protection unless required for other safety reasons. Staff at nursing stations for example, will not be required to wear eye protection unless they are patient facing. There remains a provincial directive to wear eye protection when dealing with suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 patients. At times, it can be challenging to determine the COVID-19 status of patients so as a result our requirement will be for eye protection for all patient contacts.
As a reminder, there are some alternate types of approved eye protection available (right), although in limited quantities due to supply chain challenges. Please see your Manager or Director if you have a need to consider a different type of eye protection.
Other News
Black Tie Bingo exceeds $4 million for Guelph General Hospital in its 26 years
Funds raised at this year’s Black Tie Bingo – Around the World will help fund a new MRI scanner. Going into the event, $1.887 million had already been raised for the scanner through mail and online gifts, Tour de Guelph and 50/50 Hospital Lottery proceeds. Adding this year’s Black Tie Bingo proceeds brings the tally to $2.099 million, closing in on the $2.25 million needed to purchase and install the new scanner.
Guelph General Hospital’s Chief of Radiology, Dr. Samir Patel, and Director of Diagnostic Imaging, Erin Lane, attended the live stream to answer questions about the new MRI scanner. When asked if it’s possible for a Hospital to function without an MRI scanner, Dr. Patel answered, “No. Not to the standard of care our community expects and deserves. It’s used to diagnose and monitor such a wide range of illnesses and injuries. We do have many other diagnostic imaging tools, such as our CT scanner and Nuclear Medicine, also generously funded by donors, but the MRI is the safest because it does not expose patients to radiation.”
Lane shared the new MRI scanner is expected to arrive this fall. She also remarked that “moving the old scanner out and the new one in is a complex process, and we are working on a plan to minimize delays to patients who need an MRI scan.” She explained that the plan includes setting up an external building as a temporary MRI suite at the back of the Hospital while the old MRI is removed, the suite is renovated and the new MRI is installed.
Every year, Black Tie Bingo is reinvented through a new theme with the help of The Letter M Marketing who provides in-kind creative service for the event. This year’s “Around the World” theme delivered a worldly experience through the cuisine, wine, and themed prizes in the live and silent auction.
Guests received a box and bag filled with everything they needed to enjoy the event from home. “Logistically it was a tremendous effort to put together the guest packages – over 20 items needed to be carefully assembled for each guest based on their selections for food and wine. We had to manage the deliveries to over 100 households plus we provided an option for guests to pick up their items. We’re thankful that we have a dedicated team of volunteers who offer their help year over year,” said Sarah Ferguson, the Foundation’s Fundraising Event Specialist. “We are equally thankful to all our generous sponsors and in-kind providers of product, service and prizes for whom without, this event would not be possible.”
At Guelph General Hospital, every piece of equipment used to help care for patients is funded by our community. Funds raised over the years through Black Tie Bingo have funded everything from surgical and diagnostic equipment to IV pumps and vital signs monitors to specialized ICU patient beds and defibrillators.
Guelph Storm hockey is recognizing Guelph Wellington frontline health care workers with an appreciation game on Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. vs. the London Knights. Tickets are being offered at a reduced price for health care workers ($20) and you will receive an exclusive gift from the Guelph Storm by showing your ticket at the gift table in front of the Guelph Storm administration office before the game.
Purchase tickets at www.guelphstorm.com – enter promo code: HERO before selecting your seat. If you have questions please call, (519) 837-9690 Ext. 0 or you can visit the Guelph Storm box office during regular business hours.