Paying tribute to long-time colleague Security guard worked at CCH for 17 years Page 16 Issue No. 18, Vol. 4 September 2019 WASHER TOSS WORLD RECORD Horizon employees help make history Page 8 MOTORCYCLE SURPRISE PUTS PATIENT ‘ON TOP OF THE WORLD’ Page 13 A publication for the staff of Horizon Health Network Calmness, comfort and security: How skin-to-skin during painful procedures supports babies, children, parents and health care providers Page 6 Top 10: How you are becoming more responsible consumers and global citizens (and how Horizon is, too!) Page 17 BUILDING COMMUNITY CARE Primary Health Care Access Coordinators are helping people be healthy Page 5
Transcript
Paying tribute to long-time colleague
Security guard worked at CCH for 17 years
Page 16
Issue No. 18, Vol. 4September 2019
Washer toss World record
Horizon employees help make history
Page 8
HorizonSTAR
Motorcycle surPrise Puts Patient ‘on toP of the World’
Page 13
A publication for the staff of Horizon Health Network
Calmness, comfort and security: How skin-to-skin during painful procedures supports babies, children, parents and health care providers Page 6
Top 10: How you are becoming more responsible consumers and global citizens (and how Horizon is, too!) Page 17
Building coMMunity care
Primary Health Care Access Coordinators are helping people be healthy
Page 5
Primary Health Care Access Coordinators helping people be healthy
Primary Health Care Education Forum
Horizon employees set world washer toss record
Donation of benches for URVH’s walking trail
Making music at Horizon’s Sackville Memorial Hospital
How skin-to-skin during painful procedures supports babies, children, parents and health care providers
OT recognized for improving quality of life
Awards recognize exceptional care
Cerebral palsy patient surprised with his own motorcycle rally
#ResearchAtHorizon: Finding ways to detect and dianose dementia sooner
Waste Walk reduces wait times at Horizon’s Fredericton Public Health office
Eye bank celebrates 25 years
NB Organ and Tissue Program receives Astle family donation
Successful Horizon events raise awareness about viral hepatitis
Dietetic students bring energy, ideas and perspective
15 1913
5 8 9 10 1211
Top 10: What are you doing to become a responsible consumer and global citizen?
Active Offer Relaunch and a new tool to help you
Celebrating four years of Smoke-Free Together at SJRH
The single most important thing you can to to protect yourself and your patients
In Every IssueMessage from CEOEditor’s NoteColleagues’ CornerLook Who’s Shining Top 10
This magazine is published by Horizon Health Network’s Communications Department, and is distributed free of charge to Horizon staff, physicians and volunteers. A French version can be found online at fr.horizonnb.ca.
On our cover:Justin Cormier, a patient at Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital, was surprised by a motorcycle motorcade visit by former patient Keith Noble (right), his mom, Nancy, and his patient care attending Tony Lapointe, and other Horizon staff members and family members.
A welcome note from the editorWelcome to the 18th edition of the Horizon Star!
Last September we celebrated our 10-year anniversary as an organization — can you believe a whole year has passed since then?
Since then, we’ve become even stronger together as One Horizon: We celebrated together, now we owe each other that commitment, that shared responsibility and accountability, to better ourselves as we look to achieve new goals in our second decade.
And that growth and collaboration is already happening. We’ve seen this through difficult times and challenges, such as recruitment, staff shortages and media attention, and through good times, like your support in making this one of the best internal publications in the country!
Much of this is done by creating networks within our organization that allow us to build and share. As our VP of Community says in an article on Page 5, we need to “build partnerships, share best practices and move knowledge into action.”
In this issue we see how Horizon’s primary care network is doing just that (Page 5), and how an initiative like encouraging skin-to-skin during painful procedures (Page 6 and 7) is a valued best practice throughout the organization.
Even this issue’s Top 10 list (Page 17) shows how Horizon employees are doing their part to tackle an even bigger issue, as they share what they are doing to clean-up the world we live in.
I hope you take time to read this list, as I truly believe learning from each other plays a big part in creating sustainable change. Likewise, sharing our good ideas, best practices and even failures with others means better outcomes for our patients, clients and families.
As always, it’s an honour to share your stories, and I hope you’ll continue to reach me at [email protected] with new ideas.
Happy reading,
GinaBeth RobertsEditor, Horizon Star
4 5
Karen McGrath President and CEO
Dear Staff, Physicians and Volunteers,Fall has arrived, and Horizon is beginning to chart our course for the next three years as we are in the early stages of developing our strategic plan. There have been internal sessions and I hope many of you took the time to participate and share your ideas on how health care can be improved.
Working in health care is interesting, because not only do we have stake in our organization as employees, but we’re also interested as users of the health care system. While some of us use our health care system more than others, it’s safe to say everybody accesses the health care services available in their community at one time or another.
For this reason, it’s important you share your opinion, as you see how our system works every day and how our patients/clients are being cared for. Because of this, you undoubtedly have ideas to share on how things could be improved.
Not to worry if you missed these early consultation sessions, as there will be other opportunities to engage in the coming months. We see the importance in engaging with as many New Brunswickers as possible and aligning our plan with the government’s plan to improve health care in this province.
I was pleased to see the provincial government announced a nursing recruitment strategy. This is both desperately needed and a step in the right direction.
Over the summer Horizon felt the nursing shortage while many staff took their vacation to enjoy the summer weather. We encourage our staff to take the vacation they deserve, but it’s times such as peak vacation time or flu season that we become acutely aware of the worsening nursing shortage. As CEO I strongly support the initiatives identified in the government plan and hope that we are able to welcome nurses to our organization soon!
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - I love reading the Top 10 section of the Horizon Star, as it allows me insight to many of the things that are important to each of you. It’s wonderful to learn about the many things you are doing to reduce waste and save our environment. I know in my household we do our best to be environmentally conscious, and after reading many of the incredible things you do both at work and at home with your families I’m empowered to do even more!
I hope you’re settling into fall after the amazing summer weather we had.
Sincerely,
Karen McGrathPresident and CEOHorizon Health Network
In June, Horizon’s Community Health Leadership team hosted the 2019 Primary Health Care Education Forum in Moncton.
The forum provided an opportunity for Horizon staff working in the primary health care field to learn about the collective actions health teams throughout Horizon are leading with communities in response to the identified Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) priorities. The CHNA priorities identify the strengths and needs of individual communities and enable community-wide health and wellness establishments to improve the populations’ health status.
“Horizon’s Community Health Program is grounded in the understanding that an individual’s environment greatly influences their own health and the health of a community,” said Jean Daigle, Horizon’s Vice President, Community. “The Primary Health Care Education Forum was an excellent
opportunity to reflect on this understanding, build partnerships, share best practices and move knowledge into action.”
Keynote speakers discussed how the CHNAs help health teams better understand the unique needs and assets of the communities Horizon serves, and how the shared regional priorities will act to guide Horizon’s next steps in primary health care planning and service delivery.
Forum attendees learned how community developers at Horizon are putting CHNA priorities into action and are working in collaboration with communities to support the evolution of community-based primary health care.
The forum brought together over 200 leaders from across Horizon’s Primary Health Care program, representing the various communities Horizon serves.
Horizon hosts Primary Health Care Education Forum
Want to tell your colleagues about the services you provide for patients and staff throughout Horizon? Email [email protected].
Members of Horizon’s Primary Health Care leadership team. From left: Kathleen Buchanan, director of Primary Health Care, Moncton; Stephanie Neilson, Primary Health Care Access Coordinator, Saint John;
Bronwyn Davies, director of Primary Health Care, Fredericton and Upper River Valley; Nathanael Patriquin, Primary Health Care Access Coordinator, Upper River Valley and Fredericton; Kerri Mullin, Primary Health Care
Access Coordinator, Miramichi; Laurie Bouvier, Primary Health Care Access Coordinator, Moncton; and Dan Doherty, director of the Primary Health Care, Saint John. Missing from photo: Greg Sargent, director of
Primary Health Care and Public Health, Miramichi.
Primary Health Care Access Coordinators are helping people be healthyThere are people working across Horizon Health Network who help New Brunswickers obtain better access to primary health care.
Health Canada defines primary health care as an approach to health and a spectrum of services beyond the traditional health care system. It includes all services that play a part in health, such as income, housing, education, and environment. Primary care refers to health promotion, illness and injury prevention, and the diagnosis and treatment of illness and injury.
Primary Health Care Access Coordinators (PHCAC) understand the specific needs in the regions where they work and look at the data and make recommendations to influence service planning.
Dan Doherty, director of the primary health care for Horizon in the Saint John area, said the PHCACs act as a bridge between regional health authorities and community-based service providers.
“The PHCACs build relationships with key stakeholders and community partners to align resources and assist in identifying opportunities for improving access to primary health care services,” said Dan.
The PHCACs review and analyze data provided by professionals, Decision Support teams, Patient Connect NB, New Brunswick Health Council and Horizon’s Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) to identify areas of improvement.
By reviewing and analyzing all the data and the processes in place, PHCAC are in a good position to provide recommendations to improve the services already in place or recommend new services according the specific needs of the population, therefore to facilitate change.
Laurie Bouvier, Horizon’s PHCAC for the Moncton area, said prior to becoming a coordinator, she worked for 17 years in acute care. She said it’s rewarding when she sees a change in the way people think about health care.
“The thing I appreciate most about this position is the opportunity to work ‘upstream’,” Laurie said. “Working with community partners to improve the system responsible for preventative care.”
The PHCAC connects patients with primary-care providers working off the list collected by Patient Connect NB (811).
Nathanael Patriquin, Horizon’s PHCAC for the Fredericton and Upper River Valley area, said for him, every day is a rewarding experience, but one aspect stands out to him: “Knowing that we have made a difference in the health and wellbeing of someone.”
Stephanie Neilson, Horizon’s PHCAC in the Saint John area, said as PHCACs they work with physician recruiters to review data and consult on where and when recruiting a physician would have the greatest impact.
“That’s rewarding, because we know when patients have a provider, they’re healthier, and less likely to be hospitalized,” Stephanie said.
The Patient Connect NB list is vital, because it helps with recruitment. For example, if a municipality is pushing to have more doctors in their area, but the number of patients on the list for that area is low, it’s difficult to recruit. If there is a high number of patients on the list, the access coordinators use that as a tactic to recruit a provider for that area.
Kerri Mullin, Horizon’s PHCAC for the Miramichi area, said she enjoys the collaborative approach that comes with the role, which includes “seeing and learning about the available resources in our community to provide a link for physicians, nurse practitioners and patients.”
“And at the end of the day it’s a great feeling to know that you’ve been instrumental in helping someone find a primary care provider because we all deserve to have a provider to care for us
colleagues corner
and help navigate our health care,” she said.
The PHCACs work with new physicians and retiring physicians to ease transitions. If a physician retires and someone new takes over their practice, the PHCAC ensures the new physician has a good understanding of the practice before they come on board.
They provide coordination and assistance to new physicians and nurse practitioners to enhance their practice while ensuring the primary health care needs and gaps in the communities are addressed.
Understanding a community’s need is essential to the role these PCHACs play in health care in New Brunswick. They understand the specific needs of the area they serve to ensure the proper services are in place in order to continue helping people be healthy.
For general inquiries regarding primary health care access, email [email protected].
Editor’s note: This is a truncated version of an article submitted to the New Brunswick Medical Society’s fall 2019 edition of Opus MD.
How skin-to-skin during painful procedures supports babies, children, parents and
health care providers
You’ve read the success stories and can see the benefits of holding a baby or child close. Performing skin-to-skin during a painful procedure provides comfort and security, something every parent wants to be able to do for a baby or child in pain.
As health care providers, Horizon staff should encourage parents to hold their child close during any painful procedure. The direct skin-to-skin contact will benefit everyone involved: baby will be less fussy, the parent more confident and staff better able to care for both.
Help Horizon and Canada celebrate World Breastfeeding week Oct. 1 to 7 by encouraging parents to hold their baby close and perform skin-to-skin whenever possible!
Horizon’s Baby-Friendly Initiative team encourages all staff—and parents, guardians and family members—to promote and perform skin-to-skin with their newborns, toddlers and young children during painful procedures.
Skin-to-skin means your baby is placed belly-down (wearing only a diaper), directly on your bare chest.
This can be immediately after birth (or as soon as the baby is born), frequently during your hospital stay, and when a young child is having any painful or upsetting test or procedure and many moments in between.
Skin-to-skin with breastfeeding and/or sucking is an effective way to decrease their pain!
At the Mother Baby Clinic, we
offer the option for skin-to-skin during heel pokes for all babies and
parents. It has become a routine
practice; we don’t even give it a second thought.
I find giving parents a chance to hold their newborn not only gives baby a sense of security and helps with pain but empowers parents and builds confidence in their parenting skills.
The initiative has made my job a lot easier. The baby is calmer, allowing for more efficient and effective results. It’s also a much more pleasant experience, during what can be a very stressful event for both parent and baby.
Someone recently said if a child fell and started to cry our instinct would be to console them by picking the child up and holding them close. Skin-to-skin provides that very same comfort — it’s a basic instinct.
Amanda Campbell Registered Nurse and International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant, Mother Baby Clinic, Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital
HOW SKIN-TO-SKIN HELPS STAFF PROVIDE CARE DURING PAINFUL PROCEDURES
You are your baby’s whole world. Imagine them facing a painful procedure like a needle or a blood
draw without you.
Holding your baby next to you, skin-to-skin,
makes your baby feel secure, protected and “home.”
Dr. Nils Bergman’s research tells us that a mother’s chest is the baby’s natural habitat. Breastfeeding your baby during scary, painful procedures lets your baby know the breast is more than food — it’s their safe place.
As a Public Health Nurse Lactation Consultant, I promote skin-to-skin for all babies and breastfeeding in addition to skin-to-skin during immunization. It makes the world of difference for baby, for Mommy and for me. The baby does so much better with the needle — it’s remarkable.
Kim Scott Nurse Lactation Consultant, Healthy Families, Healthy Babies Program, Public Health, Miramichi
During my career, I have seen a shift of practise in recommending breastfeeding during painful
experiences for infants and young
children.
There are a few scenarios that stand out: The first was a mother breastfeeding her infant (over six months) during a urinary catheter. The infant tolerated the procedure with increased ease during the procedure and obtaining the specimens. Remarkably, when the procedure was completed the infant continued breastfeeding as the above never had taken place.
The second occasion was with a young child (from 12 to 24 months) requiring their immunizations. During this scenario, the mother sat in a chair and breastfed during the immunizations. The young child was not fond of the procedure, however quickly recuperated and continued breastfeeding post-immunizations.
Throughout my career, I have seen several other scenarios with breastfeeding during painful procedures. On many occasions I have been told by both parents that breastfeeding has aided in the decrease of their anxiety overall.
Being a nurse for many years, this is what we do in the profession: We advocate pain relief during painful procedures. When we can include the parents along with a non-pharmalogical resources, it truly is a win-win scenario for the children and families.
My best advice prior to any painful experience is to always have the discussion with the family on how best we can support the child and the family. Patient-and family-centered care truly is the focus here at Horizon.
Misty Spencer RN / Nurse Educator, Women and Children’s Health Program, Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital
WHAT SKIN-TO-SKIN MEANS TO MOMS
I would not have it any other way. To me it felt normal. Madelyn got a little bit of milk
and it seems like it soothed her so much
faster. I find she cried a lot less than any other child would have. I really think it’s great that this is the new normal. Anya
It was my midwife who first recommended breastfeeding my baby during injections. I was amazed at the comfort it provided for my then infant. Now, three children later, I’ve seen this soothe them time and time again, from my newborn, who snuggled in a little closer with a tear down his cheek, to my almost three-year-old child receiving his flu shot who said, “Mommy’s milk made it feel all better.” Dana
When my daughter was around 18-months-old she dislocated her elbow. The ER doctor was able to quickly set the arm back in place while she nursed, and she didn’t even flinch. I love that breastfeeding provides more than just nutrition for my child; it is also giving comfort. Deanna
Dads can do skin-to-skin, too! Dads can and should take part in skin-to-skin whenever and as often as possible (if Dwayne “The Rock” Johnston can do it, so can you!).
Holding your baby close to your chest during a painful procedure will provide comfort and help decrease the baby’s pain during needles and blood tests. Being skin-to-skin will lower the baby (and Dad’s) stress level and reduce tears.
Not only that, but it will help the baby develop and feel secure – all while bonding with Dad.
Get comfortable and snuggle up!
Adjusting to the practice of heel pricks while the baby is skin-to-skin has been, at times, a struggle. It has been worth it, though, as I have now observed its benefits.
The most obvious and No. 1 benefit is for the comfort of the infant. They are often calmer and cry much less if they are skin-to-skin or being held or fed by a parent. I find their feet easier to hold as they are not moving around as much, and it often means that the foot is hanging down so gravity actually aids in getting good blood flow to the foot.
The parents are also much calmer and appear to have less anxiety when it is done this way. I find they feel they are actively helping their child during the procedure instead of just standing by the basinet and attempting to soothe the infant while looking on.
This initiative is made possible when there is cooperation and understanding between the nursing staff and the lab staff. On my end, I have learned to take my time and make sure that the parent and child are comfortable and that I make the proper adjustments, so I am in the best position while performing the procedure.
I have found that, in the majority of cases, we are all now working together to perform this necessary procedure in the least traumatic way possible for the newborns.
Lauren Graham Medical Lab Technologist, Laboratory Services, Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital
Several years ago, bloodwork, PKU test (a blood test looks for rare conditions, including phenylketonuria (PKU)) and immunizations on a newborn for the most part did not happen
in the room with the parents. We now know and educate new
(and not so new) parents on the importance and benefits of newborns
being skin-to-skin or breastfeeding during painful procedures.
In 2011, as a new nurse in obstetrics, I watched as coworkers struggled to get bloodwork or fill a PKU card as newborns lay on their backs, wiggling in their basinets and crying. I was pregnant with my first son at the time, so I too felt when my son was born I didn’t want to watch or listen to my baby cry during bloodwork. Both of my sons were taken out of the room for painful procedures and I was okay with that because I was unaware of the benefits of skin-to-skin.
Fast forward to 2016: On my orientation, the LPN was orientating me was showing me how to do a PKU in the room with the parents. Nurses were being courage to not take baby from the room during painful procedures. She showed me how to get baby all snuggled onto Mom or Dad’s chest and work with gravity to help the blood flow. Also, it also gives parents an active role in helping comfort their child. As parents we hold our children when they get stitches in the emergency department so why should painful procedures on a newborn be any different?
My daughter was born in 2017 and I breastfed her while a nurse did her PKU. She didn’t cry, and the blood flow was great, filling up the PKU card in a few short minutes. As a mom it felt good to be able to comfort her during that uncomfortable test.
Kia Bridges LPN, Obstetrics, Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital
It was amazing, Hayes didn’t even cry when he had his shot because he was
on me, he was nursing. For him, it
was like nothing even happened. As a parent, it
is comforting to know I can take away a little bit of their pain by being close. Jenna
Every time your baby is skin-to-skin, make sure your baby’s:
• shouldersandchestfaceyou
• faceisvisible
• headisup(in‘sniffing’position),notlooking down
• noseandmoutharenotcovered
• headisturnedtooneside
• neckisstraight,notbent
• legsareinafrog-legposition;and
• backiscoveredwithablanket.
(Source: GNB)
HOW TO DO SKIN-TO-SKIN SAFELY
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A pair of Horizon employees in Fredericton are now written in the history books — a big, giant, flashy, world-record-setting history book to be exact.
Mike Gulliver, a painter at Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital and Romeo Leblanc, an administrative assistant at Fredericton Addiction and Mental Health Services were part of the World’s Largest Washer Toss Tournament.
The record was set at the Come Home East Hants Association’s Tide Fest in 2017, and – after official video recordings and photographs were submitted and reviewed by the Guinness World Book of Records team — just became official earlier this year. The entry appears in the 2020 edition, published on Sept. 5.
And not only were they part of the record-holding tournament — they won it!
The path to victory Gully, as he’s known in the washer toss world, throws washers all-year long, but it was during the summers where his game really took off. He started playing at campgrounds, and the uniqueness of the backyard game drew people to his site.
People asked where they could buy washer toss sets, and since they were not yet mass-manufactured, Mike started building them and would always bring a couple sets and sell them.
He had been playing for 25 years before Romeo even started, but Romeo was no stranger to sports: he was busy being a champion bowler.
They met at Mike’s annual backyard tournament a few summers ago, where Romeo was picked as Mike’s niece’s husband’s teammate. The pair went on to win the tournament.
“That got me hooked on it and I just went from there and tried to improve my game,” said Romeo, who previously worked in Food Services and Patient Information.
“He’s a natural,” said Mike, who has been with Horizon for 12 years.
Romeo heard about Tide Fest on social media and was intrigued organizers were going for a world record. He didn’t have a partner at the time, and advertised himself as a free agent.
Despite the event being sandwiched between the Worlds, held in Stanley, and the NB Cup (yes, those are other washer toss tournaments), Mike couldn’t turn down this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and said, “Yes.”
The washer toss tournament of all washer toss tournaments The record saw 304 teams — 608 participants — in men’s, women’s, mixed and non-competitive divisions battle it out at the East Hants Sportsplex in Lantz, N.S. over three days.
Mike and Romeo lost the Friday night New Brunswick-Nova Scotia cup (coming second) but beat out all other teams in the single-elimination tournament to win $2,000 and have the honour of having their names appear in the pages of the Guinness Book of World Records.
It was a mix of intense pressure (a crowd of over 100 people watching) and intense camaraderie amongst players from across Atlantic Canada and as far as Wise County, Texas, the region that previously held this record.
“It was great. It was amazing. The first day especially, when they were getting all the teams to walk into the dome,” said Romeo. “It was pretty amazing to be there for a record attempt. It was special.”
They won again in 2018 (and the Friday night cup, too). This year they played on separate teams (Mike’s team came second).
Train like a champWhat makes a champion washer toss player?
How to Play Washer Toss
Washer toss is played with two 12x12 boxes, each with a three-inch pipe in the middle, placed 20-feet apart.
One player from each team stands behind the front edge of one of the boxes and throws a washer towards the other.
A player from each team throws all a total of three washers before his or her competitor. You get two points for landing a washer in the box; you get three points for landing a washer in the pipe.
But the score is only tallied after your competitor has thrown, and your competitor can easily nullify those points. Only one team can score in a round.
“If you put all three in the box, then your competitor has to do the same to cancel out your points (same goes for washers in the pipe). If not, you earn those points. If he puts one in the pipe, he not only cancels your points, but earns three for his team,” explains Romeo.
Each game goes to 21 points. Usually, a best of three match is played.
Washer toss cheque presentation. The duo won $2,000.
The crowd was an intimidating, but exciting addition to the atmosphere. The record attempt saw 304 teams — 608 participants — battle it out at the East Hants Sportsplex in
Lantz, N.S. over three days.
Consistency is key — consistency and how fast and what angle the washer is thrown.
“You get a lot of bounce,” said Romeo. “You’re throwing a steel, three-inch washer into a wooden box, so if it comes in too fast it’s going to bounce out.”
A few triple pipe shots (all three of their washers in the pipe) don’t hurt either. Asked if they’ve ever made that shot comes the response: “Oh, plenty of times.”
A game can last upwards of 45 minutes, but during the tournament many of their games were done within five to seven minutes as they were playing against a lot of non-competitive teams there to support the shot at the record.
At Tide Fest they used official supplied washers; at other tournaments they usually bring their own.
Both throw under-hand, but some players throw over-hand, and both carry a washer pick-up tool.
“When you walk around with a magnet,” Romeo said, of the sawed-off driver he keeps on him, “they know you’ve been playing this game.”
What’s next?Both have since scaled back on their washer toss playing.
Mike won the tournament on an injury. He had a previous injury from 12 years prior, and the weekend before the tournament ripped a tendon and rotator cuff in his shoulder and couldn’t move his arm.
“I won that tournament twice on a bad shoulder and lost it on a good one — it doesn’t make any sense!” he said, adding he had surgery last fall and is feeling better.
The competition has stepped up and winning is more difficult now, but it’s still the sport they love most.
“It’s quite a world,” Mike said. “Where else can you drink some beer, have some fun, make some money, and get in the World Book of Records?”
Romeo Leblanc, an administrative assistant at Fredericton Addiction and Mental Health Services (left) and Mike Gulliver, a painter at Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital (DECRH) are photographed at the DECRH
A washer toss tourney for the record books: Horizon employees team-up to help set world record
Look Who’s Shining! Know someone who’s accomplished something outstanding outside the workplace? Nominate a colleague, peer or volunteer for this feature by emailing [email protected].
The premature passing of Avery Astle and his three friends resonated with people from across New Brunswick, and what happened in the hours following Avery’s death sounded the alarm regarding gaps in coverage for tissue donation.
Due to a shortage of trained staff, Avery Astle’s family was unable to have their son assessed for eligibility to become a tissue donor.
This made an already terrible situation even more difficult. Michelle Astle, a social worker and long-term Horizon employee always knew the value of organ and tissue donation, so when presented with the earth-shattering news her son had died, it was an easy and quick decision to see if her son’s organs or tissues could be donated. Unfortunately, it was not possible.
In the months since his passing, Michelle continues to be an advocate for organ and tissue donation, wanting to ensure changes are made so that no other family will live the same experience. Today, the NB Organ and Tissue Program has put in place changes to address identified gaps in service for eye/corneas and other tissue donation, with the program’s goal to provide all families the opportunity to donate. The organ donation team continues to provide 24/7 coverage and its services were not affected by the shortage.
When the PEI/NB Barrel Horse Association hosted their “Race from the Heart show” fundraiser in Sussex Aug. 23 to 25, they selected New Brunswick’s Organ and Tissue Program as the recipient of their fundraising efforts as part of the #4AV movement in memory of Avery. Riders and their horses wore green (the official ribbon colour for organ and tissue donation) for the occasion.
An amount of $600 was raised and presented to representatives from the NB Organ and Tissue Program, and Michelle Astle traveled from Miramichi to be in attendance. The money raised will contribute to raising awareness on the importance of organ and tissue donation.
Horizon is thankful to the Astle family for being champions and advocating for changes and awareness for organ and tissue donation. The Astle family plans to establish the 4Av Foundation in memory of their son to raise awareness and help those in need.
NB Organ and Tissue Program receives donation, thanks to Astle family
From left: Tammy Smith, NPBHA President; Michelle Astle, Avery Astle’s mother; and Nadya
Savoie, Administrative Director, NB Organ and Tissue Program.
Donation of benches for URVH’s walking trail to benefit “everybody”Staff at Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) would like to thank and acknowledge the Carleton County Medical Assistance Foundation (CCMAF) for their generous donation of four benches for the hospital walking trail.
All hospital staff, patients and family and friends will enjoy the benches.
“On the walking trails if someone can only walk short distance, then they can relax and rest on a bench or if someone needs alone
Members and family members of the Carleton County Medical Assistance Foundation (CCMAF) and URVH staff are photographed at one of the benches donated by the foundation. Back row, from left: Richard Derrah, chief power engineer at Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH), CCMAF Board member Stephen Boyd, Jim Patterson, CCMAF driver, and Rose Spike, CCMAF founder. Front row, from left: Lois Cullen (sister of Dawn Campbell), Melissa White (daughter of Donna White), CCMAF Board member Shirley Boyd, and Erica Hull, social worker at URVH.
time, it gives them a place to go,” said Rose Spike, association founder and president. “It is something that can be used for a lot of years to come.”
The CCMAF was a community group of volunteers that graciously gave their time to raise funds to assist patients with medical transportation. The CCMAF was able to help many patients attend their medical appointments and procedures over the six years it was in operation.
Five mornings a week from February until June, co-op students from Tantramar Regional High School worked at Horizon’s Horizon’s Sackville Memorial Hospital (SMH).
Three students went above and beyond their work duties, bringing music and joy to the halls, patients and staff at the hospital.
Meredith Hicks, Olivia Brownell and Hannah Dulenty worked in the hospital’s Brunswick West Family Practice Unit and Emergency Department.
Almost every morning, Hannah, Meredith and Olivia would take 98-year-old Betty MacDonald, a Brunswick West patient, to the atrium and sing with her.
Staff enjoyed the piano playing and the group’s singing, too.
Betty, who has since passed away, had grown to love these students and referred to them as “my girls.”
“During my co-op term, I without a doubt made memories I will never forget, especially with Betty,” said Olivia. “She taught us so much in such a short amount of time.
“Although some days at co-op were difficult, as we experienced many of the ‘firsts’ of our nursing careers, I’d always leave the hospital with a full heart,” she continued. “We would sing You Are My Sunshine with Betty each day, and looking back on our experience, she was definitely our sunshine with the joy she brought us. There is something so special about connecting with patients and getting to know them.”
Making music at Horizon’s Sackville Memorial Hospital
Hannah, Meredith and Olivia celebrated their last day as co-op students at Horizon’s Sackville
Memorial Hospital in June.
Horizon co-op students Olivia and Meredith, and patient, Betty, in Horizon’s Sackville Memorial
Hospital atrium.
Olivia and Meredith are off to St. Francis Xavier University in September to pursue Nursing degrees, while Hannah will attend the University of Prince Edward Island to study Psychology, with hopes of entering Nursing the following year.
“Our future is bright if based on these dedicated young students!” said Beth Black, registered nurse at SMH.
For a variety of reasons, volunteers were unable to devote the time required to maintain the service.
“It’s sad that we had to close,” said Rose, “but unfortunately things happen that you do not expect.”
When the Board decided to disband, they chose to use remaining funds to purchase benches for the walking trails at URVH.
The Board’s decision to donate the benches was one that everyone was happy with, including Board member Shirley Boyd, who said it was a very rewarding experience for her and her husband and fellow Board member, Stephen.
“It will do a lot of good for everybody,” she said.
Two benches on the trail have been placed in memory of:• DawnCampbell,pioneerCCMAFmember,
for years of service and volunteering; and• DonnaWhite,CCMAFtreasurer,foryearsof
service and volunteering.
Two benches have been placed in honour of:• JimPatterson,driver,forhistime
commitment with CCMAF in transporting patients; and
• RoseSpike,CCAMFfounder,forherdedication, advocacy and years of service.
Lise Bleau, occupational therapist inPediatrics at Horizon’s Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation, was recently recognized for her extensive collaborative work with Muscular Dystrophy Canada to improve access to assistive technology for New Brunswickers with neuromuscular diseases.
She was awarded the organization’s Excellence in Healthcare Delivery Award, which is given annually to a physician or clinician in each province for outstanding achievements in improving neuromuscular disease clinical practices and for playing an important role in improving the quality of life for people affected by neuromuscular disorders.
Muscular Dystrophy includes a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.
Lise specializes in assistive technology to help people with disabilities be more independent in their day-to-day lives. She determines what technology could best meet the needs of children and teenagers with neuromuscular diseases in order to improve their quality of life and autonomy.
“Children affected by Muscular Dystrophy and their families are truly amazing. I feel privileged to work with them and I’m happy to do all I can to make their day-to-day lives a little easier,” said Lise.
Through her collaboration with Muscular Dystrophy Canada, Lise’s patients received support and funding to get the assistive technology they needed to better function in their home, school and play environments. Some children benefit from tablets or special computer accessories to do their school work, others enjoy Smart Home technology to control lights or window blinds, and many need adaptations to electronic toys to achieve what all children need to do: explore through play.
“Lise’s knowledge, passion and dedication to assistive technology, the profession of occupational therapy and to the many kids and families she assists is incredible,” said Horizon occupational therapist Kara Reid. “This award is so well deserved!”
Lise was presented with the award at Fredericton’s annual Walk for Muscular Dystrophy in June.
OT recognized for improving quality of life for Muscular Dystrophy patients
Lise, left, was presented with the award at Odell Park in Fredericton by Martha Donovan, service specialist
with Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Recipients of the inaugural Tom Jarrett Exceptional Care Award were recognized for demonstrating exceptional care at Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital at a ceremony in June.
The awards acknowledged the dedication of outstanding staff members who provided exceptional service to patients of Horizon’s Health & Aging Program. The Health & Aging Program is dedicated to the delivery of care to frail older adults in the inpatient and outpatient environment through interdisciplinary care focusing on comprehensive quality health and social care.
Tom Jarrett was the CEO of Loch Lomond Villa in Saint John, a home for aging adults in need of support, for many years until his retirement in 1999.
He was committed to exceptional patient care. In 2017 and 2018, he was a patient at Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital where he and his family received compassionate care from his health care providers, and all staff. His family established this award to recognize Horizon staff members who provide outstanding care.
“On behalf of our father and our family, we wanted to acknowledge, with appreciation, the exceptional work these recipients do everyday as they care for older adults. Their dedication to their work, along with the compassion
Inaugural awards recognize exceptional care at Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital
Front row (from left): Award recipients Pam Wallace, Physiotherapist; Linda Cunningham, Environmental Services; Christine Phillips, Unit Aide, Cognitive Assessment Management (CAM) unit; Tanya Doyle, Ward Clerk, CAM unit; LorraineKincade,RN,8thfloorTransitionalCareUnit;LyndaParks,ChargeRN,CAMunit.Back row (from left):
Nancy Marsh, daughter of Tom Jarrett; Dr. Pamela Jarrett, daughter of Tom Jarrett and geriatrician; Laureen Jarrett, wife of Tom Jarrett; and award recipient, Jean Hawkes, Occupational Therapist.
Absent from photo:Awardrecipient,ElaineSmith,PCA,seventhfloorTransitionalCareUnit.
Thank you to the family of Tom Jarrettfor the cultivation of this award and forproviding this thoughtful recognition.
Their kindness has validated the
incredible care these staff members putinto the work they do. Acknowledging
the dedication exlemplified by therecipients creates a sense that they are
valued and appreciated.
to the much deserving recipients of the TomJarrett Award for demonstrating exceptional
care at St. Joseph's Hospital.
Congratulations
they show every day does not go unnoticed and is valued and appreciated by many,” said Horizon’s Dr. Pamela Jarrett, a geriatrician and Tom Jarrett’s daughter.
The award recipients were either nominated by patients, patients’ families or staff for going above and beyond the call of duty.
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This summer, the New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program - Ocular Division, based out of Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital (SJH), celebrated 25 years of giving the “gift of sight.”
The program, originally known as the New Brunswick Eye Bank, is responsible for cornea recovery, assessment and release for transplant service to New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada.
The eye bank is the bridge between donor families and recipients, said Debbie Jefferson, who has been with the program for 15 years, and is now its nurse manager.
“We’re helping our donor families turn an unfortunate situation hopefully into a better one, and we’re also helping recipients with the gift of sight,” she said, of the rewarding work.
The eye bank officially opened at SJH in 1994, several years after corneal surgeon Dr. Mark Johnston determined the need for corneal tissue in New Brunswick.
Dr. Johnston was recovering corneas at night and performing corneal transplants during the day, and the demand became too much for one person. That’s when Mary Gatien, an RN, was brought in as program director; for two years, they were a two-person operation, performing all corneal retrievals for this program.
Eye bank celebrates 25 years
The eye bank has grown in the past few decades, merging with the Tissue Bank from Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital (TMH) in 2009, then with the New Brunswick Organ Program in 2013. With these mergers the eye bank name changed to the New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program (NBOTP) - Ocular Division.
Now, there is a staff of five at SJH, and 25 eye bank technicians (RNs and LPNs) who perform corneal recoveries throughout the province. Nadya Savoie, the NBOTP’s Administrative Director, works from Horizon’s TMH.
In addition to Debbie, the team at SJH includes eye bank nurses Sue Giggey, Chantal Haley and Haven Perry and Robyn Richardson, the team’s administrative assistant.
Debbie and Sue are both Certified Eye Bank Technicians and Physician Designees for their
Medical Director, Dr. Christopher Seamone, a corneal surgeon in Halifax who has been the eye bank’s Medical Director since 1997. Chantal and Haven are in training for these specialized eye bank roles.
All recovered corneas in New Brunswick are sent to the Eye Bank at SJH for an evaluation and assessment. The Certified Eye Bank Technicians assess each cornea to ensure all standards and regulations are met prior to the corneas be offered for transplant.
Donors must be under the age of 76. They don’t have to have 20/20 vision or be in perfect health. For example, even people living with diabetes with retinal disease can still be donors if they meet all other criteria.
The program has between 100 to 125 donors a year, and since its inception has recovered over 4,000 corneas in New Brunswick. Corneas are sent to Halifax to be transplanted, which is also where New Brunswick patients currently go to have their corneal transplant surgery.
Donor families must give consent and answer questions about their loved ones’ medical and social history within a few hours of their passing. The donor family is contacted so soon after death due to tight timelines needed in the recovery of the cornea. The cornea can be transplanted up to 14 days following its recovery.
“I’m always so amazed with our donor families. They are always so kind and gracious when we call to ask about donation,” said Debbie. “They’ve gone through a rough time, their family member has passed away, yet they’re very kind and answer our questions.”
A year after the donation, a letter is sent to donor families asking them if they’d like to participate in the Donor Quilt, which
There’s not much that makes Justin Cormier happier than the roar of a motorcycle engine.
Well, maybe the sound of nine of them.
Justin has cerebral palsy and has been a patient on the Cardiac Step-Down Unit at Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital for two-and-a-half years.
It’s no surprise to anyone who knows him that motorcycles are his thing.
That’s why, on a Thursday evening in late August, Justin was surprised by his own personal motorcycle rally outside the hospital’s Ambulatory Care entrance.
His face lit up with pure joy as he heard the sounds of bike after bike turning the corner to park in a line in front of him.
For his patient care attendant, Tony Lapointe, who has been working with Justin for almost two years, there’s no one more deserving of this special event.
“Five minutes a day with him in this building and it changes the way you feel about your day,” Tony said.
Tony has been working at the hospital for 25 years, and his connection with a patient has never been stronger.
“This is the most rewarding job I’ve had in my life,” he said. “I even think of him when I’m not here.”
Tony works with Justin every day he’s on shift. He does his bedside and oral care, and then gets him into his own Harley Davidson — his orange and black motorized wheelchair, decked out with a licence plate and motorcycle stickers — for a walk around the hospital.
There aren’t many people in the hospital who don’t know him, Tony said, and he leaves “everybody a better person.”
Justin’s love of motorcycles is clear to anyone who meets him— especially someone who’s been biking for 49 years.
Keith Noble was in the hospital last year for a couple months, recovering from neck, back and rib injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident when he met Justin on one of his walks with Tony.
‘He just loves the sound of motorcycles’: Health care team, former patient surprise cerebral palsy patient with his own rally
The New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program - Ocular Division recently achieved 100 per cent compliance on its Eye Bank of
America (EBAA) inspection site visit.
The rating means the program can expect to obtain full accreditation status from the EBAA Accreditation Board for the next three years.
Congratulations to the team on this achievement and thank you for all of your hard work leading up to and throughout
this inspection!
Team members of the New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program celebrated the 25th anniversary of the program’s Ocular Division in June at SJH.
The New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program - Ocular Division team at Horizon’s St. Joseph
Hospital (SJH) celebrated the 25th anniversary of the program this summer. From left: Robyn Richardson,
The Donor Quilt hangs from the ceiling at the New Brunswick Organ and Tissue Program – Ocular Division at SJH.Each square of the quilt honors a donor’s memory.
is on display at SJH. The Donor Quilt was developed in 1998 as a way to honour donors and their families. Families are given the opportunity to make a quilt square showing special memories of their loved one.
The Donor Quilt will be on display this year at the NBOTP Annual Donor Celebration of Thanks Ceremony at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH). Each year the NBOTP has a special celebration to say thank you to its donors and their families.
Debbie has seen many changes in corneal recovery and transplants over the years, and there are still lots of advancements to be seen in the province.
Corneas used to be transplanted whole; now, they’re transplanted by layers. Most eye banks are performing these cuts, but that doesn’t happen in New Brunswick because the team doesn’t have the specialized equipment and training and direct access to a corneal surgeon.
However, this is changing, as Dr. Zack Ashkenazy has recently joined Horizon and has already performed two corneal transplants at SJH.
Keith had a collection of stuffed Harley toys and memorabilia his daughters had given to him over the years, and he knew Justin would appreciate them.
He was right — “They’re all in his room,” said Justin’s mom, Nancy, who attended the surprise motorcycle rally, as did his dad, brother, grandparents and extended family members.
Keith just so happened to be friends with Lori Vrensen, the staff scheduler for Stroke, Palliative Care and Family Practice units, and Lori wanted to do something special for Justin.
She called Keith and her brother-in-law, who called their friends, and asked other staff who had motorcycles in the hospital, who did the same. The answer to her request of asking if they’d come to the hospital one evening for Justin was always an easy, “Yes.”
“All you have to do is reach out to people,” she said. “People are great.”
Nancy agrees.
“There are no words to explain how thankful, how grateful, how blessed we are to have these people who can do this for him,” she said, adding that Justin is doing well and has received excellent care by everyone who has worked with him at the hospital.
Justin and Keith shared a special moment at the visit, when Keith told Justin’s mom to wheel Justin close enough to his Harley so he could put his hand on the throttle while he revved it, feeling the vibrations.
It’s the rev of the engines that elicit such joy from the 26-year-old. He doesn’t see 100 per cent, so his hearing is very much in tune.
“He hears them from a long way’s away. By the time they got here, it was like, ‘Breathe, Justin!’,” she said. “He was on top of the world.”
Justin and his parents pose for a photo behind one of the Harley Davidson motorcycles during a special surprise visit to Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital.
Justin and Lori Vrensen, staff scheduler for Stroke, Palliative Care and Family Practice units, share a
moment of excitement as more motorcycles roll in. Justin and his crew outside the Ambulatory Care Clinic.
Justin Cormier, a patient at Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital, was surprised by a motorcycle motorcade visit by former patient Keith Noble (right), his mom, Nancy, and his patient care attending Tony Lapointe,
and other Horizon staff members and family members.
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Detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer’s and other dementias as early as possible means those living with dementia and their families can benefit from the most up-to-date treatment and management strategies.
The options for treatment of this disease and strategies to help prevent progression are always changing and being on the forefront of the best possible care for dementia is important for everyone.
The Comprehensive Assessment of Neurodegeneration and Dementia study (COMPASS-ND) is the largest-ever Canadian study on dementia. The study is sponsored through an $8.4 million federal research grant through the Canadian Consortium for Neurodegeneration and Aging (CCNA).
Through the COMPASS-ND research study, investigators hope to learn more about who is at risk of developing dementia, how clinicians can detect it sooner, and which tests will help them do this.
With more than 30 sites across Canada planned for recruitment, Horizon is home to one of the two only sites east of Québec.
Like most geriatric medicine research here at Horizon, the study is being managed by the
#ResearchAtHorizon: Finding ways to detect and diagnose dementia sooner
Health & Aging program at Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital in uptown Saint John. There, Dr. Pamela Jarrett, a geriatrician, along with her geriatrician colleagues are working with the research coordinators Linda Yetman, RN PhD and Louise Grant, RN BScN, to recruit individuals who are experiencing a range of memory of thinking impairments, from mild cognitive impairment to various types of dementia, to participate in the study.
“It is a privilege to be part of this national research study here in Saint John and very fortunate to be at the leading edge of this work,” said Dr. Jarrett. “We are most appreciative of the time and commitment that many people have given to make this research possible. Their commitment to this research will help guide the future for others with memory problems so that we, as health care providers, can continue to improve how we provide care every day.”
Leaving no stone unturned as to a potential tool for detecting early changes, COMPASS-ND asks participants to take part in a comprehensive program of data capture: neuropsychological tests, brain imaging, blood tests, and biological samples for genetic analysis, to name a few.
Participants return at a later time to repeat the measurements, with the hopes that any and all changes in an individual’s thinking, memory, social activity, and physical health, can be identified.
What about the loved ones who provide care? While it is important to improve our ability to detect dementia earlier than we currently can, it is equally important to help those who are now becoming caregivers for their loved ones.
Dr. Linda Yetman is interviewing caregivers of individuals with dementia from the COMPASS-ND study to better understand the experiences of caregivers so that we can help find or develop meaningful supports and help to alleviate the stress, uncertainty and challenges experienced by caregivers.
Linda found a number of themes in her conversations with caregivers, including the impact of feeling stigmatized by a diagnosis of dementia, coping with the loss and grief they anticipate is coming, coping with feelings of obligation and resentment, and the challenges of trying to maintain a normal life and maintain the personhood of the individual with dementia. Findings from the study will be presented at upcoming conferences.
With a senior population growing faster than the rest of Canadian provinces, New Brunswick is fortunate to be home to nationally recognized, leading expertise in aging and healthcare for our seniors.
To learn more about the work of the Health & Aging Research Program, visit our website.
Again this year, Horizon’s Public Health teams joined forces with other health care professionals and local volunteers in Saint John, Fredericton and Miramichi to organize free community barbecues in recognition of World Hepatitis Day, July 28.
July’s sunny weather brought several area residents to come together to enjoy food and games, learn about viral hepatitis, and seek testing.
Viral hepatitis is spread through contact with contaminated blood and bodily fluids and can lead to liver damage, cirrhosis and cancer. Viral hepatitis affects more than half a million Canadians, and it is the most common reportable blood-borne infection In New Brunswick.
World Hepatitis Day was a perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements made to treat and hopefully eliminate hepatitis.
Many people with hepatitis are unaware they have the disease and that is why it is important to increase testing to decrease the number of individuals living with undiagnosed viral hepatitis.
Horizon thanks its many community partners that made this year’s events so popular.
Continued success for Horizon’s events raising awareness about viral hepatitis
Louise Grant (left) reviews one of the neuropsychological tests used in the COMPASS-ND study, with Linda Yetman.
Dietetic students bring energy, ideas and perspective to HorizonEvery year, dietetic students from University of Moncton join Horizon for the 10-month internship, which begins in the fall and ends in June.
This year, six dietetic interns completed their internships with Horizon — three in Saint John, two in Fredericton and one in Miramichi.
Registered Dietitians across various areas of Horizon take time above and beyond their normal work schedules to mentor these future dietitians and help shape the future of the profession.
During their internship, dietetic students are mentored by Horizon staff. Back row, from left:ConnieCoffin, Clinical Dietitian, Saint John; Jill Robillard, Manager, Clinical Nutrition, Saint John; Heather Godfrey, Manager,
Clinical Nutrition, Fredericton; Esther Archibald, Director of Food Services, Fredericton; Jacqueline Noseworthy, Manager, Clinical Nutrition Miramichi; and Darin Quinn, Director of Therapeutic Services, Fredericton. Front row,
from left: Candidate dietitians Patrick Gauthier; Andréanne Marcotte; Jasmine LeBlanc; Katelyn Murray; Roxanne Rossignol; and Maxime Pelletier.
Horizon’s health professionals attended the event in Saint John to offer on-site hepatitis C testing.
Horizon’s Public Health nurses Nancy Gesner and Tiffany Trecartin offer healthy snack options at the
Saint John event.
Students receive mentorship and practical experience from managers and directors who have played a leading role in fostering the Internship Program within Horizon in the field of dietetics. In turn, the students bring energy, new ideas and a fresh perspective to our departments.
“Mentoring dietetic students has promoted cooperation and job satisfaction within the Clinical Nutrition department and with other departments such as Nutrition and Food
Candidate dietitians form a “Horizon Star.” Clockwise, starting front row centre are: Roxanne Rossignol; Andréanne Marcotte; Maxime Pelletier; Jasmine LeBlanc; Patrick Gauthier; and Katelyn Murray.
Services,” said Connie Coffin, manager, Clinical Nutrition, Saint John area. “It has also helped us with succession planning as some of our students later become our employees. It is a great way to give back to our profession!”
The interns graduated with their Bachelor of Science with a Major in Nutrition on June 21 and are now eligible to write their national exam to become Registered Dietitians.
The COMPASS-ND study is continuing to look for participants at
Horizon’s St. Joseph’s Hospital.
To learn more, contact Louise Grant at 506-632-5777.
Steve Colwell of AIDS NB serves up a hot dog to a community member in Miramichi.
An event kiosk in downtown Fredericton.
Waste Walk reduces wait times at Horizon’s Fredericton Public Health office As part of the Waste Walk Challenge, Shauna Leaman, Registered Nurse at Horizon’s Fredericton Public Health office, found a way to reduce wait times for patients by improving the process for rebooking immunizations.
Patients are booked into a 30-minute time slot that includes a mandatory 15-minute wait before leaving the office after their immunization.
The previous immunization booking process involved the nurse walking the patient out and waiting in line with them after their immunization to book their next appointment with the administrative assistant.
The step of the nurse waiting in line has been eliminated. The patient is now given an appointment slip to bring to the administrative assistant to book their next appointment on their own during their 15-minute wait. Eliminating this step allows clients to receive their full appointment time to discuss questions and concerns. It also allows nurses to have more time to prepare for their next client which ensures they are being seen on time.
“The new process is so simple, but much more efficient,” said Shauna. “Clients, especially those with young children, now
Shauna Leaman, Registered Nurse, photographed in herofficeatFrederictonPublicHealth.
feel less rushed leaving the office after their immunization knowing they can book their next appointment on their own time. The nurse has more time to prepare for the next patient, reducing wait times. It’s a win-win!”
The new immunization booking process saves a total of 105 hours
of wait time annually.
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Thank you to everyone who shared what they’re doing to become a more responsible consumer and global citizen. We received 16 submissions, each a different way we can make the world a better place for future generations. And they were all so great, we’re including all of them! (Maybe it’s time to re-name this feature?)
We heard from readers from 13 facilities or regions, 13 units or teams, and 12 different positions.
Some Horizon staff have changed the way they travel to work or stopped using a particular item, while others have adapted their recycling and reusing practices.
If you have a suggestion for a future Top 10 list, please email [email protected]. If you have an idea for another interactive feature, we’d love to hear that, too!
We look forward to reading your submissions for the next Top 10 list!
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“I have thought a lot about this in the last few years. I try to do my part. I recently stopped commuting between Moncton and Sackville each day for work. I now work in Sackville where I live.
Although it was not my primary reason for switching my work to Sackville, it was something I was happy about. Less emissions in the air. Now I have decided to take it one step further: I walk to work, 2.8 kilometres, whenever I can, and I love it. Even less emissions in the air to help protect our world for my grandchildren. I am happy to leave my car in the yard. And it’s good for my health as well.”
Beth Black Nurse Manager, Brunswick West and Emergency Department, Horizon’s Sackville Memorial Hospital
“We do backyard composting. Our composter is at the top of our hill and basically feeds our vegetable garden down the hill. Plus, the tomato seeds from the compost seem to grow a variety of new
tomatoes without any work!”
Dr. Yogi Sehgal Physician, Emergency Department, Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital
“I have been recycling paper and plastics for years, but just recently started using bamboo toothbrushes. They are environmentally-friendly. I found some at Winners.”
Christina TonerDietitian-Nutritionist, Horizon’s Tobique Valley Community Health Centre
“I have stopped buying bottle water (this reduces plastic in our environment) and now use a refillable container for my water drinking/hydration.”
Anne WalkerRN, Medical Floor, Horizon’s Hotel-Dieu of St. Joseph
“My big reduction in waste this year has been to change the way I dispose of my cat litter. I realized I was producing more waste from my two kittens than I did with my own children. I now line
a sealable bin with newspaper and dump the used (clay-based) litter into it. I take the paper out to the compost bin. No garbage.”
Caroline Mackay RN, Emergency Department, Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital
“We started composting and used this in our new vegetable garden and we also remember to take our grocery bags to the store instead of using plastic packets.”
Michelle HowarthLPN, Medical Floor (Acute Care), Horizon’s Hotel-Dieu of St. Joseph
“Being a responsible consumer does not mean changing your whole lifestyle. For me, it means eliminating the single-use items. It all started with my ‘zip-locks’ then it was my saran wrap,
my coffee mug, etc. Forget that Timmies’s cup — bring your own! They will be more than happy to fill it with a warm dark roast.”
Janelle Bélanger St-PierreRehab Assistant, Paediatric Team, Horizon’s Stan Cassidy Centre for Rehabilitation
1 “The one thing that I am trying my best to do is avoiding accepting Styrofoam boxes when getting take-out from the cafeteria at DECRH. I believe that the smaller paper plates are less invasive to our
environment. I wish the cafeteria would just eliminate Styrofoam boxes altogether.”
Lorna MansfieldOfficial Languages Advisor, Official Languages, Horizon’s Dr. Everett Chalmers Regional Hospital
“I try to be a better consumer and global citizen by recycling more at work and at home by using the blue bin program and I also try to use re-usable bags whenever I do my shopping.”
“We take the plastic bags the newspaper comes in and use them for dog poop. We use Sobeys bags for garbage bags. We go to nature park every week and pick up sea garbage, ropes, plastic etc. We have reusable bowl covers and don’t use the plastic
wrap unless there is no way out. We have lunch containers and a thermos, and we bring our lunch to work. We recycle plastic and burn cardboard and paper to start the fire. We buy in bulk and reuse bottles to store things in.”
Nick BarrySocial Worker, Horizon’s Ridgewood Veterans Wing
Employees of Horizon’s Charlotte County Hospital (CCH) had the privilege of working with a wonderful gentleman, Gene Currie.
Gene was a security guard at the hospital for 17 years, and a sincere friend and a true colleague to all who worked with him. He
CCH employees pay tribute to long-time colleague with memorial site
always had a smile on his face and enjoyed telling his many stories to whoever was available to listen.
Gene had been retired for only a short period of time when he became ill. He fought a courageous battle with cancer, remaining
positive during his illness and determined to win his fight. Unfortunately, on June 17, 2018 Gene lost his battle and passed away.
Gene is missed every day at CCH, as he has touched the lives of many of his co-workers during his employment.
A former colleague of his wanted to place a memorial stone on the hospital property in his honour.
Staff contributed to this fund and a memorial stone, with a flowering bush, was placed by the gazebo on the grounds of CCH in Gene’s honour.
In July, Horizon’s Charlotte County Hospital staff gathered at the memorial site honouring their late colleague Gene Currie.
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9The memorial stone.
SANE nurse recognized for helping victimsMany of Horizon’s staff work with patients and clients when they’re at their most vulnerable. This is especially true for Emmanuelle Landry, Horizon’s Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Coordinator for Moncton and Miramichi.
Emmanuelle and the team of Horizon SANE nurses care for and work with victims of sexual assault and violence daily, empowering them with support and guidance.
Her passion and dedication were recently acknowledged through the Victim Services Provider/Practitioner Award of Excellence by the Charlotte County Abuse Prevention Network and Justice Canada.
She received the award for her significant contribution to improving the experience of victims and survivors of crime in New Brunswick.
“I was very proud of myself and my team,” she said, reflecting on the award. “It feels like all the extra little things we do and all the care we give pays off. We always wonder if it makes a difference … the award was the answer.”
Emmanuelle was nominated by Charo Poirier, Administrative Director of the Emergency Program at Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital.
Emmanuelle Landry, Horizon Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Coordinator for Moncton
and Miramichi accepted her award from Andrea Anderson-Mason, Minister of Justice and
Attorney General of New Brunswick.
“I was ecstatic Emmanuelle was being recognized for her contribution and dedication to the SANE program,” said Charo. “Emmanuelle’s dedication is truly extraordinary and her influence on public recognition of the program is highly impressive.”
Emmanuelle and her team of SANE nurses are usually the first health care providers to treat victims and hear their stories. Their thoughtful interactions can be the beginning of a victim’s healing process.
“I wanted to become a RN to help others,” said Emmanuelle. “When I heard about the SANE program I immediately knew it was for me. I made a promise to myself to always make victims feel in control and to give them their power back.”
Emmanuelle is committed to building a SANE program where victims know they won’t be judged or rushed. She and her team care for people regardless of their story, age or gender.
Horizon registered nurses are encouraged to consider becoming a trained nurse examiner with the SANE program. The next training session begins in October. To register or find out more contact Emmanuelle at [email protected].
On July 11 staff and friends gathered at the memorial site to pay their respects to Gene. His friends and co-workers shared many stories during the gathering.
The day was beautiful with the sun shining and a slight breeze, and many staff commented that Gene would be smiling down on them.
Top 10 continues on next page
“To become a more responsible citizen I am making a conscious effort to refuse a plastic bag when making purchases (I either carry the items or bring my own reusable bag) and buy less (go
to stores when I need something, not as a hobby).”
Annette LeBouthillier RN/Acting Manager, Access Management and Nursing Informatics, Miramichi area
“I have become more aware of candidate platforms in upcoming federal and provincial elections. I want to use my vote to change the actions we take as a society to combat
climate change.”
Nicola Keeling Administrative Assistant, Infection Prevention and Control, Horizon’s The Moncton Hospital
“I love coffee! I appreciate when a coffee is fair trade organic and even better, locally roasted. I was buying a lot of coffee last year and realized how hard it was to find recycling
for coffee cups all the time. So now I try to ensure that I have two enviro mugs with me in the morning for my ‘busy’ life.”
Sacha HammingRegistered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist, Integrated Service Delivery Child & Youth Team, Sussex area
“We’re teaching our children about recycling and keeping the environment clean. We’ve also replaced plastic baggies with reusable cloth bags for lunches and harmful cleaning products
in our home with safer/sustainable options that reduce chemicals in the air and lets us reduce plastic waste!”
Serena Jones CharbachiPublic Health Nurse, Oromocto Public Health
“I recycle my plastic, paper and compost items with Fundy Regional Service Commission. It does require extra work and time, but my family wishes to make a smaller footprint on this
exquisite Earth of ours.”
Melissa Choudhary RN, Transitional Care (4AN), Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital
“When asked if I want a bag by a vendor, I drop a hint that they try to wait until a consumer asks for a bag (versus offering one), as often the common reaction of a consumer is to say
‘yes’ when offered without really thinking whether they need it.”
Theresa VeniotAdministrative Services Coordinator, Ridgewood Addiction and Mental Health and Saint John area Addiction and Mental Health Program
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3 10 What is Horizon doing?
You asked. We have answers. Horizon is always looking for ways to improve energy performance and curb waste consumption at our facilities. In fact, Horizon is a national leader in energy programs, and has presented at various conferences across the country in an effort to share our lessons learned with other health care facilities.
The language we speak is the first symbol of our identity. Communication failures can sometimes lead to serious complications and even have disastrous consequences.
In the April 2019 edition of the Horizon Star, we announced a forthcoming wide-scale communication operation: the Active Offer Relaunch.
This initiative will provide us with the ideal opportunity to showcase Horizon’s commitment to linguistic excellence within its facilities.
Horizon’s Official Languages’ team will be hosting information booths in several facilities in fall 2019. Our presence will enable us to meet not only patients, visitors, and members of the public, but all interested staff members as well.
We want to inform as many people as possible of the measures we have undertaken, the progress we have achieved, and Horizon’s commitment to providing patients with services in the official language of their choice. At the same time, we will be pleased to answer any questions and offer various types of useful resources to help staff deliver the active offer.
. . .In addition, we are proud to announce the launch of an extensive linguistic profile automation project.
Currently, updating the linguistic skills of each of our departments is a major challenge. We are required to constantly assess linguistic profiles in response to a number of circumstances, such as the hiring or departure of employees or the change in need for services in the two official languages.
We therefore wish to offer an effective monitoring tool to assist managers in their recruiting and continuing education strategies. What’s more, such an advancement will make it possible for us to maximize, at all times, our compliance with the Official Languages Act of New Brunswick, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Here is an excerpt from the policy and guidelines pertaining to New Brunswick’s Official Languages:
“Institutions must have the linguistic capacity to serve the public… in both official languages. They must be equipped with a team of employees who are ready to actively offer services of equal quality in both official languages.”
As always, our team is available to help you and will be pleased to answer any question you may have.
Do not hesitate to contact the Official Languages Advisor in your area for any additional information.
They are here to help.
Four years ago, in September 2015, Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH) was the first Horizon facility to implement a Smoke-Free Environment Policy.
The policy, together with our Smoke-Free Together initiative, provincial legislature (the Smoke Free Places Act), and supportive smoking cessation benefits, is providing a supporting environment to truly make this, and all Horizon facilities, a smoke-free place.
Here’s an update on several aspects of how we became a Smoke-Free Together facility.
Celebrating four years of Smoke-Free Together at Horizon’s SJRH
It feels extremely satisfying to know that our Smoke-Free Together initiative has had a positive impact on staff, visitors and our patients. Their experience of not having to walk through second-hand smoke as they enter our facility shows we value a healthy workplace and environment.
By supporting a smoke-free environment we have seen significant improvement in the awareness of and need to provide support to our patients and staff to manage their tobacco cravings while they are in our environment. We always have room for improvement, but I strongly feel we have been successful in changing the culture on our campus here at SJRH.
Brenda Kinney Executive Director, Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital
BUTTING OUT
Before the policy was implemented: 1,592 butts were found at the front entrance “U” area and back entrance.
Five weeks later: Only 60 butts were found – a 96% reduction.
Four years later: 260 butts were found; that’s up from the earlier count, but still an 83.7% reduction!
We still have work to do!
My story goes like this: I’m turning 52 this year and have smoked since I was 12.
Around the end of 2014 to the early months of 2015, I went on a fishing trip and it was so hot I couldn’t breathe. I blamed it on the
cigarettes and swore to quit right there.
When I got to work the next day, I went to Employee Health and signed-up for the program. They had done their homework, and the program they came up with for me through a few simple questions worked. I was smoke-free until the about the summer of 2018; I went through a divorce and caved in to peer pressure to relax myself.
Recently I spoke with Tina (Ramsay, a member of the Smoke-Free Compliance team) and got myself back on track and on the program again. This will be it, all over.
The policy has helped me immensely, from supplying the products I need to do this and the support group behind it. If you have questions or just need to talk to someone for a minute to help you through a rough moment, they are they for you. It is by far one of the most organized and well-researched programs I have had the pleasure to be involved with.
Dean Jones, Supervisor, Food Services, Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital
“The Smoke-Free Together initiative was a huge undertaking with a lot of work put into it. With any initiative, the change in culture, habits, and attitude takes time, and education is almost always ongoing, however
it is so nice to see progress has been accomplished and that it is having a positive impact on our patient and visitors while visiting our site.”
Liane Jordan, Manager of Safety & Security Services, and Deryck Williams, Security Officer, Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital
HORIZON’S SMOKING CESSATION BENEFITSEmployees, and any family member included in their benefits plan, have a maximum allowable amount of $800 every five calendar years in smoking cessation medications.
Coverage includes nicotine replacement therapy patches, nicotine gums, lozenges and oral medications (drugs – i.e. Champix).
All such products must be prescribed by a Physician or Health Practitioner who is licensed to prescribe under applicable provincial legislation.
If you are a smoker who is thinking about quitting, wanting to quit or have already quit, the inConfidence Stop Smoking Centre is also available to help. It is a free personalized online program and can be accessed by visiting myinconfidence.ca. (Visit the Employee Health Skyline page for username and password.)
STUDYING SMOKE-FREEA year after the comprehensive smoke-free hospital policy was implemented at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH), Dr. Kerrie Luck, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of New Brunswick, explored the perceptions, experiences, and behaviours of health care providers at the SJRH regarding the policy as part of her dissertation.
Four overarching themes emerged from this qualitative descriptive study, including: • Greatersupportfortobaccoreduction;• Enhancedpatientcareandinteractions;• Improvedstaffmorale;and• Somebarriersstillexist.
The main findings suggest a comprehensive smoke-free hospital environment can strengthen the tobacco-free workplace culture within a hospital setting among health care providers where support for tobacco reduction is amplified, patient care and interactions regarding tobacco dependence are improved and staff morale is enhanced.
While there are still some challenging barriers as well as opportunities for improvements, the implementation of a comprehensive smoke-free policy heightened the call-to-action among HCPs to take a more active role in tobacco reduction.
This study was published in the Global Qualitative Nursing Research journal in 2018.
Violators are subject to a maximum fine of $2,100 for smoking or vaping on our properties.
LET’S CELEBRATE!On Thursday, Sept. 26 we will celebrate
four years of Smoke-Free Together at Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital.
There will be a booth at the staff entrance hosted by Employee Health team
members. Stop by to ask questions about the policy, get your Smoke-Free Together
badge reel and enjoy a piece of cake.
WANT TO LEARN MORE?Visit the Smoke-Free Together Skyline page for information about the policy, including
FAQS and “how to” videos. You’ll also find a manager’s toolkit to help educate and support
When Horizon’s Upper River Valley Hospital (URVH) opened in 2007 it was the first LEED-approved hospital in Canada (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
In 2013, Horizon established its Energy Network, led by the Facilities, Engineering and Property Management Department. To date, the Energy Network has achieved measurable and significant reductions in energy usage — 128 million equivalent kilowatt hour (kWh). Its projects have cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30,100 tonnes and seen $8.4 million in actual energy cost avoidance.
Emission reduction to date is equivalent to taking 6,500 cars off the road or heating 4,000 N.B. homes!
They’ve installed LED lighting retrofits at nine hospitals, introduced of occupancy sensors and enhanced heating, cooling and ventilation.
Horizon’s Miramichi Regional Hospital (MRH) was the first Horizon facility to adopt the network’s Energy Management Information System (EMIS). Improvements at MRH have included upgrades to its wood boiler plant, resulting in reducing oil consumption by 240,000 litres and $306,000 per year, a decrease in water consumption by more than 15 million litres annually, and more than $60,000 in annual energy cost avoidances by increasing air handling unit supply temperatures by 2 C.
In 2016, Horizon was awarded the Wayne McLellan Award of Excellence in Healthcare Facilities Management from the Canadian Healthcare Engineering Society (CHES) for making the health authority “leaner” and “greener.”
And, in 2017, Horizon was awarded the Energy and Environmental Stewardship Award from the Canadian College of Health Leaders (CCHL) for demonstrating environmental responsibility through the reduction of energy usage, the preservation of natural resources and effective waste diversion solutions.
Horizon’s Saint John Regional Hospital (SJRH) was the first health care facility in Canada to earn Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) ENERGY STAR certification label for 2018 for its superior energy performance. In late August, SJRH received its approval for NRCan’s ENERGY STAR certification for 2019.
Not only is Horizon focused on efficiency, but also on renewable energy. A small (20kW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system sits on the rook of SJRH and generates electricity using the energy from the sun. The solar panels have been designed so they can be adjusted and optimized seasonally, thereby harvesting as much energy from the sun in all seasons. The electricity generated is used instantaneously and staff can check a dashboard in real time to see the amount of electricity produced.
220,000 Canadians will acquire an infection during their hospital admission.8,000 to 12,000 of those individuals will die from their hospital-acquired infection (HAI).At Horizon, we care about the health of our patients, their families and our co-workers.
It’s OK to ask us if we’ve cleaned our hands.It’s important we all work together to keep our patients, families and co-workers safe by
performing hand hygiene.Compliance with hand hygiene is associated with up to a 50 per cent reduction in HAI.
Treatment is costlier than prevention.With proper and frequent hand hygiene, we can save lives.
Hand hygiene is the single most important thing you can do to
