Best practices in the spotlight during clinical skills days ... - Baycrest

Staffimmunizationon the rise asflu cases surgeacross Ontario2A bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families, clients and volunteersJust in the last two months alone,nursing staff have been enhancingtheir knowledge of best practicesin two separate and significantprofessional development events:clinical skills days organized by theadvanced practice nursing team anda Registered Nurses’ Association ofOntario (RNAO) workshop hosted onthe Baycrest campus.January 16, 2013 —VOL. 9 NO. 2Best practices in the spotlight duringclinical skills days and RNAO workshopMore than 600staff, clientsand familiesparticipate inconversationsabout our newstrategic planSpeech-languagepathologystudents visitBaycrest fora learningexperiencewww.baycrest.orgBaycrest is an academichealth sciences centrefully affiliated with theUniversity of Toronto45Both events tie in with Baycrest’s roleas an RNAO Best Practice SpotlightOrganization (BPSO).During this three-year initiative, whichstarted in April of 2012, interprofessionalworking groups will be implementing theRNAO’s best practice guidelines in fiveclinical areas of focus.“Both of these professional developmentopportunities were a great way for staffto learn more about the best practiceguidelines and their implementation,”says Lilibeth Jones-Lim, advancedpractice leader, Nursing, and coordinatorof the BPSO initiative. “This will benefitour initiative through building capacityfor staff to translate evidence-basedpractice at the point-of-care.”Deborah Sewell (centre), advancedpractice leader, Nursing, leda session during the clinical skills dayon November 26. Here, she works withMargarita Ramos (left), registered practicalnurse, Community Day Centre, and MarilouTolentino, registered nurse, Apotex 2.RNAO workshopMore than 100 nurses and allied healthprofessionals attended the RNAO’sBest Practice Champions Workshop onNovember 29 including approximately50 staff from across Baycrest and 50 stafffrom other health-care organizations.Professionals from long-term care,public health, acute care, rehabilitationand complex continuing care wererepresented in the group....continued on page 8Innovations in agingBaycrest Matters is published every second Wednesday by the Public Affairs Department. Send your feedback orsubmissions to Jessica Lee, editor, or Steph Parrott, contributing writer, at baycrestmatters@baycrest.org or call416-785-2500 ext. 3590. All submissions will be edited for style, grammar, readability and length. The deadline forsubmissions is the Wednesday prior to the publication date.

Baycrest MattersA bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families, clients and volunteersMore and more people are stepping up to helpprotect clients and others at Baycrest from theflu. This year, more Baycrest staff chose to get theannual flu shot during the 2012 staff influenzaimmunization campaign than in 2011.The Apotex staff achieved an overall vaccination rateof 72 per cent, beating the 70 per cent target. In thehospital, the overall immunization rate was 60 per cent,an increase of 10 per cent over 2011.January 16, 2013 —VOL. 9 NO. 2Staff immunization on the rise as flu cases surgeacross Ontarioimportance of getting the flu shot and helped OHS toarrange Flu Buggy visits to units and departments acrossthe campus.“The champions did a great job in supporting thecampaign with their energy and efforts, and we sawsome of the biggest improvements in staff immunizationrates in units where we had the help of champions,”says Boroja. “On behalf of the flu team I want to thankour champions for their hard work.”“Our 2012 flu immunization campaign was markedby unprecedented cooperation and activity acrossthe organization,” says Nadia Boroja, manager,Occupational Health and Safety (OHS).One important element in helping to drive up thevaccination rate was campaign champions. Thechampions helped spread the word about theOverall, Boroja says the results from this year’scampaign are a step in the right direction. “We want tocontinue to build on the gains we’ve made as we aim toreach a 70 per cent vaccination rate and higher acrossthe organization. The high levels of flu activity thisyear really underscore how critical it is to continue toincrease our vaccination rate.”(From left to right) Joni Kent, vice president, Strategy andchief human resources officer; Jennifer Cross, programaide, Community Day Centre for Seniors; Norie Anlacan,registered practical nurse, 3 East; Manson Locke,director, Human Resources; Cyndi Thibeault, unit director,Apotex 4; Wendy Crisp, registered nurse, occupationalhealth and safety; Lindsey Robins, development officer,Baycrest Foundation and Nadia Boroja, manager,Occupational Health and Safety, gather at a teacelebration to thank the champions of the flu campaign.Flulympics resultsSsas asx asdvdfvfmlkl ffddf fb fgb fgbdf gbdfgbdfgbdfbgdfgbdfgfegfg gfdfgdf fdgdfgdfsgdsfgThis year’s flu campaign featured the Flulympics, a friendlygsdfgsdfgsdfgsdfgsdfgsdfgsdcompetition where teams competed to aim for vaccinationrates of at least 70 per cent. Seven teams achieved this goal,winning pizza for all immunized staff on these teams.FLULYMPICS2 0 1 2Congratulations to the Tan, Black, Yellow, Brown, Navy,Orange and Sky teams! The pizza parties are set to take placein late January. Watch for updates on the intranet or fromyour manager.22

Baycrest MattersA bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families, clients and volunteersStaff in all areas of Baycrest as well as clientsand families had the opportunity to providefeedback and ask questions about the new fiveyearstrategic plan at more than 45 small groupmeetings across the campus that took place inNovember and December.According to Dr. Bill Reichman, presidentand CEO, “These conversations with staffand other stakeholders are crucial to fosteringan understanding of the work we will do toimplement this plan and the changes that it willbring.”The strategic planning engagement team ledby Joni Kent, vice president, Strategy and chiefhuman resources officer, spent a little over amonth going to staff meetings, Council meetings,committees and other groups, ultimately reachingmore than 600 employees across the organizationto provide an overview of the plan, get feedbackand answer questions.Themes that stood out for Kent related to themany ways staff go the extra mile to providevery special individualized client-centred careevery day. “It’s clear that as we evolve as anorganization, these efforts that enhance thequality of care we provide are top of mind witheveryone and we must do everything possible tocontinue to stay focused on them,” she says.Kent says another point that came out of theengagement sessions was our commitment torecognizing Baycrest’s history and its roots. “Theimportance of remembering where we camefrom, our history as the first Jewish Home forJanuary 16, 2013 —VOL. 9 NO. 2Strategic plan 2013-2018More than 600 staff, clients and families participatein conversations about our new strategic planthe Aged, and our Judaic heritage and cultureis something that came through clearly in ourconversations.”“The feedback has been essential for us as wehave continued to refine the document to ensurethat the final product reflects what’s specialabout Baycrest, the experiences of our staff,families and clients, and not only where we’regoing but also where we came from: the rootsthat make us strong as an organization,” saysKent. “We want to try to weave in these elementsso that the final document speaks to all thesegroups.”The final plan is set to be submitted to the Boardof Directors for approval at the end of January.After that, there will be much more dialogueand information about what the plan means toBaycrest.Kent says these first meetings with staff this fallwere just the beginning of a conversation thatshe wants to continue on a regular basis overthe next five years. According to Kent, continuedengagement from staff will be vital to the plan’ssuccess. “We want to have more conversationswith staff about what the plan includes andhow we are going to pull it into our operatingplan,” she says. “In order to advance this planour staff need to understand it, be able tohave conversations about it and be able to seethemselves and their role in our plan.”Once approved, the 2013-2018 strategicplan will be rolled out and used to create ouroperating plan.42

Baycrest MattersA bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families, clients and volunteersJanuary 16, 2013 —VOL. 9 NO. 2Speech-language pathologystudents visit Baycrest fora learning experienceBaycrest’s speech-language pathologists sharedtheir expertise with a group of students from theUniversity of Toronto in an Integrated LearningExperience (ILE) at Baycrest on November 28.“Baycrest was invited to host this session becauseof our expertise in aging, geriatrics and care of theelderly,” says Lisa Sokoloff, professional practice chief,Speech-Language Pathology and specialist, InternationalRelations and Interprofessional Education.The session focused on treatment, planning andoutcome measures for a complex geriatric case. Baycrestspeech-language pathologists developed a case study toeducate students on best practices in communicationand swallowing disorders in geriatric care.ILE sessions are developed to give students theopportunity to integrate what they learn in theclassroom with real-life situations. Students reinforceand demonstrate their knowledge through this casebasedlearning.Forty-six students in the speech-language pathologymaster’s program attended the session. In addition tothe case study, the day-long ILE featured a discussionon professional practice with Fay Lim-Lambie, director,Health Disciplines and a talk on the complexity ofgeriatric care by Dr. Gary Naglie, chief of medicine.Sokoloff says that feedback on the session wasextremely positive. Participants indicated they were verypleased with the learning experience and recommendedthat Baycrest host another session next year. “Mostimportantly, 98 per cent of the students indicated thatthey learned something new about geriatrics and thatwas one of our key goals for this session,” she says.Know your safety signs forfalls preventionRecognizing safety signs can make all the difference inprotecting yourself and clients from slips and falls. Safetysigns call attention to dangerous situations, and should neverbe ignored or moved unless you have confirmed first withEnvironmental Services at ext. 2122.When you see safety signs displayed, be alert and payattention to your surroundings. Here is a sample of safetysigns you may see around Baycrest and what they mean:Wet floor signs Lets you know of flooding or a wet floor If the floor is dry, walk carefully Always pass on the right-hand side of a sign Never remove a wet floor sign unless you have contactedEnvironmental Services firstClosed for cleaning sign Lets you know an area is closed for cleaning or maintenance Do not enter the area Never remove a closed for cleaning sign while ahousekeeping aide is cleaningCaution tape Lets you know an area contains a hazardous situationincluding construction, repairs or a majorly slippery floor Avoid area and do not cross Never remove caution tape without contacting Security orFacilities Services firstIf you have questions about safety signs, please contactEnvironmental Services at ext. 2122.52

Baycrest MattersA bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families, clients and volunteersApotex and hospital units exhibit customized art byOCAD U studentsgroup of students from OCAD University (OCAD U)A has brightened up the Apotex and the sixth floorof the hospital with installations of unique textile artcustom-made for the spaces, residents and staff.January 16, 2013 —VOL. 9 NO. 2Prior to creating their works of art, the students had theopportunity to visit Baycrest and attend a presentationon The lived experience of Baycrest clients and staff byBianca Stern, director, Culture Arts and Innovation; LeslieIancovitz, clinical manager, Complex Continuing Care,6 East; Claire Taasin-Lau, unit director, Apotex 3; andMaria De Leon, inpatient clinical manager, PalliativeCare, 6 West. Following the presentation, the studentsassembled a list of questions for residents and staff tofurther inspire their creations.“The students learned about identity and the notion ofhome within the Baycrest community so that they couldcreate works of art that were both client-centred andsite specific,” says Aviva Babins, arts project coordinator,Culture Arts and Innovation.Stephanie Nasello, a fourth-year student at OCAD U,created a colourful work of art now installed on the sixthfloor of the hospital.Stephanie Nasello, one of the student artists, created awork of flowers, hand-made out of yarn and paper pulp,for the recreation area on hospital 6 West. She says shewas inspired by the live plants and flowers in the spaceand by “the fact that the clients tend to the flowers.”The students’ fibre designs are now on display at severallocations in Apotex 3 and hospital 6 West and 6 East.There will be a reception to celebrate the new installationson Wednesday, January 30 from 3 to 5 p.m. on Apotex 3.Gift of thanks: A new way to say thank youThe Baycrest Foundation hasSlaunched an exciting new waysas asx asdvdfvfmlklfor grateful families and patientsffddf fb fgb fgbdf gbdfgbto say thank you to the doctors,dfgbdfbgdfgbdfgfegfgnurses, clinicians, support workersgfdfgdfand volunteersfdgdfgdfsgdsfgwho have madegsdfgsdfgsdfgsdfgsdfgsdfgsdan impact on their lives here atBaycrest.With a donation to the Gift of Thanks program, your honouree willreceive an acknowledgement card with a personalizedmessage from you and a special pin to wear in recognition of theextraordinary care they have provided.This new way of saying thank you will help Baycrest continue totransform the journey of aging and is a unique opportunity toacknowledge those who have made a difference.If you are a staff member who would like Gift of Thanks brochuresfor your unit, please call Megan Amodeo at ext. 3370 or atmamodeo@baycrest.org.To give a Gift of Thanks, call 416-785-2875.62

Baycrest MattersA bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families, clients and volunteersJanuary 16, 2013 —VOL. 9 NO. 2Healthy habits for the flu seasonLiving well with stressOver time, seemingly small events can trigger stressreactions. When under too much stress, your body will developphysical, emotional or behavioural warning signs. Physicalsymptoms include headaches, high blood pressure, chest pain,fatigue or eyestrain. Some emotional signs are irritability, lowself-esteem, anger and apathy. Behavioural indicators maybe overeating or under eating, increased smoking or drinking,forgetfulness or insomnia.Consider these strategies to reduce the negative effects ofstress in your life:1. Breathe deeply. Most people tend to take short, shallowbreaths when stressed, preventing proper oxidation of yourtissues which only exacerbates stress. Check your breathingthroughout the day, especially during high pressure situationsto ensure you are breathing as slowly and deeply as possible.2. Practice saying “no.” Saying “no” to extra projects, socialactivities and invitations you don’t have the time or energy fortakes practice, self-respect and a belief that everyone, everyday, needs time to relax and rejuvenate.3. Every day, do something you really enjoy. Go for a walk, takea long bath, listen to music, call a good friend, get a massage,spend time in nature or do anything that revitalizes you.4. Sleep restfully. A proper night’s sleep allows your bodyto deal with daily stressors more effectively. Keep a regularsleep schedule whenever possible, avoiding caffeine andalcohol close to bedtime, relax before sleep and keep yourbedroom at a cool, comfortable temperature.5. Better manage your time. Use a calendar or timemanagementsystem to record all of your appointments andtasks, including self-care activities. Prioritize all of the aboveand act accordingly. Make the time to take care.Living well with stress - EAPwellness seminarLearn more about stress managementTuesday, January 29Noon to 1 p.m.Wortsman HallFor more information, contact Paul Smits at ext. 5186or at psmits@baycrest.org.Rotman Research Institute Senior Scientist launchesnew neuroscience bookDr. Don Stuss (right), Senior Scientist with Baycrest’s Rotman ResearchInstitute and president and scientific director of the Ontario Brain Institute;and Dr. Robert T. Knight, professor of psychology and neuroscience at theUniversity of California, Berkeley, celebrated their book, Principles of FrontalLobe Function, Second Edition, at a launch party hosted by Sandra andJoseph Rotman at the Royal Ontario Museum on November 27. Dr. Stuss andDr. Knight co-edited the volume as an update to their first edition, which hasbecome the standard reference on the frontal lobes of the brain. The newedition covers new research and even new areas of research in the field.72

Baycrest MattersA bi-weekly update for Baycrest staff, families, clients and volunteersJanuary 16, 2013 —VOL. 9 NO. 2Staff announcementsA warm welcome to Nancy Jones, who joins Baycrest in the role of professional practice chief, Physiotherapy.Nancy has more than 30 years’ experience in progressive leadership, education, research and clinical capacitiesin various health sectors in both Canada and the United States. In her role as professional practice chief, shewill be responsible for the oversight and delivery of the practice, leadership and governance of physiotherapistsand physiotherapy assistants in the hospital and Terraces. Nancy’s first day was January 9.Join us in celebrating creative expression atthe ApotexPaintings, pottery, clothing, and books; these are just a fewof the items created by residents that will be on display onApotex 2 for the second annual Creative Expression Exhibit.All Baycrest staff, residents and their families are invited tojoin us on January 22, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. in the Apotex 2Recreation Room to celebrate the creativity of our residents.Pictured here, Simy Bensalmon, shows her work to a staffmember at the 2012 exhibit.Best practices in the spotlight ...continued from page 1The workshop, which is facilitated by the RNAO, isdesigned to introduce staff to the association’s toolkiton applying best practice guidelines and to givepractical information about the process of guidelineimplementation. At the end each day-long session,participants become Best Practice Champions, joining anetwork of other champions and gaining opportunitiesto connect with RNAO facilitators and mentors.Clinical skills dayThe advanced practice nursing team organizes onedaysessions each year to give nurses the opportunityto refresh their skills and ensure they are up-to-dateon the latest best practices and resources. Two of thesessions were held in the fall with two more to followthis winter.This year, participants in the sessions are learningabout the BPSO initiative’s five clinical areas of focusby working in small groups on case-based scenarios.This format gives nurses the a chance to discussguidelines and share their knowledge.“Aligning our clinical skills day with the BPSOinitiative, we’re giving nurses at Baycrest the chance tolearn more about the guidelines we’ll be implementingso that they’re engaged and involved in the process,”says Aysha Bandali, advanced practice nurse and oneof the organizers of the sessions.The next clinical skills days will be held on Wednesday,January 30 and Wednesday, February 27. For moreinformation on how to sign up, contact Aysha Bandaliat ext. 2182 or at abandali@baycrest.org.82