14 November 2013 - Global disaster puts personal challenges in perspective

My thoughts are with those who have family and friends affected by the deadly Typhoon Haiyan which hit the Philippines. It’s been shocking to see the devastation with the huge loss of life and lack of basic amenities, such as food, water and medical supplies. Seeing the badly-damaged hospital overwhelmed by casualties reiterated the level of

helplessness of those on the ground. The challenges of getting aid to where it’s needed when all infrastructure is damaged is proving to be a huge obstacle for the government and relief agencies. A United Nations report this morning stated that even on day five of this tragedy, they still don’t know the full extent of the picture of devastation, with information coming in in a piecemeal fashion. They’re now talking about 9.4 million people being affected with more than 600,000 people displaced. That’s more than the population of Christchurch. A global disaster such as this certainly puts our own personal challenges in perspective. World Congress on Integrated Care Last week I was invited to present at the World Congress on Integrated Care held in Singapore. The Congress focused on why integrated care is a high priority for healthcare systems around the world. A number of examples from a range of different countries were used to highlight a variety of models that exist and the “folly” of searching for the “one best way” was discussed. The importance of understanding the common ingredients of integrated care that can be found in different models and the importance of adapting and shaping these ingredients in different contexts were high-lighted. The distinction between real and virtual integration; the importance of aligning incentives behind integrated care; the need to focus primarily on clinical and service integration rather than organisational integration and to integrate care around individual patients and users as well as populations were seen as fundamental ingredients. Fragmentation to integration Evidence and experience show that moving from fragmentation to integration is extremely challenging with many attempts either failing or achieving only partial success. A small number of examples of progress towards integration were highlighted. One of these small numbers of examples was the Canterbury Health System. All of the work that so many have been involved with in Canterbury is at the leading edge of integration worldwide. However, I think that we are all aware of just how much better we can make our health system. More information on the King’s Fund report which talks about Canterbury’s journey towards integration be found here: http://cdhb.govt.nz/What-We-Do/Projects-Initiatives/kings-fund/Pages/default.aspx Canterbury Anniversary Day If you have a day off tomorrow – enjoy the break. If a visit to the A & P show is on the agenda be sure to pop in and say hi to the team at our health system exhibit. It’s in the Future Canterbury Pavilion. If you’re feeling brave you can ‘oldify’ yourself and see what you might look like 30 years from now. And you can also have go at the Mindgame, where your ability to shut down brain waves and chillax will make you a winner. Find out more about our plans for new health facilities and why more health services are being provided in peoples’ homes and in the community. Take care David

David Meates

Thursday 14 November 2013

Canterbury District Health Board’s stand at the A&P show is attracting lots of visitors. If you’re planning to visit the show tomorrow, our stand can be found in the Future Christchurch/Greater Canterbury pavilion. Come along and:

• See what YOU will look like in 30 years’ time • Help design your ideal hospital bed – and test it too • Learn about our hospital facilities development plans • Challenge an opponent to a game of Mindball.

Coordinated by CERA, the pavilion is a great opportunity for organisations across Christchurch to show-case the latest rebuild initiatives for the city.

Canterbury District Health Board at the Canterbury A&P Show

40 years of nursing at CPIT to be celebrated Cathy Andrew, the Head of CPIT’s Department of Nursing & Human Services, has pleasure in inviting you to celebrate 40 years of nursing at CPIT. An open afternoon 1400-1700 hours on the 3rd floor NS block Drinks and nibbles 1700-1900 hours on the 6th floor NS block

Please join us on Friday 29 November from 1400 hours at the Department of Nursing & Human Services, CPIT. Please RSVP to Kerry Chisholm for catering purposes by Friday 22 November 2013. Phone: (03) 940 8094 Email: Kerry.chisholm@cpit.ac.nz

Thursday 14 November 2013

UÉâÖâxàá Healthy Homes assistance, Pegasus and CEA (Community Energy Action) Phone call received from consumer regarding Healthy homes assistance. He has been hospitalised quite a few times over the past year or two. He has just built a brand new home (has been an energy assessor for 20 years) and reckons he has the warmest home in NZ so won’t be requiring an assessment. He thanked Pegasus/CEA for this service, thinks it is a great

programme and very pleased that something like this is available. He thanked me for the great service and asked me to pass his thanks onto everyone involved. Cardiothoracic, Christchurch Hospital Thank you for helping with my partner, hopefully I can take him home in two days. Once again thank you doctors and nurses. Ward 15, Christchurch Hospital To all the catering staff, thank you. You are all wonderful, happy, smiley people especially Perie and Bethney. Thank you. Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Christchurch Hospital God bless you all in here, doctors and nurses for looking after my partner. Thank you. Ward 23, Christchurch Hospital I would like to thank all staff from Ward 23 for their wonderful caring attitude towards my wellbeing for the days I was there. Special thanks to Georgina for her wisdom and very outgoing personality. Also for the very nice meals which I really enjoyed. Once again thank you Ward 23. Outpatients, Hagley Christchurch The receptionists at the main desk are always extremely helpful and friendly and I would like their work to be commended. Ward 25, Christchurch This is the third time I have been admitted in a month. I would like to compliment all of you on Ward 25 for your tremendous quality of care, friendliness and support – doctors, nurses, support staff – everyone I have had the pleasure of meeting. It amazes me with the number of patients you must have coming through the ward over this period of time, that you remember so many details about me. Especially like to mention Peter who delivers the meals, such a nice, happy person – just like you all. Thank you all so much for looking after me. Kind regards to you all. Ward 12, Christchurch Hospital Hooray for the whole crew (crowd) in Ward 12 and the rehab team at Horticultural building opposite.

Afternoon Carpark – charges on hold Following the problems we are currently experiencing with the availability of parking in the afternoon carpark the decision has been made that the charges will be put on hold from Monday 11 November until Sunday 24 November, after which time the parking situation will be reassessed. This will allow staff to enter the carpark and exit without charge if they are not able to find a space in this area. We would like to offer apologies and thank everyone for their patience.

Thursday 14 November

Canterbury Hospitals’ Friday Clinical Meeting (Grand Round) No Friday Clinical Meeting on 15 November

(Show Day)

22 November 2013, 12.15-1.15pm (lunch from 11.45am)

These two Grand Round talks are part of the day long Rhise Earthquake Research Symposium. The Grand Round is open to all, although the rest of the Rhise Symposium is for registered attendees only. As the Rhise Symposium has a large number of delegates who will attend the Grand Round, seating may be limited.

Speaker: Dr Cameron Lacey, University of Otago “Earthquake stress and broken hearts” Dr Lacey is a consultation-liaison psychiatrist with a strong research interest in identification and treatment of psychiatric and cultural factors in medical illness. This study investigates the possibility of a link between psychiatric risk factors and Broken Heart Syndrome. Speaker: Dr Kathy Peri, University of Auckland “The impact of Christchurch earthquakes on the health of older people” Dr Peri is a registered nurse, senior lecturer and research Fellow at the School of Nursing, University of Auckland. She will be presenting the findings from the Shaken Up study of older adults aged over 75 years following the seismic events in Christchurch in 2011. Chair: Professor Michael Ardagh Venue: Rolleston Lecture Theatre Video Conference set up in: • Burwood Meeting Room • Meeting Room, Level 1 PMH • Wakanui Room, Ashburton • Telemedicine Room, Admin. Building 6 – Hillmorton Friday Grand Round – 29 November 2013 Dr Jim Worthington, Maxillofacial Surgery Dr Sue Nightingale, Chief of Psychiatry Chair - Dr Sandy Macleod

Opportunity to try Mindball Staff are invited to try Mindball, a two-person game controlled by players’ brain waves in which players compete to control a ball’s movement across a table by becoming more relaxed and focused than their opponent. Players wear a velcro-fastened headband with electrodes which measure the electrical activity of the brain. There is nothing invasive or unpleasant about the process at all. The electrodes are wired up to a biosensor system which measures the brain’s electrical signals. The results of this measurement of brain activity are recorded as an electroencephalogram (EEG). Mindball is based on the EEG feedback and is programmed to work with specific wave bands that encourage relaxation and focus. The player’s brain activity is also displayed on a monitor so that those watching the game can follow the players’ mental processes during the match. Playing Mindball is a great way to learn about the power we have to control our thoughts. With regular practice, such as practicing mindfulness, we can better manage issues such as stress and anxiety. Mindball will be at the following venues from 11.30am to 1.30pm: Tuesday 19 November: Christchurch Hospital (lounge off the Great Escape) Wednesday 20 November: The Princess Margaret Hospital (main café) Thursday 21 November: Burwood Campus (main café) Tuesday 26 November: Hillmorton Hospital (room to be confirmed) For more information about mindfulness practice see the Something for You on the intranet page.

Mindball being played at the A&P Show

Thursday 14 November 2013

CEO Update on the CDHB Website

From next week, the CEO Update will be available on the CDHB website. This is to make it easier to share with health professionals outside the CDHB system. Links to documents, and other websites found within the update are a mixture of CDHB intranet, email and internet addresses. Where confidentiality is not an issue, these links will also be accessible via our website. However confidential or staff only information will continue to be available only through our intranet which means the link will not work if you are accessing the update from an external (non-CDHB) computer. You will have noticed that this week’s update looks a little different. We are freshening up its look and changes will gradually be introduced over the coming weeks. The link to the website version will be sent on Friday 22 November and there will also be a PDF version on the website. We welcome your feedback, so please tell us what you think, and story ideas are always welcome. Contact us at:communications@cdhb.health.nz

New Communications Guide Canterbury District Health Board’s Communications Guide has been reviewed and updated. A group of interested parties from across CDHB has been working on the review for a number of months. The group has drawn on guidelines created from by other DHBs, the Ministry of Health and external agencies. The existing edition was completed in 2004 and was called the CDHB Style Guide. The new version is called the CDHB Communications Guide. The new guide updates all the existing information such as use of the CDHB Logo, correct font or type style, templates for letters, memos etc. It now also has tips on communicating with different audiences eg people with English as a second language or people with a hearing impairment, and how to write well. Guidelines within the workplace for new forms of communication like facebook and twitter have also been added. You can find the new guide on the intranet – here. Some of the links contained in the guide may change as work is completed on our intranet upgrade. If you come across any of the links not working, or find something you think is incorrect, please send this to communications@cdhb.health.nz Small sections from the guide will feature in upcoming CEO updates.

Residential Advisory Service Have you or someone you know stalled or come up against a roadblock in their earthquake repair or rebuild process? Well help is at hand. The Residential Advisory Service assists people with free and independent advice to help property owner’s move forward in their journey and find the best way to address the challenges and complex matters they are facing. Our qualified lawyers, who are experienced in earthquake matters, meet with you in one of our convenient community venues to discuss your individual circumstances and provide you with tailored advice depending on your situation. If you want more information on the service check out our website www.advisory.org.nz or telephone us on (03) 379-7027 or 0800-777-299.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Extra support in navigating cancer patient journey In the 2012 Budget the Government announced funding to improve cancer services in New Zealand. The Cancer Nurse Coordinator (CNC) three year initiative is part of this funding combined with three other work streams which include: faster cancer treatment indicators, tumour specific standards and multidisciplinary meetings. Nationally 40 full-time equivalent (FTE) CNCs have been funded by the Ministry of Health, these roles are supported by a National Nurse Lead, Natalie James. In May 2013 the CDHB appointed four CNCs. The purpose of the role is to co-ordinate patient care and act as a point of contact across different health services. It is also to support and guide patients and whānau to enhance their experience and keep them fully informed about their care. The CNCs work collaboratively with other nursing, medical and allied health personnel, identifying areas for service improvement, enabling timely access to diagnostic and treatment services. All four co-ordinators have relocated to the city. Nadine Peake has moved from Ireland. Karen Francis originated from England via Timaru, Desma Dawber (honorary kiwi) Fairlie and Tracey King emigrated from the UK two years ago and has been working in the Oncology Service in CDHB. All four are experienced cancer nurses and are thrilled to be working in this “challenging and exciting” role. “Our role is about improving outcomes for people with Cancer. We navigate them through their Cancer pathway, help them access what they need from the health system” says Tracey. Patients are referred to the CNCs after being triaged with a high suspicion/early Cancer diagnosis. CDHB has taken a ‘tumour stream approach’ e.g. upper gastro intestinal cancers, skin cancers etc. The CNCs work directly with other health professionals in primary, secondary and tertiary care, and NGOs to ensure each patient receives the most appropriate care and support. “It’s about using and complementing the existing services, not duplicating what’s already out there. We’ve only been in place for five months but feel we are making a positive contribution,” says Karen. “Our roles also have a regional approach providing co-ordination and liaision with other CNCs throughout New Zealand for those patients travelling to Christchurch for investigations and treatment,” says Desma. The CNCs report directly to Deb Hamilton (Acting Director of Nursing for Haematology/ Oncology/Ambulatory Care / Palliative Care and Hospital After Hour Services) and support from a lead CNC at the Ministry of Health. “We are developing a sharepoint site on our intranet, in conjunction with the Multi-disciplinary Meeting (MDM) coordinators. This will be used for ongoing local and na-tional updates for CDHB staff ,” says Nadine. “We are here to support our patients holistically. Each contact we have with them is recorded in Health Connect South,” says Tracey. “To date we have had over 120 referrals and have received positive feedback from those who have had CNC involvement,” reports Karen.

Cancer Nurse Co-ordinators. From left: Tracey King, Karen Francis, Nadine Peake and Desma Dawber

Thursday 14 November 2013

How to leave the fat club

Richard MacKay doesn’t gloss over his description of himself – how he used to be and how he believes he still is. “Fat, not large, fat. I was and still am a fat man.” Overweight from the age of seven, he says his weight gradually crept up over the years and recently as a father of three young children, its been hard to find the time to exercise. However it is obvious there has been a change, Richard’s suit hangs off him. He has lost over 35 kilograms since late February. His weight has reduced from 136.6kg to 101.1kg – and counting. Richard is adamant though that as long as he still has a lump of stomach to grab onto he is still fat. He aims to lose at least another 10kg. His weight loss was prompted by a visit to a practice nurse for a whooping cough vaccination just before the birth of his third child. The nurse did some health checks while he was there. Aside from being overweight, “I was in pretty good nick”, Richard says, but elevated blood sugar levels required a further glucose test which came back positive for diabetes. “I said, ‘that’s not very good’, and started reducing my portion size. I also severely reduced my intake of bread and other starchy foods like pasta, potatoes and rice. I do a very good pizza base – but I haven’t made it in a long time.” However he ensured he ate a balanced diet, with some carbohydrates at each meal and was under the care of a dietitian. Although not a “sweet tooth” he also reduced his sugar intake substantially and he began to eat large green leafy salads with added tuna or chicken. “I still like to feel full,” he says. He also enjoys eating a low fat curry with a small portion of rice (or none at all) that his wife makes, his achievement has inspired her to lose weight too. Peer support has been crucial. Richard and some over-weight colleagues at his then workplace formed a “Fat Club” and encouraged each other to lose weight. “We had strict rules. We had to eat less, move more and be honest - and we always had the ‘burger of shame’ we could hang on someone’s neck – but we never had to.” He began cycling to work – “it just about killed me at first but I quickly built up fitness. Then it started getting dark at night and my wife said, ‘no more’. We had a treadmill at home and I used that.” Weighing himself every day works for him and Richard plotted his weight loss on an Excel spreadsheet - until three months ago when he joined CDHB and was given a smart phone for work. Now he uses a free app named Weight Tracker. Some of his current colleagues know about his weight loss journey and others don’t. “I have only lost seven kilos since I have been here so they probably haven’t noticed,” he says. Richard plans to indulge a bit over Christmas – but will keep up the exercise. As for that diabetes diagnosis – two follow up tests since his weight loss have come back in the normal range, so he is off the medication. Aside from looking forward to buying a new suit soon, he says the best things about losing weight are being more mobile and not sweating as much. “You shouldn’t sweat just from walking around the house, but I did. And I didn’t realise I had been compensating by using techniques just to do basic things like get out of a chair.” Richard is happy to speak in confidence to anyone who wants advice about losing weight. His role as Safety Advisor means he is out of the office a lot but you are welcome to email him on Richard.mackay2@cdhb.health.nz Richard MacKay

before his weight loss

Richard MacKay, has lost more than 35 kg

A minute with... 

Thursday 14 November 2013

Bishnu Pokhrel, Refugee & Culturally And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Facilitator, Specialist Mental Health Services (SMHS) What does your job involve? My role is to provide practical support and assistance for SMHS service users from a refugee/ (CALD) background, meeting with new service users referred to the service, in an appropriate environment, to facilitate ease of access. I liaise with case managers to promote a better understanding of treatment for the specific cultural group and advise teams on the need and use of interpreters. I also contribute ideas to ongoing care plan development for involved consumers through clinical meetings and case discussion. Why did you choose to work in this field? I came to New Zealand as a refugee from Nepal. When I arrived here it was really different to what I used to think about New Zealand. The language, culture, healthcare system and education system are totally different from where I came from. Many refugees and migrant background people were struggling to settle in New Zealand at that time. They were facing lots of barriers to adjust to the new environment. Mental health is defined very differently in my culture, many people do not like to disclose these issues with family and friends and they do not seek professional support. I love to support these people by bringing them to the mainstream mental health care. Sometimes health professionals do not understand the cultural side of the consumers, their background, the way they look after their mental health. So I like to work to liaise for both parties to give a good picture of the needs of refugee and migrant background people to get a better treatment option. People with a refugee background, especially, have lots of trauma and stigma about coming to mental health services because of language, religion, and other barriers. So I try to reduce these barriers and make it easy for people to use the mental health service. What do you love about it? I love working with people of different cultural backgrounds, understanding their needs and providing support to them. What are the challenging bits? Understanding their culture and explaining to them about their wellbeing. Many languages do not have words to express mental health, so sometimes it’s hard to explain. Also, some communities are very small so arranging interpreters is a challenge. Who do you most admire in a professional capacity at work and why? I always admire consumers because from them we learn a lot. They are great resources in my role. The last book I read was ‘Walk a mile in our shoes’, by Heather Barnett and Alex Barnes and a Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand Research Report. If I could be anywhere in the world right now it be In my country, Nepal. One food I really dislike is I like all food. My favourite music is I like to listen to all sorts of music when I have time. More information about CALD can be found here. If you would like to take part in this column or would like to nominate someone please contact Naomi.Gilling@cdhb.health.nz.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Staff wellbeing programme Mindball – don't forget to check out the MIndball sessions for staff—see info earlier in this update Zumba, Yoga, Pilates – multiple classes running at main hospital sites. Check out the Something for You page for timetables. The lunchtime ‘30 minute walk n’ workout’ pilot has been extended at TPMH and CHCH Campus. Ideal if you currently have a low level of fitness but want to be more active this summer. Contact Kris to register kris.tynan@xtra.co.nz. More information on Something for You page. CDHB Earthquake Support Coordination Service – we have two Earthquake Support Coordinators dedicated to helping CDHB staff deal with issues related to EQC, insurance, accommodation etc. See Something for You for more information. Retirement seminars: Final seminars for 2013 this week at Hillmorton and TPMH. Please email cara_bolton@westpac.co.nz to reserve a place. Topics covered include: - Kiwisaver - The financial planning pyramid - Do I repay debt before I save? - Do you have enough (retirement savings)? - Time not Timing (returns from different types of investments, need to diversify, how not to time the market) Mindfulness sessions: running at CHCH Campus, Hillmorton, Burwood and TPMH EAP Services: free confidential off-site counselling available for all staff. More information available on the Something for You page or by contacting Andy Hearn. Quitting smoking – we can give you support, advice and free nicotine replacement therapy For more information on the activities above check out the updated Something for You intranet page.

New Cancer Patient Care Pathways Intranet The MDM (Multidisciplinary Meetings) Project Team are excited to announce the launch of the CPCP intranet site! The new “Cancer Patient Care Pathways” Intranet website has gone live! This site will provide a good central (easily accessible) point for gaining information on:-

• Faster Cancer Treatment (our umbrella) • Multidisciplinary Meetings (for cancer

patients) • Cancer Nurse Coordinators

The MDM Coordinators and Cancer Nurse Coordinators will ensure the site is kept up to date – it’s a one stop shop for information, newsletters etc and also includes quick links for you to make use of. We hope you will come to know it as CPCP. Click here for your first look!

http://cdhbintranet/medicalandsurgical/CancerPatientCarepathways/SitePages/Home.aspx

We look forward to your visit & any feedback is greatly appreciated! NB – For fans of MDM News and Views, the latest newsletter can be found on CPCP. See the story about our Cancer Nurse Co-ordinators earlier in this update.

Giving Canterbury a little aroha A kind word can mean the world to someone. All Right? is giving you the your chance to offer a great big 6x3m(!) compliment to the people of Canterbury. To enter the draw to get your idea on a bill-board simply post your best compliment at www.facebook.com/allrightnz or email hello@allright.org.nz before 5pm on Wednesday 20 November. Thanks and good luck!

Thursday 14 November 2013

Wellington Phoenix visit Christchurch Hospital – Ward 22

Burwood Health Campus - Level 2 Administration Workspace Mock up at the Design Lab A mock up of the level two administration workspace for the redeveloped Burwood Health Campus will be available for all staff to visit from 20 November 2013. Please take this exciting opportunity to visit the mock-ups. To book your visit, please contact Margo Mainwaring: Email: Margo.mainwaring@cdhb.health.nz Phone: 3377892 or extn 66892 or 021 1470555 Where: Print Place/ Middleton (off Birmingham Drive) The following dates and times are available (Bookings are essential): Wednesday 20 November 9.00-10.00am 10.30-11.30am 12.00-1.00pm 1.30-2.30pm 3.00-4.00pm

Thursday 21 November 9.00-10.00am 10.30-11.30am 1.30-2.30pm 3.00-4.00pm

Friday 22 November 9.00-10.00am 10.30-11.30am 12.00-1.00pm 1.30-2.30pm 3.00-4.00pm

Monday 25 November – Friday 29 November 2013 inclusive 9.00-10.00am 10.30-11.30am 12.00-1.00pm 1.30-2.30pm 3.00-4.00pm

Please note that each guided tour will be approximately one hour (time allowed for questions included).

Some of our smaller patients had a special visit from three Wellington Phoenix players, Paul Ifill, Stein Huysegems and Louis Fenton, when they were in town last week. The guys dropped in to the Children’s Ward, which gained a big thumbs up from patients, families and ward staff.

 

Thursday 14 November 2013

Nurse Educator – General Medicine Registered Nurse - Waikari Hospital

Information Analyst (Clinical) Trendcare Coordinator – Greymouth

Medical Laboratory Scientist (Greymouth)  

Click here to see more opportunities on the careers website 

Kaumātua Services: Megan Karena Registered nurse Megan Karena (Ngāti Kahungungu), was welcomed to Kaumātua Services with a pōwhiri held at Purapura Whetu offices on Monday 4 November. Megan has just returned from overseas after two years and has been a registered nurse for many years. She previously worked with Hokonui Rūnanga Social Services in Gore and will provide 20 hours a week clinical support to kaumātua utilising our Rehua Marae Day Care services, and a further 20 hours working with Purapura Whetu in a postnatal infant project. The collaborative arrangement with Purapura Whetu is unique and welcomed by CDHB as an innovative way to raise the capacity of our Māori workforce.

Support a family this Christmas Ten years ago, the Methodist Mission decided to change from hosting a communal Christmas Dinner in favour of a more dignified option of helping some of the least well off in the community to share dinner with their families and friends at home. Sponsors are given a profile of a family in need of support and they make up a Christmas food hamper and a small gift for each of the chil-dren in the family. It was a good decision and we receive great support from families, parishes and various businesses that make up hampers for families in need. But this year we currently have more families than sponsors. If your family, work team or business would like to make up a hamper it would be great. Click here for the registration form.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Ever wondered how to help people manage pain more effectively? University of Otago, Christchurch has the course Pain is one of the most common reasons for people to see a health professional. It is a main feature of many health conditions, and the impact of pain on people's lives is broad and invasive. If you have ever wondered why pain is so complex, or how to help people manage their pain more effectively, the University of Otago, Christchurch's postgraduate distance-taught papers in Pain and Pain Management will provide you with a good foundation for practice. There are three specific suites of qualifications and one of them could be of particular relevance to you. Medical practitioners can enrol in the PG Certificate/Diploma in Musculoskeletal Medicine, and both allied health professionals and medical practitioners can enrol for the PG Certificate/Diploma/Masters in Health Sciences endorsed in either Musculoskeletal Management or Pain and Pain Management. For further information, contact Veronica McGroggan, phone 3641-086, or email veronica.mcgroggan@otago.ac.nz Admissions for 2014 are being accepted now.

Support for prevention of sudden unexpected death in infancy The South Island Alliance Leadership Team has signed off a regional safe sleep policy, supporting DHBs in their efforts to prevent sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) and safe sleeping settings for infants from birth to six months in hospitals. Safe Sleep Day is on Friday 6 December. Click here for more information.

Department of Psychological Medicine University of Otago, Christchurch

And the Specialist Mental Health Service Canterbury District Health Board Clinical Meeting

Tuesday 19 November 2013

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm Venue: Beaven Lecture Theatre, 7th Floor, University of Otago, Christchurch School of Medicine Building

“Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: Diagnostic considerations”

Presenter: Dr Carin Conaghan Chaired by: Dr Fraser Todd

Special notes:

• These meetings will be held on a weekly basis (except during school holidays). • A light lunch will be served at the School of Medicine venue from 12 noon. • Psychiatrists can claim CME for attending these meetings. • The sessions will be broadcast via the telepaeds system. For PMH attendees the venue is the Child,

Adolescent & Family Inpatient Unit, Ground Floor. Access is from the main reception at TPMH. • The dial in address is: Psych Med Grand Round.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Pharmacy Assistants ensure the medicine gets through

It’s not a co-incidence that Kay Rowe wears running shoes to work. “We are on our feet most of the day and need to be comfortable. This is especially true when on delivery duty, when we walk on average 25km each day, delivering patient specific medicine that isn’t part of the basic ward stock”, she says. Kay is one of the Pharmacy Assistants at Christchurch Hospital. The rest of the team comprises: Liz Shackleton, Deane Gray, Ray Thomas, John Urquhart, Kerry Beech, Corey Gyde, Bev Crawford, Cesar Valderrama, Kerry Manahi, Daniel Sullivan and Paul Muir. Paul has been the late night and Saturday delivery assistant for 13 years. Their duties include checking their allocated wards twice a week, spending about 30 minutes scanning each medication room before returning to Pharmacy to pick and check stock prior to returning it to the ward. As well as Christchurch Hospital, the Pharmacy Assistants pick all the orders for Burwood, Hillmorton and The Princess Margaret (TPMH) hospitals. They are responsible for shifting 250,000 items a year at 125 different stocking points around CDHB and have to be able to distinguish about 3000 items which can look alike and have similar names. “I think it’s incredible that they manage to do this within a short time of starting work here,” says Pharmacy Manager, Paul Barrett. Things would soon grind to a halt if wards didn’t have their medicine restocked. “It is critical to have the right medications in the right place at the right time.” The job is not about “blindly following lists”. Their detailed knowledge means, for example, if a certain drug is not used much by one ward but a lot by another, they will keep an eye on stock and reallo-cate it before it expires, Paul says. Bronwyn Baiteary has been a Pharmacy Technician at Christchurch Hospital for 27 years and uses this experience in her role as Pharmacy Distribution Supervisor. She says it has been an exceptionally busy year with the recent ward moves and General Medicine returning to Christchurch Hospital. “I am proud of all the extra work the assistants have put in over the last months, on top of their regular ‘day’ jobs. It’s been a massive task clearing wards of pharmacy stock and then re-labelling or restocking a few weeks later.” General Manager, Medical-Surgical and Women's & Children's, Pauline Clark, says she would like to thank the Pharmacy Assistants for their contribution to good clinical care. “The work they do in ensuring ‘the medicine gets through’ as it were, the unpacking, packing, stocking, labelling, and delivering. All of that is appreciated and absolutely essential as we seek to provide good quality care to patients needing our services.” If any ward has a problem with its medication stock contact the Pharmacy Assistant team by calling ext. 80832.

Pharmacy Assistant staff, from left,Kerry Manahi (recently left to work in Queenstown) Kerry Beech, Kay Rowe, Bronwyn Baiteary (Pharmacy Distribution Supervisor) and Bev Crawford.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Preventing falls in Canterbury hospitals There were 2299 falls in 2011/12 and 2279 in 2012/13, with an average rate of 5.75 per 1000 inpatient bed days per month. Of these falls, 37.4% resulted in physical harm, with 26 falls being rated SAC 1 or 2 - fourteen were hip fractures. The CDHB inpatient fall rate is consistent with rates reported in the literature. The DHB’s Statement of Intent includes falls reduction across the system as a key priority. Canterbury District Health Board has a long established Falls Prevention Programme, overseen by Divisional Falls Committees that focus on increasing awareness and developing preventive approaches. With the advent of the national falls prevention programme via the Open for better care campaign, and with the results of “Real time study on falls” completed in 2012, an overarching hospitals Falls Prevention Steering Group was established to identify and drive initiatives to reduce falls. Progress to Date 1. Communication of modifiable falls risk factors:

a. Visual Cues:

Currently, Canterbury DHB hospitals team is reviewing the materials (visual cues) used at the point of care, so that information for patients and families is clear, useful and consistent.

b. ‘Patient at a glance’ boards at the bedside:

A proposal to build on the programme “Making time to Care”, with the full roll out of “Releasing Time to Care” has been submitted to Mary Gordon, Executive Director of Nursing for consideration as part of the workforce transition planning for the new facilities.

2. Appropriate ward clinical systems

a. Patient own equipment:

Discussion is occurring with key personnel to determine if bringing in a patient’s own walking aids is desirable and feasible. Depending on the outcome of those discussions, walking aids may be considered in much the same way as bringing in medicines from home.

b. Intentional Rounding.

Hourly rounding at night is routine. I ntentional rounding of patients by their nurses during the day can be used as a way of ensuring comfort and pre- empting needs.

3. Facilities design

a. Trial low impact flooring:

Trials to determine the impact of low impact flooring on resistance (transport), and cleaning of surfaces are to be carried out as part of the Burwood redevelopment.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Adult Obesity Management Forum The Canterbury Initiative, in association with Dietitians New Zealand Canterbury Branch, invites you to at-tend this forum to discuss how the Canterbury Health System can help patients with obesity achieve a healthy weight. Obesity is not an issue for dietitians alone to solve. We need a collaborative, co-ordinated, multi-disciplinary approach. Date: Tuesday 3 December, 7.15pm – 8.45pm Venue: The Atrium, Netball Centre, Hagley Park All welcome. Please RSVP: Canterbury.initiative@cdhb.health.nz More information about the forum can be found here.

Click here to view Issue 8 - November 2013 Medication Safety Watch newsletter, a bulletin for all health professionals and health care managers working with medicines or patient safety. Key messages in this issue:

• Fentanyl transdermal patches. • Tall Man lettering list. • Aged residential care medication chart. • Oxycodone brand changes.

Your help is needed with Falls visual cues There are currently some inconsistencies that could cause confusion, for example a green wrist band is used at Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals to denote a high falls risk; while to the Older Persons Health Division, green means that a patient can mobilise independently as per mobility chart. The CDHB Falls Prevention Review Group is currently reviewing the Falls Risk visual cues (alerts) system across all CDHB Hospital sites with the aim of standardising them. Many different staff members see the patient and all have a role to play in falls prevention. The objective of this survey is to seek staff feedback of what currently works or doesn’t work or what could work re visual cues at the “point of care”. We would appreciate a few minutes of your time to give us your feedback. Please click on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VisualCuesFALLS The Falls Prevention Project Team – Visual Cues, are: Susan Wood, Carl Hanger; Mark Crawford, Diana Gunn, Carolyne Johnston; Christine Pithie, Jacqueline Bennetts; Kerry Winchester; Nikky Kear; Vicki Prout, Robyn Cumings, Irena de Rooy.

Thursday 14 November 2013

Antibiotic Awareness Week 18 – 24 November

Thursday 14 November 2013