FIR SQUARE COMBINED CARE UNIT BC WOMEN’S HOSPITAL 4500 OAK STREET VANCOUVER BRITSH COLUMBIA
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FIR SQUARE COMBINED CARE UNIT BC WOMEN’S HOSPITAL 4500 OAK STREET VANCOUVER BRITSH COLUMBIA V6H 3N1 CANADA
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FIR SQUARE COMBINED CARE UNIT BC WOMEN’S HOSPITAL 4500 OAK STREET VANCOUVER BRITSH COLUMBIA V6H 3N1 CANADA. BACKGROUND. Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the poorest neighbourhood in Canada, hosts a significant drug and sex trade. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Transcript of FIR SQUARE COMBINED CARE UNIT BC WOMEN’S HOSPITAL 4500 OAK STREET VANCOUVER BRITSH COLUMBIA
FIR SQUARE COMBINED CARE
UNIT
BC WOMEN’S HOSPITAL4500 OAK STREET
VANCOUVERBRITSH COLUMBIA
V6H 3N1CANADA
BACKGROUND
Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, the poorest neighbourhood in Canada, hosts a significant drug and sex trade
A study of alcohol and drug use by pregnant women in the DTES indicated low birth weights and frequent removals of babies by child welfare officials
In response, Sheway, a drop-inand outreach program for parenting and pregnant women, developed within the neighbourhood
In 1993, BC Women’s Hospital partnered with Sheway to provide medical detoxification for pregnant women, and in 2003 opened a strengths-based harm reduction maternity unit
PROGRAM AND STRUCTURE
Withdrawal managementWithdrawal management
Parenting classes Parenting classes
Alcohol and Drug counsellingAlcohol and Drug counselling
Alcohol and Drug groupAlcohol and Drug group
Recreation therapyRecreation therapy
Talking circleTalking circle
Music therapyMusic therapy
AcupunctureAcupuncture
Access to 12 step meetingsAccess to 12 step meetings
PHILOSOPHY AND
PRACTICE APPROACH
Reframing concepts in health management of substance-using pregnant women
Providing a safe foundation for family health and family unity
Supporting and educating substance-using mothers to reduce harm and risks
Supporting ‘safe substance use’ instead of ‘no substance use’ for patients unable to
practice abstinence
Revolving door strategy to promote access to medical care
Strength-based practice, supporting and promoting womens’ self-determination
The Fir Square multidisciplinary team includes:
Dedicated physician groupSenior Practice Leader Dedicated nursing teamDedicated social workerHalf-time addictions counsellorHalf-time life skills/parenting
counsellor
Staff assist women in achieving an optimum level of pre- and post-natal health
This model and intervention are intended to reduce the effects of
•malnutrition•homelessness •poverty •problematic substance use for mothers and infants
1. Reduce substance use and related risks
2. Improve infant health outcomes
• birth weights, growth and development• reduced risk of HIV+ infant Sudden Infant Death Syndrome • reduced effects of substance exposure
PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
3. Increase the percentage of mothers able to safely retain custody of their infants
4. Increase the numbers of women seeking treatment and their readiness to enter treatment
5. Increase access to medical services for substance-using women
Referral Criteria Substance-Using Women
Women may self- refer to Fir Square.This option reduces potential barriers to care, allowing substance-using pregnant women to easily access supportive, non-judgmentalante-natal and post-natal healthcare
• Obstetrical or medical needs associated with substance use which cannot be managed on an ambulatory basis
• Detoxification or substance use management where required admission is for a defined period of time in order to achieve stabilization and/or abstinence
Psychosocial needs (e.g. emotional/physical safety, lack of housing ) that place the mother and fetus at significant risk, cannot be managed on an ambulatory basis, and where placement options are not available.
Suspected drug overdose
Referral CriteriaSubstance Exposed Newborns
Infants requiring management of symptoms of withdrawal or pharmacologic toxicity following prenatal substance exposure, born at BC Women’s.
Infants withdrawing from prenatal substance exposure where other options to manage withdrawal symptoms are not available, born outside of BC Women’s. Whenever possible, mothers will be admitted to a “companion room” in order to stay with their babies.
Research is currently underway to evaluate social, healthand child welfare outcomes.
The study is being conducted by the Centre ofExcellence for Women’s Health, British Columbia.
Two staff members of Fir Square, the Senior PracticeLeader and the Social Worker, have been retainedas researchers to assist with this research project.
The following ‘anecdotal’ evidence of positive outcomes are unsolicited letters from former patientson Fir Square.
“I just want you to know how much we do appreciate your kindness and dedication. I came in here all hurt and broken up with not a lot of purpose in life. You guys (and gals) have treated me with respect and tenderness. I once again felt human. After a while as I became healthier you made me feel worthy and whole again. Life started to have purpose and meaning.”
‘When I first met you I thought of myself as worthless and was quite used to being treated that way by every person that I had come into contact with.’
‘Your easy kindness was felt immediately and I remember that you gave me that shred of hope that I so desperately needed. I think you should know that your belief in me and your kindness and non-judgment played a huge part in how my life is today’
“They gave me a warm and safe place to stay away from violence and drugs. I never would have gotten to keep my baby without coming here, and it saved me from a life of drugs and abuse. Thanks to the staff, I get to take my baby home today and get a fresh start”.
For more information contact
Sarah Payne, MA, RN Senior Practice [email protected]
Sydney Weaver, MSW, RSWSocial [email protected]
