Royal Review December 20, 2013

Survey says … The survey results are in and RVH has much to celebrate! Thanks to your feedback and ideas we saw positive gains, putting us at or above the provincial average in almost every category of our Employee, Physician and Professional Staff Engagement Surveys. In keeping with our commitment to open and transparent communications, the full RVH-wide report is now posted on the home page of the RVH intranet and department reports will also be posted. Response rates to the survey were out-standing— 76 per cent of employees, and 62 per cent of our physicians and professional staff found their voice. These high response rates provide invaluable and accurate infor-mation that will act as the roadmap for action. You told us that 59 per cent of RVH em-ployees and 64 per cent of our physicians and professional staff are positively engaged – numbers that continue to rise. Overall, you feel more engaged and satis-fied with your job and this organization. You said that RVH is focused on high quality care and safety, especially hand hygiene. Through the survey, we learned that your values are clearly aligned with RVH’s MY CARE phi-losophy and that patients are treated as indi-viduals. You have a clearer understanding of goals and expectations and how your work

Meet the Doc

Rima Petroniene PhD, MD, FRCPC

Dr. Rima Petroniene, a gastroenterologist at RVH, is often called “Dr. P. or Dr. Rima” by her patients, who have difficulty pronouncing her Lithuanian surname. She came to Canada from Lithuania more than 15 years ago and she now feels at home here, although the beginning was not easy. According to Dr. P, ‘immigration is like living life twice’. Now, after ten years at RVH, she cannot imagine working anywhere else. She likes the community atmos-phere at RVH and the warm, collegial, and supportive relationship that she enjoys with her colleagues and staff. “I’ve seen nurses, volun-teers, and docs at RVH showing great examples of kindness, devotion, and professionalism. It is an incredible pleasure and privilege to work with such people.”

contributes to these goals. Physicians and professional staff gave high marks to the support from other healthcare providers and the quality of RVH nurses. Overall trust is improving and you feel RVH promotes health and wellness. The survey also revealed opportunities for improvement including time to understand patients’ needs and prepare them for dis-charge. Many of you still want more time to do your job, more opportunity for advance-ment and to not feel like you are working in crisis mode. In the New Year your managers will share your departmental results with you and you have a very important role to play. Based on your team results, you will develop action plans to make improvements in your area. These will be your ideas - your plans to make RVH truly the best place to work, practice and receive care. Get involved in this important process. At-tend staff meetings to discuss survey results, get involved in the action planning and pro-vide ongoing feedback to your manager about how to improve your workplace. Thank you once again for finding your voice and for your ongoing commitment to RVH and how we can Make each life better. Together.

Rehabilitation assistants Jenna Wiseman, left, and Gillian Bouchard, second from right, pose with RVH patient Colin Lomax and his wife Margaret, during the patient holiday party hosted by the Allied Health team. Patients received gifts, including Teddy bears from the Barrie Advance newspaper and other com-munity organizations and businesses. One hundred patients were able to attend this year’s party.

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RVH Royal Review December 20, 2013

At RVH, our patient-centred MY CARE philosophy is at the heart of everything we do. Every patient has a right to expect the best possible experience at RVH and a revised hospitalist model is helping contribute to an improved patient experience. The majority of medicine patients are cared for by a hospitalist - a hospital-based general physi-cian. Hospitalists assume the care of hospitalized patients in the place of patients' primary care physi-cians. Even before MY CARE was launched, the Medicine program determined there was a need to revise the hospitalist model to benefit patients and physicians. Based on consultation from internal stakeholders, the new model sets high standards for the qualifications and skill sets of RVH hospital-ists, as well as moves to a ward-based system with hospitalists working seven day rotations. It also ensures seamless, team-oriented inter-professional care and a robust roster of hospitalists to meet our patients’ needs. “It has now been over a year since the model was introduced and the results are trickling in,” says Dr. Reza Heidarpour Meymeh, Chief Hospitalist, RVH. “Patients now have the same physician for seven days and the patient experience data indi-cates this is having a dramatic impact on their ex-perience. Patient perception of the overall doctor care they’re receiving has increased to 98.2 per cent. This is nearly four per cent higher than the provincial average and a significant win for this new model.” The data shows other significant gains are be-ing made in relation to doctor discussed patients’ anxieties (71.1 per cent, provincial average – 65.5 per cent ), doctor spoke in front of the patient (94.5 per cent, provincial average – 87.4 per cent) and the courtesy of doctors (98.2 per cent, provin-cial average – 96 per cent). “Anything we can do as physicians to allay pa-tients fears and anxieties impacts how they feel about their hospital stay,” adds Meymeh. “As hos-pitalists, treating our patients is about more than addressing their medical needs. Many of our pa-tients do not have a regular doctor so they look to us for reassurance, honest answers about their condition and the feeling they are receiving high quality, safe care. The new hospitalist model helps us ensure we meet their needs and exceed expec-tations.”

Back row: Drs. Hongyun Yan, Reza Meymeh, Rebecca Verhaeghe, Laurie Shaver, Dave Boushy, Roy Hyslop Front row: Drs. Alain Sacksen, Daniel Schecter, Kevin Ali Absent: Drs. Blair Baker, Paul Howard, Christa Kozanczyn, Jose Lopez, Rogy Masri, My-Anh Nguyen, Brenda Pebble, Devon Turner

Revised hospitalist model puts patients first

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RVH Royal Review December 20, 2013

Pat Noble, Chart Production Clerk, Health Records, fights off a swarm of germs in her department’s Respect All video.

RVH volunteer Bruce Steinmiller

Retirements Anne Marie Ireland is retiring from the Mental Health and Addictions Program after 27 years of dedicated service. Anne Marie, who is a Certified Addictions

Clinician/Substance Abuse Profes-sional, will continue to work in the field through her work with the Canadian Mental Health Association and Catho-lic Family Services, as well as her own practice - CHOICES Counselling & Consulting Can-ada. In her retire-ment, Anne Marie also hopes to spend time with her family, travel, volunteer, and have more time for mediation and yoga.

New Role Tricia Swartz is the new Director of Patient Safety, Quality and Risk. Tricia has most recently been the Man-ager of the Rehabilita-tion Inpatient Unit (3SA) and previously, RVH’s Accreditation Specialist.

Artist Colin Randell has generously donated his work “No More Rainy Days” to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH). Having been a client of the Mental Health Services program, Colin felt strongly that he wanted to provide his artwork for the enjoyment of staff and patients in the space where he received treatment. “It is a privilege to have the opportunity to display the beauti-ful artwork that Colin has provided to the inpatient Mental Health unit,” says Chris Nichols, Manager, Mental Health and Addictions Program. “Colin has an incredible talent and he is sure that this piece of work will be an inspiration to others who experience mental health problems. It will encourage them to build on their own strengths and unique abilities.” Afflicted with colour blindness, he began working exclu-sively in black and white pen, as well as ink in 2008. This whimsical piece of art is on display in the Mental Health Inpatient Unit.

Former client donates his artwork to unit

From left: Sandra Gryziak, RVH social worker, Frances Thomas, ART@RVH, Colin Randell and Chris Nichols, manager, Mental Health and Addictions Program pose beside Randell’s donated work ‘No More Rainy Days’.

Darlene Magill started her career at RVH in 1973 as a Rehab Assistant. After 40 years of service, she has been involved in some very historic moments at RVH. From offering sup-port at RVH during the Barrie tornado to helping with the move from Ross Street to Georgian Drive, Darlene has certainly seen a lot over the years.

Dr. Enrique Reyes is retiring after 15 years at RVH. He graduated medical school in 1987 and completed his OB/GYN specialty in 1995. He has de-livered approxi-mately 5,000 ba-bies at RVH. Dr. Reyes will be trav-elling to Aragua, Venezuela, and on his return will be working one day a week in a Fertility Clinic.

Marie Wood, Patient Accommodations Co-ordinator, Finance, has decided that after 44 fantastic years at RVH she will retire. Many people have been touched by Marie’s acts of kind-ness, her constant smile, and her excel-lent baked goods. It will be hard to tell when it is spring around RVH, as we all knew that as soon as the first robin was seen, Marie would be next in her trade-mark shorts and sandals.

January Town Hall • Thursday, January 23, 2014 • Auditorium • 930, 1200, 1430

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RVH Royal Review December 20, 2013

Walk in My Shoes

RVHFF: Call for submissions

Details and sample video available on the RVH intranet. Contact Jennifer Moore in Corporate Communications at ext. 41618 or moorej@rvh.on.ca for more information.

RVH is holding its first ever Film Festival (RVHFF) and awards ceremony – ‘The Vickies’. Staff, physicians and volun-teers are invited to get creative by developing a short film, two minutes or less, showcasing how you live our vision – Make each life better. Together. Your film can be recorded on a digital camera, camcorder or even a smartphone/iPhone. The focus is not on the quality of the filming, but the quality of the message. We know you exemplify our corporate values of Work Together, Respect All, Think Big, Own It and Care. Now is your chance to capture it on film. Film submissions are due by January 31, 2014. Submissions will be judged in three cate-gories for the Vickie awards: • People’s Choice • MY CARE • Most Creative—judge by a local celebrity

panel The Vickies will take place on March 6, 2014.

Value of the Month: Own It The Value of the Month for December was Own It. We had many submissions for people who “take re-sponsibility for my decisions, actions and the impact they have on others, while committing to the highest level of excellence through outstanding service, safety and quality.” Congratulations to our Own It value champs: • Dr. Scott Good, Imaging • Greg MacDonald, Facilities • Nicole Walsh, Discharge Lounge • Margie Steinsland, Discharge Lounge • Patti Snider, Quality and Risk • Kat Stewart, Procurement • Marg McCabe, ICU • Andrew Broeren, Business Development • Rebecca Bloor, Organizational Development • Shelley Debison, Inpatient Rehab • Anne Johnson, Same Day Surgery • Cory Smith, Facilities • Robert Valyi, EVS

• Switchboard team • Josette Terry, MDRD • Susan Stabb, Respiratory Inpatient • Cardiac Renal team • Kelly Smith, Professional Practice • Christine Keogh, Project Manage-

ment • Samantha Stevenson, EVS • Kristy Hunter, EVS • Karen Pattinson, EVS • Dave Steele, Volunteer • Sharon Rose, EVS • Lindy Campbell, Cardiac Renal • Kim Crewson, Purchasing • ED staff and physicians • Laboratory team • Acute stroke physicians • Imaging staff and radiologists

Our final Value of the Month is CARE. Who do you know who lives this value? “I inspire hope and trust, while treating every-one with compassion, patience and empathy. I have passion for our work and the difference we make in the lives of our patients. This means: I help make our workplace safe for everyone; I practice proper hand hygiene; I ensure that people are given the assistance they need to get to their destination; I address the needs of others.” Send your nominations to: rvhcorporatecommunica-tions@rvh.on.ca

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RVH Royal Review

In our main entrance stands a beautifully decorated tree, and carefully placed among the bright blue and green ornaments are delicate glass angels. Each angel carries with it a message of love, hope and remem-brance of someone special who has passed away or who is dealing with a serious illness. This year, I placed two angels on that tree. As always, one in memory of my mother, Terry O’Brien, who passed away from cancer when I was a young adult, and another in memory of my younger cousin, Erin who passed away from cancer this fall. The Angel Tree - a fundraiser for our regional cancer centre in conjunction with Larche Communication’s Radio for Radiation (R4R) campaign - is being organized by Brenda Stanley from The Heart of Business. It is a beautiful way to remember a loved one, while at the same time supporting the important work of our cancer centre. Like so many of you, I have to say that not a day goes by that I don’t think about those I have lost who had such an impact on my life, and especially so when I pass by the cancer centre. Although I have felt the sting of cancer in my family, it is a great comfort to me just knowing that together we have brought cancer care close to home for so many people of this region. Soon we will be doing the same for cardiac patients, children and youth with mental illnesses, and we will be improving gynecologi-cal cancer care for women. This will be our gift to the people of this region – access to high quality, safe, healthcare closer to home. I feel truly privileged to lead an organization that is filled with such dedicated, caring professionals. You live and breathe our vision – Make each life better. Together. You have fully embraced our mission – Exceptional care is our passion. People are our inspiration. Safety is our promise. Like the angels on the tree in our main entrance, you are the angels who walk our halls. And this is the time of year when angels are needed the most. The holiday season can be difficult for families and even more so when a loved one is ill. That is when you, Team RVH, kick into high gear. We gather together to sing carols in the Food Court, brightening the morn-ing for patients and visitors. Our Allied Health team organizes an amazing patient party, with funding from the RVH Auxiliary, providing each participant with some holiday cheer - food, music, laughter, a small gift, a hand-written Christmas card from local children and a Teddy bear, courtesy of our friends at the Barrie Advance. Our food drive for the Salvation Army’s Bayside Mission provides groceries for many of the city’s working poor and homeless. We gather and laugh with each other as we pre-sent our annual holiday concert. These are just a few of the many ways RVH demonstrates holiday spirit. However, the best way we can demonstrate holi-day spirit, and ensure it continues all year long, is the respectful way we work together, treat each other with kindness and compassion, and always make our patients the top priority. However you celebrate – at home with family, travelling, or here at the health centre - I wish you and your families a peace-ful and safe holiday, with much happiness and good health throughout 2014. This year the “Skot 6-pack” will all be together for the holiday and, in addition to enjoying festive foods, we will spend our time completing a large puzzle which we later frame. We will play cards, speed scrabble and games such as Monopoly and Risk. My husband Vic and I go for daily, long and brisk walks during this season – it’s our time together. And it is a time for our family to count our blessings – we have many for which to be grateful. When I take a moment to reflect and count my bless-ings, one of them is always RVH!

With sincere best wishes; Janice

Skot Talk

‘tis the season to remember and give

Locks of love RVH staff and friends of RVH recently gathered to cut their hair in memory of Sarah Frith, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 19 after a very coura-geous and battle with can-cer. Sarah’s mother, Tracey Frith, works in RVH’s Imaging department. Angela Gosselin (pictured above), Clinical Infor-matics, came up with the idea of an event to not only raise money for the Simcoe

Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre, but also donate to Wigs for Kids. In total 15 women grew – and then cut – their hair for the event. The group hair-cutting was held at Rinaldi Salon & Spa where staff generously donated their time to not only do the hair-cuts, but to style each partici-pant’s hair after. “This event has been very emotional for

Sarah’s family and friends, but it is a tre-mendous way to honour my daughter,” says Tracey Frith. “Having the support of my RVH family throughout this journey

has made a difference and now thanks to their generosity, we are making a differ-ence for Wigs for Kids and the Sim-coe Muskoka Re-gional Cancer Cen-tre.” Want to do-nate? Go to http://sarah.kintera.org/ RVH participants: Angela Gosselin Corrine Nesbitt Cheryl Black Shelby Kun Mandy Kennedy Corrine Nesbitt

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RVH Royal Review

New Year! How about taking some time for a new you Thinking about your new year’s resolu-tion? Want to make some lifestyle changes and just not sure how to go about it? Well, why not ask Iris Laycock or Melissa Mei. Laycock and Mei are spearheading RVH’s New Year - New You campaign to educate and engage staff about cancer prevention and how to make healthier lifestyle choices. From stress reduction to exercise and nutrition, the focus of the campaign is to help staff, physicians and volunteers be the healthiest they can be. “New Year – New You is a six-week program focused on cancer prevention which includes promoting wellness initia-tives with each week highlighting a spe-cific topic around mind, body and spirit,” says Laycock, Recognition and Wellness Coordinator. “RVH values people and one way to show just how much they are val-ued is to help them on the road to good health. We know that if we keep our staff healthy they will be able to deliver the best, safest, quality care.” As the lead for Prevention & Screening with the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Can-cer Program, Mei’s mandate is to provide our communities with as much informa-tion about cancer prevention as possible so we can all make informed decisions that will positively impact our health.

“Research has shown that more than one third of cancers can be attributed to poor diet, unhealthy body weight, and physical inactivity. We want to pro-vide our col-leagues with knowledge, tools, and resources so that they can help themselves and their families lead healthier life-styles,” says Mei. Janice Skot, will kick off the six-week program with a brief launch on January 9 at noon in the auditorium where participants can register and re-ceive their toolkit. Each week, there will be a different theme featuring activities, and lunch and learn sessions. The program will officially begin on January 13 with the theme of physical activity followed by smoking cessation, nutrition, mental health, cancer screening, and ending with a focus on respect and kindness. Participants will receive a passport

they must have stamped after completing each activity. Passports with all the stamps will be put in a draw for a $250 gift card from Georgian Mall. “We are a health centre and it is im-portant that we embrace and promote the message of good health at home first – right here at RVH,” says Mei. “I’m excited about partnering with our health and well-ness team to ensure the message about the importance of disease prevention and health promotion hits home.” For more information, contact Iris Lay-cock or Melissa Mei.

Iris Laycock,(left) and Melissa Mei are spearheading the cancer prevention and wellness campaign—New Year, New You.

Ask any occupational therapist (OT) and they’ll tell you that their job is unique. As an OT it is our job to help patients learn new skills, manage daily tasks, and accomplish goals. OTs make a difference in the lives of people with disabilities or injuries. It can be a challenging, but very rewarding ca-reer. As an occupational therapist, we help to develop goals and plans for clients. And then we work with them to help them achieve their goals. As our clients progress, our work will change. There is little risk for boredom. Most occupational therapists are excited that they are able to choose their environ-

ment, clientele, and specialty through-out their career. Occupational therapy helps various people, ranging from infants to the eld-erly, with mental, physical, and emo-tional disabilities. The rewards of our profession can be prominent, like those first precious steps of a stroke survivor, or they can be minor, like re-learning how to put on clothing after knee surgery. Whichever the reward, they are cherished and we are blessed to be involved in these journeys with our clients. There is no wonder why occupational therapists are a valued member of the

rehab team at RVH. Submitted by Frank Lucchetta (OT)

Getting to know you—meet RVH’s occupational therapists

RVH’s Allied Health team, physio and occu-pational therapists, at the recent ‘Tune and Toss’ event. This is the time when the team inspects wheelchairs for safety purposes.

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RVH Royal Review

Foundation News

The Barrie Rugby Football Club and the Hamilton family hosted their 8th annual golf tournament in honour of the late Jim Hamilton. Over the last three years the tournament has raised more than $15,000 for the Simcoe Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre (SMRCC). In honour of Hamilton, who taught and coached rugby at Eastview Secondary School, the Barrie Rugby Football Club made a recent donation to RVH. From left to right: Barrie Football Rugby Club President Todd Lar-mon and Noah Larmom; Jennifer Montgomery, Manager, Ra-diation Therapy; Clarinda Hamilton, wife of late husband Jim Hamilton; and tournament organizers Brian Barnes and Doug Wilkey.

The Applewood Dental team made a special donation of den-tal supplies to patients who will spend the holidays at RVH, away from their loved ones and friends. Applewood Dental dropped off the items for the Patient Christmas Party, with those in mind who may not have had time to prepare, or need those daily essentials during their stay. The Applewood Dental team (from left to right) of Karen Charles, Dental Hygienist, Crystal Bridge and Cassandra Martin, Dental Assistants, pre-sented the generous donation to Gillian Bouchard and Jenna Wiseman, RVH Rehab Assistants (centre right), as well as Elizabeth McLeaming, RVH Occupational Therapist (right).

For the eleventh consecutive Christmas season, the 8th Barrie Cubs have supported Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH). This year the Cubs made a special donation after being reminded that many people will spend this holiday season in the health centre, away from their friends and loved ones. The Cubs decorated Christmas tree ornaments that will be displayed throughout RVH to remind staff and patients that there is some-one thinking about them this holiday season.

Members of the Barrie Colts took time out of their busy training and game schedule to spread some holiday cheer at RVH. From left - Barrie Colts players Eric Bradford and Zach Hall with cancer patient Keith Orr.

M*A*S*H Bash 2014 • Friday, January 31, 2014 • Snow Valley • Activities and events: 1000—1600 • $20 tickets—ski/snowboard all day (900—2200) • Stay tuned for staff ticket giveaways coming up in

January

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RVH Royal Review

Feeling festive at RVH

The team from Human Re-sources and Organizational De-velopment helped those in need by collecting mittens, gloves, toques and scarves, and do-nated them to a charitable or-ganization.

For the ninth year RVH volunteer Gladys Riddoch has played the piano as Team RVH gathered for the annual carol sing.

RVH’s Laboratory team wins the gingerbread house competition.

The cast of the Holiday Concert (from left): Suzanne Legue as Aunt Bethany, Keith Strachan as Rusty Griswold, Hilary Rodrigues as Clark Griswold, Jane Cocking as Ellen Griswold, Kaylee MacMillan as Audrey Griswold and Peter Osgood as Cousin Eddie.

Dr. Russell Price (left) and Sharon Kennedy of the Lab performed a duet at the holi-day concert.

SLT sang as the Chickeneers.

The RVH Foundation with Young Elvis and Old Elvis (you guess which is which!)

The RVH choir performed. RVH gave 1,499 pounds of food to the Salvation Army.