With 2016 now complete, the Sunrise Health Region produced a ‘highlights of the year’ package of which selected items are printed here.
Smart IV Pumps - Throughout the region, staff working in acute care, long-term care, home care and emergency medical services now use Smart IV pumps. The Smart IV pumps were installed in 2016, and are used to deliver fluids, medication and nutrition to patients. The new pumps utilize a provincially established pre-programmed drug library with set minimum and maximum dosing limits. The pump alerts the health care professionals and will not allow dosing limits to be exceeded. The Saskatchewan health care system is among the first in Canada to implement this technology.
Echocardiography services became available in 2016 at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. Echocardiography uses ultrasound technology to create images of the heart. Previously, people in the region had to travel to Regina or Saskatoon for the service. The echocardiography equipment was purchased with funds provided by The Health Foundation.
CT Scanner - On May 6, 2016, Sunrise Health Region celebrated replacement of the computed tomography (CT) scanner at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre. The new CT scanner images are more detailed due to the capacity for 128-slice scans, scans are faster which reduces radiation exposure for clients, a dual-head injector allows both contrast and saline to be injected at the same time which is a safer method for clients, and client comfort is enhanced with a scanner bed able to handle larger people in terms of both height and weight. Over 5,000 CT scans are completed each year at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre.
Palliative Care - A dedication ceremony for two palliative care rooms was held at the Yorkton & District Nursing Home in February, 2016. This project was made possible due to major donations received from Bailey’s Funeral Home and Brayden Ottenbreit Close Cuts for Cancer.
HIV – Reducing the spread of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and Hepatitis C is a priority for Sunrise Health Region. Everyone is encouraged to be tested and to know their HIV status. Confidential testing can be arranged at physician, nurse practitioner, and public health offices and emergency departments. People with HIV do not usually have symptoms before the AIDS stage, although some experience flu-like symptoms for a short period of time a few weeks after the infection. In Canada, it is estimated that 1 in 5 people are unaware that they are living with HIV. Early identification and treatment are important. Recent advancements enable persons with HIV to live a healthy and long life. With treatment, expectant mothers with HIV can give birth to healthy children. HIV treatment keeps the disease from progressing to AIDS. Successful HIV treatment is a form of prevention as, with treatment, transmission of the illness to others is virtually eliminated. For more information, click the “HIV Info and Testing” link under the “Health Services” tab www.sunrisehealthregion.sk.ca.
Better Health
Scheduled Clinic Appointments in Invermay, Norquay and Foam Lake - In 2016, physician clinics resumed in Invermay and Norquay. Restoration of this service was possible due to successful recruitment and retention strategies in Canora. Dr. F. Hussain Bia retired from medical practice in Foam Lake on May 31, 2016. The health region worked throughout 2016 to ensure that nurse practitioner and physician appointments continued to be available at the Foam Lake Primary Health Care Clinic. Physicians, based out of the Sunrise Health & Wellness Centre in Yorkton, provide clinics at the Foam Lake Health Centre and the two centres are linked by an electronic medical record system.
Kamsack Family Resource Centre - In November, 2016, the health region held an event to celebrate the work of the Kamsack Family Resource Centre, located at 241 2nd Street in the Crowstand Centre in Kamsack. The Centre allows families expecting a child or with children ages 0-5 years to participate in a variety of programs, free of charge, and provides a central location where families can connect with other families and access educational supports.
Immunizations - Immunization has saved more lives in the past 50 years than any other health measure. Sadly, it sometimes takes a serious outbreak for people to present for immunization. In 2016, there were outbreaks of both pertussis (whooping cough) and influenza. Sunrise Health Region held 97 seasonal influenza immunization clinics to the end of December. Influenza immunization is also provided free of charge by participating retail pharmacies. Childhood and adult immunizations for a wide variety of preventable diseases are available by calling local Public Health offices.
Milk Drop - The Yorkton Milk Drop, located in the maternity ward at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre, celebrated its first anniversary in December of 2016. The service operates under the umbrella of the NorthernStar Mothers Milk Bank of Calgary. The Milk Drop has seen great success in the last year with ten donors providing approximately150 litres of donated milk.
Better Teams
Board Membership – In 2016, by Order in Council, the Government of Saskatchewan appointed Don Rae as Sunrise Regional Health Authority Chairperson and Dave Schappert was appointed Vice-Chairperson. The announcement was made at the September meeting of the Board. Don Rae had been Acting Chairperson since April, 2016 following the resignation of Lawrence Chomos from the position. Chomos had served the region as a member of the Sunrise Regional Health Authority for nine years, including four years as Chairperson.
Speak Up! For Safety - Part of the Sunrise Health Region 2016-17 strategy was commitment to reduce staff harm from 2015-16 levels by 25%. The health region is on track this year for a 46% reduction in TLR injuries (transfers, lifts and repositioning). The Saskatchewan Safety Association recently highlighted Sunrise Health Region as a high performer in safety work. The health region has engaged in several Mistake Proofing Projects this past year whereby staff completed process reviews and produced strategies to eliminate errors; examples include mistake proofing the sling inspections and lifts processes to prevent falls and back and shoulder injuries. A process and decision tree were created to show health care workers when, and how, to report a safety concern. The “Speak Up!” campaign is another initiative from this year. The campaign seeks to encourage every staff member and client in knowing it is their right and responsibility to Speak Up! when something could result in an injury or harm to themselves or to someone else.
New Medical Health Officer - Medical Health Officer, Dr. Ashok Chhetri, joined the Sunrise Health Region team. The Medical Health Officer (MHO) is a key member of the Public Health team. The MHO works with Sunrise Health Region healthcare professionals to plan and implement population and public health programs including communicable disease control, disease and injury prevention, surveillance, health protection and promotion.
Physician Recruitment - In 2016, 5 physicians left and/or retired from the region and 10 physicians were recruited. 7 family physicians set up practice in the communities of Preeceville, Canora, Yorkton and Esterhazy. The region was also pleased to welcome 3 specialists in Radiology, General Surgery and as Medical Health Officer. New to the Sunrise Health Region in 2016 (including start date) include:
There are currently 44 general practitioners in the region, 20 specialists, and 26 visiting specialists. The health region is currently working with selected general practitioner candidates to set up practices in Esterhazy, Yorkton and Melville. Throughout the year, the Sunrise Health Region Medical Services hosted 11 general practitioners completing their three month Clinical Field Assessments as part of the Saskatchewan International Physicians Practice Assessment (SIPPA).
In 2016, Sunrise Health Region hosted several medical students and residents who completed their practicum, electives and rural rotations in the region.
Langenburg Centennial Special Care Home 40th Anniversary - The Langenburg Health Care Complex (LHCC) hosted a 40th anniversary celebration on August 20, 2016 with a large crowd in attendance. The 36 bed care home was built in 1975 and today the facility is home to 45 residents and has two respite beds.
Better Value
2016-17 Budget - On July 20, 2016 the Sunrise Regional Health Authority approved the plan for a balanced operating budget of $225,224,837 for the 2016-17 fiscal year. The plan focuses on continued improvements to safety, quality and access while reducing expenditures. The effective use of public funds is a responsibility shared by every Sunrise Health Region manager, employee and physician. The region is currently on track to balance the budget.
Provincial Advisory Panel Appointed - On August 18, 2016 the Ministry of Health appointed a three-person advisory panel, tasked to complete an in-depth review of health regions in Saskatchewan, identifying clinical services or supports that could be delivered more effectively and efficiently on a provincial basis, examining RHA board governance roles and accountability, and identifying processes to better measure and improve management of the health system. The report of the Advisory Panel has not yet been released. We know there will be changes, but it is premature to speculate on what they will mean for Sunrise Health Region. Health care is ever-changing, and our team always rises to the challenge and is adaptable. What does not change is our commitment to the people that we serve, looking after the health of our clients and our community.
