MedXpress is on a roll!

 After months of planning and ups and downs, MedXpress is finally operational.  Yesterday, the first two passengers got on board the 2009 Ford conversion bus at 06:00 at Manitouwadge General Hospital for an early appointment in Thunder Bay.  Driver Ron Forbes and Travel Coordinator Shawna McKeon were enthusiastic in finally delivering the product they have been working on for the past few weeks.  The very first passenger to register was Ms. Evelyn Allen.  She looked forward to the trip and found it most convenient to be able to get to Thunder Bay and come back the same day. 

 Normal departure will be 0700 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.  If this schedule does not meet your needs, MedXpress wants to know so they can keep track of the demand for other days and if need be, the schedule will be revisited. 

 The one way fare from Manitouwadge to Thunder Bay is $139.00.  Although some comments have been received that the price seems expensive, it was pointed out that it was cheaper and more convenient than using the bus once you include cab fares at both ends.  You can also avoid overnight costs (depending on your schedule) once you get to Thunder Bay.  Director of Planning and Organizational Effectiveness at MGH, Jocelyn Bourgoin clarified that for this service to continue there must be an average of 18 passengers a week paying full prices.  There are no operational subsidies.  “Everyone would like to see lower fees, but the fact of the matter is this is what it costs for the service to operate”, said Bourgoin.  Although everyone wants the service to succeed, there are no grants to reduce the costs per trip.

 Local residents and businesses are encouraged to consider this service for all their travels or emergency parcels pickups and delivery to Thunder Bay.   For medical travellers, the coordinator can also facilitate appointments to ensure they are on the days and during the times when the bus travels to Thunder Bay.  For more information, call 826-3991.

 MGH updates Ultra Sound Technology and will expand service.

 When does nine years of age make you “over the hill”?  When you’re an ultra sound machine, that’s when.  Marcia Newton and Johnny Oliveira are now using a new Ultra Sound Machine recently received by the hospital.  Despite the fact the previous machine was fully functional and was nine years old it was time to change.  The new equipment provides crispier images, fully integrates with new PACS technology which allows radiologist to read the images within minutes of them being taken if need be.  Normally, radiologist read such exams on digital viewers located in Thunder Bay or anywhere else in Canada for that matter within a day or two.  It is a far cry from the days when cassette tapes were placed on the bus and shipped to a radiologist.  It often took 5-7 days to get a report back. 
The new U/S machine will also be able to be used for taking echocardiograms.  Currently patients must go out of town for such exams, but by summer, such diagnostic procedures will be done in Manitouwadge, the only community between Sault St. Marie and Thunder Bay to provide this level of diagnostic service.  Marcia Newton will be trained on the procedure in a special course held in Houston Texas in May. 

MGH is on board to prevent falls.

 Falls Prevention Awareness Campaign Launched

One third of people over 65 have a fall each year and falls are the leading cause of injury among older people. Most falls are predictable and can often be prevented with falls prevention measures.  As a result, the North West LHIN-Wide Falls Prevention Coalition has launched a Falls Prevention Awareness Campaign. The Campaign will run through the month of April and focuses on communicating to seniors, their families and caregivers. 

As members of the North West LHIN-Wide Falls Prevention Coalition, Manitouwadge General Hospital will be participating in the Campaign.  Posters will be placed throughout the community focusing on seven areas of prevention to educate people about how the following components play a role in preventing falls:

• Trip hazards
• Being active maintains balance, strength and flexibility
• Good Vision
• Good nutrition
• Prescription medications
• Footwear
• Past fall(s)

 “In 2006-07, hospitals in the North West LHIN had 2,256 emergency room visits due to falls-related injuries. This collaborative initiative is expected to reduce these numbers as well as hospitalization and admissions to long-term care that result from a fall-injury, supporting seniors to age safely in their own homes”.   According to the Report on Seniors Falls in Canada, a 20% reduction in falls would result in a national savings of $138 million annually.

St. Joseph’s Care Group of Thunder Bay will host the program for two years.  The Campaign is part of the North West LHIN-Wide Falls Prevention Project bringing together health care organizations to develop a comprehensive, community based approach to reducing seniors’ falls and injuries.  MGH is happy to have RN Cathy Kelly take the lead on this initiative.  Each partner will host their own falls awareness campaign within their organizations and their communities throughout the month of April.  More information on fall prevention can be found at www.fallsprevention.ca or you can contact Cathy Kelly at the hospital.

 

On May 13, MGH said farewell to long term employee Rosa Oliveira with a standing room only BBQ.  Rosa started in the old hospital kitchen as a Dietary Aide in 1981.  She has been there for so long, the comment was made she must have been eight when she started working!  After taking numerous courses to upgrade her qualifications, Rosa eventually assumed the team leader function of the dietary department.  It was an emotional farewell for all who attended, but more so for her brother Johnny who works in Diagnostic Imaging and got to see his sister every time he needed a cup of coffee or a muffin.  The kitchen staff presented Rosa with a quilt made from parts of the uniforms they have been wearing over the years.  The BBQ was very well attended,  so much so that people had to wait for space to clear so they could sit and eat.  During the presentations, Rosa commented on how “coming to work at MGH everyday felt like coming home to a big family.  Everyone is so supportive of one another”.  Rosa is moving to Sudbury to be with her new husband and will be working in Val Caron as a cook in a large long term care facility.  Best wishes from everyone.

 

The  Accreditation Canada team will be arriving in Manitouwadge on May 31st.  Despite it being a Sunday, they have already requested a list of material they want to see waiting for them to go through.  Accreditation is one of the most effective ways for health services organizations to regularly and consistently examine and improve the quality of their services.  Health care organizations that participate in Accreditation Canada’s programs are evaluating their performance against national standards of excellence. These standards examine all aspects of health care, from patient safety and ethics, to staff training and partnering with the community. MGH staff devote time and resources to learn how to improve what they are doing so they can provide the best possible care and service to their patients and clients.  Every few years, improvements are made to the accreditation process and this time is no different.  Called Qmentum Accreditation Program, this visit will be rigorous as they all are, but unlike previous accreditations, when the survey team comes in for four days and is gone for three years, there will be requirements to continue the process throughout the year once the team leaves.  MGH has maintained full accreditation for twenty eight years thanks to the efforts of a very dedicated team of employees who continuously seek new and better ways to improve services.  The next few weeks may result in some of these individuals looking a bit dazed.  Have no fear, they will return to normal once the visit is completed. 

MGH’s Director of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Debbie Hardy completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing this month.  After years of juggling full time work, a family and distance education, Debbie successfully wrote the final exam and was finally told she had passed and the ordeal was over.   Asked what she would do with all the free time she will now have, she mumbled something about a little white ball waiting for her somewhere.  Congratulations Debbie.