Wednesday 28 October 2015

Cardiac Staff Matters 26/10/15



Cardiac Staff Matters is a regular publication of updates, information, points to ponder, and news items that are significant to the Program. The aim is to pass these points on during huddles, in conversations, and by posting in clinical areas to ensure widest dissemination.

1. ATTENTION all nurses!!! Next week is Canadian Intensive Care Week! At SBH, the ICCS along with ICMS and CCU (upcoming ACCU) will be celebrating the week with booths in the atrium highlighting the importance of critical care nursing along with offering job shadow shifts to nurses interested in critical care. There will be draws for prizes daily, so come by and learn more.

2. On a related note: Attention all aspiring critical care nurses!! A new session of the Winnipeg Critical Care Nursing Education Program will commence in January. Please see the poster below in this attachment for more information.

 3. A group of seven individuals from SBH, including Sheila Bowles (Program Director) and Louise Voth (Chief Perfusionist), went to Edmonton earlier this month to visit the Cardiac OR at the Mazankowski Center. There, they observed the patient flow within the OR to hopefully learn some efficiencies that could be brought back to our own cardiac ORs.

They had the opportunity to talk with many team members, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, perfusionists, housekeeping staff and clerks. Sheila Bowles recounts the following experience while there:

While discussing perfusion practices, an RT came into the room to speak specifically to Louise Voth, wanting to thank her. Louise looked a little puzzled, but this perfusionist went on to explain that Louise was responsible for him entering the profession of perfusionist. He explained that while training as an RT several years ago, the students had the opportunity to spend some time in the OR.

He was observing a cardiac surgery but after a while became a little bored. He looked around the room and noticed the Heart-Lung Bypass machine and a person (Louise) sitting beside it. He approached and Louise immediately started to explain the machine and what her job was. She was so enthusiastic about her work, he left the OR knowing for sure that this was the career for him. He said that, of his class of 15 students, apparently 6 or 7 went on to become perfusionists and he attributed it specifically to Louise's presentation when they were in the ORs. He has now been a perfusionist for over 20 years, as have some of his classmates.
Tuesday 13 October 2015

Cardiac Staff Matters 12/10/15


Cardiac Staff Matters is a regular publication of updates, information, points to ponder, and news items that are significant to the Program. The aim is to pass these points on during huddles, in conversations, and by posting in clinical areas to ensure widest dissemination.

1. The 2015 Employee Opinion Survey was launched last week, and if you haven’t already participated, please plan on taking some time over the next few weeks to do so. You should have already received either a survey link or a paper copy from your manager…if you haven’t, ask your manager about the survey. This is your chance to let us know your thoughts about your workplace in a safe and confidential way. The paper survey deadline is October 16, while the online survey deadline is October 31.

2. On July 10th, 2015, the first Inherited Arrhythmia Clinic was held at St Boniface Hospital. This is a multidisciplinary initiative involving Genetics, Adult Cardiology and Pediatric Cardiology, resulting in a clinic focusing on patient care through integration of clinical assessment and research. The clinic is supported by physicians and a number of allied professionals including genetic counselors, ECG technologists, cardiac imaging, pediatric nursing, and our arrhythmia research nurse. Other invaluable team members include our clerical and administrative support. The clinic takes place once per month on Y2 cardiology. In 2016, clinics will also occur at the Variety Children’s Heart Centre. Congratulations to all involved!

3. Pearls of wisdom …

• People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude. –John C. Maxwell

• The human body experiences a powerful gravitational pull in the direction of hope. That is why the patient's hopes are the physician's secret weapon. They are the hidden ingredients in any prescription. –Norman Cousins

• Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle. ― Plato