A publication for Staff and Physicians of IH

The @InteriorHealth magazine is a monthly publication created by the Communications Department of Interior Health. Past issues of @InteriorHealth can be found on our website under About Us/Media Centre/Publications & Newsletters. If you have story ideas for future issues, please e-mail: IHAcommunications@interiorhealth.ca Deadline for submissions to the September 2015 @InteriorHealth magazine is August 7. Editors: Amanda Fisher, Breanna Pickett Designers: Breanna Pickett, Kara Visinski, Tracy Watson IH Communications Contributors: Lesley Coates, Susan Duncan, Patrick Gall, Karl Hardt, Megan Kavanagh, Breanna Pickett, Erin Toews, Tracy Watson

Every person matters

Snapshots of our staff in action and trending health-care videos.

RIH teamwork saves Kamloops teen’s life.

A farewell message from Dr. Halpenny, IH CEO.

New surgical centre soon to welcome patients.

Aboriginal strategy sets path for improving care.

Featuring Tineke Reese and Kootenay Lake Hospital in Nelson.

Providing critical health care in rural IH.

IH staff recognized for excellence.

Flat Stanley returns to promote the Employee Engagement Survey.

RIH teamwork saves Kamloops teen’s life. Story p. 10.

At Interior Health, we want to set

new standards of excellence in the delivery of health services in B.C. and

to also promote healthy lifestyles and provide needed health services in a

timely, caring, and efficient manner.

To achieve this, we are guided by the

following strategic goals:

Goal 1

Goal 2

Goal 3

Goal 4

The articles featured in the @IH newsletter are great examples of how

we’re achieving our goals …

and realizing our vision and mission.

O n June 9, I announced my decision to resign from the position of

President and CEO of Interior Health effective this fall. Since making the decision, I have been asked why many times. And the answer is

quite simple: it is time.

For more than five years as CEO, I have had the privilege of working with you

to meet the health-care needs of the people in our region, and also support you in the terrific work you do every day for our patients, clients, and residents. Now

it is time to turn to the next phase of my career and explore new opportunities.

In looking ahead, though, I can’t help but reflect back on what we have accomplished as an organization. Over the last month, I’ve spent some time

thinking about the highlights of my years with IH and what I will take away from

this experience. In doing that, I have been overwhelmed by a feeling of pride – I am incredibly proud of the work we have done together on our journey of quality

improvement, cost management, access improvement, and cultural change.

Some of the important achievements that stand out for me include:

our shift from four geographic regions to One-IH through collaboration,

standardization of practice and process, and strengthening links between services;

the successful implementation of a new Meditech system;

changes in medical staff structure with a clear focus on quality;

the creation of ground and air based critical care transport programs;

the establishment of the first cardiac program – including open heart

surgery – outside the Lower Mainland and Victoria;

our partnership with UBC-Okanagan to establish teaching sites across

the health authority to support the Southern Medical Program, and the celebration of our first graduating class of doctors this spring;

the expansion of telehealth across our region;

our employee engagement surveys and action plan followup;

implementation of the Patient Safety Learning System;

improved relationships with our communities and partners;

Letters of Understanding with seven First Nations in IH and the Métis

Nation of B.C.;

our responses in times of crisis;

and achieving Accreditation with Commendation – an amazing feat!

Beyond the long list of accomplishments over the last five years, I am most proud of all of you. The passion and commitment of the people who make up IH – from

front-line care providers to the staff and managers providing essential support in

so many areas behind the scenes – gives me a deep sense of pride. I have been fortunate to visit our sites over the years, meet with many of you, and hear about

your experiences and ideas for improving patient care. These moments of connection have energized and inspired me.

In my time as CEO, I have often referred to our collective intelligence in IH, and how essential it is to our success. That, combined with our commitment to “Every

person matters,” will ensure we remain a health-care leader in our province and across the country for many years to come. I wish you well as you embark on the

next chapter in Interior Health.

President and CEO, Dr. Robert Halpenny says farewell.

Flat Stanley is back ... in a new role as an IH Engagement Ambassador. He will help promote the upcoming Employee

Engagement Survey, Oct. 13 – Nov. 10, and he’s looking for help! If you are interested in an engagement ambassador role at your site, please send an email to Flat Stanley.

I ’m back! And I’m ready to rock. Rock, you say? That’s right, ROCK!

I used to say, the spread of engagement is like the dropping of a pebble into a lake – we all will feel the

ripple effects. Now that I am back, I say no more pebble talk – it’s time to use a rock and make a big splash!

Engagement is everywhere. Like water, it seeps into the most unexpected places, filling in empty spaces

we didn’t even know were there.

You might be wondering, does it really matter if I am engaged or not? Well, I can tell you, it does!

Every person in this organization matters, including you! Without you, Interior Health would be short a very valued individual. You need to know that … believe it … and live it!

Now, I know IH isn’t perfect. Sticking with my water theme, we’re a bit like a river, navigating down a path that is dynamic – ebbing and flowing, learning and changing each day, doing our best to make the right choices and

decisions.

But, in order to choose the right course, all factors are taken into account and one of them is you. Without your

feedback, your participation, and your engagement, navigating is a lot harder, and the waters can get muddied.

So, imagine if you were given the opportunity to share how you feel about your job, to influence how your team grows, and to have your opinion count.

Coming this October, you will have that opportunity … the opportunity to share your

voice, a chance to be heard, and to have your say.

Are you engaged? I want to know why,

or why not. We won’t know if you don’t tell us. Be a part of the change.

Make your splash!

T his year’s winner for a Workplace

Health Innovation Award of Merit was the Duty-to-Accommodate (DTA) pilot

project.

A joint project between Interior Health and

Northern Health, this pilot involved establishing a team focused entirely on the assessment,

support, and placement of employees with permanent disabling limitations.

The overall goals of the project were to retain

skilled workers; reduce the duration of sick leaves,

long-term disability, and WorkSafeBC claims; and adhere to a standardized and fair process when

dealing with employees with disabilities. The implementation of the dedicated duty-to-

accommodate team created focused resources,

standardized procedures, and early intervention processes.

The pilot has been a great success. In the first six months of implementing the DTA team, more than $1 million in

disability-related costs were avoided through a process of early job attachment of employees with permanent disabling limitations. Furthermore, 48 per cent of all permanently disabled employees were found an accommodated placement

within 30 days. This is a wonderful achievement for both health authorities and, more importantly, for our employees

with disabilities.

Darlene Doricic, Disability Management Program Leader, was on hand to accept the award on behalf of her team members Kara Hannigan, Jasvinder Heer, and Joan Meidl.

“Joan, Jas, and Kara are an extraordinarily efficient and innovative team with an amazing sense of the importance and benefits of proactive disability accommodation in a thriving, diverse, and healthy workforce,” says Darlene. “They have

successfully demonstrated what’s possible when collaboration is your No. 1 principle.”

For more information about this year’s winners, check out the 2015 BC Health Care Awards website.

Duty-to-Accommodate (DTA) Team (L-R): Kara Hannigan, Jasvinder Heer, and Darlene Doricic. Missing from photo: Joan Meidl.

A s part of her work with IH’s Community Integrated Health

Services group in the Cariboo region, nurse practitioner Patrice Gordon has spent the past nine years delivering

primary health care to six isolated, rural First Nations communities on the Chilcotin plateau.

Trained to deal with medical crises beyond the basic nursing curriculum, Patrice is highly valued in these areas. A humanitarian at heart, in 2008

Patrice served as part of a multi-national medical unit in Afghanistan. She became a member of the Canadian Red Cross in 2010 and in late

2014 set out for the epicentre of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.

Returning home Christmas Day, Patrice spent the holidays in quarantine

after developing flu-like symptoms. After testing negative for Ebola herself, she went straight back to work with her patients in the Chilcotin.

Patrice was awarded with a Health Care Hero award for her altruistic

attitude and constant willingness to go above and beyond the call of

duty. Watch the video about Patrice’s Health Care Hero award. Patrice Gordon, IH Health Care Hero.

P roviding critical care in rural remote regions across IH

can be challenging and rewarding. Community hospitals throughout our region are often faced with critical care

emergencies that test the limits of their resources.

When respiratory therapist Tyler Leavitt got the call that an

extremely premature birth was taking place at an IH community hospital, he had good reason to be concerned. The BC Infant

Transport Team began to mobilize, but it would take them hours to reach that rural hospital.

Knowing the local hospital had no respiratory therapist on call

service, Tyler sprang into action. He jumped in to his car and

drove to his hospital, where he grabbed an additional ventilator, buckled it into the front seat and set out for the hospital where

the emergency was occurring.

Once he arrived, Tyler was able to assist the team of physicians

and nurses with resuscitations and patient management until the BC Infant Transport Team arrived.

Tyler credits the professionalism and trust within his team

for giving him the confidence to do what needed to be done, knowing that he would have the full support of his team.

“Working in this type of environment feels amazing and allows me to exercise the courage to act and be recognized positively

for it,” says Tyler.

Sometimes there are no established procedures to cover an emerging situation. Our resilient clinicians work hard

to anticipate what’s needed and to provide the best possible patient care.

“There is an understanding that rural clinicians support each other,” says Wrae Hill, Manager, Human Factors and System Safety. “This story is a testament to resilience of our health-care teams, who often respond to difficult and

unusual situations.”

This is one of the many topics explored in a new blog by Dr. Ron Collins, Executive Medical Director, Quality & Patient

Safety, called #Courage2Act on the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council website. Through the blog, Dr. Collins explores and celebrates the role of courage in the daily lives of health-care providers. Through his extensive experience in health

care, Dr. Collins has witnessed countless times how simple, selfless acts of courage can make the health-care system safer and more reliable for patients.

Tyler Leavitt leapt into action after an urgent call for help to deliver premature babies.

S hannon Place gazes fondly at her son Luke as she brushes a lock of chestnut hair out of his eyes. His father,

Derek Pretula, beams as Luke cracks one of his trademark grins, the kind that splits his face in two.

Oh, how different things were a few months ago. On May 18, Luke was rushed to Royal Inland Hospital, septic and near death. If not for the teamwork and life-saving interventions of physicians and employees throughout the

Kamloops hospital, this 16-year-old boy would not be here today.

“All Derek and I could do was pray,” says Shannon, with a quiver in her voice. “But he came out of it like himself again,

and that’s the most important thing for me. He’s Luke again – and that’s thanks to all the doctors, nurses, and everyone else who cared for him at RIH.”

Luke has cerebral palsy. He needs care for all aspects of daily living, made even more challenging because he’s

non-verbal. Despite that, Shannon says, he has always been quite healthy. The only times he has been hospitalized

were for planned surgeries to his hips and feet at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver.

“So when he started throwing up, we just assumed he had the flu,” Shannon recalls.

But then Luke’s breathing became laboured and he just didn’t look right. Shannon, Derek, and older sister Devin began to

A beaming Luke Pretula and his parents Shannon Place and Derek Pretula (directly behind Luke) are surrounded by some of the many health-care professionals who helped save Luke’s life. Back row: Dr. Norm Kienitz, RIH Chief of Staff. Middle row (L-R): Anant Chilimbi, physiotherapist; Dr. Vipal Vedd, radiologist; Lindsey Backmeyer, respiratory therapist; Sandy Semograd, ICU manager; Deborah Nysted, ICU nurse; Dr. Etienne Prinsloo, anesthesiologist; Dr. Tom Wallace, surgeon; Dr. Melissa Paquette, pediatrician. Front row: Maggie Duncan, social worker.

think something was very wrong, so they called 9-1-1.

The rest is a whirlwind. The paramedics arrived and immediately leapt to action. Before long, Luke was in

the ambulance and headed for RIH.

“As we left the driveway, I knew Luke was in a lot of

trouble. It was the shortest-longest ride of my life,” Shannon says.

Indeed, Luke was crashing. He arrived at the emergency

department and was found to be septic. A CT scan and X-rays found the source – a twisted bowel that required

emergency surgery. He then spent three days in intensive

care and improved enough to be moved to pediatrics, where he spent another three days before being

discharged.

Today, Luke is healthy and happy – and his parents are

grateful to every person who helped saved his life.

They’ve lost track of everyone involved that week, but a few stood out: emergency physician Dr. Dave

Williamson; surgeon Dr. Tom Wallace; pediatricians Dr. Melissa Paquette and Dr. Karenza Van Leeve;

radiologist Dr. Vipal Vedd; anesthesiologists Dr. Etienne

Prinsloo and Dr. Simone Schulein; Dr. Paul Campsall in intensive care; family physician Dr. Phillip Sigalet;

and nurses Deborah Nysted in the ICU and Ilka Chobanova in pediatrics, as well as respiratory therapist

Remi Hamonic.

Dr. Norm Kienitz, Royal Inland Hospital’s chief of staff,

says Luke’s case is yet another example of the excellent care these physicians and staff and all their colleagues

provide every day at RIH.

“Too often we only hear about the poor outcomes in

health care,” says Dr. Kienitz, an emergency department physician. “It’s so rewarding to hear about the teamwork

that took place here that resulted in a great outcome for Luke and his family. I’m proud of the health-care team

we have at RIH. They are smart, talented, and dedicated

to their craft.”

Shannon feels the same way. She says there are no words to convey how much they appreciate the care Luke

received.

“Friends and family were saying to us that it was a miracle

how well Luke recovered. Luke is one tough guy. But when

I look at the big picture, the miracle is all the people who

had a hand in saving and helping Luke,” she says.

“At some point in their lives, they decided to choose the

profession they are in. And they were at the hospital, doing their chosen profession, when Luke needed their help. We

are so thankful for them.”

“ “

As we left the driveway, I knew Luke was in a lot of trouble. It was the

shortest-longest ride of my life.

S ince he was a teen, 79-year-old Gordon

James Scott, or “Scotty,” has been on his own.

He leads a quiet life alone in a remote area outside of Penticton, with limited phone contact and

only occasional trips into town.

Part Ojibway, he feels accepted by the local Aboriginal

community and supported by members of the Penticton Indian Band. But that feeling of acceptance

has not always extended to his interactions with the health-care system.

“I have spent a lot of time in hospitals. I have had to fight for things, and wait and wait,” says Scotty,

clearly overwhelmed.

Heart surgery in 2001 and, more recently, a battle

with cancer have taken a toll. He has had surgery to remove his nose and his hands shake so that he can

no longer do the traditional beading and leatherwork he once enjoyed. The battle is not over. He now faces

a trip to Vancouver for further tests.

“When they said Vancouver I said ‘I don’t know anything

about Vancouver,’ ” he recounts. “I get lost just getting on a plane.”

Fortunately, Scotty now has the support of South

Okanagan’s Aboriginal Patient Navigator Sandy

Terbasket to help him navigate the system and ensure he makes it to appointments. She is also a resource to health

-care providers to help make health-care services culturally safe and assist them in connecting with Aboriginal services.

“Without her, I think I would have just given up,” says Scotty.

Aboriginal Health Program Director Brad Anderson

says stories like Scotty’s are not unique for First Nations people. Historically, health outcomes of Aboriginal people

are disproportionately lower compared to those of

non-Aboriginal Canadians.

However, he says barriers are being removed and health outcomes enhanced as Interior Health leaders continue

to work with Aboriginal partners to provide culturally safe

health care and improve health equity for First Nations

and Métis populations.

He is enthusiastic about the path set by the latest Aboriginal Health and Wellness Strategy, approved in May

this year by Interior Health’s Board of Directors, to work

with First Nations and Métis partners on further improving health outcomes for the some 50,000 Aboriginal people

living within the region.

“It’s important that we recognize these differences and

that we build respect, cultural awareness, and inclusivity into the care system in order to provide access that is truly

equal.”

The new strategy, developed through collaboration with First Nations, Métis, and Urban partners, outlines four main

goals: improved mental wellness, better access, increased

collaboration, and building cultural competence.

Read the Aboriginal strategy on the IH public website under Aboriginal Health at www.interiorhealth.ca.

South Okanagan Aboriginal Patient Navigator Sandy Terbasket and patient “Scotty” review important medical appointment information.

S everal hundred IH employees, their families, and the general public got a sneak peek of the new Interior Heart

& Surgical Centre (IHSC) in June.

Kids were excited to see where mom goes to work every day and dads were proud to show off their new workspace in this beautiful, state-of-the-art, health-care facility. The first three floors of the IHSC open to patients on Sept. 28. The fourth

floor, home to a new perinatal (maternity) unit, opens in spring 2016.

“The open houses were a lot of fun,” says Sharon Cook, Health Services Administrator for Kelowna General Hospital – home to the IHSC. “Everyone had a great time and reactions were all positive. Time and again I heard that while no one wants to

find themselves a patient, they are glad the IHSC is here if they need it.”

In addition to cardiac surgery – the first such program outside of Victoria and the Lower Mainland – the centre has capacity

to provide urology; vascular; thoracic; gynecology; ear, nose and throat; orthopedics and ortho trauma; plastics; neurology; and other general surgeries. There is also a highly specialized hybrid operating room equipped with the Siemens Artis zeego

system – an advanced medical imaging device that enables minimally invasive surgery, which is less traumatic for patients.

The IHSC also includes new peri-operative, day surgery, and post-anesthetic recovery bays, and a cardiac surgery intensive care unit. And one can’t forget the brand new medical device reprocessing (MDR) department located on the third floor.

The new MDR unit is more than four times larger than the old one. It includes a huge bank of windows and skylights flooding it with natural light. During the open house, MDR co-ordinator Tracy French enthusiastically greeted guests to the unit with,

“Welcome to the best place on earth!” Clearly, MDR staff love their new home.

More than 120 people volunteered during the open houses. IH staff from all portfolios gave their time to lend a hand.

Volunteer Sarah Mainland, a talented harp musician, played throughout the public open house (four hours!). Her music was especially calming for a few guests who found the operating room mock demonstrations a little too realistic. Volunteers were

posted around the building to describe the departments, answer questions, and point out building highlights.

“The organizing committee did a superb job, as did all of our volunteers,” says Sharon. “It’s not often the community

has the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see how things work. I think this was an awesome learning opportunity.”

In addition to the open houses, an event was held in the new gardens (also a part of the IHSC project) to celebrate the 100-day milestone to the opening of the IHSC.

You can see photos from all the events on our Facebook page, check out the live tweet tour, or watch the story

on KelownaNow.com.

Left: Sharon Cook, KGH Health Services Administrator, tests how steady a hand she has when it comes to using a laparoscopic instrument. Other tour participants were also keen to try it out.

Above: Excited about her new digs – Coordinator Tracy French often calls the new Medical Device Reprocessing (MDR) unit in IHSC “the best place on earth!”

Leanne Rains, OR RN and Dr. Mike Macleod, Head of General Surgery demonstrate a simulated laparoscopic surgery. Several hundred IH staff and members of the public also saw this mock demonstration.

@IH: What is your role in IH?

I am an X-ray and CT Technologist.

I started as an X-ray technologist almost 10 years ago in Prince George and did my

CT training there about seven years ago. I started working in Nelson four years ago,

shortly before the arrival of the new CT scanner.

@IH: Why are X-ray and CT

machines so important?

X-rays and CTs aid physicians in making a diagnosis and treating patients. As

technologists, we are responsible for the quality of the images and for providing the

correct views.

@IH: What is the most interesting

or rewarding part of the work you do? The best part of my role is helping people

find out what's wrong. Or, even better in

many cases, that nothing is wrong. The smiles and thank-you’s from many patients are very rewarding, especially someone who has been anxious about their appointment. @IH: Any highlights of your time with Kootenay Lake Hospital?

Starting up a new CT service in 2011 was a great experience. We still get comments every day about how happy patients

are about getting the CT scanner in Nelson. And last June, we started 24-hour service for CT (on call).

@IH: What is the best part of working at KLH?

I enjoy many things about working at KLH; I like the small-town approach to patient care and being part of a fantastic team

every day.

Tineke Reese, X-ray & CT Technologist

●

Kootenay Lake Hospital, Nelson

Gathered from 2014-2015 data

$1.1 million Budget to install the CT scanner

– the most expensive piece of

equipment in KLH diagnostic imaging

11,881 Unscheduled emergency

department visits

58 Years old

3,182 CT scans performed

30 Acute care beds 283

Babies born

2.3 million Kilowatts of electricity used

per year – enough energy to

power 218 average homes

Okanagan Lake – Peachland Submitted by: Tina Leibel

Submit your photos of the beautiful places that make up IH on InsideNet.

Covering over 215,000 square kilometres, Interior Health is diverse in nature and composed of vibrant urban centres

and unique rural communities. Photos are submitted by employees to InsideNet and select photos are featured in @IH.

Where We Live & Work ... A Spotlight on Our Communities

Nakusp Submitted by: Ashley Young

Kamloops Submitted by: Wanda Turner

Vernon Submitted by: Gui Pizzolato

The Child and Youth Mental Health and Substance Use (CYMHSU) Collaborative, funded in partnership by Doctors of BC and the B.C. government and started in Interior Health, won a national award for innovation and collaborative team work. The Collaborative was presented with the award by the Canadian College of Family Physicians and the Canadian Psychiatric Association at their national conference in Calgary on June 20. Family physician Dr. Shirley Sze of Kamloops and IH MHSU Practice Lead Jamie Marshall were among the delegation that received the award on behalf of the CYMHSU Collaborative.

(L-R) Fraser Nicola MLA Jackie Tegart, Thompson Regional Hospital District Vice Chair Ronaye Elliott, Nicola Valley Hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Duncan Ross, Thompson Regional Hospital District Chair Peter Milobar, and IH Administrator Berni Easson celebrate news that planning has begun on a renovation to upgrade the emergency department at Nicola Valley Hospital and Health Centre.

Public Health Nurse Donna Helgeson and Buckles the life jacket

promote drowning prevention and water safety display the Sicamous Safety Fair held on May 30. The community holds safety fairs twice a year to provide important information to parents. Kids also get to

take part in activities that teach safety. Donna’s son is the good sport in the Buckles costume, but don’t tell.

This short video from WorkSafeBC provides tips on how to talk to a worker who is bullying and harassing you. Learn more about our commitment to a professional workplace environment on InsideNet.

Shaw TV recently did a story about a new video for the Adolescent Psychiatry Unit at Kelowna General Hospital. It's an important program that's helping support youth throughout the IH region. Thanks to the generous young volunteer “actors” who participated in the video project to protect the privacy of the APU’s clients. Learn more on the Interior Health website at www.interiorhealth.ca.

People are shown what they looked like in ultraviolet

light – first without sunscreen, then with. Stay beautiful. Protect your skin. Learn more about sun safety at www.suntips.ca.

HIV Then

HIV Now

Dale’s StorySo many people are afraid of what HIV treatment means, but crazy side effects and choking down handfuls of pills aren’t an issue any more. I only take three pills a day and I am healthier than I have ever been! And if I can do it, anyone can.”

“To hear Dale’s full story,

learn about HIV and find local resources visit: