GBGH resumes elective and non-urgent procedures and surgeries

May 21, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is resuming elective and non-urgent procedures and surgeries, as directed by the Ontario government on May 19, 2021. Directive #2, issued in mid-April by the province, had instructed hospitals to ramp down elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures, ensuring critical care capacity and human resources were available to care for COVID-19 patients during the third wave of the pandemic.

Upon receiving news Directive #2 was being lifted, GBGH staff and physicians immediately began working together to re-schedule services postponed over the past month. Within 24 hours of the directive being lifted, elective and non-urgent ambulatory care procedures have now resumed at GBGH. Elective and non-urgent surgeries will resume on Tuesday, May 25 to allow time for pre-operative testing.

If a surgery or procedure was postponed during the past month, the hospital or their physician’s office will be contacting patients to re-schedule their appointment.

GBGH estimates 405 procedures and surgeries were postponed over the past month due to the service ramp down. The hospital is finalizing its strategy to address the backlog, which may include adding hours in the surgical and ambulatory care departments.

“The postponement of elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures was a necessary step to ensure critical care capacity and appropriate human resources were preserved across the hospital system,” says Dr. Vikram Ralhan, chief of staff, GBGH. “The decision to resume these procedures and surgeries really is a balance between ensuring there’s critical care capacity across the hospital system and not further prolonging care for patients. As the demand for critical care has decreased over the past few weeks, we have turned our immediate focus to resuming services and providing care that has been delayed due to pandemic pressures.”

There is still a possibility that elective and non-urgent surgeries and procedures could be postponed again if there is another increase in demand for critical care capacity and/or a fourth wave in the pandemic.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH upgrades cooling system for patient and team safety and comfort this summer

Members of the Facilities team at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) with the members of the project contractors NuTemp Mechanical, celebrate the completion of a major infrastructure renewal project in front of the new cooling towers located next to the hospital’s boiler plant and Emergency Department (ED) ambulance bay.

May 20, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has recently completed major upgrades to its cooling system to ensure patient and team safety and comfort throughout the hospital. GBGH was able to complete this important project, which included replacing the existing chiller and cooling tower with two new chillers and two new cooling towers, over several months in time for rising temperatures this summer. The upgrade was possible due to provincial funding from the Hospital Infrastructure Renewal Fund, which is allocated to replace aging infrastructure in Ontario hospitals.

The two new units, now operational, will provide the hospital with a back-up chiller in the event of a future breakdown, allow for future infrastructure growth and enhance the patient experience during the summer months by providing reliability and better temperature/humidity control.

“During the cooling seasons, it’s important that we are able to reliably control temperature and humidity levels throughout the hospital,” says Nicholas Boudreau, manager, Facilities & Security, GBGH. “Air regulation in healthcare settings is an essential part in providing safe care, as efficient air regulation is critical for reducing the risk of airborne infection. Effective humidity control is also critical to maintaining sterilization of medical devices and tools.”

The expected lifespan of the new system is 15 to 20 years. The previous chiller and cooling tower were 20 years of age and in need of replacement for reliability and efficiency reasons. The old cooling tower was also located on the roof of GBGH and the two new towers are now located on specially engineered platforms outside the hospital’s boiler plant and Emergency department.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH Laboratory receives exceptional performance score

May 14, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital’s (GBGH) Laboratory team achieved a result of 99 per cent during its recent Accreditation Canada (AC) Diagnostic Survey. GBGH’s Laboratory participated in the three-day assessment between April 19 and 21, 2021, during which it was evaluated on 468 requirements in hematology, chemistry, transfusion medicine and microbiology. The survey reviews the Laboratory’s commitment to quality and safety initiatives, as well as adherence to internationally recognized standards.

In preparation for the AC Diagnostic Survey, GBGH’s Lab Team introduced many new quality improvement projects including rapid molecular testing for antibiotic resistant organisms which helps improve patient flow in the hospital’s inpatient units. When patients can be tested and the results received quickly, the hospital is able to make timely and informed decisions on where to place patients such as in a ward room with other patients or in an isolation room for infection prevention and control reasons.

The Laboratory also began COVID-19 rapid testing which improved access to testing and turnaround times for inpatients and patients scheduled for surgeries who need a negative COVID-19 test prior to their procedure.

“To achieve this level of success with accreditation it requires a dedicated team,” says Erin Kominek, manager, Diagnostic Services and Laboratory, GBGH. “The GBGH Laboratory Team is a group of hardworking individuals who are committed to providing quality results to the communities they serve. I would like to congratulate the entire team on achieving this exceptional accomplishment.”

GBGH’s last Laboratory AC Diagnostic Survey took place in 2017. At that time, the Laboratory achieved a result of 95 per cent.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH ramps down some elective and non-urgent procedures and surgeries

April 10, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is ramping down elective and non-urgent procedures and surgeries, as directed by the Ontario government, effective Monday, April 12, 2021. This direction is in response to critical care capacity and health human resource concerns in some areas of the province. As the hospital system experiences high volumes of critically ill COVID-19 positive patients, these measures are being taken to preserve capacity in all hospitals which could be called on to take patients from outside their region.

GBGH and physicians are working together to determine which procedures and surgeries will proceed in the coming weeks. Urgent and emergent surgeries and procedures will continue.

If a procedure or surgery is postponed, patients will be contacted by the hospital or their physician’s office. If a patient has not been contacted about postponement, their procedure is continuing as scheduled.

“We understand the postponement of surgeries and procedures can be frustrating and stressful for patients and their families, but it essential to preserving capacity in the hospital system,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “Hospitals across the province must do their part to be prepared for worst case scenarios and support organizations feeling the full effects of critical care capacity challenges. These measures are being taken to help balance the load across the system during critical care surges.”

GBGH has eight critical care beds and is continuing to reserve a portion of those beds in the event they are needed by patients outside the North Simcoe region.

Across the province there are approximately 2,000 critical care beds – 1,200 to 1,400 of which are typically occupied by patients who do not have COVID-19. As of April 9, there were nearly 550 COVID-19 patients in Ontario’s critical beds. The number of beds needed to care for critically ill COVID-19 patients is projected to continue rising in the coming weeks to more than 900, causing a critical care capacity crisis.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

C. difficile outbreak over at GBGH

April 6, 2021 – The C. difficile outbreak on an inpatient unit at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has been declared over, in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU). The outbreak was initially declared following three hospital-acquired cases on an inpatient unit within seven days. The outbreak has ended as no new cases since the initial ones were identified on March 9.

“I would like to recognize and thank the hospital team for taking quick and effective action in response to the C. difficile outbreak,” says Angie Saini, vice president, Clinical Services and chief nursing executive. “Through the diligence and vigilance of our teams and enhanced infection prevention and control measures we were able to manage and end the outbreak as soon as possible.”

C. difficile outbreaks are declared based on an increase in cases from each hospital’s regular case counts. Regular cases can differ among organizations and thus, the threshold can differ between hospitals. GBGH consistently has a very low case count and has not experienced a C. difficile outbreak in more than six years.

The general requirement for a C. difficile outbreak to be declared over is decided in collaboration with the health unit and determined after a return to our hospital’s baseline for hospital acquired cases for one month. Therefore, C. difficile outbreaks usually take at least a month or more to be declared over.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH declares C. difficile outbreak on inpatient unit

March 9, 2021 – In consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU), a C. difficile outbreak has been declared on one inpatient unit at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH). The decision to declare the outbreak came following three hospital-acquired cases on the unit within the past seven days.

C. difficile outbreaks are declared based on an increase in cases from each hospital’s regular case counts. Regular cases can differ among organizations and thus, the threshold can differ between hospitals. GBGH consistently has a very low case count and has not experienced a C. difficile outbreak in more than six years.

To reduce possible transmission, patients related to the outbreak are located in private rooms and enhanced housekeeping is taking place using sporicidal cleaning agents that specifically target C. diff bacterial spores. The products used for C. difficile differ from cleaning products used to eliminate viruses such as COVID-19.

GBGH is closely looking into possible factors which may have contributed to the outbreak.

“There are many factors which can contribute to C. difficile infections,” says Angie Saini, vice president of Clinical Services and chief nursing executive, GBGH. “Most commonly, patients who have a history of C. difficile or who have been taking certain antibiotics for prolonged periods tend to be more susceptible. We have been proactive in identifying and testing the affected patients as soon as they presented with symptoms.”

Admissions to the unit and discharges from the unit are not impacted at this time.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitation to the hospital was already limited and those restrictions remain in place.

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Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH welcomes new chief nursing executive and vice president

February 3, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) recently welcomed a new vice president of clinical services and chief nursing executive (CNE) – Angie Saini. Saini joined GBGH in early December, bringing a diverse range of experience in acute care, home and community care services, and health policy development and implementation.

“Throughout my career in healthcare, my top priority has been to preserve and promote patient-centred care and I look forward to continuing this approach with GBGH,” says Saini. “There are many important initiatives taking place at GBGH in what is an innovative and exceptional time for this hospital. In choosing to join GBGH’s senior leadership team, I was inspired by the hospital’s drive to continually improve, engage its team and grow its services to align with the future needs of the community.”

In her role with GBGH, Saini will oversee all clinical programs including emergency and critical care, the surgical program, the medicine program, professional practice, shared programs (Dialysis and Birthing), infection prevention and control, pharmacy, laboratory and diagnostic imaging. Saini will also play a significant role co-chairing the hospital’s Patient and Family Advisory Council and co-leading the hospital’s major transition to a new electronic medical record system in partnership with three other hospitals.

Prior to joining GBGH, Saini was the director of Client Care: Health Care Services with Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association (Brampton) where she provided leadership and strategic direction to a large team of professional staff in the program areas of home care/assisted living/supportive housing, geriatric assessment and intervention, transitional care, chronic disease management and integrated dialysis.

During her 17 years in nursing and clinical leadership, Saini has also developed her skills as a senior program advisor (Emergency Services transformation) and implementation lead (Home and Community Care) with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. She has also worked as a frontline nurse, clinical Instructor and hospital supervisor in acute care settings.

Saini holds a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Victoria, as well as a Master of Public Health from Lakehead University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Toronto. Saini is also multilingual, speaking English, French, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH birthing program survey to improve care

January 26, 2021 – To better understand how Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) can best serve women in our community, the hospital is launching two surveys (English and French) related to the Birthing program. The aim of the survey is to better understand the experience of recent patients, as well as hear from future patients about their concerns related to COVID-19.

“At GBGH, we are continually looking at ways we can improve our patient care across the spectrum – whether it be new mothers or senior patients – all feedback is important,” says Angie Saini, vice president, Clinical Services and chief nursing executive, GBGH. “By asking moms who’ve recently delivered about their experience, as well as mothers-to-be who plan to give birth at GBGH about their concerns, we can improve the care we provide. By consistently engaging our community, it helps us to continually improve our services to meet their needs and expectations.”

The English survey can be found on GBGH’s website under the Obstetrical Unit – https://gbgh.on.ca/programs-and-services/obstetrical-unit/

The French survey can be found on GBGH’s French website under Obstétriques – https://gbgh.on.ca/fr/programmes-et-services/obstetrique/

Both surveys will be available on the websites until March 31, 2021.

In 2017, GBGH entered into a joint birthing program with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH). Through this partnership, patients have access to high quality birthing services close to home across a corridor of care stretching between OSMH’s and GBGH’s catchment areas. For birthing services, GBGH is a Level 1 centre providing service for low-risk births, while Orillia is a Level 2 centre for higher risk births.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

COVID-19 outbreak at GBGH declared over

January 12, 2021 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit, has officially declared the COVID-19 outbreak over. The outbreak, which was initially declared on December 4, included the hospital’s 2 North inpatient unit. Several other inpatient units were part of the outbreak, but were removed on December 22 and January 5.

“Getting through this COVID-19 outbreak has been very challenging during an already difficult time throughout the past 10 months of the pandemic,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “I am proud of our teams’ diligence during the implementation of enhanced safety measures and I thank them for their commitment to bring this outbreak to an end. I’d also like to thank our community for its ongoing support and generosity. Finally, on behalf of GBGH, I’d like to offer our deepest condolences to the families of patients who passed away in connection with the outbreak.”

Although the outbreak is over, GBGH will continue following strict infection prevention and control measures such as enhanced cleaning, utilizing droplet/contact precautions for all patients and masking of patients during all care. The hospital will also continue to restrict visitation to all but essential visitors or those who meet exceptional circumstances (palliative, birthing). This decision to continue restricted visitation is due to the increased prevalence of COVID-19 in the community.

Between January 1 and 10, 60 per cent (550 people) of GBGH staff and credentialed staff received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine through the COVID-19 Immunization Clinic in Barrie.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca