GBGH OR begins shoulder surgery as surgical program expands

Dr. Olivia Cheng (front left), orthopedic surgeon, performs a shoulder repair surgery at Georgian Bay General Hospital.

February 11, 2020 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is now providing shoulder repair surgery as part of the hospital’s expansion of surgical services. GBGH was funded for 33 shoulder surgeries in 2019-2020 by the Ministry of Health, enabling the hospital to provide this care to its community.

These procedures – including repairing the shoulder joint, rotator cuff and clavicular joints, as well as muscles and tendons of the arm around the shoulder – are needed within GBGH’s North Simcoe catchment area. Nearly 100 patients from Tiny, Tay, Midland, Penetanguishene, Springwater and Wasaga received shoulder inspection/repair outside this region last year.

“We are working diligently to find opportunities to expand our surgical program to benefit both our community and GBGH,” says Lucille Perreault, vice president of clinical services and chief nursing executive, GBGH. “We know how important it is for patients to receive care within their own community whenever possible and we’re very pleased to be able to provide this new service.”

In preparation for performing shoulder procedures, GBGH purchased equipment to perform these procedures including arthroscopes/laproscopes, a shoulder scope set and an E-Z lift beach chair and shoulder table accessory storage cart. The hospital was able to buy this equipment due to funds raised at the Glenn Howard Charity Golf Tournament for enhancing GBGH’s surgical program.

As shoulder surgeries are a new procedure for GBGH, the operating room team received the required training in the fall and the hospital began offering this service in November 2019. As of the end of January, GBGH had performed 15 shoulder surgeries and will complete all 33 cases by the end of March. Shoulder repairs performed at GBGH are typically day surgeries and are considered Quality Based Procedures, offering additional funding from the Ministry of Health to hospitals.

Local patients have already voiced their appreciation for having this service available close to home.

“In December I had rotator cuff surgery at GBGH and wanted to say how pleased I was with the whole experience,” says patient Paul Jagos. “The facilities were clean and updated with new equipment. The nurses, anesthesiologist and surgeon were courteous, kind and professional. Everything was explained so even I knew what was going to happen. I just wanted to say thank you to everyone involved for making my experience as pleasant as possible.”

The procedures are being performed by orthopedic surgeons from GBGH, Collingwood and Barrie.

Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH physician honoured with prestigious award

Dr. Peter Kizoff (left), co-chief hospitalist at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), was recently presented with an Award of Excellence from the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP), recognizing his efforts to provide medical assistance in dying care to patients. Dr. Kizoff received the award November 28, 2019 from Dr. Elizabeth Muggah (right), OCFP president-elect.

January 14, 2020 – Dr. Peter Kizoff, co-chief hospitalist at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH), recently received a 2019 Award of Excellence from the Ontario College of Family Physicians (OCFP). Through this award, Dr. Kizoff is being specifically recognized for his efforts to ensure access to compassionate medical assistance in dying (MAiD) care in our region.

Recipients of this award – which recognizes family doctors who have demonstrated exceptional achievement within the past 24 months pertaining to the specialty of family medicine – are nominated by peers or the public.

“I am very honoured to have received this award because it’s an opportunity to recognize the importance of compassionate end-of-life care,” says Dr. Kizoff. “I have been such a strong proponent of access to medical assistance in dying because it should be available to those who need it, when they need it. Offering this care to patients is the right thing to do.”

Dr. Kizoff, of Tiny Township, retired from full-time family practice in 2016 after 32 years and has since focused on palliative and MAiD care. He was one of the first physicians in the Barrie area to be an assessor and provider of MAiD, providing care in patients’ homes, local hospices and in hospital. He joined GBGH in 2016 as a hospitalist and became co-chief hospitalist in 2017.

“We are very fortunate to have exceptional and dedicated physicians like Dr. Kizoff as part of our credentialed staff team at GBGH,” says Dr. Jeffrey Tyberg, interim chief of staff, GBGH. “His efforts to make MAiD accessible to our community are outstanding and are a crucial part of patient-centred care. Dr. Kizoff is a true leader in his commitment to providing MAiD care and guidance both within Simcoe County and beyond our region.”

Dr. Kizoff received this honour November 28, 2019 at the OCFP awards ceremony in Toronto.

Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

Enteric outbreak over on GBGH’s 2 East unit

December 29, 2019 – An enteric outbreak on the 2 East at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has been declared over, in consultation with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit. GBGH met the criteria for the outbreak to end based on the hospital remaining without additional cases for five days, measured from the last patient case on December 24.

“Our team took quick action to prevent the spread of the virus from the five symptomatic cases to other patients on 2 East and throughout the building,” says Janine Duquette, infection prevention and control practitioner, GBGH. “This had a significant impact on reducing the spread of infection. Our outbreak management team was very diligent in ensuring infection prevention and control practices were followed so we could reduce the length of the outbreak, therefore reducing the risk to other patients on the unit.”

In quick response to the five hospital-acquired enteric cases, the hospital immediately implemented enhanced infection prevention and control measures including increased housekeeping, use of personal protective equipment, and meticulous hand hygiene practices. Visitation instructions for 2 East have now been removed.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH achieves highest standard in recent Accreditation survey

December 18, 2019 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has received the results of its recent Accreditation survey and has achieved the highest level – Accredited with Exemplary Standing.

“Accreditation is a chance for our hospital to showcase everything we do well in providing high-quality, safe care,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “This result clearly demonstrates our commitment to safe, high-quality care and the high standards to which we hold ourselves accountable. I’m so proud of what we’ve achieved here and it’s all because of the dedicated team who rise to challenges and never give up on providing exceptional care to our patients and community.”

Over the four-day survey in November, GBGH was evaluated on more than 2,300 standards and 31 Required Organizational Practices (ROPs). The hospital achieved 100 per cent of ROPs and 98 per cent of standards to reach this level of achievement.

Particular strengths of GBGH noted during the survey include patient and family involvement in decision-making, investments in developing leaders and engaging staff, medication management, the regional birthing partnership, community support and strong partnerships, recruitment, cleanliness, improved nurse to patient ratio, communication and commitment to consistently reviewing the quality of care provided at the hospital.

“The results of the on-site survey point to areas of success and areas where there are opportunities for improvement, which will be built into the organization’s ongoing quality improvement program between now and our next Accreditation survey in four years,” says Dr. Patrick McNamara, chair, GBGH Board of Directors. “Preparing for the survey is no small feat and I’m very proud of the GBGH team for their exceptional efforts.”

Accreditation is a voluntary assessment process conducted by Accreditation Canada – an independent, not-for-profit Canadian organization – which evaluates more than 1,100 Canadian organizations across the entire spectrum of healthcare. During accreditation, all aspects of the organization are assessed based on best practices, to identify what the organization does well and what needs to be improved.

Contact:

Jennifer Moore

Communications Officer, GBGH

705-526-1300 ext 5177

moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH names new chief of staff to lead hospital’s medical staff

December 17, 2019 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) and its Board of Directors has appointed Dr. Vikram Ralhan as chief of staff for a three-year term, effective February 1, 2020. Dr. Ralhan, who was one of six internal and external candidates considered, will begin his transition into the role in January 2020.

“In addition to being a dedicated, compassionate and thorough physician in GBGH’s Emergency department (ED) since 2009, Dr. Ralhan has also embraced many administrative, quality improvement and educational roles beyond direct patient care,” says Dr. Patrick McNamara, chair, GBGH Board of Directors. “We look forward to many valuable contributions as Dr. Ralhan leads our medical staff over the next several years.”

In addition to being a valuable member of GBGH’s ED team, Dr. Ralhan is a coroner, an assistant adjunct professor in the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University and an assistant professor of Clinical Sciences with the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). He is also the GBGH site liaison lead for students from NOSM, helping bring future physicians to the hospital to learn from a skilled team.

Dr. Ralhan is as passionate about developing physicians and frontline care as he is about quality and safety. As GBGH’s medical quality lead since 2018, Dr. Ralhan has played an integral role in developing and implementing continuous improvement initiatives at the hospital, always bringing his innovative and unique clinical perspective to help improve quality of care.

“When considering applying for the chief of staff, my primary motivation was to help improve care in the hospital for all our patients,” says Dr. Ralhan. “I want to drive quality improvement in all the things we do, while fostering a positive culture with the GBGH medical staff and administration. We have a strong executive team with a vision that not only reflects providing good care in the hospital, but working with our community partners as a whole.”

This past June, Dr. Ralhan was a recipient of one of the highest honours presented to a staff or credentialed staff member by the GBGH Foundation – the Hartogg Innovation in Health Award. Not only recognized for his many professional contributions to the hospital and quality improvement, Dr. Ralhan is a committed supporter of and advocate for the hospital’s Foundation, speaking with donors to offer the physician’s perspective on why equipment is vital to the care GBGH provides.

Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH awarded for championing organ and tissue donation

Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN) presented Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) with a Provincial Routine Notification Rate Award for achieving 100 per cent routine notification throughout 2018-2019. Routine notification is the rate at which hospitals notify TGLN when a patient has died and there may be the potential for organ and/or tissue donation. GBGH is one of only three hospitals to meet this target in 2018-2019. From left: Catharine Ritter, hospital development coordinator, TGLN; Janet MacLean, vice president, Clinical Donation Services, TGLN; Dr. Khalid Tahir, medical lead, TGLN and GBGH; Kaitlyn McCague, TGLN lead, GBGH; Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH; and Lucille Perreault, chief nursing executive and vice president, clinical programs. GBGH.

November 8, 2019 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) was recognized by Trillium Gift of Life Network (TGLN), Ontario’s organ and tissue donation and transplantation agency, for its outstanding efforts to integrate organ and tissue donation into quality end-of-life care in 2018/19.

GBGH was presented with Provincial Routine Notification Rate Award by TGLN at the hospital’s annual awards dinner. The Provincial Routine Notification Rate Award is presented to hospitals who achieve 100 per cent routine notification throughout 2018-2019. Routine notification is the rate at which hospitals notify TGLN when a patient has died and there may be the potential for organ and/or tissue donation. This marks the second year GBGH is receiving this recognition.

“Routine notification is an important first step in connecting potential organ donors with TGLN,” says Lucille Perreault, chief nursing executive and vice president, Clinical Services at GBGH. “Hospitals play a critical role in discussing the possibility of organ donation with patients near end of life and their families. Our team of physicians and healthcare staff work diligently to identify potential donors and discuss notification with 100 per cent of potential future organ donors or their families, earning us this award.”

GBGH is one of 30 hospitals and four community partners to be awarded a 2018/19 Trillium Gift of Life Network Achievement Award. In 2018-2019, GBGH had 13 tissue donors enhancing the lives of many.

“GBGH is an outstanding example of how applying leading donation practices can save lives,” says Ronnie Gavsie, president and CEO, Trillium Gift of Life Network. “The award is a reflection of the culture of donation established at GBGH, and a reminder of the work that we still need to do in other communities across Ontario. We will not be complacent.”

Today, more than 1,600 people in Ontario are on the waitlist for a life-saving organ transplant, and every three days someone will die without one. While the majority of Canadians support donation only 34 per cent of Ontarians have formally registered their consent for organ and tissue donation.

Some people believe that their age or medical condition prevents them from being a donor. In actuality, age does not preclude someone from becoming a donor, and each potential donor is assessed at the time of death for medical suitability. Others may not have registered under the misguided assumption that doctors won’t work hard to save a life if that patient is a registered donor, but in fact, the priority is always to save a life. Donation is only considered after all lifesaving efforts are exhausted, there is no chance of recovery, and the family accepts the diagnosis of death.

Midland and Penetanguishene – with 54 per cent and 53 per cent respectively – exceed the province with a registration rate of 34 per cent. Midland ranks 19th and Penetanguishene ranks 22nd for organ donation registration out of 170 communities in Ontario. Visit www.beadonor.ca to register or find out more.

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Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH on track to deliver nearly 200 babies this year

Constance Imrie with baby Glenn Paul Imrie – the one-hundredth baby to be born since April at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH). With a revitalized birthing program, GBGH was expecting to have 150 births this fiscal year, but is actually tracking to deliver nearly 200 babies.

October 31, 2019 – After partnering with Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH) to continue providing birthing services to its community, Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) has revitalized its birthing program and is tracking to deliver nearly 200 babies in this fiscal year (April 1, 2019 – March 31, 2020). The hospital’s target for this fiscal year was 150.

“We just bought a house in Midland and we wanted to have our son in our home community,” says Constance Imrie, a patient of the regional birthing program at GBGH. “I can’t say enough positive things about our experience at GBGH. The care we received was amazing and even though our son had some mild complications after birth, the team worked so well together, and with OSMH, to assess the situation and provide great, safe care.”

Constance and Doug Imrie recently had the distinction of having GBGH’s one-hundredth birth of the year. With the assistance of the Midland Midwives, Imrie gave birth to Glenn Paul Imrie – a healthy six pound, five ounce boy on September 30.

“Our numbers have dramatically risen which makes this partnership a great success story – for our hospital, our patients and our community,” says Lucille Perreault, vice president, Clinical Services and chief nursing executive, GBGH. “I strongly believe we can attribute this to increasing awareness that GBGH is delivering babies and offering a positive experience for patients and families. Expecting mothers want to have their children in their home community and we want to continue not only providing this service, but growing it as well.”

In 2017, GBGH and OSMH formalized an agreement to offer joint birthing services across North Simcoe. In this partnership, GBGH provides low-risk birthing services in Midland, while higher-risk births are transferred to OSMH. There is a comprehensive process to assess and direct mothers to the appropriate centre for labour and delivery of their babies.

“We’re so pleased with the progress and growth GBGH’s birthing unit has experienced over the past two years as part of our partnership,” says Cheryl Harrison, executive vice president, Patient Care & People Strategy, OSMH. “Yes, this is a unique model – having one program shared between two hospitals – that remains the only one of its kind in the province, but more important, it means women in North Simcoe have seamless access to birthing services between the two organizations.”

The Regional Birthing Program at the GBGH site has increased the services it provides, offering epidurals, nitrous oxide and has also purchased a birthing tub as an additional pain management option in labour. Nursing staff, midwives and physicians have also been participating in enhanced training to ensure their skills are aligned with Best Practices.

To showcase all GBGH’s birthing program has to offer, the hospital is hosting a community open house on November 26 from 4 – 6 p.m. For more information, please visit dev.gbgh.on.ca.

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Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca

GBGH puts safety first as team receives their annual flu shots

Gail Hunt, president and CEO of Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) and Nicole Kraftscik, executive director of the GBGH Foundation, each did their part to protect patients by receiving their flu shot during the first days of the hospital’s annual influenza campaign. During the first two days of the campaign, more than 150 immunizations were given to the GBGH team. Photo (from left) – Gail Hunt; Lana Whittaker, RN, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS); Nicole Kraftscik; and Judy Schell, manager, OHS.

October 24, 2019 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) launched its annual influenza immunization campaign this week in the hospital’s efforts to ensure patient, visitor and staff safety during the upcoming flu season. During the campaign staff, credentialed staff and volunteers are encouraged to receive their flu shot at the hospital to protect patients, themselves, their loved ones and their colleagues.

“Our annual flu shot campaign is an important part of GBGH’s commitment to patient and our team’s safety,” says Judy Schell, manager, Occupational Health & Safety (OHS), GBGH. “We are committed to ensuring the highest safety precautions are in place to protect patients. We make vaccination a top priority every fall at our hospital so our team of staff, credentialed staff and volunteers don’t pass along the flu virus to our patients and are healthy enough to provide care to patients when they need us the most.”

To make receiving their immunization as convenient as possible, GBGH’s OHS team is visiting departments and running clinics to ensure as many of its team members as possible receive a flu shot during the next five weeks.

“Flu season is a challenging time of year for hospitals as patient volumes rise due to the flu,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO, GBGH. “This fall we’re already seeing patient volumes well over the number of beds we have at our hospital. With flu season approaching, the need for hospital beds will become even greater. To help ease the impact of the flu season, we are not only encouraging our team to be immunized, but asking the public to consider doing the same. Vaccination has a positive impact on reducing flu activity in the community, and therefore in our Emergency department and throughout the hospital.”

All GBGH patients will be screened for symptoms of influenza upon arriving at the Emergency department (ED) or at registration as part of enhanced safety precautions during the upcoming flu season. Patients with flu-like symptoms will be required to wear a mask and be isolated when possible. GBGH’s new ED includes an isolation waiting room which will be utilized for these patients.

The public is asked to not visit the hospital if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, fever, chills and sweats, headache, and muscle and joint pain. All visitors should practice hand hygiene on arrival and exiting the hospital to minimize virus transmission throughout the year and particularly during flu season.

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Contact:
Jennifer Moore
Communications Officer, GBGH
705-526-1300 ext 5177
moorejen@gbgh.on.ca