FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL

Transcription

1 FAMILY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 THE ANNEX N. Smokler, Chair J. Withers Co-Chair J. Farewell M. Farewell L. McRae R. Dubin R. Bozowsky D. Haywood G. Beatty A. Shapiro J. Train C. McMerty (phone) L. Sleeman Guest: Darius Pajak, Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner 1. Review of Agenda/Additions 3.5 Update: ALC Beds in the Veterans Centre 4.5 Traffic Safety 2. Review of Minutes of July 15 th, 2014 No additions/omissions noted. 3. Old Business 3.1 Update: Name Tags for Staff 3.2 Update: Sunny s/food Services 3.3 Update: Environmental Services 3.3 Update: Feeding Animals in K Wing Garden We continue to have good results with the suet balls and hanging feeders, with hand feeding decreased. 3.5 Update: ALC Beds in the Veterans Centre Due to high occupancy rates in acute care, the Veterans Centre (in partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada) agreed to take 13 ALC (alternate level of care) patients on a one time basis. Eight patients were transferred to the Veterans Centre. Four of those patients remain who are awaiting placement to appropriate facilities. No further ALC patients have been admitted to the Veterans Centre.

2 4. New Business 4.1 K Wing Warriors Hall Building Envelope Repair The Building Envelope Repair is taking place. These repairs are limited to the K Wing garden windows, which have been leaking into Warriors Hall. 4.2 Remembrance Day / Poppy Campaign / Raise A Flag Each year people attend the Remembrance Day services here at the Veterans Centre. We are looking for the spouse of a Veteran to lay a wreath at the service. Please let Nancy know by our October 21 st meeting if interested. The Poppy Campaign will begin by the last week in October. The Veterans & Community Residents Council welcome family members who would like to volunteer with our Veterans. Please contact Nancy Smokler or Judy MacNaughton if interested. In the early morning hours of November 11 th, thousands of Canadian flags will be planted on the lawns in front of Sunnybrook Veterans Centre to honour Canadian veterans for their service and sacrifices. On Remembrance Day, the Veterans will awake to a sea of red and white flags in a show of appreciation. Proceeds from the campaign will go to the Veterans Comfort Fund. Flags are available in two sizes for a $25 or $50 donation. To purchase a flag and take part in Operation Raise a Flag please visit Flags may also be purchased at the Artisan Market Gift Shop (K-wing), by calling the Sunnybrook Foundation at or in person through the Foundation in room H Terms of Reference The FAC Terms of Reference are attached. Please review for discussion/approval at the October 21 st, 2014 meeting. 4.4 Volunteer Ambassador Program Launch Volunteers from the Sunnybrook Volunteer Association will be meeting face to face with new residents, approximately 2 weeks after admission. The volunteer will be answering questions, going over the new Welcome Booklet, and will have a care package with useful items for family members and the resident. Page 2

3 4.5 Traffic Safety It was noted that the crosswalk K Wing can be dangerous with cars often not stopping, but speeding through. Nancy will speak to Parking Services to see what can be done, in order to make the stop signs in the crosswalk more visible to drivers. 5. Other Business 6. Guests None brought forward at this meeting. 6.1 Update - Infection Control Topics with Darius Pajak, Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner Nancy Smokler introduced Darius Pajak, who is the Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner responsible for the Veterans Centre. What is an Outbreak? An outbreak means there is an increase in the number of residents ill with a particular infection in an area or unit. An outbreak is declared when there are two cases on a unit. Some examples of outbreaks homes include respiratory virus outbreaks, such as influenza or the common cold, and gastrointestinal outbreaks, such as norovirus. What will happen when an outbreak is declared? When an outbreak is declared, we will apply various measures in order to prevent more of our residents and staff from getting sick. First we separate those who are ill or who are potentially ill from those who are well. Sometimes it means that a resident who is ill may need to stay in their room and/or the nurse assignment may be specially arranged. The unit is closed to new admissions and on rare occasions, to visitors. There may be group activities that must be postponed during the outbreak. You may also see staff using gowns, gloves, masks and protective eyewear when caring for residents who are sick. Are there any restrictions on visitors/families who are visiting an outbreak unit? Yes, visitors/families will have to follow outbreak measures: Page 3

4 1. Don't visit when you are sick. Visitors should be well and not exhibiting any respiratory symptoms such as fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat and congestion or gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea and/or vomiting. This is important even when there is no outbreak, to protect the health of our residents. 2. Vaccinations Vaccinations, especially your annual influenza vaccine, are strongly encouraged. 3. Hand Washing Clean your hands upon entering and exiting the outbreak unit and on entering and exiting resident's room. 4. Additional precautions If you are providing direct care to an ill resident with an infection, you are required to wear the same protective clothing (gown, gloves, mask and/or protective eyewear) that staff are wearing. 5. Attending group activities must be approved during the outbreak Residents must not be taken off the outbreak unit and must avoid going through public meeting areas in the building, such as to Sunny's cafeteria or Warrior's Hall. This is enforced so that the outbreak is not spread to other areas in K or L wings. Residents who need to attend specific appointments off the unit (i.e. medical tests, etc.) that cannot be postponed will be accommodated using the appropriate personal protective equipment. 6. Visit one resident only and leave immediately after your visit After your visit to an outbreak unit, you should leave the facility immediately, without any stops, including public or common areas such as Sunny's cafeteria and/or Warrior's Hall. An outbreak will be declared over when there have been 8 consecutive days without any new cases reported. The number of clear days depends on the type of outbreak. Some outbreaks require more than 8 clear days to declare it over. As proper handwashing is the best way to prevent the transmission of infection, it was recommended that residents coming back to the Veterans Centre after an outing have their hands sanitized upon exiting the bus. Also, hand sanitizers need to be placed/mounted so that they are easily accessible for our residents. This will be passed along to Recreation Therapy for follow up with staff. New sanitizer dispensers are being installed throughout the Veterans Centre. Page 4

5 Darius stressed proper handwashing techniques: 1. ALCOHOL-BASED HAND RUB a. Ensure hands are dry before using alcohol-based hand rub, as moisture from wet hands dilutes the alcohol. b. Ensure hands are visibly clean (if not then follow soap and water handwashing steps). c. Apply 3-5 ml of alcohol-based hand rub (one full pump). Using friction, cover all surfaces of the hands and fingers and rub until dry. A minimum of 15 seconds is required for sufficient time to cover all surfaces. 2. SOAP AND WATER HANDWASHING a. Rinse hands under warm running water. b. Apply 1 full pump of soap or antiseptic agent. Avoid touching the spout. c. Lather with soap or antiseptic agent and, using friction, cover all surfaces of the hands and fingers. The minimum duration for lathering is 15 seconds; more time may be required if hands are visibly soiled. Ensure that all areas including thumbs, under nails, and backs of fingers and hands are not missed. d. Rinse thoroughly under warm running water. e. Pat dry hands thoroughly with single-use towel(s). f. Turn off taps using paper towel to avoid recontamination of hands. 7. Event Information 7.1 Hospital-Wide Information & Events Available to Families, Residents & Friends: Forgetfulness - When Should I Worry? Tuesday, September 23, :30pm-8:30pm McLaughlin Auditorium, E Wing Ground Floor Moderator: Dr. Anthony Levitt, Chief, Brain Sciences Program Please RSVP your attendance by September 22, 2014 Phone: or speaker.series@sunnybrook.ca Teleconferencing Available: Please contact Judy MacNaughton at by 9am on Tuesday with your phone number and we will call to conference you in at 1:30pm Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 21st from 1:30-2:30pm in The Annex Guest Speaker will be Ann Robertson from Food Services. For more information on the Family Advisory Council, including previous minutes, go to Page 5