Caring Nurses Award

"South Huron Hospital Association and South Huron Hospital Foundation would like to congratulate Sherri Leis, RN and Kyla Bradley, RPN on being winners of the CARING NURSE AWARD!  They were selected by Bayshore Broadcasting based on the stories patients tell of the remarkable care they received.

Twice a year, Bayshore Broadcasting (104.9 the Beach) runs an on-air donation campaign which is called "Bayshore's Healthy Tomorrow".   It promotes and supports all the Foundations in the region which are the link  to each local community.  South Huron Hospital and South Huron Hospital Foundation hear the great compliments and stories about our excellent nursing staff.  People in the community feel the difference made by a Nurse who takes extra special care during a patient's time of need.  Patients and their families  feel it is important  to pass on that good news. 

Our sincere congratulations to Sherri and Kyla!  Each Caring Nurse award winner receives a plaque and a rose from Bayshore Broadcasting and will be profiled on 104.9 the Beach radio station and on Bayshore's Healthy Tomorrow website.  SHHA Foundation presented each with a beautiful bouquet of fresh-cut flowers.

 

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week March 9-15th

Did you know?

Canadian Agricultural Safety Week is March 9-15th

According to Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting

statistics, from 1990 to 2008, there were 248 recorded

agricultural fatalities among children under 15

years of age. That’s an average of 13 deaths a year.

Approximately 44 per cent of those fatalities involved

children under the age of five. The most common

causes of child-related fatalities on the farm include

being run over by equipment, drowning, or equipment

rollovers. In many cases, fatalities are work-related,

though the child isn’t necessarily performing the

agricultural task at the time of the injury. So what

can parents do to raise their children in a way that

celebrates farm life, while keeping them safe? The

answer is a lot, but it involves having a really good

understanding of child development levels, abilities and

limitations, as well as when and how to set clear rules

and boundaries, so that everyone stays happy, healthy and happy.
Find out more at:

www.agsafetyweek.ca

 

Eating Disorders Awareness Week Feb 1 - 7th

Basic principles of a healthy weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do for your heart health. A healthy eating plan means eating when you're hungry and stopping when you've had enough. It includes creating healthy meals from the Four Food groups as outlined in Canada's Food Guide: vegetables and fruit; grain products; milk and alternatives; meat and alternatives. Portion control is also important.

If you're unsure if you are at a healthy weight, go to the Healthy Weight Assessment page for more information.

If you're having difficulty maintaining a healthy weight, you may need to speak to your healthcare provider. He or she may be able to steer you in the right direction toward healthy weight loss. Losing as little as 10 pounds (4.5 Kg) can drop systolic blood pressure (the first number) by 7.2 mm Hg, and diastolic (the second number) by 5.9 mm/Hg. Slow weight loss is best; one to two pounds (1 Kg) a week are sufficient.

Read about specific strategies for a healthy weight.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation does not endorse or recommend any fad diets. They tend to be unhealthy because you may eventually become heavier than when you started. Here are some of the reasons why:

• Severe calorie-reduced diets turn on the body's starvation mechanism. When in starvation mode, the body uses whatever fuel it can to make up for the shortfall of calories and doesn't discriminate between muscle and fat. When you lose muscle, you also lose your calorie-burning potential, also known as your metabolism. So when you lose muscle, it is extremely difficult to maintain a healthy weight after the diet is over.
  
• Drastic reducing diets may leave you feeling deprived. You may lose weight, but you may not be able to sustain that kind of starvation diet for long. Once you go off the diet, you may treat yourself to all the foods you missed. This may lead, once again, to weight gain.

The Healthy Weight Action PlanGet started on your personal weight loss goals today with the MY Heart&Stroke Healthy Weight Action Plan, in print or online. The Heart and Stroke Healthy Weight Action Plan is a 12-week step-by-step program that will support you in achieving healthy habits and a healthy weight – for life.

Thanks for helping with Strategic Planning Survey!

I would like to take this opportunity to let the community know the outcome of the Survey that South Huron Hospital Association distributed this past summer.  I think it is only fair that, if you are asked to participate, you are also informed of the results.

 Activity for the refreshing of our Strategic Plan began at the beginning of 2014.  A committee was struck of board members and staff to review our Mission, Vision and Value statements and to begin the process of identifying our strategic goals and actions for the next four to five years.

In order to do so, we prepared a survey to query our patients, the community in general, healthcare providers and our staff.   We wanted to find out what we are doing right, where our weaknesses lie, what opportunities exist and what our threats are.  During July and August we administered the survey to Exeter, Zurich, Grand Bend, Centralia, Hensall, etc ~ the whole South Huron Hospital Catchment area.

From the survey results, we found out some interesting facts.  For example:

§  76% of respondents did not know that we have a Pediatrician coming to South Huron Hospital Association every month.

§  81% didn’t know that there is an “Aging at Home Program” through our Affiliation with Grand Bend Area CHC.  People can self-refer to that program.

§  70% were unaware that we have services of a Clinical Dietitian if they need management of their nutrition.

§  81% were unaware that there is a psychiatrist who comes to SHHA on a monthly basis.

Overwhelmingly people told us that they understand what is being told to them at their medical visits, who exactly is taking care of them and that they are being treated respectfully by staff that is respectful of their privacy.  You told us you feel safe at SHHA.

 The people of our surrounding communities were passionate in their appreciation for having SHHA here in our rural area..

 Please be sure that we also heard your frustrations;

§  The need to get an appointment for care or certain test done when you want them

§  The need to get affordable transportation to medical care,

§  The need to have coordination of services between healthcare providers,

§  Delays in  getting appointments for diagnostic tests and with specialists for surgeries.

 We continued dialogue with our Board of Directors at the Strategic Planning Retreat this fall and continue to build the plan.  Look for its release early in 2014 where we will have a celebration to honour the past 62 years of SHHA, consider the present and talk about our plans for the future!

 

Heather Klopp

Interim CEO

SHHA

Thank You Letter from Interim CEO

December 23, 2014

As the old year ends and the new one begins, I would like to thank our communities for their generosity of spirit and financial support to many of our charitable organizations and those in need.

Throughout the area I have seen groups of employees, clubs, auxiliaries, and departments putting their energy together to collect food, gifts, clothing or money so that those less fortunate could have a meaningful Christmas.

On Sunday Dec. 21 I attended Centralia Faith Tabernacle on behalf of South Huron Hospital Foundation.  A full Cast and Creative team of congregation members staged their Annual Christmas play in support of South Huron Hospital Association.  Although those in attendance were there to hear “Everyone’s Christmas Story”, they dug into their pockets in support of South Huron Hospital Association.  At the  end of the evening I was presented with a cheque for over $1,700 ~ and people were still giving as they were leaving for the evening. 

Since the Cardiac Stress testing system at SHHA is coming to end of life, this donation will go a long way towards the $35,000 needed to replace it.

Thanks to Centralia Faith Tabernacle and to all who have made special gifts to South Huron Hospital Association through our Foundation.  Thanks to all of you who have given to those in need this holiday season and throughout the year!

Sincerely,

Heather Klopp

Interim CEO

South Huron Hospital Association.

The Lung Association Reminds your to Cover your Coughs!

Cover your coughs

Cough and sneeze into a tissue or your sleeve

Sneezing and coughing can spread colds, flu, and many other viruses. These viruses live in the saliva and mucus in your nose and throat.
When you sneeze and cough, you spray little droplets of saliva and mucus into the air. Other people can breathe in the droplets and get sick. Or the droplets can land on tables, keyboards, books, and other things. When someone touches these things, then touches their face or eyes, they can catch the virus and get sick.

• Cough and sneeze into tissues, throw the tissues away, and wash your hands.
• If you don't have a tissue, turn away from people and cough into your shoulder or your sleeve.
• Do not cover your coughs and sneezes with your hands.
• Don't touch your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.

Get your flu and pneumonia shots

Shots (vaccinations) give you the best protection against many diseases, including flu and pneumonia. The Lung Association recommends that:

• Most people over 6 months old should get the flu shot every year.
• Most people with COPD and asthma should also get a pneumonia shot.

Ministry of Health and Long-term Care Seeking Input from Public

The Expert Group wants to hear from individuals, families and caregivers who use the programs and services in question as well as those who provide these services.

What is the most important thing that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care could do to improve home and community care for you?

The survey may be accessed in English here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2CT9DM6 and in French here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QMWBRY5.

The survey will be active from today until December 17, 2014

We are seeking input from all members of the community, including clients, care providers and administrators. The survey will be anonymous but may be used to inform future South West LHIN initiatives. We ask that you share this survey with your organization and members of the community.

If you would like to know more about the Home and Community Care Expert Group, please click here.