Hello fellow coworkers and happy September!
STAFFING:
As you know, we are in a difficult situation. We get through challenges together and we will again this time. The Wales has strong people and teams of whom I am extremely proud. I totally understand how you feel; you are tired and devoting the energy and compassion that you can. We are hands-on and doing more than we can physically offer and I am so grateful! I understand floating between units when one is working short; I know the difficulty of working with residents and teams with which we are not accustomed. The Wales spirit, though, means we do not let residents or coworkers down; this soul is why we are Planetree Gold-Certified!
This phase is temporary, and I welcome your ideas to get through this crisis. We need to rethink our routines and structure, and communication between teams is crucial. If you feel overwhelmed when your shift begins, stop what you are doing and meet with your coworkers. Go see the Head Nurse or Supervisor and prioritize tasks for your shift. Together, we can achieve anything to which we put our minds.
Eighty caregivers left the CIUSSS in the last three months and, in Montréal alone, 800 nurses abandoned their posts since March. The entire province is in the same situation as us. The good news is that there are waiting lists for the RN, LPN, and PAB courses. People want to help and COVID-19 has not scared them away. We have extra staff coming or just beginning, so September is full of hope for us. Please hang in there; soon we will be very proud of our efforts.
We are still filling shifts through various agencies; as of now, we have a few resources to help LPNs breath. Unfortunately, replacing Supervisors, Head Nurses, and caregivers is not as simple.
Cathy Frank accepted to work a few Fridays starting on September 4th to support the units. As you might know, Cathy will cover Norton 3's original section, while Rebecca Stevens will be responsible for the expansion. Please refer to the appropriate Nurse for resident issues. I will be supportive and present, most specifically for wound care follow-ups to ensure treatment stability.
Now, I ask each of you to take time for yourselves. After work, please do something you love. Please be grateful for your healthy families, cook something you like, try something new, and be active, even if you simply go for a walk to release some endorphins and feel good. Please do not overthink our situation and try not to talk about work when you are off. Please enjoy moments of laughter with residents and remember what makes you feel good while at work; keep in mind what made you choose this career and remain positive.
COVID-19 AND PENDING SECOND WAVE:
Many people talk about a second wave: social media and governments included. We do not know when this current will strike or how strong the crest will be. We have worked hard since the beginning of this pandemic and we have been amazing; you should be very proud. We need to continue the same efforts, as the virus is not over. To prevent COVID-19 from entering our walls, we must pursue excellence. Vigorous and frequent hand hygiene and proper use of personal protective equipment will help us avoid a crisis. Please remember to wash your hands:
- As soon as you enter the Wales
- As soon as you enter a unit, either at the nursing station or in a resident's bedroom if you are simply visiting.
- Before and after close care to a resident
- Before and after entering an isolation room
- Upon leaving the Wales
Last week, after the Norton 1 day shift meeting, we decied to try replenishing the hand sanitizer dispensers on each unit. Every second dispenser will be filled and, if we have no resident issues, the remaining ones will be filled.
Please make sure you get a COVID-19 test if you have symptoms. Please refer to the table that was provided last month. You must have your test done the day that symptoms begin and no later. You can get tested without appointment either at the Asbestos Hospital or at 500, Murray Street in Sherbrooke, located behind the Hôtel Dieu hospital. You still must confirm that you do not have any symptoms and that you are following government regulations with your daily initials on the employee logs at either door number one or three. Students and visitors must follow the same protocol.
I will restart training sessions in September on the units on three shifts and do clinical supervision to ensure techniques are respected. Proper work infection prevention will prevent COVID-19's spread; if the virus enters our facility, we need to make sure it does not spread from that single person. This goal will require our effort through designated personnel, resident transfers to our Central hot zone, and proper work methods and equipment.
return to school:
We have many parents working at the Wales. I understand the stress caused by the return to school. Please ensure you follow school recommendations and have your kids wash their hands as soon as they return from school. There will be cold symptoms and gastro outbreaks as usual, however spreads should be lower due to the huge reinforcement of hygiene and disinfection measures. Please remember that we are essential healthcare proffessionals and that we will need to be creative if our kids are sick and cannot attend school. Please keep in mind that if you kids have symptoms, you can still come to work as long as you are not symptomatic; please see the employee decisional tree. We will need your help this fall; if you are stuck and cannot work, please replace each other on the units and prioritize shift changes. We will definitely be understanding for last-minute switches as long as we have your support.
smoking:
We asked employees during floor meetings to avoid smoking at door number one, which is the main front-of-house entrance. Outdoor visits take place in this location and smoking here can create frustration since visitors are not permitted to remove their masks to smoke. I understand that you distance when you do so and that you follow measures, but to avoid arguments and confusion, I ask that you smoke at door number three or in the parking lots. Thank you for your support.
Again, thank you for what you do for the Wales and its residents. Our employees make a differencve for both residents and each other.
We work in a wonderful location; I would not want to be anywhere else! Please enjoy September and its colours!
Vicky Gingras
Director of Health Services
819-826-3266 extension 224