PIPD Update Sept 19, 2025

Notes from Sharon

Thanks everyone for the great team work re: reporting safety’s. I have noticed a lot of med errors being caught by our team in real time before they hit the pt. which is fantastic.

Assignments: A reminder if you are not chemo trained, you should not be assigned to those pt’s. Please ensure you are notifying your charge if you are assigned to something you are not trained in. 
    When floating, please ensure you communicate to the charge if you are not able to perform the assignment given. This should not happen, but as we all know, it does from time to time, it is everyone’s individual responsibility to ensure this is identified so that corrections can be made.

UA’s- please recognize at times the UA’s are short staffed and they may not be able to do all of the tasks you would like them to do. If you have time and you see your UA is busy, please, lend a hand. We all need to be a contributing part of this team.

Kelly Mizuno is going to be taking on some extra duties temporarily to help me in the upcoming month(s). Thank you, Kelly, for stepping into this role to help support our unit. Kelly will be working M-F starting Oct 6^th.

Oncology patients leaving ward with chemotherapy infusing - patients should remain in their room during active infusions of chemotherapy. This ensures safe bathroom practices and to decrease the hazard area in the event of a chemo spill. Once the chemotherapy infusion has completed, then they may leave to go to the Zone. However, bathroom practices must to be followed. If the patient does use the bathroom in the Zone, a blue pad is needed and the red soft sided hazard bin. From the policy: 

When disposing of excreta, cover toilet/hopper with a plastic backed absorbent pad with absorbent side down prior to flushing to prevent backsplash. Dispose of the plastic-backed absorbent pad after every use in the Soft-Sided Waste Container.

Ed Days for casuals - Unfortunately, sign up for ed days will not go through staff scheduling this year. The sign up for Ed days will be posted on Sharon’s door Sept. 22^nd. Please sign up in person (preferably) or email Sharon.Courtney@saskhealthauthority.ca ON or AFTER Sept 22^nd which day you prefer. DEADLINE TO SIGN UP: Sept 30

Sign up will be first come first serve.

Dates for Ed days are (12 hour shift):

Oct. 8,9,23,28

Nov 3,12,17,28

Ensure this does not conflict with hours you are working.

 

Introducing the SHA Orange Shirt: A symbol of commitment

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. This day calls on all of us to reflect on the history and lasting impacts of Residential Schools. The orange shirt is a powerful symbol of this history, representing the children who never returned home, honouring the survivors and their families, and reminding us that every child matters. By wearing an orange shirt, we open the door to conversations about truth, healing, and reconciliation, and we show our commitment to building a better future together.

For the first time, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) has created an Every Child Matters orange shirt as a demonstration of our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, a symbol of the commitment we make to Indigenous patients, families, and communities, and a reflection of our CARES values. Designed in collaboration with Saskatchewan-based Indigenous artists by the SHA’s First Nations and Métis Health team, the SHA Orange Shirt carries imagery that honours First Nations, Métis, and Inuit cultures. It was created with compassion, respect, and care to reflect both our health-care work and our shared journey toward reconciliation. Wearing this shirt is a visible way to say: “We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you.”

This shirt is not just for one day. All SHA staff are invited to wear their orange shirts on the last Friday of each month, including September 26. This reminds us that reconciliation is an ongoing process, not a single event.

By wearing the SHA orange shirt, SHA team members show that we value truth, healing, and respect. It is a way to open conversations with patients, families, and co-workers about the history of Residential Schools and the meaning of Every Child Matters. Orange Shirt Day is a time for reflection, learning, and action. The SHA orange shirt is one tool we use to keep that commitment visible.

How to order:

The SHA orange shirt is available now for purchase in limited quantities, with proceeds supporting the Orange Shirt Society. Click here for information on how to register an account on our online store and order your shirt today as a way to proudly to show our shared commitment to Truth and Reconciliation. Please use the group password SHA-ECM when registering.

Reflecting on Truth and Reconciliation through our work

It is important for all of us to recognize the significance and meaning of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30. Please make this a day for learning and reflection on what reconciliation is for you and the work you do within the SHA.

1. Include a moment of learning or reflection as part of your huddles/team meetings.
2. Prioritize attending SHA-led or community events dedicated to Truth and Reconciliation.

View this story on the SHA website, and share it with family and friends.

Bladder Scanner - ours is broken. A new one is ordered. If your patient needs a bladder scanner, kindly ask to borrow Maternal's until our new one arrives.

CNE Update

Inhaler Dose Tracking Sheet - Our trial for tracking MDI ventolin inhaler doses is underway! Please get a new inhaler from Pyxis when starting the sheet. Every ventolin MDI has 200 doses in it - Pharmacy confirmed. Mark off each puff you give on the sheet. Keep this sheet with the Care Plan and current MAR. The "Inhaler Dose Tracking Sheet" is found in each unit filing cabinet AND on the S-drive in the q-cards folder. With your help, we can ensure each child is receiving a dose of ventolin and not just propellent.

Aerogen nebulizer - if using the MASK - you need a minimum of 1L to administer the neb. The less oxygen flow the better for delivery of medication. If using the MOUTHPIECE - oxygen is not required. If oxygen is used - it's a max of 6L of oxygen flow.

NEW Insulin pen needles - Our wonderful diabetic team has sourced a better product for administering insulin - better for delivery of insulin and a finer needle for less pain. We are now using the Unifine SafeControl insulin pen needle. These are in the med rooms in the QC/Glucometer container. They are not stocked by SPD yet. Twila will be ordering them until then. You have to manually activate the safety device after administering the dose - like an IM needle. They are very intuitive and simple to use.

Unifine SafeControl How-to video (2 min)

Meropenem - starting this week (sept 15-19), Pharamcy will be transitioning to commercially prepared bags for doses 500mg or 1000mg. Pharmacy will continue to prepare all other doses. DO NOT use a commercially made bag to withdraw the dose needed on the unit.

Significant difference - commercially prepared bags require "activation" at bedside prior to administration. 

Blood or Body Fluid Exposure - an updated Assessment Tool/algorithm has been printed and is on the huddle board (the OH&S/Infection Control/SUN one), in each unit on the white board and in the Charge Nurse binder.

Bluntfill needles - are on backorder. SHA's plan is to have a different company supply until backorder discontinued. We have stock on our unit. Please be mindful to only using the filter blunfill with glass vials. You do not need the filter bluntfill if the vial as a rubber stopper.

EVD Cart - is now a q-weekly (Sunday) check. The "Neuro Cart (EVD, Lumbar drain) Binder is on top of the cart. Please review the Work Standard on how to do the checks & how to order.  Its pretty simple: grab the supply list, go through the drawers, photocopy the list and give to the front desk.  File the original supply list, sign your name and restock.   More information to come next week for roll out but Sunday's CN & Resource should look it all over and give us feedback/try the new system.  

•     If there is an EVD patient on the unit, the cart must be checked qshift. 
•     No patients on unit, check is qsunday
•     Once a month (last Sunday of the month), the supplies must be checked for expiry dates.

Sept 17 was World Patient Safety Day and Health Standards Organization had a wonderful Webinar on "Protecting Our Littlest Patients: Unmasking Pediatric Pain as a Safety Issue". Here is a link to the presentation slides and here is the link to the video recording. This video recording would be a great way to ensure you have the hours needed for your license renewal!

Win a Prize - Fall Edition! 🍂

Answer the following questions correctly and place your answers (and name) in the CNE draw box located in the CNE mailbox by the manager's office. DEADLINE to enter: Oct 1 at 1200 noon. Draw will take place Oct 2. If you are not at work during this time, you may email tanzly.brososky@saskhealthauthority.ca

1. How do you get your patient an Aerogen nebulizer?

2. If mom received the RSVreF vaccine at least 14 days prior to delivery of a term infant, is the infant eligible to receive Nirsevimab?

    a) Is Nirsevimab considered a vaccine?

3. You have a patient with Influenza A & a 2nd patient with RSV. What precautions are your patients on?