PIPD Update Nov 7, 2025

Nov 3-7 was National Pain Awareness Week!
This year, Solutions for Kids in Pain (SKIP) is launching a public awareness initiative on the theme: “Closing the gap for kids in pain”. We will spotlight how children’s pain management is a safety gap, an equity gap, a care gap, a human rights gap – and why addressing these gaps is essential.

Children are disproportionately impacted by pain. When their pain is undertreated or ignored, children experience gaps in care, safety, equity, and even human rights. 

But it doesn’t have to hurt. We have the evidence, tools and techniques to prevent and treat children’s pain. It’s time to close the gap and ensure that every child receives equitable, evidence-informed pain management—every time, no matter where they receive care. 

Be part of the movement to close the gap for kids in pain! Together, we can make children’s pain a priority and give kids the care they deserve.

Want to stay up to date? Join SKIP's newsletter - Newsletter Sign-up 2025 | Solutions for Kids in Pain

Join the Pain Canada mailing list (bottom of page) - National Pain Awareness Week | Pain Canada

FREE Education session: The Saskatchewan Prevention Institute is honoured to host the webinar If These Walls Could Talk: The Hidden Toll of Intimate Partner Violence on Children, presented by Dr. Lise Milne, on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CST.

In this session, Dr. Milne will examine the profound and lasting effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on children who witness or experience exposure to it. Beyond the immediate risks to physical safety, the presentation will explore the emotional, psychological, neurobiological, developmental, and economic impacts of IPV that can influence a child’s well-being and future outcomes. Participants will be invited to deepen their understanding, foster empathy, and consider actions that can help break the cycle of violence and promote safer environments for children and families.

To register, please visit: https://skprevention.ca/event/if-these-walls-could-talk-the-hidden-toll-of-intimate-partner-violence-on-children/.  This webinar will be recorded, and the recording will be shared with all registrants.

Ready Set Eat FAQ

It's been two weeks now with Ready, Set, Eat Program! Here are some FAQ's that are coming up.

CNE Update

APHON renewal - If you have not already completed and submitted the receipt to Lori Bjorkman to have signed, please send to Merrick Faulkner - merrick.faulkner@saskhealthauthority.ca 

The account information provided in the Work Standard you were emailed has not changed, just the manager has.

If you had already completed your APHON and submitted to Lori - just continue on as the Work Standard tells you to do.

Supply Chain:

1. Baxter sterile water & NS bottles - the vendor has heard the complaints! They have changed the 1000mL bottles back to the old way to open. The 500mL bottles will also be changed shortly. 

2. Curos caps - the backorder is starting to lessen. We hope to see more curos caps coming in to our unit soon. If you get a curos cap in the in-room kaban, great! But if the box is empty, ensure you are scrubbing the hub for 15 sec. 

Alteplase for occluded lines - here is the video on how to do the stopcock method for alteplase on occluded lines: 3 Way Stopcock Occlusion Management Video

Manager/Supervisor Updates: 

We wanted to share a few updates, reminders, and some great news about what’s happening on the unit. Thanks for taking a few minutes to read through.

Child Life Support

At this time, we do not have a Child Life Specialist dedicated specifically to PIPD. Kendal is a Child Life Specialist who primarily supports the Oncology Clinic and follows oncology patients admitted to PIPD. When she has capacity, she is happy to support other patients on PIPD through referrals from nursing. If you have a patient who’s really struggling and could use some extra support, please send in a referral. She’ll make a plan to connect with them when she can — especially after a tough situation and can help create a coping plan.

 

Pharmacy Requests

Pharmacy continues to receive numerous short-notice requests for patient pass medications and discharge meds. Please provide as much advance notice as possible by faxing the pharmacy communication form.  A follow up phone call is not needed.

 

Professional Conduct and Patient Experience

A few reminders based on client and physician feedback, as well as my own observations:

Cell Phones: Personal cell phone use during work hours is not permitted unless it’s for a work-related purpose. Please save personal use for breaks. Using phones on the unit appears unprofessional and distracts from patient care.

Initial Patient Greeting: Upon starting your shift, please greet your patients as soon as possible — even if you can’t complete your full assessment right away. A quick introduction (e.g., “Hi, I’m your nurse today. I’m just finishing something up but will be back shortly to check on you.”) can go a long way in helping families feel seen and valued.  We’ve had two recent family complaints expressing that they did not feel their child was treated as a priority. We know that is not how any of us feel, but this small gesture can make a big difference.

 

Safety and Documentation

We’ve had two recent safety incidents related to incorrect patient weights.  Please remember to record a height and weight on each admission.  If unable to complete this on admission, highlight the importance of this to the oncoming nurse so they can complete this asap.   Although the staff are allowed to consider the peds unit admission weight as the weight ongoing, please note, report and document any significant weight changes or discrepancies.

Ensure your fluid balance is recorded each shift.

Remember to sign the master signature sheet for every patient.

Keep care plans neat and easy to read.  Rewrite when time allows, otherwise communicate clearly with the oncoming nurse with the changes and additives that are needed to be revised to the care plan.

We know this is all basic stuff, but it is so important for keeping our patients safe and our communication clear.

 

Good News

The TPN team will be providing home care plans that include instructions for parents, binder location, and contact details for both parents and the manufacturer for troubleshooting support.

The new Coordinator position posting will be going up very soon!

We’re expecting new staff to start in the new year, which will help fill some current gaps. If anyone is interested in taking an under 120 position, please reach out to Kelly or myself.

The last day for peer flu immunizations on the ward will be tomorrow!  (Saturday, November 8^th) Bailee with be here from 11:00 to 16:30.

Thank you, everyone, for all you do. We really appreciate your hard work and dedication to our patients and families. Please reach out if you have any questions or need clarification on anything above.

 

Example of TPN care plan:

 _________’s Calea Home TPN & Pump Info

·         Caregiver’s have completed line and TPN teaching on­­­­­___________, and are to be present and taking full care of TPN hooking up/unhooking/troubleshooting.

 

·         Alarms:

o   Caregivers to troubleshoot to restart pump. (Call them if for some unforeseen issue & they are not present)

o   If caregivers are unable to troubleshoot, please contact TPN nurse (Ann or Cheryl) if between 07:30-16:30 (Monday- Friday)

§  Contact numbers:  Ann - 306-881-3303

           Cheryl - 306-371-9703

-          After 16:30, caregivers are to call Calea (TPN company with 24-hour support available).  Caregivers have this information in patient’s TPN binder

-          If you are unable to get ahold of caregivers to trouble shoot:

o   Calea’s customer service number is: 1-800-268-3237 ext. 5

 

o   Black binder with patient’s name on it is in their beside table with more information.

 

Bedside RN support:

-          Please familiarize yourself with the most recent GI physician’s orders for additional orders/information for IV fluids etc.

 

-          Please remove 1 TPN bag and 2 vials of vitamins out of fridge (in staff room) at 8:00am

 

-          Caregivers will have to come to the hospital for the TPN when on pass, as Ronald McDonald does not have a suitable storage space.