Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) can cause a serious respiratory illness that affects the airway and lungs which can lead to hospitalization in babies and young children. RSV is seen in more frequently in the fall/winter months. Historically, the RSV protective antibody was limited to only high risk infants during the RSV season; however, the Ontario Ministry of Health is transitioning to an expanded infant RSV prevention program for the 2024/2025 season that includes all infants born during and outside of the RSV season and children under 2 years of age with high-risk medical conditions. Starting October 28, 2024 all babies born at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre will be offered a single dose of nirsevimab (BeyfortusTM), a monoclonal antibody that provides effective and sustained protection from RSV. Read more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/gudcmM6E

We continue to see an increase in the number of respiratory-related illnesses within our Inpatient Clinical Units and respiratory-related visits in our Emergency Department. As the level of viral respiratory activity increases within our communities, and to reduce further impacts on our care services, we will be stepping up our masking requirements effective Monday, October 28, 2024. As of October 28, masking will be required by all staff, professional staff, learners, volunteers and Essential Care Partners/Care Partners (ECPs/CPs) when entering a patient room for all Inpatient Clinical Units and when in the Emergency Department. Masking for Essential Care Partners/Care Partners is now required: ➡️ 1A Inpatient Units — at all times, including when entering a patient room and when within the 1A Medicine and 1A Acute Oncology clinical areas. ➡️ All Other Inpatient Units — when visiting in an inpatient 's room and whenever unable to maintain 6 feet of physical distancing standards within the unit.  ➡️ Emergency Department — at all times and all areas, including the waiting areas. Masks are available at all of our public entrances on the sanitizing stands. Please make use of the hand sanitizer dispensers available throughout the Hospital. Our Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team continuously monitors the need to expand masking requirements based on infection levels and should masking requirements change, they will be communicated broadly.

The Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation has funded cancer research in Northwestern Ontario since the early days of the Northern Cancer Research Fund (NCRF) 30 years ago. Today, cancer diagnosis and treatment has improved immeasurably thanks to research breakthroughs. Most importantly, more people are living with cancer rather than dying from it. That’s thanks in part to the Foundation’s generous donors who have supported local cancer research all these years. That legacy lives on through the Cancer Therapeutic and Diagnostic Research Northwestern Ontario research collaborative, or CANCARE NWO. The Health Sciences Foundation provided funding to this important – and exciting – research initiative. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dMCH2CeQ 📷: Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Medical Oncologist, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.

When we think of medical appointments, we often think of visiting a hospital or clinic. However, did you know, that you can have your cancer screening appointments done on a bus? The Screen for Life Coach has changed the game for those living in Northwestern Ontario. The Coach gives you the opportunity to get screened for cancer close to home. With the goal of improving accessibility, the Coach travels throughout the region during the summer months stopping in communities along the way and spends the winter months parking in various locations around Thunder Bay. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d_UiSq6Q

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) is celebrating 15 years of Sharing and Caring Together, taking place from October 21 to 25, 2024. A collaboration between our Patient Family Advisors (PFAs) and Patient and Family Centred Care (PFCC) department, this week-long event celebrates the hard work and dedication to advancing the patient experience at TBRHSC. PFAs are volunteers who contribute their time, knowledge, and personal experiences of care, to help the Hospital understand what is working well and where there are opportunities for improvement. Their involvement is integral to shaping a truly patient-centered approach. This year’s event will feature a variety of engaging activities, including educational lunch-and-learns and coffee rounds, where PFAs and staff will share stories and insights. The week concludes with a full-day exhibition, showcasing the work of departments from across the Hospital, and how they bring the principles of patient and family centred care to life. New this year, PFCC, along with Volunteer Services and Human Resources, is hosting a recruitment event at Goods and Co. on Wednesday, October 23, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend—whether you’re interested in chatting with one of our PFAs or volunteers or exploring career opportunities at TBRHSC. This event is thanks to the hard work of our PFAs and our community donors. A heartfelt “thank you” for their support and overwhelming generosity, which have been vital in ensuring the success of this year’s Sharing and Caring Together. This week is an important opportunity to reflect on the power of patient-centered care, celebrate our achievements, and continue building on our efforts to improve the patient experience at TBRHSC.

Each year, over 100,000 Canadians receive life-saving care in intensive care units, relying on the support and care of intensive care teams. This Canadian Intensive Care Week (October 21-26), we would like to celebrate and thank intensive care professionals nationwide, including the amazing ICU team at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, for everything they do to help patients and families in their most critical moments. We recognize the exceptional work undertaken by the multidisciplinary team in our ICU, which includes physicians, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and critical care nurses. They work together to help patients recover from serious injury or illness. They see patients at a time when they are most vulnerable and provide essential care and life support with compassion and professionalism. Join us in thanking these healthcare professionals for everything they do.

Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre is joining others across the country by celebrating #RespiratoryTherapyWeek from October 20-26. Respiratory therapists (RTs) are highly-skilled health care professionals. They have specialized medical expertise and use their knowledge and skills to provide safe, high-quality care. If you have medical problems that may be caused by cardiorespiratory or respiratory-related issues, RTs are the experts who will work with you to diagnose, treat and manage your condition. Within our Hospital there are always RTs working hard 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across all patient populations. RTs are a vital part of the front-line care team in many areas including the intensive care unit, the emergency department, operating rooms, NICU, outpatient clinics and home care. RTs perform a variety of vital roles throughout our Hospital. They are called for all high-risk deliveries including C-sections, traumas, conscious sedations, cardioversions, puffer administration and education, arterial blood gases, insertion of arterial catheters, non-invasive mechanical ventilation, (like CPAPs or BiPAPs), high flow oxygen therapy, and so much more. 📷 1 (from L-R): Jason Walt, RRT; Heidi Neuman (RT student), and Drew Edgar, RRT. 📷 2 (from L-R): Jennifer Gadioma, Interprofessional Educator; Bruno Tassone, Critical Care and Respiratory Services Coordinator (not pictured – Darolyn Hryciw, RRT Charge). 📷 3 (from L-R): Brittney Goral, RRT; Samantha Nigro, RRT and AA; Darolyn Hryciw, RRT, AA and Charge RRT; Leanna Black, RRT and AA. 📷 4 (from L-R): Loriana Manion, RRT – Stress Lab and Dennis Poulin, RRT – PFT lab. Visit https://lnkd.in/g9VjVUMk for more information.

Last week, staff at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre recognized #MentalIllnessAwarenessWeek with a series of events designed to raise awareness of mental illness, mental health and substance use and addictions. A big thank you to the Mental Illness Awareness Week Committee, for your hard work and dedication to breaking down the stigma associated with mental illness. 

We’re celebrating 20 years of Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC). Throughout the year, we’ll be taking a trip down memory lane to revisit some of our most significant milestones. Thank you to our dedicated staff, donors to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, community members and partners in health who have played a vital role in building exceptional healthcare for patients and families in Northwestern Ontario. This week, we're remembering 📅 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟵 (📸) 1) TBRHSC celebrated improved medical education with the grand opening of the new Ibn Sina Simulation Lab. 2) TBRHSC became one of ten sites in Ontario, and 24 sites across Canada to offer enhanced access to Endovascular Treatment (EVT), a procedure that drastically improves outcomes for stroke patients. 3) The Our Hearts At Home Cardiovascular Campaign launched. Visit www.tbrhsc.net/20years for more milestones.

The Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) department plays a vital role within Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. This team works tirelessly to ensure the safest practices are in place, and followed, for both patients and staff. #NationalInfectionControlWeek (October 14-18) highlights these safety efforts and educates staff and the community about infection prevention and control. We celebrate and thank the IPAC team for their hard work and dedication. 📷 (L-R, back row): Benita, Trish, Nancy, Heather, Craig, Vanessa; (L-R, front row): Lisa, Valerie, Sheena, Stephanie.