RTSO Airwaves Winter 2017 RTSOIn This Issue “Everyone here has theYou Need To Know.... ...Page 18Update on Patients First Act, sense that right now is one2016 ... Page 21 of those moments when wePrimary Care SalaryCompensation Phase 2 are influencing the future.”and Leadership Summit ...Page 25RT Week Celebrations ~Steve Jobs ...Page 29The Big Move for the RTSO ...Page 45And Much More!
2017 North American Medical Ventilation Product Leadership Award
President’s MessageRob BryanA-EMCA, RRT BSc.Welcome to the first edition of Airwaves for 2017! And to a new and different RTSO!! At lastNovember’s Strategic Planning meeting, the Board committed to significant changes that aimto revitalize the association to better serve our members and contribute to Ontario’s health caretransformation. We’ve updated our mission and vision:Our mission: to promote, advance and protect the interests ofrespiratory therapists in Ontario through research, professionaladvocacy, growth and development. We do this through strategicpartnerships, professional collaboration and leadership.Our vision: The RTSO is the voice of respiratory therapists in Ontario,dedicated to providing the best in respiratory care and lung health forall Ontarians, one breath at a time.And are committed to organization changes that will better position the RTSO to provide effective,efficient member services and to pursue advocacy and other key roles. Key initiatives include:• A new Executive Director role providing respiratory therapy leadership as Board members transition on an annual basis, enabling continuity for RTSO representation, partnerships, and services. Nancy Garvey has agreed to take on this role in an interim capacity. We anticipateRTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 1
President’s Message recruiting for a permanent position later • Advocacy and leadership initiatives this year. integrated into all aspects of the RTSO to• New office space, administrative and achieve respiratory therapy and lung health financial services through a purchased objectives in a changing health care system. service agreement with The Lung Association - Ontario to support operating efficiencies. We know respiratory therapists make a difference This includes a new address: in quality patient-centred care, health outcomes and transformational system change! We hope 18 Wynford Dr., Suite 405 each one of you will help recruit a colleague to Toronto, Ontario M3C 0K8 become a member, to make us stronger together!• Increased hospital-based focus through the Hospital-Based Leadership Committee The Board is excited about this new direction! to provide networking regarding health care Join us to ensure that everyone across the system transformation. Sue Martin is the new province benefits from the best of our Chair of this Committee. care, wherever and whenever they need it.• Increased collaboration with the seven Together we can make a difference!! Ontario-Based Respiratory Therapy schools to provide collaborative two-way information Membership information available on the sharing and engagement through the RTSO website: https://www.rtso.ca/2017- Student Affairs Committee, chaired by membership-application/ Robyn Klages. “Our life is composed greatly from dreams, from the unconscious, and they must be brought into connection with action. They must be woven together.” - Anais NinPage 2 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Your RTSO 2016/17 Board and Committee ChairsPresident/Chair of Board of Directors: Kyle DaviesPresident/Chair of Executive Committee: Rob BryanDirector/Chair of Membership Committee: Les MarsdenInterim Executive Director/Research Co-Chair: Nancy GarveyPresident Elect/Community RT Co-Chair: Kaela HilderleyDirector/Student Affairs Chair: Robyn KlagesDirector/RTSO Airwaves Editor: Shawna MacDonaldDirector/Community RT Co-Chair: Ginny MylesDirector/Leadership Chair: Susan MartinResearch Co-Chair: Marianne NgDirector at Large: Mike KeimAirwaves Production Coordinator: Elisabeth BiersRTSO Airwaves is a publication of Editor - Shawna MacDonald, RRT Layout/Design - Elisabeth Biersand may not be reproduced in full or in part Opinions expressed in RTSO Airwaves do not necessarilywithout prior permission from the RTSO represent the views of The RTSO. Any publication of advertisements does not constitute official endorsement of products and/or services.RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 3
RTSOThe Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario (RTSO)promotes the role and interests of the profession in allsectors of our health-care system. Membership growsour voice in advocacy and grows your profession The RTSO Works Hard For You: Membership Gives You:• Thousands of volunteer hours placed into • Optional Professional Liability RTSO programs and advocacy projects Insurance to ensure our profession is engaged, and the professional interest of RRTs are • A voice and visibility for your represented profession in Ontario• Salary compensation advocacy for RRTs in • Professional growth in research and primary care education• Patients First Discussion Paper Feedback• Research grants; educational and networking • Joint membership to the Ontarioopportunities Respiratory Care Society (ORCS)• Engagement with various stakeholders and with the different levels of the MOHLTC• Partnerships with the OLA, ORCS, CRTO, Public Health, as well as other Regulated Health Professions through the Coalition of Ontario Regulated Health Professions Associations (CORHPA) Become a member today! Automatic renewal availableEarly new & renewing members eligible for prizes Full details available on web site www.rtso.ca
Executive Director’sUpdate Hi Everyone! Welcome to the RTSO’s first Executive Director’s Update! This new position reflects the restructuring being implemented as a result of the Board’s recent strategic planning initiative. The Executive Director role will better position the RTSO toprovide effective, efficient member services and to pursue advocacy and other key roles that willresult in continually improving practice for RRTs and health outcomes for our patients. That personwill provide ongoing support to the Board and Executive Committee as well as leadership andmanagement support to RTSO Committees and special interest groups. The aim is to ensureactivities align with strategic goals and objectives. The Executive Directors’ activities aredirected by the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. In this time of significanthealth care transformation, the Executive Director will facilitate communication, advocacy andinformation exchange with our membership, partners and especially the Ministry of Healthand Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) and its related agencies, such as Health Quality Ontario andPublic Health Ontario, as directed by the Board.Three key links that you should be aware of include:• “CORHPA” - The Coalition of Regulated Health Professionals Associations, an informal network of the province’s health care professional associations regulated under the Regulated Health Professions Act (RHPA) – which the MOHLTC uses for two-way communication. Recent meetings included updates and opportunities for Associations to provide input to amendments to the RHPA that will impact all health care providers across Ontario. These changes include some recommendations in the Report on Sexual Abuse Task Force Report. Appendix B of the report is on the Ministry’s website: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ministry/publications/ reports/sexual_health/default.aspx . Colleges will be revising standards and collaborating with the Ministry (MOHLTC) and professional associations on education related to the changes once the legislation is in place.RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 5
Interim Executive Director’s Report• MOHLTC’s Health Care Transformation: update on the work supported by the Patients First Act, 2016. The information forwarded to the RTSO will be posted on the RTSO website and shared with members as we receive it. The February 3, 2017, communique focuses on sub- LHIN regionalization and is printed in this issue. You will also find this update archived at this link. You may also be interested in the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions at this link.• HQO (Health Quality Ontario) has invited applications for their COPD Standards Advisory initiative for primary care http://www.hqontario.ca/Evidence-to-Improve-Care/Quality- Standards/Join-a-Quality-Standards-Advisory-Committee. Applications are now closed. If you are unable to attend the in person meetings, there will be other opportunities for consultation. We encourage you to follow this initiative and to refer to other HQO resources on their website http://www.hqontario.ca/ .I hope sharing this type of information will be of interest to you and help inform your practice ashealth care system changes occur.Nancy Garvey RRT, MAppScInterim Executive Director/Research Co-ChairPlease note: there is an “interim” included in the title at the time as I am assisting with therestructuring transition and recruitment of a permanent Executive Director later this year. Ideally,we’ll be looking for someone with a respiratory therapy background. If you or anyone you knowmight be interested in learning more about the position, please don’t hesitate to contact me [email protected] . RTSOWorking together for a stronger tomorrow.Page 6 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
EditorialShawna MacDonald RRTRTSO Airwaves EditorWelcome to the winter edition!Winter for me is a time of contemplation. Thelack of sunshine can wreak havoc with mood,and I certainly don’t enjoy the snowy, stormydrives. While skunks, snakes, groundhogs,bees and bears hibernate by nature, peoplewere not meant to hide away all winter. Or soI’m told!I do enjoy is a brisk walk outdoors after ablanket of fresh snow has fallen—it provides a sense of peace and calm and puts us in touch with thewonder and beauty of nature.“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so Have you ever thought about howpleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, your winter attitude can have a big impact on how you behave prosperity would not be so welcome.” during these cold few months? ~Anne Bradstreet Is it something to be enjoyed, or endured? Skating, skiing, snowboarding, hockey, sledding andwinter festivals are waiting for you! You can check out some great ideas at https://news.ontario.ca/mnr/en/2017/01/get-outside-and-embrace-winter-in-ontario.html. Build a snowman. Sipa cup of hot cocoa. Read a book by the fire. Contemplate what it means to be a professional, whatRespiratory Therapy means to you, and what you want for our future.RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 7
Editorial This issueIn addition to our regular features, this issue touches on the changes happening with the RTSOand how we’re moving forward with some restructuring to better serve our membership andimprove efficiency. Check out both Rob Bryan’s President’s Message (p. 1) as well as Nancy Garvey’sExecutive Director’s Update (p. 5) for a review of the change. We’ve included an overview of thenew RTSO Board (p. 3) as well as some information on our new office (p. 45). Shirley Quach hassubmitted a great piece on Quality Improvement (QI) and relevance of QI in RT practice (p. 10 ). Inour last issue, we asked you to share your RT Week activities and stories, so you’ll see a few of thosecontributions in this issue as well (p. 30).We also asked you to share your commitment and passion with others by contributing in some wayto the profession -- through this publication, through advocating for growth in membership of theRTSO, through joining a committee or becoming involved with your profession and your professionalassociation in any way you can. There is some great work going on across the province, but thereis always more to be done. The RTSO is your voice at the provincial table. Our ability to advocatefor your personal and professional interest relies on a strong level of engagement. To re-state RobBryan’s message in the last issue, “If we are not engaged, we will be left out. Being left out means non-RRT stakeholders will decide our fate and how we are perceived, valued, and included (or excluded) inMOHLTC transformational healthcare policy, resource allocation and funding. We have everything to loseand nothing to gain by being silent and not active through RTSO membership.” We know the care thatwe provide makes a difference! We know we offer distinct and invaluable expertise in patient care!The RTSO works very hard to ensure that we are key healthcare providers, that our profession isnot overlooked as the Ontario healthcare system transitions and transforms. The RTSO is the voiceof respiratory therapists in Ontario, dedicated to the best in respiratory care and lung health for allOntarians, one breath at a time.It is my hope that you will consider sharing your stories, your time, or both, with the RTSO. Feel freeto e-mail at my new RTSO e-mail address: [email protected] look forward to hearing from you soon!Wishing you warmth and happiness,ShawnaPage 8 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Committee Research Committee Reports Nancy Garvey RRT, MAppSc and Marianne Ng RRT, BSc, MHSM Co-Chairs, RTSO Research CommitteeResearch Committee members had a respite over the holidays, enjoying some vacationand family time as we hope all of you were able to indulge in too!Our main focus over the past three months has been to collect and organize the feedbackfrom the two sets of surveys that were administered, hoping to learn more about research,evaluation and quality improvement activities happening among the student programs aswell as hospital settings. The results will guide our committee’s future plans and help uscelebrate our colleagues’ accomplishments! The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Carewill be making system changes based on evidence which will directly impact our practice indifferent practice settings. We know RRTs make a difference in patient outcomes…we musttake personal responsibility to demonstrate and share results of our practice.There is a wealth of information available on the Research Committee section of theRTSO website that we hope you’ll access for a variety of information. There are educationprograms https://www.rtsoresearch.ca/educationtraining/ and resources to guiderelated research, evaluation and QI processes https://www.rtsoresearch.ca/resources/We’ve also compiled a partial list of RRT peer-reviewed publications https://www.rtsoresearch.ca/knowledge-translation/ (lower part of page) which we hope will serveas examples of and inspiration for RRT contributions to “the evidence”!As we finish off the fiscal 2016/17 year, we’re entering in succession planning for our2017/18 committee members. If you’re interested in joining our team, please forward yourcurriculum vitae in an email to Nancy Garvey at [email protected] and Marianne Ng [email protected], current Co-Chairs of the RTSO Research Committee. Thanks! Nancy and Marianne Page 9RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Quality Improvement: Relevance to Respiratory Therapy PracticeThe RTSO Research Committee includes quality improvement (QI) Submitted by:in its Framework, recognizing QI’s relevance to evidence-based Shirley Quach, SRTpractice, quality care, patient safety and outcomes. The following The Michener Institutearticle provides a student’s insight to the application and importance of Education at UHNof QI in our practice. Enjoy! RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017Nancy Garvey RRT, MAppSc and Marianne Ng RRT, MHSMCo-Chairs, RTSO Research CommitteeProviding excellent patient care is a dynamic practice, requiringcontinual modifications as health care evidence becomesavailable. The knowledge accumulated from research studieswill continue to develop with the population and with newfound knowledge, comes the need of updating policies andstandards of practices. However, what are the appropriatechanges required to receive the desirable outcomes? Policies and procedures are in place to ensure that health careproviders are adhering to and providing appropriate care to thepatients. But does adherence to policies and procedures ensurethe best quality of care to patients?What’s Quality Improvement?What is quality? Multiple characteristics define quality; accordingto Health Quality Ontario, there are six dimensions that definequality which are: patient centred, safe, effective, efficient,equitable and timely. Ensuring the quality of care givenbased on these characteristics is to promote an individual’swellbeing and health.Page 10
Quality Improvement: Relevance to Respiratory Therapy PracticeQuality Improvement (QI) is a systematic modules provided insight to aspiring healthcareapproach to analyzing standards that are practitioners on how to initiate and followalready in place and determining what can through with a QI plan. Learning about thebe done to maximize the system’s efforts and PDSA cycle made me realize the similaritiesquality of care for patients. In health care, QI is between conducting a research studycrucial, especially when speaking about patient and a QI plan. These modules reinforcedcare. As health care practitioners, QI should be the importance of continual research andcommonly exercised. monitoring of clinical care. The process of achieving QI is not simple. In the previous isisue, I wrote about my passionThere are multiple methods to evaluate the for research and its importance for practicingcurrent framework and suggestions to see health care providers. QI is quite similar,improvements. One framework followed by the focusing on a specific variable and measuringInstitute of Healthcare Improvement (IHI) is the the outcome to the changes of this variable. QI,Plan, Do, Study and Act (PDSA) cycle. The PDSA like a clinical research study, has the ultimatecycle is meant to help organizations manage or goal to find the most desirable outcome thataccelerate improvement. is safe and provides quality to patient care. As a clinical student, I am not involved in large QIIn brief, the PDSA cycle focuses on a trait or plans or investigations. However, I would like topractice that requires improvement and directs take this opportunity to elaborate on one of ourthe team to plan for a change and how to clinical assignments.evaluate its effectiveness. Once a change hasbeen made, evaluated, and done, the process As part of our clinical rotation, we are requiredstarts from the beginning, hence a cycle. to pick a patient and present a case study. InImprovement may or may not occur with this case study, we are to assess the care givena single change; it may take multiple tries; to the patient and compare it to the researchthe PDSA framework is there to provide that literature. These case studies have studentsnecessary reminder to teams to continually critically evaluate the clinical practice witnessedimplement changes to see their possible and how it compares to the supposed evidence-effects. Once an effect is seen, repeat, repeat, based practices. On a much smaller scale, this isrepeat. The repeatability, or the cycling of a form of QI. The act of appraising the care ofthis framework is to ensure the reproducibility this individual patient to the current literature isof the desired improvement from the training the learner’s mind to suggest changesimplemented changes. that can help improve the care if the case were to happen again in the future.Student’s Perspective and Experience with QIAs a student preparing for clinical placement Integrating the IHI modules and case studiesin May 2016, we were required to complete into the school curricula helps engageseveral QI modules from the IHI website. These learners to question the validity and qualityRTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 11
Quality Improvement: Relevance to Respiratory Therapy Practiceof care given to our patients. It is a fact that practitioners provide care and service topractices to date are derived from evidence patients, it opens many windows of opportunitybased research and we hold a segment of for ideas to be brought forward. QI does notresponsibility and accountability for the occur from an individual’s idea, but instead,care we provide. Questioning the safety and comes from a team of inter-professionals.efficacy of interventions does not mean we are Contribution from various specialized healthcarecriticizing the care, but instead, we as health providers will provide the potential for thecare professionals are thinking about the quality QI plan to maximize and cover all aspects ofof care given. Without being curious, it makes patient care.it difficult for one to think of alternatives orsupplements for a health care practice that A key component of QI that one shouldmay require improvement. All this training keep in mind is that changes will always bewe received as Student Respiratory Therapists required. QI in health care does not simply stophelps us understand the vital need of having once policies and best practices incorporatean open mind and motivates us to perform evidence from clinical research, or whenour best to provide the upmost quality care patients claim that they are satisfied with thefor our patients. care. As mentioned before, evidence based practice comes from vigorous, peer-reviewedImportance of QI research; however, the advancement ofAs stated by Health Quality Ontario, quality medicine and research is infinite. Since clinicalmatters! QI does not happen on its own, it can research is dynamic and undergoes changesonly happen with the help of practicing health frequently, once there are changes to thepractitioners to identify the need for and types clinical evidence, it is necessary to challengeof improvements. Furthermore, requesting the current standing standards of practice.feedback from patients and families should be Challenging them will motivate healthprioritized as they are another valuable source care teams to seek out new methods andthat will benefit in figuring out the gaps in the modifications to incorporate into their care.delivery of care. However, QI is not limited This continuous process of appraising andto improving the environment and care of evaluating practices signifies the necessity ofpatients, but to also improve the working elaborative QI planning. The best quality ofenvironment for all members of the healthcare care is the never-ending improvement of care.team. Guaranteeing a safe, high-qualityworking environment would be facilitating the References:quality of care provided to patients. http://www.hqontario.ca/ http://www.ihi.org/The process of QI is important in all systems,and it is extremely valuable in healthcare.Besides the attention given to how healthcarePage 12 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Committee Community RT Reports Ginny Myles RRT, CRE, BHA (Hons.) RTSO Community RT Co-Chair Kaela Hilderley RRT CRE B.Ed. (Adult Ed.) RTSO Community RT Co-Chair The RTSO Community RT Committee continues to advocate for better, consistent access to Respiratory Therapists for patients in primary care, home care and public health sectors. Health Quality Ontario’s (HQO) recruitment of participants for the COPD Standards Advisory for Primary Care The Community RT Committee raised awareness of this opportunity and encouraged application of other members of the committee, as well as outside of the committee to participate. There have been multiple RTSO representatives that have submitted applications to sit on this committee, and a list of participants should be decided by HQO by the end of March 2017. Applications are now closed. (http://www. hqontario.ca/Evidence-to-Improve-Care/Quality-Standards/Join-a- Quality-Standards-Advisory-Committee). This quality standard “will address areas that are identified as having high potential for improving the care and quality of life of people living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It will focus on adults who present with suspected COPD in all settings of care (e.g. primary care and community base care, long-term care facilities, homeRTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 13
Community RT Reportcare, acute care) and will include diagnosis and Care. Now, we are continuing to work withmanagement of all disease stages of COPD, AFHTO, AOHC and NPAO regarding advocacyboth as a stable chronic condition and its acute for the full, recommended salary compensationexacerbations.” (HQO website) structure outlines in the Korn Ferry report.According to HQO, successful applicants will Please refer to the RTSO webpage https://www.provide advice to support the development of rtso.ca/rrt-salary-compensation-in-primary-care/standards of care, through: for posted updates on progress for RT’s working• Reviewing evidence, guidelines, and in Primary Care. publications (provided by Health Quality Recruiting New Members Ontario) related to the defined patient We are always looking for new members on the population; committee! If you haven’t already heard from• Identifying and prioritizing areas for us, we are in the process of contacting those recommendation development, based who have indicated to the RTSO that they on where the greatest opportunities for have interest in Community RT work. improvement exist in Ontario;• Reviewing and advising on the development As the healthcare system is changing, the RTSO of recommendations and quality indicators; is stepping up to address policy and practice and once the quality standard is developed, changes that affect our members. If you have facilitate its uptake and adoption. any questions, comments or items to bring toYou can e-mail questions to QualityStandards@ the attention of this committee, feel free toHQOntario.ca. contact Committee Co-Chairs: Ginny Myles, RRT CRE B.HA(Hons.) [email protected] orSalary Compensation, Phase 2 Initiative Kaela Hilderley, RRT CRE B.Ed. (Adult Ed.) [email protected] December 2016, the RTSO received a letterfrom Phil Graham from the Ministry of Health,acknowledging the recommendations in theKorn Ferry report for RT salaries in PrimaryStudent Affairs ReportRT students are the future of our profession. The Student Affairs Committee, led by Robyn KlagesRRT, B.Sc., is initiating discussions with various Program faculty to explore RTSO-Program links,communication and services that will enhance the student experience. Robyn can be reached [email protected] 14 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Leadership ReportSue Martin RRT, MA the health care team. The RTSO wants to support RT Services to ensure that they haveSue Martin RRT, has recently become a a voice at the administrative table and toBoard Director and has agreed to Chair assist RT leaders in promotion of servicesthe Leadership Committee with a refreshed that are aligned with their hospital – and thefocus on hospital-based practice. Sue can be MOHLTC’s strategic objectives.reached at [email protected] We will be holding a Hospital-Based Leaders’The RTSO Board of Directors has taken a look Forum on Thursday, June 15, 2017 at theat the services that best meet the needs of our new RTSO Head Office in the Ontario Lungmembers and has determined that the current Association building in Toronto. Please save thefocus for the Leadership Committee will be date! If you would like to be part of the Hospitalhospital-based leadership. To that end we want Based Leadership Committee – to determine theto provide a network and information sharing strategic objectives for this group and to assistservices to help hospital based RT leaders. in planning for the Leadership Forum, pleaseWe want to come together to maximize the reach out to me at [email protected]. I’m lookingpositive impact that RT Services can have for forward to working with you!each hospital and ensure that RT Servicescontinue to maintain a high regard as importantclinical care providers – and a vital part of “Ultimately, leadership is not about gloriouscrowning acts. It’s about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying thegroundwork for others’ success, and then standing back and letting them shine.” ~Chris Hadfield
Thank You to the RTSODear Members of the RTSO - both past and present,I was introduced to the RTSO as a Graphic Designer to work with Dave McKay (editor at the time) tocreate a newsletter that encompassed more than a single page of black print. Together our vision was totransform this publication into an interactive journal that could be enjoyed by our members as RespiratoryTherapists and include our vendors through their participation.With tremendous love and hard work created the journal to what is it today. Although Dave has sinceretired from this position, Shawna MacDonald has continued in his role and I have thoroughly enjoyedworking with both of them. I will continue my work on RTSO Airwaves with Shawna and am looking forwardto many more years.Over time, my role with the RTSO grew to the point of not only creating the promotional materials youfind from the RTSO and the various forms you have been asked to complete over the years, I have alsomanaged the membership data base and had the opportunity to interact with you in so many ways. Ibecame your Operations Manager for the RTSO. I have loved every minute.By now you are aware that the RTSO is experiencing many changes and these are happening tostrengthen the RTSO in order to give you a greater RTSO membership experience. You will hear moreabout these changes in the coming days.With these changes, my position is being eliminated and the only role I will have with the RTSO is mywork on the journal. While I am saddened by this, I am thankful to remain as part of the RTSO, even in areduced capacity. Respiratory Therapists, to me, are one of the most valuable people in the medical role.I have the highest regard for you.In closing, I would like to thank you for giving me the pleasure of knowing you. Below is my new emailaddress, however, for general RTSO inquiries please continue to use [email protected] so very much!Elisabeth BiersAirwaves Production [email protected] 16 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Mindful Moment How do you pause? Reflect?What do you do to renew your spirit? Reenergize? For me, there is always beauty, peace and tranquility in nature…it speaks to me, nourishes my soul. In winter, I love to enjoy my early morning coffee in a quiet house, bird watching. I’ve been blessed with many visitors this year, including numerous cardinals, jays, finches and even the odd downy woodpecker. ~ShawnaRTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 “The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness. Mindfulness means being awake.” ~Jon Kabat-Zinn Page 17
You need to know… The OLA (Ontario Lung Association) Lung ActAs a partner of the Ontario Lung Health Alliance, the RTSO is a strong advocate for the LungHealth Act. The following article describes recent events related to Alliance advocacy, led byThe Lung Association - Ontario in collaboration with its partners…including the RTSO. RTSO Participates as Members of Provincial Parliament Unite to Help Ontarians Breathe with Ease By Chris Yaccato, Provincial Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs, The Lung Association - OntarioOn November 22, 2016 and November 24, 2016 The Lung Association-Ontario supported firstand then second reading of Bill 71, the Lung Health Act, which was introduced by Members ofProvincial Parliament, Ted McMeekin (Liberal, Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale) , Jeff Yurek(Progressive Conservative, Elgin-Middlesex-London, and France Gélinas (New Democratic Party,Nickel Belt) in the Ontario legislature.It just so happened that the introduction and second reading of Bill 71, coincided with The LungAssociation’s Annual Queen’s Park Lobby Day, a day in which members of the Ontario Lung HealthAlliance, including the Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario (RTSO), joined The Lung Associationin advocating for a quick and speedy passage of the bill.Nancy Garvey, RRT, MAppSc, Interim Executive Director/Research Co-Chair of RTSO, wasinstrumental during the bill’s initial introduction and subsequent journey through the legislativeprocess, by emphasizing the importance of the bill to the members of the Standing Committee onSocial Policy.An original version of the Bill was introduced by then Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP)Kathryn McGarry (Liberal, Cambridge) in 2014, but “died on the order table” followingprorogation in September 2016.The tripartite Private Members Bill (PMB) continues calling for the establishment of a LungPage 18 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
You need to know.....Health Advisory Council and the development of a Lung Health Action Plan that will provide acoordinated approach to how lung disease is prevented and treated in our province.Of the four chronic diseases responsible for four in five deaths in Ontario -- cancer, cardiovasculardisease, lung disease and diabetes -- lung disease is the only one without a dedicated province-wide strategy, this despite the ever-increasing human and economic burden of respiratory illnessin Ontario.Thanks to the passion and hard work of the Hon. Kathryn McGarry, MPP McMeekin, MPP Yurekand MPP Gélinas, we now have a blueprint for a coordinated approach that will prevent lungdisease, improve patient outcomes and save health-care dollars.Among the Bill’s recommended priority actions:• Establish a Lung Health Advisory Council that will make recommendations to the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care on lung health issues;• Develop and implement an Ontario Lung Health Action Plan respecting research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of lung disease;• Require the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to consider the recommendations of the Lung Health Advisory Council to make improvements in lung health awareness, diagnosis, treatment and care.MPP Ted McMeekin was honoured to partner with The Lung Association to “further advanceimportant research and a coordinated strategy to move lung health issues forward. We appreciatethe ongoing and wonderful advocacy of The Lung Association, to ensure that all Ontariansbreathe with ease.”MPP Gélinas and Yurek respectively said “I look forward to the day when the Lung Health Actbecomes a reality, and Ontarians have access to a strategy including health promotion, diseaseprevention, diagnosis, early intervention and treatment and care. We have waited for too long.”The proposed Ontario Lung Health Action Plan provides solutions from prevention through toearly identification, treatment, policies and research. The recommendations in the plan also alignstrongly with the mandate of the Health Minister of Health and MOHLTC – increasing access tocare for those who need it most through Patients First: Action Plan for Health Care.For more information about the Lung Health Alliance and or to get involved to help The LungAssociation and our partners (including the RTSO) advocate for Bill 71, please contact: ChrisYaccato, Provincial Manager, Government Relations and Public Affairs at: [email protected] or416-303-4589.RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 19
You need to know.....For more information about Bill 71, Lung Health Act, 2016 and its status: http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/bills/bills_detail.do?locale=en&Intranet=&BillID=4397 .Only together can we help those in Ontario who struggle to breathe. Remember, when you can’tbreathe, nothing else matters™.Left to right: Chris Yaccato, Provincial Manager, GovernmentRelations and Public Affairs, The Lung Association – Ontario;Andrea Stevens-Lavigne, Vice President, Provincial Programs, TheLung Association – Ontario; MPP Ted McMeekin (Liberal, Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale); The Honourable Kathryn McGarry(Liberal, Cambridge); and George Habib, President and CEO, TheLung Association – Ontario.Proud, Strong and EngagedPage 20 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Update on the Patients First Act, 2016We are pleased to share this update on the work supportedby the Patients First Act, 2016. You will also find this updatearchived at this link http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/news/bulletin/2017/hb_20170127_2.aspx. You may also beinterested in the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions atthis link http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/news/bulletin/2016/hb_20161207_faq.aspx.You can count on the RTSO to share the Ministry’s regular emails likethis one (below), as your source of ongoing information and updates.LHIN Sub-RegionsOntario is home to nearly 14 million people spread across a vast geography, representing differentwalks of life. As the province continues to focus on transforming the health care sector, an emergingpriority is to ensure that health care planning is supported through mechanisms that take intoaccount the diverse geographic, population and demographic needs to deliver quality care in aneffective and efficient manner.LHIN sub-regions are local planning regions that will serve as the focal point for improved healthsystem planning, performance improvement and service integration. Sub-regions have been in placeinformally in LHINs for many years and they are now being formalized. They will be the avenue forlocal improvement and innovation with the common objective of improving the patient experience.RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 21
Patients First Act, 2016The rationale for sub-regions is based on a significant body of research, experience and advice. LHINsrange in population size from about one to two million residents; although the development of LHINsenabled a more community-focused lens for health care planning and improvement, we know thereremains significant diversity within LHIN boundaries. For example, in the North East LHIN the needsof the James and Hudson Bay Coasts sub-region, with a population size of 7,100, significantlydiffer from the needs of the Sudbury-Manitoulin-Parry Sound sub-region, with a populationsize of 229,900.North East LHIN Sub-Region MapWe also know through our Health Links (http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/transformation/community.aspx) initiative that targeting health care improvement efforts at a smaller scale can enablebetter identification of population health needs, can foster improved patient and family engagementand can improve collaboration among providers within the circle of care. Further, advice from theExpert Advisory Committee on Strengthening Primary Health Care in Ontario (http://health.gov.on.ca/en/common/ministry/publications/reports/primary_care/primary_care_price_report.pdf) recommendedsmaller geographies as a means of structuring our primary care sector around the needs ofpopulations.Page 22 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Patients First Act, 2016Sub-regions are not another layer of bureaucracy. They are instead simply a better way for LHINsto plan and improve health services in a manner that is more in line with the diverse needs ofcommunities across the province.For each sub-region, the LHIN will ensure there is a person responsible as the administrative lead onplanning, plus a clinical lead – a doctor or nurse practitioner who already provides primary care inthe community and will provide their clinical expertise to the LHIN. This clinical lead will work withother local doctors and health service providers to inform the LHIN’s planning and help ensure that healthservice providers address local clinical trends and needs. The sub-region planning lens will also help ensurebetter equity of health services, with opportunities to address issues like communities where there mightcurrently be higher rates of chronic disease and challenges in access to health resources.LHIN sub-regions do not mean that people need to change the way they access care. They willnot have to find a new primary care provider, choose a different hospital nor seek out home andcommunity care services differently. In fact, LHIN sub-regions are based in part on existing carepatterns, not creating new ones.To arrive at the sub-regions, LHINs spent the summer and fall engaging patients, families, providersand other community partners locally. The ministry also consulted with our Indigenous partners,French language stakeholders, municipal sector and others. Based on consultation and looking atexisting care patterns, each LHIN recommended between 4 and 7 sub-regions. In total, there are76 sub-regions, a number that reflects the diversity of Ontario and its local needs. The medianpopulation size of LHIN sub-regions is about 140,000 and each LHIN sub-region typically has at leastone acute care hospital, on average 150 primary care practices as well as home and community careservice providers. We may see LHIN sub-region geographies evolve over time as we gather moreexperience, as LHINs continue to engage their communities and as improvement efforts take hold.The Number and Size of Sub-Regions in OntarioRTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 23
Patients First Act, 2016What’s next? The formalization of sub-regions is the platform upon which system improvements willtake hold. From a planning perspective, LHINs and partners can expect detailed, local analysis ofpopulation health, service utilization patterns, capacity considerations and other data points. Froman improvement and integration perspective, sub-regions will be the locus for local innovations, bethey focused on improving connections between primary care and home care, access to specialists orensuring newcomers receive the care they need.We invite you to take a look at LHIN websites to see these sub-regions. We value your input goingforward on how we can use these new geographies to put patients first.Patients First Act, 2016: Implementation MilestonesMore Updates ComingYou can expect regular updates like this as we move forward together.And you’ll hear from us soon about our next Webinar, which is planned for February. That willprovide another opportunity to share updates and ask questions.If you have questions or comments, please send an email to [email protected]. To join ouremail list and receive these updates, please send an email to [email protected] 24 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Primary Care Salary Compensation Phase 2 and Leadership Summit Primary Care Salary Compensation Initiative, Phase 2On behalf of the Community RT Committee, we are contacting all RTSO members to shareinformation about Phase 2 of the Primary Care Salary Compensation Initiative being led by theAssociation of Family Health Teams of Ontario, the Association of Ontario Health Centres and theNurse Practitioners Association of Ontario. They have been key RTSO partners, supporting theKorn Ferry report’s recommendations for RRT slary compensation equity with nurses and othercolleagues. https://www.rtso.ca/rrt-salary-compensation-in-primary-care/Some of you may have already participated in the following activities. That’s great! If not, weencourage you to move forward with activities that you deem appropriate for your position withinthe team. We understand that the Ministry is looking forward to hearing stories from individualsworking on the front line. Information, including templates that our AOHC partners have givenus permission to share, is available on the RTSO website: https://www.rtso.ca/partnering-primary-care-salary-compensation-phase-2/.Activities may include:• joining the e-letter campaigns addressed to Minister Hoskins and to your local MPP• signing the local petition advocating for equitable salary compensation• meeting with your local MPP to tell your story and advocate for equitable salary compensation at 2012 levels and the futureThe RTSO has also sent a letter to Minister Hoskins.If you have information, thoughts or strategies to share, please do not hesitate to be in touch withKaela Hilderley [email protected] or Ginny Myles [email protected]. Please cc. Nancy Garvey [email protected] Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 25
Leadership Summit for RRT Hospital-based LeadersSunday June 2017 Friday Saturday Save the Date! 2 3 Thursday, June 15th, Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday 1 0900-1500!4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Sue Martin, Director, and Chair11 12 13 14 15 16 17 of the Hospital-Based Leadership Leadership Committee, is leading the Summit planning for the day. It will be18 19 20 21 22 23 24 held at our new facilities at 1825 26 27 28 29 30 Wynford Dr. in Toronto and will also be accessible through Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN). Relevant topics will bepresented and open for discussion as this group “renews and refreshes” to support alignmentwith changes in the health care system.See you there!Note: We are targeting leaders in hospital settings and would appreciate members working in anypractice setting sharing news about this event with their hospital leader colleagues. Please contact Sueat [email protected] if you would like to suggest a topic for discussion or be part of the hospital basedleadership committee.Thank you for your consideration and for being a part of the RTSO!Nancy Garvey RRT, MAppSc, Interim Executive Director on behalf ofRob Bryan RRT-AA, A-EMCA, PresidentKaela Hilderley RRT, CRE, BEdAd, President-elect, Community RT Committee Co-chairVirginia Myles RRT, CRE, Community RT Committee Co-chairSue Martin RRT, MA, Director, Chair, Hospital-based Leadership CommitteePage 26 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Michener Stethoscope Ceremony Friday October 21, 2016On behalf of the Respiratory Therapy Society of Ontario, I was honoured to be partof one of Michener’s brightest academic traditions, the Stethoscope Ceremony! Thestethoscope ceremony is a symbolic step as Michener’s second year Respiratory Therapystudents embark on a lifelong commitment in the profession.A short speech from the faculty and RT community partners was given to congratulatethe students and provide encouragement for the path they have chosen to be theircareer. This was followed by the students taking the ‘respiratory oath’, with dawningof stethoscope. Loved ones and family members witnessed the ceremony as, while 1st& 2nd year RT Students cheered in the background! The air was filled with excitement,enthusiasm, hope and joy. Moreover, as I listened to the words of the oath echoingaround the room, these words really resonated with me in why it is so important tojoin the RTSO, “I commit to seek constantly growth in knowledge, understanding andskill and will work with my colleagues to promote and advance all that is worthy in theprofession.”~Marianne Ng RRT, BSc, MHSMRTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 27
ATONROENSTOTHESIA SYMPOSIUMRecent Advances and Challenges in Airway ManagementSaturday, April 8-9, 2017MaRS, 101 College Street, Toronto, ONProgram Highlights Target AudienceThe theme for the 2017 Toronto Anesthesia Symposium is • Anesthesiologist“Recent Advances and Challenges in Airway Management” • Anesthesiologist AssistantDifficult airway management continues to evolve with • Respirology Assistancedevelopment of new equipment, algorithms, drugs, and adaptation • Anesthesiologist Resident & Fellowsof new concepts. Some highlight topics of this symposium include: Course Directors • Full paralysis-can’t intubate: Sugammadex the answer? • Apneic Oxygen: why are we not using it? Adam J Snyman MB, ChB, • CICO- are you ready for “Surgical” airway M Med Anesthesia, MD, FRCPC • How do we use ultrasound in airway management? • Challenging airways in OB, trauma and pediatrics Assistant Professor, Department of • Morbid obesity/OSA airway management Anesthesia and Pain Management, University of TorontoThere will be lectures and interactive PBLDs and workshops given Toronto General Hospitalby international guest faculties and University of Toronto faculties. University Health Network Visit cpd.utoronto.ca/anesthesia David T. Wong MD, FRCPC Professor, Department of Anesthesia, University of Toronto Toronto Western Hospital University Health Network
RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 29
Celebrating Our Profession: RT Week 2016Celebrations and StoriesDear RTSO Members,More and more, respiratory therapists are getting involved in research, evaluation and qualityimprovement initiatives, providing evidence that improves care and outcomes for our patients! Alongwith all of our colleagues who are contributing to these gains, the RTSO would like to celebrate:• Jennifer Shea RRT, Christina Sperling RRT, Zelia Da Silva RRT, Michael Finelli RRT as co-authors along with other SickKids staff on Impact of Stewardship on Inhaled Nitric Oxide Utilization in a Neonatal ICU recently published in the Journal of Pediatrics http://hosppeds.aappublications. org/content/early/2016/09/02/hpeds.2016-0003?sso=1&sso_redirect_count=1&nfstatus =401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR %3a+No+local+token• Madonna Ferrone RRT, CRE and the Asthma Research Group Inc. team working in primary care in the Windsor area for the European Respiratory Society International Conference primary care 2016 award for New team approach dramatically improves lives of lung disease patients, a clinical trial testing a COPD patient education program that demonstrated significant results! http://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/new-team-approach-dramatically-improves- lives-of-lung-disease-patients and• Tom Piraino RRT, FSCRT who has recently authored a chapter in the latest published edition of Egan’s Fundamentals of Respiratory Care…our “bible”!!Congratulations!! And cheers to all who are getting involved!!Research Committee Co-Chairs Nancy Garvey RRT, MAppSC and Marianne Ng RRT, BSc, MHSM,and the members of our Research Committee team: • Louise Chartrand RRT, MA, PhD(c) • Lindsay Chase RRT, BHSc • Madeeha Chatoo RRT, BHSc • Tara Fowler RRT, CHT, MHSc(c) • Vanessa Lin RRT, BSc • Cassandra McBride RRT, BSc • Perrin Michael SRT, Student Representative • Brooke Read BSc, MHS, RRT • Mika Nonoyama RRT, PhD, RTSO Clinical ScientistPage 30 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
RT Week 2016 at Hamilton Health SciencesRT Week at Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) has been recognized and celebrated for many years.Public displays at our community kiosks, hospital news announcements, daily “Lunch & Learns”,social activities and events, trivia challenges, prizes, and two Respiratory Therapy awards aresome of the many highlights to this special week.At HHS, we have over 150 RT’s on staff. Our Respiratory Therapists work in various roles andclinical areas. Most provide patient care in Emergency Rooms and the Adult, Pediatric andNeonatal Intensive Care Units. At Hamilton Health Sciences, you can also find us in Hyperbarics,on Trauma Teams & Emergency Response Teams, in Simulation & Outreach, Homecare,Rehabilitation, Chronic/Complex Care, Perioperative Care, Labour and Delivery, Research,Medical Diagnostics, Clinical Management, Education and Professional Affairs.Public RelationsOur Community Kiosks were set-up so the public could learn more about the profession andthe wonderful care RT’s provide, and to gain an understanding of our history, growth andprofessional direction. They were manned by RRT’s at peak times.HHS Respiratory Therapy Recognition Awards1. The HHS Bedside Teaching AwardThe HHS Bedside Teaching Award is an annual award that was developed to recognizeRespiratory Therapists who consistently demonstrate excellence in, and go above and beyondwhat is required in the role as preceptor, for Respiratory Therapy Students at Hamilton HealthSciences. Respiratory Therapists are nominated by RT Students who have completed clinicalrotations at HHS.The deserving recipient for 2016 was Emily Rempel. This is what one of the RT students had tosay about Emily in the nomination:RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 31
“I would like to nominate Emily Rempel for this award. Emily is a great educator as she’s incredibly smart. She accounts for all the small details and thoroughly rationalizes all her decisions - she really knows her stuff. These traits make her an exceptional RT and she provides really good patient care and management. As a preceptor, she’s approachable, patient and very willing to teach. She encourages the student to be involved in patient care as much as possible and isn’t hesitant to offer appropriate constructive criticism. She definitely leads by example and I am more than happy to provide recognition for Emily!”Emily was presented the award on Monday November 21, 2016. Congratulations, Emily! Sheri Di Murro RRT (Co-Chair of the HHS RT Practice Council) presenting the award to Emily Rempel RRT, McMaster Children’s Hospital NICU 2. The HHS RT Award of ExcellenceThe HHS RT Award of Excellence is another annual award that was developed to recognizeRespiratory Therapists who consistently demonstrate excellence in the role and it’s relation topatient care delivery and the team. Areas of Clinical Excellence, Teaching/Education, Leadership,Research and Professional Accomplishments are all considered.The recipient for 2016 was Paul Stewart. Paul was nominated by the Burn Unit Team (HamiltonGeneral Hospital site) as “an outstanding Respiratory Therapist for practicing in adherence to HHSValues, demonstrating clinical excellence by maintaining high standards of performance related topatient-centered care, quality, safety and overall conduct. Paul is known for his excellent clinicalPage 32 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
assessment skills and advocating for his patients and he consistently promotes quality patient/familycentered care through excellence in Respiratory Therapy practice. Paul acts as a resource to patients/families and the multidisciplinary team in providing both patient and professional education and isknowledgeable, empowering the multidisciplinary team in sharing his knowledge. Paul acts as a rolemodel to all healthcare professionals in demonstrating overall professionalism and leadership. He utilizescoaching and mentoring techniques to engage others in achieving their goals, and ensures that self andothers comply with policies, procedures and professional standards. Paul Stewart is the ideal candidateto receive the HHS Respiratory Therapy Excellence Award.”Congratulations, Paul!Aly Ruzycki-Chadwick RRT (Co-Chair of HHS RT Award of Excellence (2016) recipientthe HHS RT Practice Council) presenting Paul Stewartthe award to Paul Stewart RRT, HamiltonGeneral HospitalCelebrating the ProfessionRT Week was, and is, a time to pause and celebrate the profession, the Respiratory Therapistswithin it and the unique patient care we provide…a time for RT’s to educate the public as well asour colleagues on the care and services Respiratory Therapists provide. At HHS, we do just that, asproud members of the healthcare team.RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 33
From the Offices of Kendra Mantha & Allison NykolaychukRespiratory Therapy Educators, HHS Clinical Practice & Education, Hamilton Health SciencesThe Respiratory Therapy staff and students at Hamilton Health Sciences celebrated RT Week bycreating and displaying booths to promote our profession. Many visitors and staff dropped by tolearn about the role of a Respiratory Therapist, ask many respiratory related questions, and to havean opportunity to play with some of the equipment that is integral to our job! Kendra Mantha (BSc, RRT, RT Educator) & Alanna Hall (Fanshawe SRT) in the Hamilton General Hospital front lobby Alida Webb RRT, RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 manning the Hamilton General Hospital cafeteria displayPage 34
Jennifer LeRoux RRT, manning the Juravinski Hospital cafeteria displayMeredith Hall (FanshaweSRT) & Evelyn GuevaraRRT, manning theJuravinski Hospitalcafeteria displayOur RT Educators Kendra and Allison held a trivia contest for all of the Respiratory Therapy staffacross Hamilton Health Sciences. Some of the questions required staff to go back many years andrecall information they learned in first year RT school! A daily winner was randomly drawn from thepeople who answered each question correctly and a grand prize winner was also announced at theend of the week!Many of our dedicated vendors expressed their appreciation to the Respiratory Therapy staff duringRT Week, through providing delicious breakfasts & lunches, educational sessions, and games withprizes! Education included sessions on existing equipment, new equipment and updating staff andstudents alike on therapies within our specialized areas.Respiratory Therapy Week is a wonderful way to recognize and say thank you for all the work we dothroughout the year!~submitted by Kendra Mantha, Allison Nykolaychuk & Shawna MacDonaldRTSO Airwaves -Winter 2017 Page 35
Respiratory Therapy Week atToronto General Hospital Madeeha Chatoo RRT, Wincy Ng RRT, Martha Montano RRTRespiratory Therapy (RT) week at Toronto General Hospital, UHNhas been recognized and celebrated for many years. Some of the manyactivities special to this week included: Daily educational sessions, a bakesale, a poster display and a social night out.Poster Display Above: Madeeha Chatoo,For the past three years, Martha Montano and Wincy Ngwe have hosted a posterdisplay to educate thepublic, staff and patientsabout RespiratoryTherapists.This year’sposter includedinformation about therole of RespiratoryTherapists at TorontoGeneral Hospital includingareas we work in suchas: the ICU,Wards,Emergency Department,as well as The PrincessMargaret Cancer Centre and The Hyperbaric Medicine Unit.The display included pamphlets and informational items from manyassociations such as the CSRT, RTSO, and The Lung Association. Staff andpatients were encouraged to be interactive by participating in a shortquestionnaire to enter a draw. Nine prizes were given out which weregenerously donated by home oxygen and ventilator companies.We hadover a 100 visitors at our booth.This was a great opportunity to answerquestions from staff and patients about our role.Page 36 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Respiratory Therapy Week at Toronto General Hospital “RT’s are caring and compassionate health care providers who are always trying to provide the safestand most advanced care to their patients.” - Anonymous We also included a comment box for staff, patients and visitors to write any feedback or comments to the RT department.The comments will be posted in the RT department in order to recognize and appreciate the work that we do. It was rewarding to see comments from staff and especially patients about how our role has made a difference in their lives. In January 2016, Michener Institute integrated with University Health Network to become The Michener Institute of Education at UHN.The Michener Institute also had a table to showcase the different programs including Respiratory Therapy and the possibilities of career advancement through The Continuing Education Program. Promoting the profession during RT Week is always a rewarding experience. It is a time to reflect on the important roles that we do as well as an opportunity to educate the public about the profession and celebrate our success stories. Hosting a poster display has been a great experience over the years and it brings great satisfaction and gratitude knowing that a lot of people come out to support this event.RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 37
How did you celebrate RT Week?The Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) and RoyalProResp RT’s celebrated RT week by going axethrowing.”~Submitted by Ginny Myles RRT, CRE, CTE, BHA(Hons)RTSO President Rob Bryan A-EMCA,RRT BSc. enjoyed views of the CNTower lit in RTSO colours of purpleand orange.Page 38 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
RTSO Membership is now Open Thank you to all new and renewing RTSO Members for the 2017-2018 year. It will be an exciting year! Register your 2017-2018 RTSO membership before March 31, 2017 with auto-renewal and next year it will all be done for you. PLUS by opting for auto-renewal for the first time, you are automatically entered into a draw for a $100 pre-paid VISA/MasterCard Visit:https://www.rtso.ca/2017-membership-application/
Build Your Knowledge With These Sessions March / April / May, 2017 The Lung Association’s RESPTREC (the Respiratory Training and Educator Course) will be held as follows:SPIROtrec: March 25 (Toronto)Asthma: April 1-2 (Toronto); May 27-28 (Toronto)Asthma + Educator: May 4-7 (Ottawa)COPD + Educator: April 20-23 (Toronto) For more information: www.resptrec.org March / April / May 2017The Lung Association’s Provider Education Program (PEP) offersfree, accredited CME programs for health care providers as follows:Asthma vs COPD: April 13 (Brockville); May 11 (Scarborough)Spirometry: March 21 (Mississauga); April 26 (Blind River)Preschool Asthma Workshop: March 22 (Orillia) For more information: www.olapep.ca
Distributed by: McArthur Medical Sales Inc. , 1846 5th Concession West, Rockton, Ontario, L0R 1X0 www.mcarthurmedical.com 1-800-996-6674 [email protected]
Chronicles of Clinical an SRT Update Submitted by Eliza Ung, SRT Respiratory Therapy Student, The Michener Institute of Education at UHN It’s a new year and a new semester for myself and other respiratory therapy students across Ontario. I hope my peers and readers have had a chance to rest and recover, and are ready for the final stretch of their academic journey. I cannot express enough, how quickly the semester went by. Clinical has been, and continues to be, a highly rewarding and fulfilling experience. It’s hard to imagine that in a mere three months, I have completed my Pediatric rotation at SickKids Hospital and Holland Bloorview, and my Neonatal rotation at Sunnybrook Hospital. Having external rotations such as these ones have allowed me to gain exposure to different patient populations, and different cultures of practice at each institution. I had also recently completed my Rehab rotation at West Park, where I enjoyed working with yet another unique patient population. Chronic care, the NICU and the PICU and are different worlds; it was eye-opening to see how care is tailored to best serve the needs of their patients. I appreciated learning about cluster care and unique mechanical ventilation strategies in the NICU;Page 42 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Chronicles of an SRTI was engaged and took a personal interest in arterial puncture on a baby and wondering howdiscussions regarding the timing of surfactant and when I will get a point where I can locatedelivery, and what current recommendations an artery as tiny as a baby’s. In chronic care atare. I haven’t been around many babies in my West Park, I appreciated the amount of patientlife, and so being in the birthing unit holding interaction and manner of care delivered – it wasa newborn baby for the first time was special. I interesting to see how involved patients are withhave to admit it was hard to keep the tears back. the direction of their own care in this setting. These experiences demonstrated how versatile the RT role can be, as there are two very different ways to ventilate/provide care for a baby versus a teenager; just as there are different ways to ventilate/provide care for an acute versus a chronic patient. The work RTs do continues to inspire me, and I am absorbing their passed-down wisdom like a sponge. What strikes me the most coming back from these rotations is seeing how all the different professions come together to deliver exceptional patient care. Working alongside doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, OTs,The Michener Institute of Education at UHN’s Sean PTs, social workers and various otherPaik, Year 2 (left), Eliza Ung, Year 3 and Mark Chen, specialties – it’s easy to see value ofRRT (right) at the ORCS 2016 Toronto Fall Seminar, having effective interprofessionalOntario Lung Association. skills to help bridge gaps that prevent complete and holistic care. I learnedWitnessing the wide age range and various a lot about the other professions and their workcongenital abnormalities in Pediatrics has by participating on rounds and this experienceallowed me to appreciate even further, the was valuable to me.knowledge base and skill set that RTs possess.In this rotation, it was the diverse age range Outside of clinical, I was able to attend thethat resonated with me, as I could walk into a ORCS Toronto 2016 Fall Seminar last semesterroom where there was a baby and the room at the Ontario Lung Association, as well as thenext door could be an adult-sized teenager. I SIM-one Conference Reception 2016 with aalso recall watching my preceptor perform an few of my peers pictured here. Always makingRTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 43
Chronicles of an SRTtime to engage in the profession - checkout some of the work Michener studentshave been involved with here:• Choose Respiratory Therapy: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=stbB81FvHWo&t=1s• RTs in the Streets (RT Week Video 2016): https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GwxJAk7IA8Q• The Value of Simulation: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm5rG gsNg6M&feature=youtu.beThose are all the updates I have for now The Michener Institute of Education at– as always, thank you for reading. I hope UHN’s Year 3 SRTs Eliza Ung (left) andthis chronicle has given you some insight Kugan Sivaganeshan (right), at the SIM-oneas to what you can expect if your NICU, Conference Reception 2016. Runner-ups forPICU and Rehab rotations are coming up. the 2016 SIM Student Award.The next time you hear from me, I mightbe finished my clinical placement and you mightsoon expect a “Chronicles of a GRT” series! Best ofluck to all of my peers and RT students across theprovince - we’re almost there!“Change will not come if we wait for some other person orsome other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” -Barack ObamaPage 44 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
Welcome to the new RTSO office. The RTSO has moved to 18 Wynford Drive Suite 405 Toronto Ontario M3C 0K8 Phone numbers remain the same647-729-2717 / Toll Free: 1-855-297-3089 Fax: 647-729-2719 www.rtso.ca [email protected] The following page will give you a quick tour and introduce you to some new faces.RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017 Page 45
On a cold winter morning RTSO President Rob Bryan and Stephen Laramee loaded up Rob’s van with boxes of RTSO material and moved it across the GTA from Brampton to the new office in Toronto.Yes, our office is nowinside the Ontario LungAssociation office, butthe RTSO maintains adistinct identity.Enter the graciouslobby and you aregreeted by Janet Hatch,the very welcomingreceptionist.Meet Tomoka Fujita (right), RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017our new RTSO MembershipClerk. She is responsiblefor processing your RTSOmemberships.Page 46
Less is more. Spend less time on your process and more time with your patients.You have a department to run with a staff that needs to concentrate on patient care.The epoc® Blood Analysis System is the tool to help you improve your blood gas andelectrolyte testing process. With features such as positive patient identification, wirelesscommunication and SmartCard technology, your staff can do everything they need to dostanding at the patient’s side.To see how “less is more” contact your Alere representative for a demonstration and adiscussion about how the epoc® System can improve your process.Contact your Alere Representative about availability, 1.800.818.8335 or visit alere.com© 2017 Alere. All rights reserved. The Alere Logo, Alere, epoc and Knowing now matters are trademarks of the Alere group of companies. 10003480-01 02/17Page 46 RTSO Airwaves - Fall 2016
Management’s Hoping everyone had a great holiday season! I enjoyed Corner mine, but things are different between the North (I now live about 3 hours east of Thunder Bay) and the South, in terms of weather. I have so acclimated to the Northern Ontario weather of snow and cold (yes, I now see moose and bear) that when I went home for Christmas, I was so hot (I’m talking body temperature!!) that I was wearing flip flops and light jackets and I was getting very weird looks from my fellow Southerners in Toronto!! What a difference a year can make, living in one’s surroundings, to a person’s body and mind…Lucy Bonanno, RRT, MA, Recruiting and RetainingMBA, CAE, CHE, Chief Healthcare ProfessionalsExecutive OfficerGeraldton District The assessment I am making is of my own experience andHospital observation through the span of my career. I have worked in many different healthcare organizations and have lived in various parts of the province (Ontario). I say openly that there is no industry that is more archaic in recruiting talent management than health care. There is no question that without qualified employees who have the right attitude and are here to serve those who are sick and need care, we would not be able to properly serve patients, their families or the community. It is imperative that the right people are hired. Good hiring practices will result in higher morale and more engaged staff, which then develops stronger teams and lower turnover. I am a strong believer that senior management can have the best vision, actually a brilliant vision, of where they want the organization to move towards… however, without great employees, the vision is irrelevant. Our unprecedented societal economic and competitive challenges have resulted in cutbacks and layoffs in all industries, inclusive of healthcare. The one administrative department that is most required in healthcare has suffered great loss, our Human Resource departments. Talent management must be made a top priority as we move toward a shrinking talentPage 48 RTSO Airwaves - Winter 2017
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