Members of Sun Country Regional Health Authority (SCRHA) learned at their September meeting that the Sun Country Health Region (SCHR) is on target with 15 of its 17 projects to improve service to patients, residents and clients during the fiscal year.
The projects are geared to provide better health, better care, better value and better teams.
The health region has set goals in the areas of primary health care; chronic obstruction pulmonary disease programs; falls prevention; safe surgical care; medication reconciliation on transfer and discharge; care for patients and families in psychological distress; patient and family directed patient education; discharge planning; a stop infections collaborative; injury reduction; regional management training; management and staff training in the Lean process; access to stored information; a materials management information system; a paperless pay system and human resources workflow management.
Other highlights of the meeting include:
*The Kipling Memorial Health Centre has been experiencing a disruption of service since October 1. With only one doctor remaining, SCHR cannot provide 24-hour daily coverage at the hospital.
*St. Joseph’s Hospital of Estevan has engaged a company to finalize requirements for a helipad for the STARS Air Ambulance at the facility.
*The SCHR leadership team is responding to questions from the communities of Carnduff and Coronach about ambulance services.
*Three registered nurses (RNs), two licensed practical nurses (LPNs), three EMR/EMTs, and two out-of-scope positions have been filled. Resignations during this same period include: six RNs, three LPNs, one plumber and two out-of-scope staff members.
*SCHR has awarded 28 bursaries from April 1 to September. Recipients include students in the following programs: 18 in registered nursing; one in a nurse practitioner program; one in occupational therapy; three medical students and five EMRs. In comparison, 55 bursaries were awarded in the same time period in 2011-12.
*As of August 19, there are five patients who have waited more than six months for surgery, including four patients who have waited more than six months for an offer for a surgical date. According to information from the provincial government, 97 per cent of patients in the SCHR have had to wait less than six months for an operation.
*SCHRA members were told that six doctors are in various stages of recruitment for Estevan, while five are in various stages of recruitment for Arcola, Coronach, Kipling, Oxbow and/or Redvers. One general practitioner from B.C. will be sponsored by SCHR to take a one year practicum in general surgery at the University of Saskatchewan, in exchange for a return of service in Weyburn.
*The SCRHA awarded a tender bid to Vipond Inc. to replace the dry pipe sprinkler systems in Redvers Health Centre and Moose Mountain Lodge in Carlyle. The tenders were in the amount of $176,780 and $145,721 respectively, plus taxes.
*SCHRA also approved a base salary of $245,278 for the president/CEO Marga Cugnet, effective July 23. The salaries of all health region leadership in Saskatchewan, including CEOs, are established on the basis of a series of performance targets, established by the Ministry of Health and regional health authorities.
