Losing a parent is undoubtedly one of life's most difficult experiences. However, for Brian Goddard and his family, the "compassion and professionalism" from staff on the 3 Central Medicine Unit at the General campus made this painful situation "bearable." 

Over this past summer, Brian's 90-year-old mother Margaret suffered a fall at her Scarborough retirement home and developed the bacterial infection CRE. In early July, her symptoms worsened and she was admitted to the General campus on July 5.

The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) has launched its award-winning flu campaign for staff.  

The best way to protect our patients and community is to ensure our staff are protected against the flu virus. Flu shot clinics and roving carts launched just before Thanksgiving and will continue throughout the flu season.  

However, flu season isn't the only time TSH is working hard to protect its staff and patients against infection. 

"The Infection, Prevention Control team is always working very hard to monitor for infectious symptoms. Monitoring for new bacteria and viruses occurs worldwide, nationally, provincially and locally and when new infectious agents are discovered, we are informed through the Ministry of Health when we need to proactively implement safety procedures within the hospital to protect our staff and patients," says Vydia Nankoosingh, Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner.  

The Emergency Departments at both campuses routinely screen for patients with flu-like symptoms so that those patients can be managed appropriately and to protect other patients and staff. A list of questions regarding recent travel to countries identified by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has also been developed and is utilized by emergency department staff to screen for patients potentially carrying novel viruses from overseas. Patient Registration at TSH also screens for patients with flu-like symptoms to prevent transmission within our hospital.  

"These are just a few ways TSH is protecting its patients against the spread of infection all year round," says Vydia.

Every Friday morning for the past three years, 90-year-old Bill Pfaff arrived at The Scarborough Hospital (TSH) for his cancer treatments.

At 8 a.m. sharp, his cab would pull up at the hospital entrance and Bill would slowly go through his routine: check in at Patient Registration, walk to the elevator, ride to the first floor, attend his appointment, return to the ground floor, stop at Tim Hortons and stand in line for his double-double and timbits, then return to his awaiting taxi.  

That was until Bill met Atta.  

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