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A Primer on Family Centred Care 
November 2013   

" What lies behind us and what lies in front of us
are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

- Henry Stanley Haskins 

 

IN THIS ISSUE (Click to link)
MEMBERSHIP CORNER - Shannon Robertson
MEMBERSHIP CORNER - Andrew Hendricks
FCC NETWORK CHRISTMAS PARTY
WORLD PREMATURITY DAY
ICU EXPANSION AND REDESIGN
FAMILY TALKS
NEW ONLINE MEMBERSHIP FORM!
MEMBERSHIP CORNER
Each month, we will introduce you to two members of the Family Centred Care Council and NICU Family Advisory Care Team.  This month we feature two Council family members, Shannon Robertson and Andrew Hendricks. 
MEMBERSHIP CORNER - 
SHANNON ROBERTSON
FCC Council Member
Shannon Robertson
What brought you to Council?

 

Well, Heather did, of course.  I had been speaking with Heather about some frustrations generally, about how we had felt so well cared for during the acute phase of Graeme's medical intervention, but that the transition to on-going support, and the on-going support itself had left so much to be desired.  I was venting about frustrations I was having in terms of there being so few, really no programs to support Graeme, and how navigating what had turned out to be a maze of disappointments was really left to families themselves, with no support offered by the hospital in our case.  I'm not sure what she saw in that conversation, because I didn't give her much to see other than a frustrated, disappointed, angry mother in search of support for her child.  However, she later made me aware of the council and asked whether I would be willing to consider serving.  The rest is history.  I was interviewed by Heather and Karen Klak, and I've counted it a privilege to be involved ever since.

 

What is the one thing you would like network members to know about you?

I'm passionate about empowering people's communication skills. Whether those people be patients, or families, or council members, or my students, I believe that strong communication skills are indispensable to accomplishing the change that is needed so much, in so many aspects of our community life. We want to continue to foster change at the Stollery. We want to make communities and work places more safe, secure, respectful, productive environments that respect children and their families, and good communication skills are at the root, at the heart, of the miracles of transformation that can occur.

What is something that the Council has done (past or present) that you are excited about?
 

I am thrilled that the primacy of the principles of family centered care is being reflected in our hiring practices. When we hire people, be they administrators or doctors, technicians or nurses, support staff or researchers, who are already committed to fostering family centered care, then we can spend less energy trying to inform, and more energy working to transform our network of healthcare facilities. I am also excited by the transformations I see not just in people but also in physical spaces whose designs reflect the needs of children families, and the depth of our commitment to support journeys of healing in whatever way we can. Family centered space planning and design can go a long way to supporting those healing journeys. 

MEMBERSHIP CORNER - 
ANDREW HENDRICKS
FCC Council Family Member
Andrew Hendricks
What brought you to Council?


I grew up going in and out of the Stollery Hospital, through several operations, through the ups and downs.  I have a very supportive family.  My mother was always with me, often staying over night, in the chair or cot so she could be with me.  I know the value of family and what they bring to the table when dealing with a child's illness, and I want to contribute to that awareness and acceptance of this essential aspect of treatment during what is often some of the hardest times in a family's life.

 

What is the one thing you would like network members to know about you?

I think that like many kids you'll see in the Stollery and afterwards, they are just kids, or were just kids such as myself.  Our hospital stays definitely shapes who we are, but it isn't all of who we are. Our sickness or disability is only part of who we are.  No matter what the sickness or disability is, we all have things that are part of us that aren't sick, aren't damaged, whether it be physical, psychological and whatever else

 
What is something that the Council has done (past or present) that you are excited about?
 

I think I am most interested by the conversations that happen when families, patients or families get together with similar stories.  I think amazing healing and catharsis can happen when you have those sort of support groups happen.

FAMILY CENTRED CARE NETWORK FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY!

 

RSVP by December 2, 2013 by email to  [email protected] or call 780-407-7255!  Hope to see you and your families there!

WORLD PREMATURITY DAY - AN AMAZING SUCCESS

 

World Prematurity Day was celebrated in Edmonton for the 3rd year on Sunday  November 17 with astounding success and family engagement!

 

Over 600 people (approximately 200 families) and numerous health care providers braved winter storms and significant snow fall to attend NICU graduate teas across the Edmonton region. This yearly event serves to not only celebrate these children and their families but also to display the relevance of this common pediatric condition.  

  

November 17 was again proclaimed World Prematurity Day (WPD) by Alberta's capital city, and the Edmonton Muttart Conservatory was lit purple as part of the Global Illumination project. 

  

Parents, infants, health care providers and community partners also engaged in week long activities to educate, advocate and celebrate prematurity and the unique aspects of care that families and these infants experience. Education and awareness initiatives including advertising billboards, educational booths and posters pertaining to prematurity were on display at all four NICU sites (Royal Alexandra Hospital, Stollery Children's Hospital, Misericordia Hospital and the Grey Nuns Hospital), the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (where the children are followed developmentally after the NICU), and publically at high traffic locations throughout the city. 

  

Worldwide, one in ten babies is born prematurely. In Canada, Alberta has the highest provincial rate of prematurity in the country, with the Edmonton area having the highest preterm birth rate in the province. 

Further information regarding WPD (on a national and international level) and the Global Illumination Project can be obtained by contacting Katharina Staub at the Canadian Premature Babies Foundation (CPBF). http://cpbf-fbpc.org/

 

To donate to the local World Prematurity Day cause please go to www.stollerykids.com and specify World Prematurity Day. 

WHAT'S NEEDED TO SUPPORT PATIENTS AND FAMILIES:
INTENSIVE CARE EXPANSION AND REDEVELOPMENT

  

 "Please don't put the air vents over the heads of the patient beds or family sleeping area ... it is cold and noisy.   

- comment of a Parent

 

The input of patients and families who have spent hours, days and in some cases months in the Critical Care areas is key to a successful critical care expansion and redesign.  The meeting on November 27th generated great dialogue and highlighted many important concepts and functions to include in the early stages of the functional program, including:

  • Single Rooms -with cots and locked storage for families, lighting considerations, movable and height adjustable chairs with arms, easy access to call buttons, TV.
  • Air Vents - ensure they are not over the head of the patient's bed / family sleeping area
  • Electronic Devices -patients and families need to be able to use and recharge their devices for communication and need access to wifi
  • Handwashing sinks and hand sanitizers
  • Bathrooms and showers on the units for the families
  • Quiet Rooms - for family consultations, and gatherings of families during difficult times (4 up to 15 people)
  • Requirements to clean and sterilize breast pumping equipment (including a microwave)
  • The requirements of a waiting room outside of the unit to accommodate extended families(vending machines)
  • Family Lounge - a space to recharge, meet other families, have good coffee, fridge, freezer, microwaves, sink, computer work stations, a few things for siblings (TV, gaming system, cards, puzzles)
  • Explore possibility of laundry as available in other hospitals (ACH, IWK, Ronald MacDonald rooms in Winnipeg and Halifax)
  • Staff Considerations: charting locations in and outside the room, phones, coverage, glass / sliding doors between rooms

A Big Thanks to all the families, staff and designers who participated:  11 family members (Kevin and Kim George, Jodie and Doug Croswell, Monica Sneath, Shannon Robertson, Allan MacDairmid, Jodie Craven, Amanda Proctor, Sharon Willey, and Karen Calhoun)  3 AHS staff (Deb Maerz, Heather McCrady, Shelley Jackubec), 1 Alberta Infrastructure staff (Erica Washington)and 2 members of the planning and design team (Janet Adams, John Lee). 

There will be further opportunity to be involved in more discussions in a few months.  If you have any further suggestions, questions or comments please contact Heather McCrady at [email protected]  

Your ideas will be forwarded to the three family members: Karen Calhoun, Sharon Willey, and Kevin George, who are attending the Planning and Design meetings on an ongoing basis.  

  
FAMILY TALKS ROUNDUP

 

New Staff Orientation (SNELP)

 

Family members Karen Calhoun & Christina Herbers welcomed six new nurses during their orientation.   Tristen Pidner joined Karen and Christina by providing his unique and valuable perspective of a patient.  This resulted in a great conversation between patients, families and new and experienced staff!

 

Wee Wonders Workshop

 

Jennifer Hanrahan returned once again to share her family experiences at this one day workshop for NICU nurses.  We've had many great comments from staff who attended, not only Jennifer's presentation, but the entire day.  Thanks, Jennifer, for your dynamic presentation and for the NICU Clinical Nurse Educators for putting on such a great workshop!

 

NICU New Staff Orientation

 

It was a full house at this month's new staff orientation for the NICU!  Family members, Laura Townsend, Kristy Wolfe and Jodie Croswell joined Marcel Panas to welcome 16 new nurses to the NICU!  It was a special treat to have part of Laura and Kristy's family present to provide a few smiles. This was another engaging conversation for everyone who attended!

NEW LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES FOR FAMILIES AND STAFF

 

Effective Monday, November 18, 2013, a new service was introduced at the Stollery to provide interpretative services to families and staff.

 

This lower cast, new service through Language Line Services is available at any time day or night with an interpreter on the line usually within 60 seconds; On demand 24/7, over 200 languages available.

 

Use of a trained third-party interpreter is most helpful when:

 

Family Members:

  • May not speak English well
  • May not speak the second language well
  • May not be familiar with medical terminology in either or both languages
  • May be limited by cultural constraints or family considerations from interpreting the medical team's information directly or completely
Staff members:
  •  May not speak the second language or English well
  • May not be familiar with medical terminology in either or both languages
  • May know the patient / family outside the hospital and feel constrained because of that prior relationship
  • May have time or other work-related constraints as the staff member as been drawn away from her/his usual work in order to assist with interpretation
In-person interpretation is still available from a local service-provider if absolutely necessary.  This arrangement requires 24 hours lead time.

Family members are encouraged to ask their nurse for assistance with language needs.
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