Sun Country News

Bouquet to a staff member

Staff at Sun Country Health Region try to make every patient experience a good one and it’s rewarding to hear when they meet that goal. A Home Care nurse in Redvers recently found out from everyone involved that she checked all the right boxes.

Louanne Jonassen was holding a Wellness Clinic recently when a participant began to exhibit chest pains. She called 911 immediately and then took the patient’s vital signs. She provided nitrospray and aspirin, as the procedure requires in this circumstance.

When it was all over, Louanne received a thank you card from the patient and his family. The patient’s wife said the hospital was grateful to have a full report on the incident, including a list of the patient’s medications.

Another patient at the clinic, who watched the incident, congratulated Louanne for her professionalism. And the ambulance attendants said she made their job easier because the scene was so well-organized.

SCHR congratulates Louanne. She is an example for us all.

Medical Health Officer strongly advises boiling Weyburn water

The recent water test results from the City of Weyburn water treatment plant have confirmed that the water still contains living Cryptosporidium oocysts and that the water being produced is not safe to drink at this time.
Dr. Shauna Hudson, the Medical Health Officer for Sun Country Health Region is strongly advising all Weyburn and area residents to follow the precautions issued by the Ministry of Environment to boil water for one minute to reduce their risk of disease.
She says “the most recent water test results from the City of Weyburn water treatment plant indicate the continued presence of the parasites Cryptosporidium and Giardia and that water must be brought to a rolling boil for at least 1 minute before using for drinking, brushing teeth, washing dishes, washing fruits and vegetables, and making ice cubes.”  
Read the rest of the story at http://www.suncountry.sk.ca/viewnews/208/175/community-advisory.html

Food Safe classes in Sun Country Health Region

No one would intentionally serve food that can make someone sick but we also know that many food handlers do things that are dangerous without realizing it. Food Safe Class is the answer Provincial regulations require that at least one person per shift in each place where perishable food is served for immediate consumption MUST have food safety training. All food and drink served in a Public Eating Establishment is to be safe for human consumption.  Food Safe is a nationally recognized course. At the end of the course, participants will write an exam. (Oral exams are available to persons who are reading challenged. Please ask before class begins.) Upon passing the examination, participants will receive a nationally recognized certificate. This course is intended for owners, managers, supervisors, chefs, cooks, and ALL PERSONNEL responsible for purchasing, handling, preparing or serving food.  

Spring Class Dates

1. ESTEVAN (*2 EVENINGS)
Tues & Wed, Apr 24 & 25/12
6-10 p.m.
St. Joseph’s Auditorium

2. WEYBURN
Wed, May 2/12
8:30 – 5 p.m.
Tatagwa View

3. REDVERS
Sat, May 5/12
8:30 – 5 p.m.
Redvers Legion

4. ESTEVAN
Tues, May 8/12
8:30 – 5 p.m.
St. Joseph’s Auditorium

5. WEYBURN
Wed, May 9/12
8:30 – 5 p.m.
Tatagwa View

6. WEYBURN (* 2 EVENINGS)
Wed & Thurs, May 16 & 17/12
6 – 10 p.m.
Tatagwa View

Please Note: Advance Registration is mandatory – Handouts & exams are available in English, Korean, Vietnamese & Chinese. Verbal exams are available. PLEASE REGISTER BY: FAX: 842-8637 OR PHONE: 842-8626

Fundraiser for St. Joseph’s Hospital of Estevan

St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation in Estevan will host a fundraising Radiothon for Life on Wednesday March 14 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. from the Estevan Shoppers Mall. Featured will be stories of courage and hope from patients, families and staff atSt. Joseph’s Hospital. All donations $10 and over are tax deductible. For more information, please call 637-2474.

Radville Foundation to hold fundraising dinner

The Radville and District Health Centre Foundation will hold its third annual fundraising dinner and auction on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the Radville Regional High School. The event will raise money for the new Radville Marian Health Centre. Tickets are $250 for a corporate table or $35 per person. Ticket reservations are available by calling 869-3305.  Cocktails will be held from 5-6 p.m.  Dinner & Auction to follow.  Advance tickets only.

Spirometry available in SCHR

The word “spirometer” comes from the Latin spirare – to breathe, and meter – a device for measuring.  A spirometer is an instrument for measuring the air entering and leaving the lungs.
“Spirometry” refers to the measurements of air flow and volume that are made using a spirometer. Spirometry is required for the diagnosis of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
At present, trained staff from Sun Country Health Region administer spirometry testing at many clinics, including Carlyle, Estevan, Lampman, Maryfield, Radville, Redvers and Weyburn.
The Region plans to expand those clinics to Bengough and Midale.
SCHR continues to work on expanding its Spirometry testing and building teams at different locations to provide comprehensive services to respiratory clients.
For further information about having a Spirometry test done, please contact your local health practitioner.

Live Well program helps you to live better

The Live Well™  self-management program is for those people who are living with or caring for someone with a chronic illness. That includes diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, chronic pain, kidney disease, stroke, asthma, depression and others.  
This community-based program is led by trained peer leaders, many who have chronic conditions themselves and can model healthy lifestyle choices.
Topics covered in the program include effective communication strategies for loved ones and health professionals, dealing with difficult emotions, goal setting and action plans, medications, nutrition and physical activity.
Since Sun Country Health Region started offering the Live Well™ program in 2008, its team of Peer Leaders have offered 15 sessions to 125 participants in eight different communities.
The free of charge, six-week program was offered in the fall of 2011 in Kipling, Weyburn and Carlyle.
Keep your eyes peeled for our brand new, bright green and orange, province-wide promotional posters and brochures. If you are interested in learning more about the program, becoming a Peer Leader or to register for future sessions please contact (306) 842-8711.

How to apply for a job

1. Where to find a list of jobs available in Sun Country Health Region. 
 Jobs are posted in each designated facility area.
Jobs are posted on our website at   www.suncountry.sk.ca
 2. How long do you have to apply for a posting?
CUPE Postings are posted for 7 days.
CUPE Relief Postings are posted for 7 days or 48 hours.
SUN Postings are posted for 10 days.
HSAS Postings are posted for 10 days.
OSCOPE (Out of scope) Postings are normally posted for 7 days.
3. Jobs are posted every Tuesday by noon (www.suncountry.sk.ca) Deadlines for applications are listed on each posting, applications must be received to Human Resources by closing date and time. 
 4. How to apply for a SCHR job
You can apply online at www.suncountry.sk.ca
You can apply in person to Human Resources department
Or Fax your application to 842-8740. 
5. For internal applications for all Sun Country employees: please attach a copy of your qualifications if indicated on posting.
6. Internal Applications must be filled out for each posting for which you are applying. Applications for CUPE employees only – relief posting’s only (flagged with “R”)
 7. It is the employee’s responsibility to ensure the application has been submitted and received at Human Resources department for each job. You should receive an email confirmation if the application was received.
 *  Applications must be received at Human Resources department before closing date and time.  

Rural West makes the finals

The Rural West Primary Health Team in Sun Country Health Region has been selected as a finalist for the 2012 Saskatchewan Healthcare Excellence Awards. The Rural West team is dedicated to the continuous improvement of the health of the population in the Radville, Pangman, Bengough and surrounding areas. The team is made up of two physicians, three home care nurses, dietitian, office staff, facility manager, team facilitator, regional director of primary care, retail pharmacists in two communities, students from a variety of health care disciplines, and regional allied health care professionals like therapies and mental health services, nurse practitioner. In the back row, from left to right, are Candace Kopec, Shelley Hoffart, Colette Pierson, Wanda Miller, Dr. Werner Oberholzer, Kelly Fish, Dawn Geiger, Kim Borschowa. In the front row are Laura Wood, Susan Viergutz, and Deanna Nimegeers.
Missing from the picture are team members Natalie Bieberdorf, Delee Foley, Mary Deren, Debbie Donald, Marion Kerney, Pat Kessler, Lisa Knudsen, Pat May, Leila McClarty, Kristen Mitchell, Duane Schulz, Donna Wolfe.
Congratulations Team!

Wound Care workshop for staff

A workshop to promote excellence in wound care across the continuum of care will be offered in SCHR in Weyburn on April 26, 2012 at the Canalta Hotel.  It is one-day course, jam-packed with excellent Wound Care Management education. 
This is the same education session that was offered in Estevan in November.  It was really great Wound Care education day with excellent reviews from the nurses that attended in Estevan! 
Regional Expectations:
Offering educational sessions is one of recommendations from the Regional Skin & Wound Committee to increase staff knowledge on Wound Care in Sun Country Health Region. Managers have supported the educational philosophy of best-practice wound care.
Nursing Opportunities:
To increase their knowledge to feel confident and gain competence to provide evidenced based Wound Care to their patients/clients/residents in SCHR. 
This is a valuable course to maintain nursing competencies.
This course includes:
Evaluation and management of various types of wounds
Understanding Infection
Appropriate Dressing Selection
Management of Pressure Ulcers
Case studies 
Cost:   $40/participant includes course,  meals & refreshments.
Time: 8:30-15:30
This program is a great opportunity for all nurses in SCHR and it is recommended for ALL nurses working in Home Care, ER, LTC, and Acute Care - from the BASIC to the ADVANCED wound care nurse. It will be presented by Convatec.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Colleen Scharnatta, RN BScN
Sun Country Health Region
Home Care South – RN/Case Manager
Regional Skin & Wound Resource Nurse
Phone: 458-2300 or 637-3630