| VCH staff honoured at BC Health Care Awards | http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/vch-staff-honoured-at-bc-health-care-awards | VCH staff honoured at BC Health Care Awards | | | | <p>At the <a href="http://www.bchealthcareawards.ca/Page4684.aspx" target="_blank">11th annual BC Health Care Awards</a>, VCH staff and other health care professionals from around the province were recognized for their excellence in providing outstanding care and support. The awards were presented by the <a href="http://www.heabc.bc.ca/Page11.aspx" target="_blank">Health Employers Associations of British Columbia</a> (HEABC). Three VCH staff/teams were honoured for their work: </p><ul><li>Dianna Mah-Jones, Occupational Therapist, <a href="/_layouts/15/FIXUPREDIRECT.ASPX?res_id=1277&WebId=ca8a5cf1-6422-448a-9b01-d783df0dbcad&TermSetId=13a8243d-bf25-4891-8442-bcd748f68cb6&TermId=49b353e9-7f1a-409e-9e79-206c52365609" target="_blank">GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre</a> as the winner of both the VCH and the Provincial Health Care Hero award</li><li><a href="http://www.vch.ca/about-us/news/news-releases/further-overdose-response-action-to-include-bc-mobile-medical-unit-and-new-overdose-prevention-sites" target="_blank">Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) Deployment team</a> (a partnership with PHSA) as the winner of the Award of Merit for Collaborative Solutions</li><li>Cardiac Surgery Quality Improvement Working Group, <a href="http://www.vch.ca/Locations-Services/result?res_id=644" target="_blank">Vancouver General Hospital</a>, as the winner of the Award of Merit for Top Innovation (Health Authority)</li></ul><h2 class="phsa-rteElement-Header2">Dianna Mah-Jones</h2><p>Dianna's career as an occupational therapist is characterized by innovative problem solving. To get the attention of clients receiving education about managing spinal cord conditions, Dianna wrote and choreographed a poetic rap number called "Save the Shoulder." She's even produced a successful fashion show with models from the BC Paraplegic Association titled Fashion Meets Function.</p><p>Dianna's creativity extends to assistive devices. One GF Strong client with muscular dystrophy couldn't see past the rigid collar she had to wear to hold her head upright. Glancing down, reading a book, or preparing a meal was challenging. Dianna responded by inventing the "Lidia Collar" – an inexpensive, easily made device that even comes in multiple colours to match the patient's wardrobe. In fact, the client was able to wear a white one to her son's wedding.</p><h2 class="phsa-rteElement-Header2">Mobile Medical Unit Deployment Team </h2><p>The MMU deployment team was a unique collaboration between Vancouver Coastal Health and Provincial Health Services Authority and two affiliate organizations, Providence Health Care and Portland Hotel Society. The team was quickly assembled in response to the opioid crisis in the downtown eastside of Vancouver which was impacting emergency services. The team established and deployed the MMU within 10 days of forming. </p><p>Operating seven days a week, the MMU achieved two goals: to treat individuals who have experienced an overdose and required medical care, and to offer barrier free treatment for walk-in clients wanting to start opioid replacement therapy. </p><p>The team personified what it means to collaborate within and across health authorities, to capitalize on diverse experiences in order to develop a unique solution to a complex issue and to achieve the best possible outcome for the clients served.</p><h2 class="phsa-rteElement-Header2">Cardiac Surgery Quality Improvement Team</h2><p>This team is dedicated to improving the surgical outcomes of cardiac patients at VGH. It's a multidisciplinary group, comprised of front-line nurse champions, infection control practitioners, nurse practitioners, wound care nurses, anesthesiologists, surgeons, pharmacists, quality coordinators, nursing leaders and educators.</p><p>The team set a goal at reducing surgical site infections (SSIs), an adverse outcome that is potentially preventable. SSIs negatively impact patients' experiences, and increase the risk of patients having to return to in-patient facilities, thereby increasing the overall cost of treatment. </p><p>As a result of their work, infection rates have nearly halved – and these are results that have been sustained over time. By reducing infection rates, the team has enabled patients to return to their lives without any complications as a result of their cardiac surgery.</p><h2 class="phsa-rteElement-Header2">Congratulations to all the winners!</h2><p>To see a complete list of winners, please refer to the <a href="http://www.bchealthcareawards.ca/Page4684.aspx" target="_blank">BC Health Care Awards website</a>. </p><p><br></p> | <img alt="" src="/PublishingImages/BC%20Health%20Care%20Awards.jpg?RenditionID=8" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> |
