Ontario Region

CANNT Journal, Oct-Dec, 2008

* The "Renal Pat on the Back" program was initiated at the Credit Valley Hospital site last year, and this program has expanded to the renal care centre (offsite unit for hemodialysis), home therapies and progressive renal insufficiency clinic. Staff members are encouraged to post a kidney on a designated bulletin board with a short note stating something positive a coworker has done that impacted their work life.

St. Joseph's Health Centre

* Renal program has its monthly education calendar full. Topics included: infection control, renal metabolic diseases, transplant, vascular access, fluid balance and mock arrest. Planning is in progress on the "Free" All Saint (by St. Michael's Hospital and St. Joseph's Health Centre) Renal Symposium.

* The unit had participated in trialing the Vasc-Alert Access Surveillance Monitoring program. Renal social workers are in the process of working to form a renal patient council. Initial patient survey is completed.

* Educators have initiated Nephrology Nursing Exchange Program E-Journal Club. Educators from other centres can get access to the e-journal website (through Amgen representative). The educator is responsible for uploading articles and posting questions for the journal.

William Osler Health Centre

* The unit had its third annual symposium for hospital staff. Speakers include topics on generational differences in the workplace, as well as liver dialysis.

* Educational road show to all departments at both hospital sites is underway.

* Hemodialysis unit has started buttonhole program with one-third established accesses A cannulation-go-to initiative has been started to provide each hemodialysis with a cannulation resource nurse for difficult cannulation and consultation.

* The unit is also investigating adequacy in dialysis by studying Kt/V on a daily treatment basis and comparing these results to six weekly urea reduction ration (URR) to view inconsistencies and make recommendations for process and treatment.

* Saverina Sanchez represented the hospital at CANNT. She gave both oral and verbal presentations. Sharon Fairclough also represented the hospital and did two poster presentations.

Halton Healthcare Services (Oakville)

* There were two vascular access workshops covering the basics of access care, as well as the introduction of new initiatives. Staff attended many presentations in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), as well as travelling to British Columbia for a renal meeting in Vancouver.

* Vascular Access Clinic with vascular surgeon from Toronto has been in place for nearly six months. There was positive feedback from both patients and staff.

* Burlington Satellite project is well underway. Expected opening is Spring 2009.

* The unit has recently completed safety needle trial, which included formal evaluation from a core group of patients, as well as staff.

* Chris Lynskey is travelling to China in mid-October as part of cultural delegation for nephrology nursing. There are only two nurses representing Canada and 25 nurses representing the U.S.