10 Together

Tell your story

• Music and singing connects us all

  by Turtles, over 7 years ago

  My son and I have been volunteering with the Sing Along Group at the Olds Hospital and Care Centre in Long Term Care.  I started with the group over 25 years ago when Don Bennett and the two Ingas offered their singing talents and enthusiasm for the residents in Long Term Care.  I was hesitant at first but learned that the outer shell of a person just hides the true person inside.  I learned this with my son who has Down Syndrome.  Music speaks to ALL people in some way no matter what our physical abilities or even appearance present... Continue reading

  My son and I have been volunteering with the Sing Along Group at the Olds Hospital and Care Centre in Long Term Care.  I started with the group over 25 years ago when Don Bennett and the two Ingas offered their singing talents and enthusiasm for the residents in Long Term Care.  I was hesitant at first but learned that the outer shell of a person just hides the true person inside.  I learned this with my son who has Down Syndrome.  Music speaks to ALL people in some way no matter what our physical abilities or even appearance present to the public.

  Sharing our musical talents has been so very rewarding and allows both of us to do two of the things which we enjoy most = music and interacting with people.

  Thank you for this opportunity to share and to put a smile on someone's face!

• AHS as a leader in disclosure

  by DebraS, over 7 years ago

  AHS Patient Safety has had a longstanding commitment to advance the culture of the disclosure of harm. This includes regular revisions to ensure our disclosure procedure reflects leading practice and disclosure training.  To date, AHS Quality Patient Safety Education has coordinated disclosure training for 5,413 providers and leaders. In 2015, AHS commissioned an external audit to assess how frontline practice aligned with our procedure.  The patient safety reporting and learning system (RLS) was modified to add a prompt to start to measure disclosure rates.  These metrics are reported regularly to the Board, and have allowed local improvements around disclosure.  In... Continue reading

  AHS Patient Safety has had a longstanding commitment to advance the culture of the disclosure of harm. This includes regular revisions to ensure our disclosure procedure reflects leading practice and disclosure training.  To date, AHS Quality Patient Safety Education has coordinated disclosure training for 5,413 providers and leaders. In 2015, AHS commissioned an external audit to assess how frontline practice aligned with our procedure.  The patient safety reporting and learning system (RLS) was modified to add a prompt to start to measure disclosure rates.  These metrics are reported regularly to the Board, and have allowed local improvements around disclosure.  In 2017,CMO funding enabled a team at South Health Campus to create 4 videos to support frontline providers in having early disclosure conversation.  These videos were co-designed with patients and  made publically available on YouTube (4,325 views to date!). Our leadership in this area was recognized by an invitation to partner with SAEGIS, a subsidiary of the CMPA, to contribute content and videos to their Canadian course.  From a procedure that reflects best practice, to a demonstrated commitment to ‘walk the talk’ AHS Patient Safety has been a national leader in improving the culture of disclosure of harm.

• The AHS Human Factors and Evaluation Team Journey in the Last Decade

  by jasonlaberge, over 7 years ago

  Human factors optimizes the interaction among humans and other elements of a system. The AHS Human Factors and Evaluation (HF&E) team engages with front line clinicians, patients, and families to generate innovative solutions to improve the healthcare system and reduce patient safety incidents.

  Over the last 10 years the HF&E team has grown from two to eleven team members and we have been fortunate to collaborate with a wide variety of AHS groups throughout the Province.

  Highlights include:

  • Collaborating with Connect Care stakeholders to recommend design changes which will help ensure system safety and usability.

  • Embedding human factors evaluation methods... Continue reading

  Human factors optimizes the interaction among humans and other elements of a system. The AHS Human Factors and Evaluation (HF&E) team engages with front line clinicians, patients, and families to generate innovative solutions to improve the healthcare system and reduce patient safety incidents.

  Over the last 10 years the HF&E team has grown from two to eleven team members and we have been fortunate to collaborate with a wide variety of AHS groups throughout the Province.

  Highlights include:

  • Collaborating with Connect Care stakeholders to recommend design changes which will help ensure system safety and usability.

  • Embedding human factors evaluation methods into new facility design and build projects to identify the needs of patients and families as well as clinicians that may improve the design.

  • Developing tools that support collaborative practice, such as the paper prototype ‘Integrated Care Suite’ which provides a new model for interdisciplinary charting.

  • Supporting SCN best practice definition around surgical counts.

  • Helping local operational teams consider how to reduce the possibility of human error in their everyday work.

  The Human Factors and Evaluation team is very excited to continue the journey and looks forward to working together to help improve the healthcare system for the next 10 years and beyond.

• 10 years of Improving Health Outcomes

  by michael sidra, over 7 years ago

  To me, the Improving Health Outcomes Together or IHOT concept is about working together to realize the AHS vision of; Healthy Albertans. Healthy Communities. Together. Over the last 10 years our organization has made great progress towards that vision. More specifically for my current area of work, we’ve been able to identify and work on key initiatives that are aimed at improving health outcomes across the province. Just as important, we’ve worked together to make this happen. 

  One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Atul Gwande; “Better is possible. It does not take diligence. It takes moral clarity. It... Continue reading

  To me, the Improving Health Outcomes Together or IHOT concept is about working together to realize the AHS vision of; Healthy Albertans. Healthy Communities. Together. Over the last 10 years our organization has made great progress towards that vision. More specifically for my current area of work, we’ve been able to identify and work on key initiatives that are aimed at improving health outcomes across the province. Just as important, we’ve worked together to make this happen. 

  One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Atul Gwande; “Better is possible. It does not take diligence. It takes moral clarity. It takes ingenuity. But above all it takes a willingness to try”. I can honestly say I am proud to work in an organization with people that are always more than willing to try to continually improve.

  I am also privileged and blessed to be working with the IHOT team that help support this amazing work and inspiring vision. They are not just good at what they do but they are also amazing humans. Ok, I might be a little biased here but why don’t you reach out and find out for yourself. We love new connections.

• A Life's Worth

  by rhodorafuncion, over 7 years ago

  It began as a normal day and as usual I would go for a walk over my lunch break—my “walking adventure” as I called it.  To this day, I never get tired of walking in the river valley and along the North Saskatchewan River. Each season brings its own specific beauty to the area: the new beginnings of spring, the greenery of summer, the fall colours and the stillness of winter.

  On this particular Friday afternoon in May 2015, you couldn’t ask for more--a perfect spring day with the sun shining warmly on my face. As I walked along the... Continue reading

  It began as a normal day and as usual I would go for a walk over my lunch break—my “walking adventure” as I called it.  To this day, I never get tired of walking in the river valley and along the North Saskatchewan River. Each season brings its own specific beauty to the area: the new beginnings of spring, the greenery of summer, the fall colours and the stillness of winter.

  On this particular Friday afternoon in May 2015, you couldn’t ask for more--a perfect spring day with the sun shining warmly on my face. As I walked along the path towards the Dudley B. Menzies Bridge (the blue bridge where the LRT crosses the river), I noticed a gentleman flagging me down for help.  

  As I approached him, he asked if I had a cell phone to call 9-1-1. I said yes and asked how I could help. He informed me that there was a young man wanting to end his life at the river’s edge.  His friend was trying to talk him out of it.

  Things started to happen so fast. I called 9-1-1 and informed the operator of the situation. She told me that an ambulance would be sent right away and to stay there in case EMS had some questions.  She told me that the ambulance would be there in ten minutes. I stayed put as the operator instructed.

  Meanwhile, one of the gentlemen was able to move the young man away from the river bank and walked with him to where I was standing. As we waited for the ambulance to arrive, I introduced myself and asked the young man and asked if he needed anything. He asked me if he could borrow my cellphone to call his dad. I said “sure, here you go”.  As I watched him speak with his father, I thought about what would make someone want to end their life. I couldn’t think of any reason. All of a sudden the young man handed the phone to me and said “my dad wants to talk to you”. I said “Hello Sir.” The young man’s father told me how thankful he was I came along to be able to help his son. Crying as he spoke, he told me that this was not the first time his son tried to take his life but that he had always been there with him. This time, he didn’t know where his son was and was worried about him. I assured him that I would wait with him until the ambulance arrived. He thanked me again and I hung up the phone. I was so moved by the conversation that I was speechless.

  The ambulance arrived within ten minutes as promised.  The EMS workers asked me and the other gentleman for all the details while they attended to the young man. As he climbed into the ambulance, the young man thanked us. I asked one of the EMS workers where they were taking him and she said he was going to the Royal Alexandra Hospital and that his dad would meet him there.

  As the ambulance drove away, I prayed that he would get the help he needed.

  As I reflected on my experience, it occurred to me that whether we are in the workplace or not, we have a duty to help others—it’s not a choice. It’s a call to action at that moment when someone really needs our help.

  Written By: Rhodora Funcion, former Project Advisor, Workplace Health & Safety employee now as Project Manager with Improving Health Outcomes Together (IHOT), Quality Healthcare Improvement (QHI).

• ‘e’ is for electronic! eQuality and eSafety (eQeS) Team working hard to improve patient safety when using health technology.

  by sbacheldor, over 7 years ago

  eSafety has come a long way since the formation of AHS in 2009. You may have not heard of the term eSafety, it is the application of leading practices to protect patients from harm in the development, implementation, and use of digital health technology. eSafety is coming to the forefront of healthcare delivery. The eQeS team works to ensure that digital health initiatives, including Connect Care, are designed with patient safety and quality of care in mind. Through the eSafety Transformation Project, the team is working with a wide variety of teams across AHS to adopt eSafety concepts. The Project... Continue reading

  eSafety has come a long way since the formation of AHS in 2009. You may have not heard of the term eSafety, it is the application of leading practices to protect patients from harm in the development, implementation, and use of digital health technology. eSafety is coming to the forefront of healthcare delivery. The eQeS team works to ensure that digital health initiatives, including Connect Care, are designed with patient safety and quality of care in mind. Through the eSafety Transformation Project, the team is working with a wide variety of teams across AHS to adopt eSafety concepts. The Project is doing well and you can expect to hear more from us as it progresses. To learn more about us enter “eQuality & eSafety” in the search box on Insite and check out the eQeS team’s page. If you have any questions or would like more information email eSafety@ahs.ca.

• Three Hills Health Center Volunteer; Jisoo Kim.

  by Jisookim1021, over 7 years ago
  

  Three Hills Health Center Volunteer; Jisoo Kim.

  I volunteer because I love serving and caring for those within my community. I learn a lot from volunteering, especially about the value in something as simple as a short conversation. Some residents have few visitors, so their appreciation for our conversations makes me feel that what I do is worthwhile and important. Whether it’s by giving a manicure, going for a walk, or simply having a discussion, seeing the smile on a resident’s face reminds me that it doesn’t take much to lighten someone’s day.

  Three Hills Health Center Volunteer; Jisoo Kim.

  I volunteer because I love serving and caring for those within my community. I learn a lot from volunteering, especially about the value in something as simple as a short conversation. Some residents have few visitors, so their appreciation for our conversations makes me feel that what I do is worthwhile and important. Whether it’s by giving a manicure, going for a walk, or simply having a discussion, seeing the smile on a resident’s face reminds me that it doesn’t take much to lighten someone’s day.

• 10 years Together: eSIM Provincial Simulation Program

  by sbarnes, over 7 years ago

  10 years together has seen exponential growth in provincial eSIM (educate, simulate, innovate, motivate) program!

  eSIM has visited over 90+ AHS and Covenant sites and has added 19 Simulation team members across our provincial team. A grassroots program has allowed us to train AHS educators, clinicians and physicians as simulation faculty (1185 in total) through our foundational learning course called WISE (Workshop in Simulation Education).

  This model for provincial simulation service delivery was developed in January of 2009. The framework focused on integration, coordination, leveraging and building on existing simulation infrastructure and expertise. The provincial eSIM simulation program was designed... Continue reading

  10 years together has seen exponential growth in provincial eSIM (educate, simulate, innovate, motivate) program!

  eSIM has visited over 90+ AHS and Covenant sites and has added 19 Simulation team members across our provincial team. A grassroots program has allowed us to train AHS educators, clinicians and physicians as simulation faculty (1185 in total) through our foundational learning course called WISE (Workshop in Simulation Education).

  This model for provincial simulation service delivery was developed in January of 2009. The framework focused on integration, coordination, leveraging and building on existing simulation infrastructure and expertise. The provincial eSIM simulation program was designed to be inclusive for all learners and has created opportunities for collaboration across practice areas, units, sites, and zones.

  Recently the eSIM program has been structured within the Process Improvement leadership team. eSIM continues to be one of the world’s largest single simulation programs under Alberta Health Services focused on team training, patient safety, improving the systems and processes in which we work, and have shown a consistent improvement in team effectiveness across all teams participating in simulation based education.

• Helping Albertans

  by christineduong, over 7 years ago

  My name is Christine. I work in Edmonton with the CPSM department.

  I decided to make a career change in 2009 from working in a laboratory environment to an office environment.

  In September of 2009, I was hired by AHS as a casual employee, working in the flu clinic.  After 3 months with AHS, I applied for a permanent full time opportunity with CPSM. I have transferred to a couple of positions within CPSM and have experienced many changes within the area.

  I enjoy coming to work everyday knowing that I can make a difference in the life of all... Continue reading

  My name is Christine. I work in Edmonton with the CPSM department.

  I decided to make a career change in 2009 from working in a laboratory environment to an office environment.

  In September of 2009, I was hired by AHS as a casual employee, working in the flu clinic.  After 3 months with AHS, I applied for a permanent full time opportunity with CPSM. I have transferred to a couple of positions within CPSM and have experienced many changes within the area.

  I enjoy coming to work everyday knowing that I can make a difference in the life of all Albertans and helping improve healthcare by providing exceptional service, getting contracts for consumables and equipment for all hospital facilities to be able to assist patients.  I am proud to work for AHS and very happy that I can contribute to health care to help out all Albertans.

• What does AHS mean to me?

  by celineli, over 7 years ago
  

  My name is Celine Li. I work in 43 Michener Bend, Red Deer as an Administrative Support IV. I am from China.

  I moved to Red Deer from Montreal in February 2014. I applied for Alberta Health Card after a week. Then I received a letter stamped with “Confidential” from AHS right after that. I was invited to do a cervical screening. I was really shocked that I was provided health care services without any request at all. When I lived in Quebec for 3 years, I never had received this service. AHS, at that time, means care, respect, and... Continue reading

  My name is Celine Li. I work in 43 Michener Bend, Red Deer as an Administrative Support IV. I am from China.

  I moved to Red Deer from Montreal in February 2014. I applied for Alberta Health Card after a week. Then I received a letter stamped with “Confidential” from AHS right after that. I was invited to do a cervical screening. I was really shocked that I was provided health care services without any request at all. When I lived in Quebec for 3 years, I never had received this service. AHS, at that time, means care, respect, and dignity to me.

  In April 2014, I was hired by AHS as a casual employee. That was my first job in Canada after I had landed in this country for 4 years. With tears in my eyes, I was able to connect health care with my job. In that summer, my daughter got a minor day surgery in Calgary Children Hospital. We were provided excellent services. The doctor and all staff comforted us kindly and my daughter recovered so fast and smoothly. AHS, at that time, means hope, love, peace of mind for me and my family.

  In January 2015, I was transferred to a permanent employee. My husband was laid off right after this big transition. I’ve been almost the only person to feed my children and family for these years. Now, AHS to me, is not only a job, but also the life. I do know job is one part of life, not the whole life; however, for me it is the whole for my life because there is no job, no life, not mention to work and life balance. I love my job, and I am proud to work with AHS.