”As an acute care hospital, we are not equipped, financed, or are we the appropriate setting to provide care for ALC patients,” stated Dr. Peter Roney, Chief of Staff. “We look forward to the day when we can count on one hand the number of ALC patients waiting for long term care.”

The Hospital more than ever before, in collaboration with the South East Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) and the South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) is focussed on the same goal. The number of patients in hospital waiting for placement to a long term care home or other appropriate care location needs to be reduced. Together, the CCAC, LHIN and the Hospital are working on creative and coordinated solutions to alleviate the ALC burden. “We are working closely with all partners to have a coordinated approach. Everyone is pulling together and we look forward to sustained progress,” stated Todd Stepanuik, President & CEO.

The impact of the ALC issue has escalated in recent past and is paralyzing the Hospital by placing on it a significant operational burden on the organization. Hospitals do not provide the same assistance and social programming as long term care homes. There is a likelihood of the patient deteriorating while waiting for placement, including loss of mobility and incontinence. Staying in hospital for prolonged periods of time also increases the chance of contracting hospital borne infections. Simply put, the acute care hospital is not designed to meet a patient’s restorative, supportive or rehabilitative needs.

The proportionately large number of ALC patients in the hospital is affecting the Hospital’s ability to continue to move patients from the Emergency Department or for elective surgery to an in-patient status. Each morning, the Hospital’s interdisciplinary team reviews the bed situation. On one day recently there were 16 patients awaiting admission from the Emergency Departments. Further, some patients who were scheduled for elective surgery unfortunately had their surgeries cancelled and rescheduled due to a lack of available beds.

“This type of stress on our Hospital beds also places stress on our staff, physicians, patients in the Emergency Room awaiting beds, families who are concerned about their loved ones as well as the ALC patient who is waiting appropriate placement to better meet their needs,” said Linda Bisonette, Vice President, Patient Care Services & CNE.

“We are fortunate to have community partners with programs intended to minimize hospital stays and support people in their homes, such as the CCAC’s “Home First” approach” adds Linda Bisonette. “Our goal is to help facilitate the best outcome for everyone in the continuum of care.”

Placing a loved one in a care setting other than their home is a significant family decision. The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital does not have a program related to long term care. The CCAC and other community support services are designed, mandated and staffed to provide adequate care and support to patients and families in their homes.

About PSFDH:

The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (the “Hospital”) is full accredited 97-bed acute care health care organization located on two state-of-the-art sites. The hospital is situated in the heart of the Rideau Canal region and proudly provides health services to more than 44,000 people in the surrounding communities. The hospital delivers a broad range of primary and secondary services and programs such as emergency care, diagnostic imaging, obstetrics, general and specialty surgical services, dialysis as well as laboratory and infection control services.

For more information, please visit www.psfdh.on.ca .

For more information contact:

RE: Smiths Falls Site Redevelopment and Expansion Project Reaches ‘Substantial Completion’

Smiths Falls, ON – The Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (the “Hospital”) is pleased to announce that the Smiths Falls Site redevelopment and expansion project has reached “substantial completion”. This means that construction is at least 93% complete in accordance with the original project scope. It is an important milestone and tremendous accomplishment for our community and Hospital. This project represents the largest public sector redevelopment project in the history of the area.

The Hospital broke ground to redevelop the Smiths Falls site on October 24, 2008. It has been a community changing project and we are all pleased to be nearing the finish line of construction. The remainder of the work to be completed includes the completion of the Emergency Department renovation (interior/exterior), landscaping, cladding in some areas, equipment testing as well as relocation of a few departments to their permanent homes, and deficiency work. This remaining work is expected to be completed by May 2012. “Reaching this milestone has been the result of a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication from everyone at the hospital and in the local community. This is a great achievement and one we can all be extremely proud of. I believe everyone is pleased to be nearing the finish line of the construction project,” stated Todd Stepanuik, President & CEO.

Larry Sparks, Board Chair commented, “The Board of Directors greatly appreciates the understanding and support provided by our entire community during the redevelopment and building of our new state-of-the-art facility. We extend our special thanks to the residents living in close proximity to the Hospital for your patience and cooperation during this exciting, but busy, time.”

Our entire team looks forward to providing quality patient care to you, your family and friends in our newly developed and renovated space.

This event is a fundraiser for a new surgical table for the operating room of the GWM site.

WHEN:   Saturday, June 16, 2012

WHERE:  Perth Golf Course

For more information and registration forms, please contact Marion at 613-267-3046 or Click Here!

We look forward to seeing you on the 16th!  Register soon as space is filling up quickly.

Smiths Falls, ON – To go to the Emergency Department or not is often a question we have when we’re feeling unwell at home. Our Hospital Emergency Departments are extremely busy and there may be a wait of several hours for patients who do not have a life-threatening condition.

Sometimes it is difficult to know whether your problem is serious or not. Here are some examples of when you should go to the Emergency Department or call 911.

• When you are experiencing chest pains or tightness in the chest 
• When you have severe pain 
• When you have sudden, worsening or unexplained shortness of breath 
• When a person is choking or having difficulty breathing 
• When you think you may have fractured or broken a bone or have a wound that may need stitches. 
• When you have sudden, severe headaches, vision problems, sudden weakness, trouble speaking, dizziness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg; 
• If your child has diarrhea and vomiting and will not eat or drink; 
• When a baby under 6 months has a fever over 38.5 C or 101 F. 

If you are still unsure as to whether to go to an Emergency Department, first call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, a toll-free telephone health advice line. Registered Nurses are there 24 hours a day to offer advice, after asking a battery of questions on your current health status. They will suggest you may be able to self-heal, can wait to make a doctor’s appointment, or advise going to an Emergency Department immediately. Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. As well, many physicians’ offices prefer their patients to contact them before going to an Emergency Department or walk-in clinic for after-hours care. Check with your physician to find out what after-hour services they can provide.

Unlike other services, when you arrive at the Emergency Department, you will not be seen on a first come, first served basis. A triage nurse will see you first to determine the acuity or seriousness of your illness. Triage is a method used by both nurses and ambulance paramedics to determine how life-threatening a patient’s condition is. How soon you are seen by a doctor will depend on how sick or how badly injured you are, not by time of arrival. The sickest patients are seen first. If your condition worsens while you are waiting, it’s important to let the triage nurse know. Patients with non-urgent conditions should be prepared to wait. Dr. Peter Roney, Chief of Staff said, “People often feel frustrated when they come to the Emergency Department because they aren’t aware that the most critical or seriously injured people must be treated first. In our busy departments, this can result in some people with minor conditions having to wait several hours to see a physician.”

How You Can Help!

• You must bring your Ontario Health Card with you when you come to the Emergency department 
• Bring a list of the all the medications that you take on a regular basis along with any other important information like allergies 
• While you are waiting for treatment, please do not eat or drink without first checking with a nurse 
• If you decide to leave before being seen by a doctor, please talk with a nurse.
• To help reduce waiting room crowding, don’t bring along anyone who isn’t necessary. One family member or support person is preferred.
• Be mindful that there is no obligation on the physician who works in the ED to renew any prescription and therefore there is no guarantee that prescriptions will be renewed.
• Bring a book or hobby to help pass the time.
• Remember that emergency doctors and staff are often supporting critically-ill or injured patients, including cardiac arrests and accident victims. You will be seen as soon as possible based on the severity of your condition, not the time you arrive.

It is important to note that while the Hospital does have a physician available for the emergency department the staffing of physicians are primarily community based physicians who operate clinic offices during the day. The emergency departments are very busy places. On an annual basis approximately 28,000 patients are treated at each site. People with non urgent health conditions should consider turning to other alternatives to relieve some of the pressure in the increasingly busy emergency departments

You can often avoid emergency department visits by simply being prepared during the holiday season and year round. Here is a checklist to consider:

• Call your doctor’s office: Find out what their hours are and ask about any back-up coverage arrangements. 
• Call your pharmacy – know their hours and find out where the nearest 24 hour pharmacy is located. 
• Get a flu shot: Your family doctor can offer this service or refer you to the nearest clinic that does. 
• Medications and Medical equipment: Make sure that everyone in your family has a sufficient supply of their medications on hand, both prescription and non-prescription. Don’t forget about needles, alcohol swabs, etc. Also check out inhalers, respirators, oxygen, and glucose testing machines and supplies. 
• Update all emergency telephone numbers including the number for TeleHealth Ontario and post them in a visible place (ex. your refrigerator). 

By being prepared, patients can take a proactive approach to managing their own health care which could help them either avoid an emergency visit completely, or greatly improve their experience if they do need emergency care over the holidays.

On behalf of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, its doctors, nurses, and support personnel, we appreciate your patience and understanding.

For more information:

  For Immediate Release – November 21, 2010

 Media Release

RE:  Construction leads to Temporary Changes at Smiths Falls Site Emergency Department Entrance – Update

Smiths Falls, ON – Starting on Thursday November 24^th the Driveway Entrance to the Smiths Falls Site Emergency Department off of Cornelia Street will undergo further landscaping work.

As a result, access to the Emergency Department will now be limited to the area at the Entrance to the Emergency Department Parking Lot. This area will act as the entrance and exit to the Emergency Department. This area is to be used for patient drop-off only. The Emergency Department Parking Lot will still be available for public parking.

The Emergency Department will continue to be opened at all times during this period.

The work at the Driveway Entrance to the Smiths Falls Site Emergency Department will be completed on December 2^nd at which time the full Driveway Entrance will be available once again.

We apologize for the inconvenience but this work will help complete the very important renovation of the Smiths Falls Site.

For more information contact:

Brian Allen, Vice President Finance & Support Services

Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital

613-283-2330 ext:1139

www.psfdh.on.ca

 Media Release

 RE: Paving to begin at Smiths Falls Site Emergency Department Parking Lot

Smiths Falls, ON -  On Tuesday, November 8^th and Wednesday, November 9^th paving activity will be taking place in the Smiths Falls Emergency Department parking lot and several other areas at the back of the Hospital site. As a result, the Emergency Department Parking Lot will be temporarily closed to all traffic on November 8^th (starting at 6:00 am) and November 9^th.

Visitors and patients who would normally use the Emergency Department parking lot are asked instead to use the Main parking lot located on Elmsley Street. For November 8^th and 9^th, the parking gates will be left up for easy access. In addition, a Temporary area located across from the Hospital’s Main Parking lot will be made available for parking for the two days (the old School parking lot).

The Emergency Department will continue to be open at all times during this period.

Patients can still be dropped off at the Emergency Department entrance. The Emergency Department entrance will not be affected by the paving work.

We apologize for the inconvenience but this work will help complete the very important renovation of the Smiths Falls Site.

Thank you for your ongoing patience.

For more information contact:

Brian Allen, Vice President Finance & Support Services

Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital

613-283-2330 ext:1139

www.psfdh.on.ca

Smiths Falls, ON - On Tuesday, June 28, 2011, the Emergency Department (“ER Department”) of the Smiths Falls Site of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital (the “Hospital”) experienced a significant water penetration situation. The ER Department is presently undergoing renovations and modernization associated with the capital project of the total renovation of the Smiths Falls Site.

Administration of the Hospital has offered its sincerest apologies to its patients and staff for the inconvenience and has worked diligently to remediate the situation.

Work around the Smiths Falls Site ER Department continues both externally and internally. Please note that the internal renovations have impacted the ER Department waiting areas. Effective Monday June 27, 2011, the waiting room in the Smiths Falls ER Department closed and has been temporarily relocated for the next 2-3 weeks while renovation work takes place in the waiting room area.

The “temporary” waiting room will be located in the hallway that was formerly the Diagnostic Imaging (X-Ray) area – just out side of the existing department. It will be the first room on the left as you enter this hallway out of the ER Department and past the stairwell. This temporary waiting room will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

In the evening and night, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., after renovation work has stopped for the day, chairs will be placed near the reception desk and in the hallway across from the old elevator so that patients will be closer to the reception desk and ER Department during these hours.

It is anticipated that the ER Department waiting room will reopen mid-July 2011.

Further renovations are also underway to the exterior entrance of the ER Department. An ambulance canopy will be constructed over the ER Department entrance. This portion of the project commenced approximately four weeks ago and will be ongoing until late August 2011.

The ER Department is still available to receive patients 24hrs/day, 7 days/week and the services offered will not be impacted.

Staff, volunteers and signage are available to assist patients and visitors to areas of the hospital as necessary.

Again, the Administration apologizes for any inconvenience that the recent water penetration situation and renovations may cause.

For more information contact:

Smiths Falls, ON - To go to the Emergency Department or not is often a question we have when we’re feeling unwell at home. Our Hospital Emergency Departments are extremely busy and there may be a wait of several hours for patients who do not have a life-threatening condition.

Sometimes it is difficult to know whether your problem is serious or not. Here are some examples of when you should go to the Emergency Department or call 911.

• When you are experiencing chest pains or tightness in the chest  

 

• When you have severe pain  

 

• When you have sudden, worsening or unexplained shortness of breath  

 

• When a person is choking or having difficulty breathing  

 

• When you think you may have fractured or broken a bone or have a wound that may need stitches 

 

• When you have sudden, severe headaches, vision problems, sudden weakness, trouble speaking, dizziness, numbness and/or tingling in the face, arm or leg  

 

• If your child has diarrhea and vomiting and will not eat or drink  

 

• When a baby under 6 months has a fever over 38.5 C or 101 F  

 

If you are still unsure as to whether to go to an Emergency Department, call Telehealth Ontario, at 1-866-797-0000, toll-free telephone health advice line. Registered Nurses are there 24 hours a day to offer advice, after asking a battery of questions on your current health status. They will suggest you may be able to self-heal, can wait to make a doctor’s appointment, or advise going to an Emergency Department immediately. Call Telehealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000. As well, many physicians’ offices prefer their patients to contact them before going to an Emergency Department or walk-in clinic for after-hours care. Check with your physician to find out what after-hour services they can provide.

Unlike other services, when you arrive at the Emergency Department, you will not be seen on a first come, first served basis. A triage nurse will see you first to determine the acuity or seriousness of your illness. Triage is a method used by both nurses and ambulance paramedics to determine how life-threatening a patient’s condition is. How soon you are seen by a doctor will depend on how sick or how badly injured you are, not by time of arrival. The sickest patients are seen first. If your condition worsens while you are waiting, it’s important to let the triage nurse know. Patients with non-urgent conditions should be prepared to wait. Dr. Alan Drummond, Co-Director, ER Department, said, “People often feel frustrated when they come to the Emergency Department because they aren’t aware that the most critical or seriously injured people must be treated first. In our busy department, this can result in some people with minor conditions having to wait several hours to see a physician.”

How You Can Help!

You must bring your Ontario Health Card with you when you come to the Emergency Department.

• Bring a list of all the medications that you take on a regular basis along with any other important information like allergies. 

 

• While you are waiting for treatment, please do not eat or drink without first checking with a nurse. 

 

• If you decide to leave before being seen by a doctor, please talk with a nurse. 

 

• To help reduce waiting room crowding, don’t bring along anyone who isn’t necessary. One family member or support person is preferred. 

 

• Be mindful that there is no obligation on the physician who works in the ED to renew any prescription and therefore there is no guarantee that prescriptions will be renewed. 

 

• Bring a book or hobby to help pass the time. 

 

• Remember that emergency doctors and staff are often supporting critically-ill or injured patients, including cardiac arrests, hospital inpatients and accident victims. You will be seen as soon as possible based on the severity of your condition, not the time you arrive. 

 

 It is important to note that while the Hospital does have a physician available for the emergency department, most ER physicians in our hospital are primarily community based physicians who operate clinic offices during the day as well as performing hospital work (attending to inpatients). The emergency departments are very busy places. On an annual basis approximately 28,000 patients are treated at each site. People with non urgent health conditions should consider turning to other alternatives to relieve some of the pressure in the increasingly busy emergency departments.

You can often avoid emergency department visits by simply being prepared during the holiday season and year round. Here is a checklist to consider:

Call your doctor’s office: Find out what their hours are an ask about any back-up coverage arrangements. 

 

• Call your pharmacy – know their hours and find out where the nearest 24 hour pharmacy is located. 

 

• Get a flu shot: your family doctor can offer this service or refer you to the nearest clinic that does. 

 

• Medications and Medical equipment: Make sure that everyone in your family has a sufficient supply of their medications on hand, both prescription and non-prescription. 

 

• Don’t forget about needles, alcohol swabs, etc. Also check out inhalers, respirators, oxygen, and glucose testing machines and supplies. 

 

• Update all emergency telephone numbers including the number for TeleHealth Ontario and post them in a visible place (ex. Your refrigerator). 

 

By being prepared, patients can take a proactive approach to managing their own health care which could help them either avoid an emergency visit completely, or greatly improve their experience if they do need emergency care over the holidays.

On behalf of the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital, its doctors, nurses and support personnel, we appreciate your patience and understanding.

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital and Brockville General Hospital Announce Plan to Develop Closer Working Relationship

Leeds/Grenville/Lanark – The Boards of Brockville General Hospital and the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital have agreed to develop a closer working relationship between the two organizations.

The aim of this plan is to strengthen the relationship between the two organizations at all levels, while continuing to support each hospital’s distinct missions and needs.  Each hospital will continue to operate, manage and conduct the affairs of its respective facilities in accordance with its mission, vision and values.

“Both organizations are committed to partnership and collaboration,” says Hugh Bates, Past Chair of the Brockville General Hospital Board of Governors.

Larry Sparks, Chair, Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital Board of Directors, agrees.

“PSFDH and BGH are natural partners to work together to improve access to primary and secondary care services to the residents of Leeds, Grenville and Lanark,” affirms Sparks.  “In essence, this is about creating opportunity for both organizations to explore options for working together.  This way, we are better positioned to meet th eneeds of our consituents.  I am very excited,” he adds, “about this decision to work closer together with our colleagues at BGH.  Both hospitals are eager to explore possibilities.”

Hugh Bates concurs that both organizations are committed to looking for opportunities to share resources in an effort to improve patient access.

“One of the first areas we would like to explore is granting access to the electronic patient records of each institution to clinicians at the other,” Bates explains.  “In this manner, patient information would be instantly available at either institution.  I am extremely pleased witht eh direction we are going and look forward to future discussions in the months ahead.”

Both hospitals are members of the South East Local Health Integration Network (SE LHIN), and have received immediate support from the SE LHIN for this initiative.

“I believe there are many opoprtuntiies in this approach that can lead to greater efficiencies,” states Paul Huras, CEO of the SE LHIN, “and ultimately provide patients and the community with improved access to high quality care.  I look forward to seeing the results and outcomes of this closer working relationship between PSFDH and BGH.”

All participants at the recent meeting arrived with ideas and news to keep up progress in terms of short term and longer-term solutions. In an effort to keep the residents of our catchment area informed on matters relating to accessing health care, we are pleased to offer the following information.

Health Care Connect helps Ontarians who are without a family health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner) to find one. People without a family health care provider are referred to a family doctor or a nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients in their community.

The service has been created by the Ministry of Health & Long Term Care to assist unattached patients (persons without a family physician) in locating a family health care provider and to access family physician services without presenting to the Emergency Department.

To access the services of Health Care Connect, simply call 1-800-445-1822 or go on-line to:

www.ontario.ca/healthcareconnect. Please note that registering with this program does not guarantee that that a family health care provider will be found for you, so you are encouraged to continue your own search. Health Care Connect does not provide health care advice, service or treatment. The program attempts to locate those services for you.

The Smiths Falls and Merrickville Community Health Centres are working closely with the Community Care Access Centre and the Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital to identify older adults with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes and arthritis who do not have a family doctor. People recently hospitalized with these chronic conditions and without a doctor, are a priority to receive care. The Community Health Centres have also identified pregnant women or women with newborn children as a priority and they will be offered the services of a Nurse Practitioner with little or no wait time.

The North Lanark Community Health Centre (NLCHC) continues to offer its service to “all parts of Lanark County that are north of Highway #7, and extends service to the parts of Frontenac County that are north of Highway #7″ – 613-259-2182

The participants in the recent meeting were pleased to learn that progress is being made in terms of two new medical service clinics. While still at the proposal stage, it was discussed that a turnkey office will be developed in the Town of Smiths Falls to accommodate family physicians. Dennis Staples, Mayor, Town of Smiths Falls noted that the office space will go far in the physician recruitment process as the availability of turnkey office facilities is typically the deciding factor when negotiating with interested physicians.

The second facility would offer the services of a nurse practitioner to the community. Nancy Unsworth, Nurse Practitioner commented that all is in order and her group is awaiting the final go ahead from the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care. It is anticipated that this facility will be up and running by the fall 2011.

The committee discussed long term solutions and options for not only recruiting family physicians but sustaining an optimal physician complement in our community. A task force will be struck to delve into the issues regarding long-term community recruitment efforts. The committee will be apprised of the representatives from the Town of Smiths Falls, Smiths Falls & District Chamber of Commerce, the medical community, Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital and Health Force Ontario. This group will be lead by Bob Cheetham, Manager of Economic Development for the Town of Smiths Falls.

Lobbying efforts continue for additional funding in support of the temporary measures in place such as the additional days offered by the Community & Primary Health Care mobile unit. To contact the unit, please call, CPHC Mobile – 613-803-1710.

Residents can also contact the following agencies:

The Lanark Transportation Association (LTA) is reaching out to orphaned patients in the Smiths Falls area who need to see a doctor at the Carleton Place (McNeely) medical clinic. To book an appointment with the LTA, call 613-264-8256 or 1-877-445-5777.

McNeely Clinic (Carleton Place)- 613-253-2233

Smiths Falls Community Health Center – 613-283-1952

Representatives from both the municipal and health care communities are working cohesively towards sustainable and accessible health care for all residents in our community.

For more information contact:

Todd Stepanuik, President & CEO

Perth and Smiths Falls District Hospital

613-283-2330 ext. 1129

tstepanuik@psfdh.on.ca