KPAC Minutes

January 12, 2016

The meeting opened at 2 p.m., 6th floor Dickson Centre.

Those in attendance were:

Patients and Families: Tim Harnish, Barb Legay (teleconference)

Staff: Angela Shorter, Colleen, Amy

Old Business

Follow up on At Home blood work; the process is close to completion, final approvals are with the stakeholders, physicians and the lab. Expect this to be in place and the process defined soon.

Still in progress with management of Blood Collection Services.Norma Jean will follow up with Cynthia.

Ongoing, policy is awaiting approval from stakeholders.

Update on Shower Technique: In order to properly pursue this, the vascular access team will need to initiate a study specific for NSHA. There is a contact in Toronto that has already worked through this process and we will follow up regarding the costs and grants available to initiate such a study locally.Ongoing

A group discussion was initiated regarding how a patient is considered for transplant. It was apparent from conversation that the process may require some updates, better communication with patients involved, and a better defined process visible to all so that they will know where they stand is said defined process.

Although the transplant program is a standalone program outside of the renal program, it was agreed that the renal management team would reach out to voice appropriate concerns and do whatever they could to assist.

KPAC will follow up with stakeholders and continue to report monthly until an agreed upon resolution is reached.

It was noted the personal concern from this inquiry had been met with follow up. Tim will reach out to Transplant for conversation about future newsletter article on how the process works.

Tim will reach out to Belinda McIntyre early 2016, but it is always recommended to initiate conversations with your nephrologist. Ongoing

Did not get mentioned at the meeting but was pending from email from patient. Could the signs of the various rooms in dialysis be updated, especially for new patients?

Currently patients get called to section 4, section 5, section 6 etc. but the signs in place now simply say 6C, 6D, etc. Patient who sent this via email says it is confusing for new patients and also visitors coming to see patients during treatment.

Could facilities update this? and perhaps have a map outside the waiting area showing location of the various sections?

Also noted that the section of website for contact information needs to be updated with new social workers contact info as well as signs in the waiting areas.

Angela will follow up on both suggestions.

Letter received (on file) via suggestion box from a family member of a patient. Commented on what they thought were negative messages of postings in the waiting area. IE ‘if you miss dialysis...’ ‘stress during the holidays’. Asked if there could be more positive information kept to the waiting area and the other information kept elsewhere or in a literature rack. Noted that so many of the patients spend at least ½ of their week here and should have a more pleasing encouraging atmosphere.

Suggestions from the letter;

  • A place where pictures of doctors, nurses and staff could be posted with a brief write up of their history.
  • A patient use bulletin board for sharing information.
  • One board or rack only for medical information and take away literature.
  • Theme wall to incorporate special seasonal events; Canada Day and other holidays or patient birthday milestones.
  • Large bright artwork for the waiting room to replace smaller signs and tattered posters currently in the waiting area.

Cynthia asked Robyn to have a bulletin board installed outside the waiting room where the now no longer needed construction map of the HI site is located.

Tim will work to have current information on bulletin boards consolidated and made neat and tidy.

To make sure information is up to date and duplicateand tatteredsigns are removed.

When new bulletin board is in place, Tim will manage its content with sections for patients sharing information, seasonal info and initiate a staff photo directory.

Tim will make arrangements to procure appropriate artwork for the waiting area.

Cleanup of information is completed, waiting on installation of bulletin board in hallway.

New Business

New staff members:

Angela Shorter - Nephrology Leader Clinical Operations

Colleen Wile – Temp Health Services Manager

Barb brought forward our continued concerns about engaging more patients and caregivers in KPAC. Asked about if nurses could communicate to patients. Said it was mentioned briefly to nurses and staff at recent mandatory development day meetings. After further discussion, Angela will revisit this.

Next Meeting Feb.9th, 2016

Respectfully, Tim Harnish-Temp Secretary