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BHB seeks students for 2020 summer programme

Monday 6 January 2020: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is now accepting employment applications for its 2020 Summer Student Programme.

BHB aims to ensure the highest quality healthcare through service excellence, education and leadership.

Director of Learning and Talent Development Kendra-Lee Pearman, PhD, said: “If you are Bermudian, highly motivated and currently attending college or university, we encourage you to join our family of experienced professionals for the summer months.

“Continuing our goal of building a healthy community and strong partnerships, the Summer Student Programme is an excellent way for students to gain hands-on experience in their area of study while creating a talent pipeline for BHB. We encourage students pursuing both clinical and non-clinical studies, including information technology, finance, engineering, trades and human resources, to apply.”

All applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of employment, have completed at least one year of study at an accredited college or university, and have a Bermuda Social Insurance Number.

Nursing students must have started their clinical rotation. Allied health students must have been accepted into an approved occupational therapy, physical therapy or dietetics programme. Medical students must be entering at least their third year of study.

The application deadline for BHB’s Summer Student Programme is Friday 28 February 2020. All applications must be made online in the Jobs Now section of BHB’s website at bdahospitaldev.wpengine.com, by clicking on ‘Work at BHB’ and selecting ‘Student’ as the job category. Potential applicants can email any questions to ltd@bhb.bm.

BHB notes that successful applicants will be subject to a drug test.

6 January 2020 Home Page, News

BHB welcomes first babies of 2020

Wednesday 1 January 2020: Staff of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Maternity Unit have been busy on the first day of 2020, welcoming two New Year’s babies with a possible third on the way. Both babies were expected in the middle of January but decided to make early appearances.

The first baby of the new decade was born at 7:58am. The little girl weighed in at 7lb 2oz.

The second baby followed a few hours behind, born at 12:06pm to parents Keneshia and Terence Taylor. Little Nia Elizabella is just 4lb 1oz.

The babies and their mothers are healthy and getting some much needed rest.

Pictured above: Nia Elizabella Taylor and mother Keneshia Taylor

1 January 2020 Home Page, News

Road closure and traffic interruptions at KEMH on 9 December

Thursday 5 December 2019: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public of a temporary road closure scheduled for Monday 9 December 2019 on the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) campus. The closure will affect both vehicular and pedestrian through traffic from approximately 6pm Monday until 1am Tuesday.

To facilitate the replacement of beds in the KEMH General Wing, a container will travel to the KEMH site, interrupting the flow of traffic along Point Finger Road from approximately 5:30pm to 6pm on Monday.

The container will be positioned on the KEMH through road between the ambulance bays and the General Wing lobby from 6pm, necessitating the closure of that section of the KEMH road until approximately 1am.

During this period, emergency vehicles and people attending the Emergency Department should use the Point Finger Road entrance. Ambulances will enter and exit on Point Finger Road.

KEMH and the visitor parking lots will still be accessible from both Point Finger Road (Acute Care Wing) and Berry Hill Road (General Wing and Agape House). Traffic will not be able to travel between the General Wing lobby roundabout and Point Finger Road.

For your safety and the safety of others, please use caution and adhere to the barriers, signage and directions of the security officers.

Bermuda Hospitals Board apologises to the public for any inconvenience caused by the disruption.

KEMH Road Closure Map – 9 December 2019

5 December 2019 Home Page, News

BHB awarded top level of accreditation

Monday 2 December 2019: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has achieved a decision of Accredited with Exemplary Standing, Accreditation Canada’s highest level of accreditation. The decision follows four years of quality and safety improvements, culminating in a weeklong onsite visit by independent surveyors in May.

Accreditation Canada is a non-profit organisation that works with the Ottawa-based Health Standards Organization, healthcare providers, policy makers and patients to improve the quality of health and social services. More than 1,000 health and social service organisations and 7,000 sites around the world have been accredited by Accreditation Canada with a goal of safer, high-quality healthcare. Accreditation Canada surveyors are volunteers who are healthcare professionals in senior clinical or administrative roles at other accredited organisations.

BHB CEO and President Venetta Symonds said: “I’m very proud of this result, which reflects the dedication and hard work our staff devotes to BHB’s quality and safety improvement projects in addition to their daily work of caring for our patients. The surveyors emphasised how much we’ve achieved at BHB over the last few years, and even in the six months prior to the survey.

“They applauded how we have used the Strategic Plan 2016-2021 at the centre of our planning across BHB, and how our extensive Clinical Services Plan serves as the anchor for our strategic goals.

“They cited our dedication to quality and safety improvement and training at all levels, especially initiatives like the introduction of daily bullet rounds on inpatient wards and more focused discharge planning, the significant reduction in pressure injuries, our commitment to early identification and treatment of sepsis, and our increasing engagement of patients and families in policy and process development. They recognised the involvement of our entire team in achieving these results.”

BHB Chief of Staff Michael Richmond, MD, said: “In Bermuda our hospitals are required by law to be accredited by an approved accrediting body. However, the most important part of the process is the opportunity to receive feedback and recommendations from the Accreditation Canada team and the surveyors based on the knowledge and insights they’ve gained from our peers across North America and around the world.

“Clinical and non-clinical teams across BHB have been collaborating with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Johns Hopkins Medicine International and other partners to identify and implement changes to our services, processes and policies. These changes are already having a significant impact on the quality and safety of our care, as evidenced by Accreditation Canada’s survey findings.”

Mrs Symonds added: “Achieving the highest level of accreditation does not mean we don’t have more work to do. The survey report highlights the things we’re doing well, but it also outlines areas we need to improve. Their advice, along with our other quality improvement partners, will help us along the journey to attaining our vision of Exceptional Care. Strong Partnerships. Healthy Community.

“One of our greatest resources on this journey is our patients and their loved ones. Their input on our services and care is invaluable in identifying the areas we fall short and helping us deliver the best possible care to every patient, every day. Our newly formed Patient and Family Advisory Council also provides advice on how we can implement or change processes to improve the patient experience. Thank you to the Council and to every member of the community who has taken the time to contact our unit managers and patient relations with their suggestions and concerns.”

From 13-17 May 2019, four independent surveyors assessed BHB against 26 sets of healthcare standards, 35 priority processes and 30 required organisational practices. They spent time at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre and three of BHB’s group homes, observing staff, reviewing documentation and policies, and interviewing staff, patients and community partners.

The surveyors’ findings were then reviewed thoroughly by the Accreditation Canada team before an accreditation decision and full report were issued.

“Accreditation Canada is committed to supporting organisations like Bermuda Hospitals Board, who offer safe and effective care with a focus on continuous improvement. We commend BHB for their outstanding achievement and their contributions to our goal of achieving quality health services for all,” noted Katerina Tarasova, Accreditation Canada’s executive director of international accreditation.

Accreditation Canada will continue to work with BHB throughout the four-year accreditation cycle, reviewing evidence related to unmet criteria, providing feedback, and monitoring standards and practices to ensure the organisation continues to perform at the expected level.

BHB has been accredited since the 1970s. This year marks the 13th onsite survey by Accreditation Canada. The next survey will be held in May 2023.

The accreditation report, decision letter and survey comparison table are available on the BHB website at bermudahospitals.bm > About BHB > Providing Safe Care.

Resources

2 December 2019 Home Page, News

Scholarship created to honour nurse

From The Royal Gazette: Two would-be nurses became the first winners of scholarships set up to honour the memory of an intensive care nurse who died two years ago.

The Vickie Smith Nursing Scholarships were awarded to Donnalyn Smith and Milon Outerbridge.

Ms Smith, who is due to start a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of West England in Bristol, said: “This scholarship helps me a whole lot.

“My parents are very hardworking; I see how hard they have to work for me.

“I would do anything to help. I want to give back whatever I can, to ease the load.”

Ms Smith said she became interested in a career as a nurse when she volunteered to work at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital to notch up community service hours while she was at middle school.

She added: “A friend had volunteered at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital as a teen volunteer and she persuaded me to go.

“I volunteered in the continuing care unit and from the first day, I loved it.

“We sat with elderly patients, those who could not speak, those with disabilities … We read to them, we watched movies together, we walked with them. I was so happy, making other people happy.

“I liked the personal connection that nurses have with their patients and I wanted to make it a career.

“I am interested in going into geriatrics, paediatrics or surgical, but that could change once I get more experience.” …

Published 5 September 2019
26 September 2019 Media

Public Advisory: Traffic diversion at KEMH on Tuesday 25 June

24 June 2019: Bermuda Hospitals Board advises the public of traffic diversions scheduled for Tuesday 25 June 2019 on the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) campus. The diversions will affect both vehicular and pedestrian traffic from approximately 7am until 4:30pm.

To facilitate the removal of a well pump, a crane will be placed on the Acute Care Wing exit road outside the Emergency Department. The section of the Acute Care Wing exit road leading from the lobby and Emergency Department out onto Point Finger Road will be closed to vehicles and pedestrians.

The following diversions will be in place on Tuesday 25 June. They are expected to be repeated later this week, on a day to be announced, in order to install the new pump.

For your safety and the safety of others, please use caution and adhere to the barriers, signage and directions of the security officers.

Vehicle diversions

The main entryway to the KEMH Acute Care Wing lobby and Emergency Department from Point Finger Road will operate as a two-way road. Security guards will be in place to safely guide traffic.

Pedestrian diversions

There will be no pedestrian access to the walkway from the Emergency Department to Point Finger Road and the Acute Care Wing parking lot. Pedestrians will be diverted along the Point Finger Road sidewalk.

Bermuda Hospitals Board apologises to the public for any inconvenience caused by the diversions.

Diagram of KEMH traffic diversions – 25 June 2019

24 June 2019 Home Page, News

Hopkins deal ‘a dream come true’

From The Royal Gazette: Stroke patients will have access to “the best possible chance at full recovery”, thanks to a link-up between the Bermuda Hospitals Board and Johns Hopkins Medicine.

The move, welcomed as a “dream come true” by campaigners, will see a primary stroke centre established in Bermuda, with accreditation for acute stroke care in place by 2021.

The clinical affiliation with the Maryland-based medical institute will also include improvements in psychiatric care, a continuing medical education programme for physicians in Bermuda and a residency programme.

Michael Richmond, Chief of Staff at the BHB, told a press conference: “Stroke treatment and rehabilitation is a key focus. We have four to five stroke cases come to the hospital per week.

“We want to ensure we are giving every stroke patient the best possible chance at full recovery, and also identifying people at risk even earlier to try and prevent one altogether.

“We are also looking at psychiatry for opportunities to improve and find more effective ways to structure and deliver our services.”

Dr Richmond said the aim was to provide treatment that matches “the best of the best”…

Published 8 May 2019
9 May 2019 Media

Public Advisory: KEMH through road closure

11 March 2019: There will be no through vehicular traffic on the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital campus from Berry Hill Road to Point Finger Road on Wednesday 13 March 2019.

There will be a crane in the roadway near Agape House to replace an air conditioning pump. Traffic entering from Berry Hill Road will be able to access the General Wing visitor parking lot. Traffic entering from Point Finger Road will have access as far as the General Wing lobby roundabout.

Please drive with care, and obey signage and barricades.

Work is expected to take several hours to complete. Bermuda Hospitals Board apologises for any inconvenience caused.

11 March 2019 Home Page, News

Medical ethics expert focuses on difficult conversations

1 November 2018: Bermuda’s healthcare providers will have the opportunity to learn from a medical ethics expert next week. Dr Christy Simpson, head of the Bioethics Department at Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, will return to the island to give a series of talks as part of Bermuda Hospitals Board’s (BHB’s) annual Ethics Awareness Week.

This year, Dr Simpson and the BHB Ethics Committee will focus on the difficult conversations that present a challenge for many healthcare professionals.

Dr Christy Simpson and Sita Ingram

Dr Christy Simpson (left) and Sita Ingram

Sita Ingram, Ethics Education Committee chair and clinical director of Allied Health Services at BHB, said: “Healthcare providers are here to diagnose and treat illnesses, but it’s also our duty to make sure our patients understand the reality of their diagnosis, and the risks and benefits of choosing one treatment over another. We need to take their values and beliefs into account, along with their loved ones’ wishes.

“These can be very emotional conversations for everyone involved, especially when the prognosis is not good or the treatment journey is likely to be difficult. The situation can be even tougher when patients aren’t able to make decisions for themselves.”

Dr Simpson said: “In the end we need to support patients and their families through the decision-making process and then support their decisions, whether or not the patient chooses the recommended course of treatment.

“There are steps we can take to prepare for these kinds of conversations and to deal with any issues that arise. There are also ethical considerations, along with tools that can help when making a decision is particularly difficult or there are differing views.”

Dr Simpson will lead continuing medical education lectures for local healthcare providers next Monday to Thursday (5-8 November). Details are available on the BHB website at bdahospitaldev.wpengine.com by clicking on CME Events under Quick Links. Following the lectures, Dr Simpson, the Ethics Committee and BHB staff will participate in two days of workshops.

According to Dr Simpson, one thing everyone can do to make these kinds of situations a little easier is to consider completing an advance directive and choosing a healthcare agent.

“Thinking about what you would want and discussing it with your loved ones ahead of time can ease some of the stress in a very stressful situation,” Dr Simpson said. “In a case where you aren’t able to make your own decisions, an advance directive can take the burden off your loved ones’ shoulders and potentially prevent family turmoil because you’ve made many of the hardest decisions in advance.”

Members of the Ethics Committee will be available in the Acute Care Wing lobby at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) from 12pm to 2pm on Monday 5 November to talk about advance directives, ethical dilemmas, difficult conversations and decision making with members of the public who stop by. The Committee provides medical ethics consultations to healthcare providers, patients and the public by calling 291-HOPE (4673) or emailing ethics@bhb.bm.

Ethics information, tools and advance directive booklets are available at bdahospitaldev.wpengine.com by searching ‘ethics’.

The BHB Ethics Committee comprises about 20 members, including clinical, administrative and community representatives. The Committee promotes awareness of ethical concerns at both KEMH and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, endorses medical ethics education, provides an ethics consultation service and produces guidelines on prominent issues that can help healthcare professionals consider all aspects of controversial decisions. The Committee also reviews medical research proposals on request and reviews hospital policies to ensure they are ethically sound.

BHB’s Ethics Committee maintains a close relationship with Dalhousie University’s Department of Bioethics, which provides assistance and training in ethical matters.

Featured photo credit: Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com

1 November 2018 Home Page, News

Balitian-Dill obtains right to write prescriptions

Nurse Practitioner Myrian Balitian-Dill at her deskFrom Bernews: Bermuda Hospitals Board [BHB] Nurse Practitioner Myrian Balitian-Dill is one of only a handful of registered nurses who have attained nurse practitioner designation in Bermuda, and she is now the first to be granted authority to write prescriptions locally.

A BHB spokesperson said, “Mrs Balitian-Dill received the news from the Bermuda Pharmacy Council on 31 August 2018. Mrs Balitian-Dill is the only nurse practitioner at BHB. On obtaining her qualification she moved into a nurse practitioner role in the hospital’s Cardiology Department.

“In November 2016 she transitioned to help set up a new service at BHB, the Patient-Centred Medical Home. The small dynamic team of this service also includes a physician medical director, a staff nurse and an office administrator.

“The setting provided the ideal environment for Mrs Balitian-Dill to be afforded the right to prescribe as Bermuda legislation dictates that prescribing rights can be granted to nurse practitioners “under the authority of a medical practitioner”.

“The new development is the result of several years of collaboration to ensure all the necessary regulatory documents were in place. Mrs Balitian-Dill is pleased with the move and sees it as a starting point and an important way to help reduce health care costs…

Published 24 September 2018

Read the full article at www.bernews.com

3 October 2018 Media