Free virtual panel to support and inspire recovery from substance abuse

Wednesday 29 September 2021: BHB today announces a free virtual panel being offered to the community as part of Recovery Month by the Turning Point Substance Abuse Programme. The theme is ‘Recovery is for everyone: every person, every family, every community’, and the discussion will be on Thursday 30 September from 1pm to 2pm.

The goal is to share wisdom, experiences and insight to inspire and encourage people in Bermuda who have loved ones or are themselves on the journey of recovery.

Hosted by Dayla Burges, Addiction Counsellor at Turning Point, the panel members are: Juanae Crockwell, holistic counsellor of ‘A Little Girl Grows Up’; Shervin Hollis, recovery advocate; Gordon Johnson, community recovery advocate; and Michaela Smith, certified fitness instructor of Hope Fitness Bermuda.

Shirley Place, clinical director of substance abuse at MWI, comments: “We want to offer to the community an opportunity to hear from people who can help support and inspire anyone with an interest in substance abuse recovery. We all have a part to play, whether we have an addiction, or it is a loved one or friend. Recovery needs community support and understanding. Having an open panel allows us all to learn, be encouraged and have their questions about substance abuse recover answered.”

People can attend via zoom meeting ID 894 045 3622 at 1pm on Thursday 30 September, or go to the BHB Facebook page for a live stream. There will be set questions for the panel at the start, and a segment for attendees to ask questions too.

BHB morgue service impacted by the pandemic

Tuesday 28 September 2021: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) today highlighted the need for people to work together when someone dies to help manage the large numbers of deceased, following a rise in deaths related directly to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Chief Executive Officer R Scott Pearman comments: “The increase in deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic is a tragic situation for many families, first and foremost, and we feel deeply for the grief and pain so many are feeling in our community right now. The high numbers are also putting pressure on the individuals and organisations who would normally support the process from death to burial or cremation, and this includes BHB.

“Our concern is having enough space for all the deceased given the high numbers of deaths we are experiencing. We have already exceeded our regular morgue capacity and are using refrigerated overflow containers. BHB’s respectful goal is to maintain the dignity and safety of the deceased.  For us to meet this goal, however, we need help as some individuals are left with KEMH longer than necessary and this is increasing the number of people we need to have space for.

“Reducing the number of deceased individuals held by BHB will be greatly helped by families working with their chosen funeral director so their loved ones can be picked up from KEMH and be buried or cremated with as little delay as possible. Families are going through so much when someone dies and they may not always know what has to take place for their loved one to be released from KEMH. We have therefore spoken to Government and funeral directors, and developed an information sheet about the process to help families as they work through all the steps that have to take place, and help them prepare for the financial implications and decisions that need to be made.”

BHB Factsheet – When Your Loved One Dies

BHB visitor restrictions reintroduced due to delta surge

Tuesday 7 September 2021: Due to the surge in COVID-19 community numbers and increase in inpatient numbers, Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) is ceasing visitation of inpatients and long term care residents at KEMH and MWI from Wednesday 8 September, and cancelling elective surgeries from today. Maternity, Gosling (children’s) Unit and intensive care patients will be allowed limited visitation by designated individuals.

Dr Michael Richmond, Chief Executive Officer & President, said: “We appreciate the understanding and cooperation of patients and families as we respond to yet another surge. The pressures these surges bring to staff at the hospitals is immense. We are all working extremely hard to manage our bed capacity and focus resources where they are needed so we are able to care for all who need it, as medical emergencies still happen on top of the increase in COVID-19 cases. It not only adds to the clinical pressures felt by individuals and services, but brings continued financial pressures to BHB and the healthcare system, and we were under pressure even before the pandemic. BHB has worked extremely hard over the last few years to make savings, and we have achieved $11 million in fiscal year 2019/20, $30 million in 2020/21 and we are working to achieve $15 million more through efficiency programmes, contract reviews and management of assets. The financial costs of responding to the pandemic, on top of international increases of medicines and supplies, and the pressure to keep pace with international standards in healthcare to offer the people in Bermuda are immense.

“We know our colleagues in the Ministry of Health are similarly challenged. We are incredibly grateful for the donations from businesses and individuals that have supported the purchasing of supplies and the vaccine clinic, but the costs have exceeded these kind and generous donations. We are working closely with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health to ensure we can continue to deliver the services needed safely and at a high quality.”

Chief of Staff Dr Wesley Miller commented: “We do not take the return to these restrictions lightly, but are very concerned by the sudden increase in delta variant COVID-19 infections and hospital admissions. Three out of every four local infections are in unvaccinated individuals and, unfortunately, these people are more at risk of serious illness and hospitalisations. BHB is now experiencing an increase in emergency visits and admissions. Higher community transmissions also increases the risks of an individual visiting a loved one and not knowing they are infected. We have once more prepared our overflow ICU in the surgical area so that we can care for all those who need it. These actions divert resources and space, which impacts our other services. We apologise for the impact on patients and families as we manage this surge and thank everyone for their cooperation and understanding.”

Chief of Nursing Judy Richardson commented: “We have seen numbers surge in the community and this is now being seen in our hospitals too. We have been through surges before and know that timely action maximises the safety of all people in BHB units and group homes. We feel for all the people who will see less of their families and loved ones, but our first step is to strengthen the protections that help protect them. We need everyone to play their part in keeping our most vulnerable people safe, so thank the community in advance for their understanding and partnership in following all guidelines and precautions.”

Summary of current restrictions:

Anyone visiting or attending BHB facilities as an outpatient must first go through a temperature and mask check. They must use the available hand sanitisers, wear a mask and maintain physical distancing at all times, including in patient rooms.

Long term care residents, acute care unit and isolation patients on any ward will no longer receive visitors.

Gosling (children’s) Unit will allow limited visits by parents only, and Maternity visiting will stay the same as before, with one designated support person able to attend the birth and visit once a day if the mother stays longer than 24 hours.

The Emergency Department and Lamb Foggo Urgent Care Centre will return to allowing patients only to attend. A companion will only be allowed if the patient is a minor (under 18), a vulnerable adult who needs a carer, or is combative. Any person experiencing symptoms that could be COVID-19 are reminded to call first and not just turn up, as it puts other vulnerable patients waiting at risk.

Free wifi is available at BHB for patients and residents, so they can stay in touch by phone or video.

Inpatient visitation guidelines from Wednesday 8 September by area:

• Acute Care Wing inpatient units (KEMH)
(Ace Barber, Ascendant Partner Re, and Catlin Lindo)
No visitation, other than in exceptional circumstances (such as end of life).

• Intensive Care Unit
One designated individual between noon-2pm and 4-6pm.

• Gosling Ward
Only parents can visit.

• Isolation patients on any ward (MWI and KEMH) (Isolation patients either have a confirmed infectious disease, such as COVID-19, or are waiting for test results. All patients admitted are tested for COVID-19 and are on isolation until they receive a negative results)
No visitors, other than in truly exceptional circumstances (such as end of life). Individuals must be approved by the unit manager before visiting.

• Long term care residents (MWI and KEMH) and Curtis Ward
(KEMH: Cooper, Gordon, Curtis and Perry Units; MWI: Devon Lodge, Reid Ward and all group homes)
No visitation allowed, other than in exceptional circumstances (such as end of life)

• Agape House
No visitors for long stay patients at Agape House. Patients in their last phase of dying will be allowed two visitors in the room at a time who will be required to wear full personal protective equipment.

• Maternity
One designated support person can attend the birth and up to eight hours afterwards. If mom stays on the ward longer than 24 hours, the support person can visit for up to four hours once a day. Doulas will be permitted for labour and delivery only.

Stroke patients benefit from improved treatments at BHB

Monday 19 July 2021: Stroke care in Bermuda has dramatically improved since the establishment of Bermuda Hospitals Board’s (BHB) Primary Stroke Centre in July 2019, part of a clinical affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International.

Establishing a Primary Stroke Centre has led to improvements to processes and treatments within the hospital. These clinical improvements, alongside a public awareness campaign about the importance of seeking immediate emergency care at the first signs of stroke, have meant more people get the critical care they need in time to improve their outcome.

About 13% percent of those who experience a stroke now receive a clot-busting drug that increases their chances of making full recoveries, a benchmark that puts BHB’s Stroke Centre in line with outcomes at leading hospitals and stroke facilities around the world. This compares to an average of 7% for primary stroke centres in the USA, with an accepted minimum being 5%.

“This has immediate human impact,” said Medical Director of the BHB Primary Stroke Centre, Dr Francene Gayle. “It means more of our stroke patients than ever before are able to make full recoveries. Three months after having a stroke they are able to return to their pre-stroke functioning levels. This is so important for quality of life, and as 25% of those who had a stroke in 2020 in Bermuda were under the age of 60, these are often people with many years ahead of them.”

Recognising that stroke had become an epidemic on the island, in 2018 BHB took action to turn the tide. Stroke can be debilitating, leaving individuals paralysed and/or significantly impaired. It is also leading cause of death globally.

“Major disability and death are the common consequences of those with a diagnosis of a stroke globally and Bermuda was no exception” said Dr Gayle. “Those who survive are often unable to return to work or their routine way of living. These individuals were oftentimes the bread winners of their households, and required 24-hour care. The financial impact on the families involved and on the local economy was significant,” Dr Gayle continued.

“We needed to change the trajectory of the trend,” she added. “We wanted to create a Primary Stroke Centre to increase and improve the access of all Bermudians to high-level acute stroke care that’s based on the latest research.

There are two types of strokes: ischemic and haemorrhagic. The most common are ischemic and involve a restriction in blood supply and therefore oxygen, to the brain. This can be caused by a blood clot or plaque build-up in the arteries.

In an ischemic stroke, patients who access medical treatment within 4.5 hours of the start of symptoms may be suitable to get a clot-busting medication – called IV thrombolysis tPA (IV tPA). In cases where this medication is given in time and bursts the clot, the patient avoids the major damaging effects of having a stroke and increases their chance of recovering with little or no disability.

“This clot-busting drug is integral to the process of full stroke recovery,” said Dr Gayle. “But I can’t stress enough the importance of recognising the signs and getting to the hospital immediately. We have to work together to get IV tPA going within that 4.5 hour window. Remember BEFAST—Balance, Eyes, Face, Arm, Speech, Time. If you think you’ve had a stroke, get to hospital immediately, or call 911.”

“We are thrilled to see the improvement in stroke outcomes take place so quickly,” said Victor Urrutia, MD, Director of Johns Hopkins Hospital’s Comprehensive Stroke Center. “It is a clear indication that collaborations like ours can have a significant impact on the health and stability of individuals, families and communities around the world. We will continue to work closely with BHB to assist in their efforts to reduce the incidence and improve stroke outcomes for Bermudians.”

“We have surpassed our goal and we’re now meeting the benchmark of leading hospitals around the world,” said BHB CEO & President Michael Richmond, MD. “But most importantly, we’re improving quality care and changing lives.”