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BHB Primary Stroke Centre celebrates Stroke Awareness Week

 

Monday 24 October 2022: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) urges the public to learn the signs and symptoms of stroke. Saturday 29 October is World Stroke Day, and this week BHB’s Primary Stroke Centre team wants to increase community awareness of this condition, which is on the rise in Bermuda.

“Every second counts when treating someone who is experiencing a stroke,” said BHB consultant neurologist Dr Kehinde Kolapo. “We really need everyone on the island to recognise when someone is having a stroke, and to get them to the hospital right away.

Signs of Stroke Illustration“BE FAST. These two words can really help everyone remember the symptoms.

“B is for balance. People who become dizzy or lose their sense of balance could be experiencing a stroke.

“E is for eyes. A stroke may cause sudden blurred vision.

“F is for face. If one side of the face starts to droop, it could signify a stroke.

“A is for arms. Sudden weakness in an arm, or a leg, is another symptom of stroke.

“S is for speech. Those experiencing a stroke may have slurred or unintelligible speech, or they may not be able to speak.

“T is for time, which means you need to get the person to the Emergency Department as soon as possible.”

“There are some types of stroke for which we can administer a drug that bursts the blood clot, effectively ending the stroke,” said Dr Kolapo, “but there is a very short window of time in which it is safe to do this.”

BHB’s Primary Stroke Centre attained distinction certification from Accreditation Canada in April for its acute stroke and inpatient rehabilitation service standards. Its committed team of professionals is passionate about not only providing the best care to patients, but also decreasing the number of people who experience strokes.

“We are tackling prevention by educating the public,” said VP KEMH Clinical Operations Sita Ingram, a member of the Primary Stroke Centre Working Group. “BE FAST is the message we need every resident to know and adhere to.

“Free wallet-sized BE FAST cards are available this week at the Bermuda Diabetes Association, and the reception desks at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.”

Chief of Staff Dr Wesley Miller said: “We also draw the public’s attention to the full Accreditation Canada report on the Primary Stroke Centre’s distinction certification. It is available on our website at bermudahospitals.bm.”

Click here to access the report.

Accreditation Canada conducted an onsite survey at BHB from 28 February to 3 March 2022, interviewing staff, stroke patients, their families and Primary Stroke Centre partner organisations.

BHB CEO and President Dr Michael Richmond said: “Stroke distinction certification is the highest commendation a stroke centre can receive in the Accreditation Canada system, and this aligns with BHB’s vision to pursue excellence through improvement, to make Bermuda proud.”

The Accreditation Canada Stroke Distinction surveyors highlighted the areas below in their report as examples of successes within BHB Primary Stroke Centre services:

  • leadership and organisation support
  • knowledgeable and committed staff
  • collaboration with Johns Hopkins Medicine International (JHMI)
  • alignment of the integrated stroke programme plan with the organisation’s strategic plan
  • community partnerships
  • communication and promotion of the stroke programme

 

Primary Stroke Centre History

Recognising in 2018 that strokes had become an epidemic on the island, BHB took steps to address the problem. In July 2019, BHB launched its Primary Stroke Centre, part of a clinical affiliation with Johns Hopkins Medicine International. Since that time, stroke patient outcomes have significantly improved in Bermuda, due to a more clearly defined process for managing stroke patients, together with a robust national campaign highlighting the signs and symptoms of stroke and the importance of attending the hospital immediately.

At its peak, 14% of those who experienced a stroke were able to receive a clot-busting drug that increased their chances of fully recovering. Not all stroke patients are eligible to receive the drug.

In 2021, then Primary Stroke Centre Director Dr Francene Gayle said: “This figure is impressive and is almost double the 7% average of primary stroke centres in the US.”

BHB’s Primary Stroke Centre also made history with its first trans-oceanic mechanical thrombectomy case. In this instance, a local patient with a major blockage in a major artery of the brain was diagnosed and airlifted to The Johns Hopkins Hospital within 17 hours. The patient received lifesaving thrombectomy surgery and is likely the first in the world to have experienced the trans-oceanic service.

24 October 2022 Home Page, News

Residents rate their mental health

Monday 10 October 2022: Today is World Mental Health Day. In Bermuda, the theme for this year is Make Mental Health and Wellbeing for All a Bermuda Priority.

Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) commissioned questions in September’s Bermuda Omnibus survey.  The results showed more residents between 18 and 35 rated their mental health as being worse since the pandemic than those in older age groups. Thirty-two residents in this age group deemed their mental  health somewhat worse or much worse than before the pandemic, compared with 21 people in the 36-64 year category and 17 in the over 65 group. In total 22% of survey respondents felt their mental health had declined since the pandemic.

“The survey result is indicative of what many parents have found anecdotally with their college-aged children,” said BHB Chief of Psychiatry Dr Anna Neilson-Williams. “While each person and their set of circumstances are unique, the impact of lockdowns in not being able to socialise or receive education in a more typical format, combined with feeling imprisoned and isolated, has caused increased depression and anxiety for many. Experiencing the rapidity of how life across the world was forced to change also caused fear, anxiety and depression, particularly in young adults.”

“It is important and encouraging to note that the vast majority of survey respondents (59%) felt their mental health had not significantly changed since the pandemic,” said Dr Neilson-Williams. “But for anyone experiencing difficulties, we can help.”

Respondents were also asked to list factors that prevented them from prioritising their mental health. The majority, (36%) said nothing was stopping them. Twenty-eight percent said work, 10% listed money/finances or not enough time, while 9% said caring for others/family was the reason.

“We encourage everyone in the community to pause and consider their mental health, and to actively care for it in the same way that we take care of our physical health,” said Dr Neilson-Williams. “Exercise can positively impact your mental health, and activities like walking and swimming are free. We live on such a beautiful island, experiencing nature can be very restorative and calming, thus just getting outside can help. Sixty percent, the overwhelming majority, of those surveyed said it’s what they do to improve their mental health.

“Reading a book was a distant second at 15%, spending time with family at 13%, and yoga/meditation/relaxation at 11%.”

BHB is committed to providing services through Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute to ensure good mental health and wellness are available to all in Bermuda.

 

The full Bermuda Omnibus – BHB Report is available below.

Q3 2022 Bermuda Omnibus – BHB Report

BMO Q3 2022Bermuda Omnibus – BHB Report Tabular Results

10 October 2022 Home Page, News

Community Intellectual Disability Team unveils new aquatic therapies

Sunday 2 October 2022: Bermuda Hospitals Board’s Community Intellectual Disability Team (CIDT) highlighted new aquatic therapies at their Exceptional Fall BBQ Celebration yesterday.

Members of the community with intellectual disabilities, together with their family and friends, attended the free event at Clearwater Beach. Hosted by the CIDT, the social event was not only a fun get together for all, but also allowed BHB clinicians to showcase new aquatic therapies.

“Aquatic therapy is a form of therapeutic exercise done in water,” said Chris Cunningham, CIDT clinical manager. “It is especially beneficial to those with intellectual or developmental disabilities who don’t have access to land-based activities.

“We are also exploring some new ground with the aqua therapy happening in the ocean rather than in a regular pool setting. Not everyone has access to a swimming pool, so this opens up new possibilities with the added benefit of using the beautiful and unique beaches and ocean that surround the island. This may also give us opportunities for research on using the ocean for this type of therapy.”

“Aquatic therapy is a safe and effective alternative way for our clients and others with intellectual disabilities to get vitally important physical exercise,” said Sally Teixeira, CIDT physiotherapist.

“Here in Bermuda we just love the water. We are so excited to get this new therapeutic option started and to see the benefits for clients who utilise it,” she added.

The Exceptional Fall BBQ Celebration was the second social event the CIDT held this year. In June, to mark the first anniversary of the formation of the team, they held A Fete of Exceptionalities at the Warwick Parish Council Field.

Feedback from attendees there resulted in this second event.

“A Fete of Exceptionalities and Exceptional Fall BBQ Celebration are part of a series our Community Intellectual Disability Team has created, focusing on public engagement that highlights our goal of social inclusion for everyone,” said MWI Clinical Director of Intellectual Disability Morrisa Rogers.

2 October 2022 Home Page, News

Pink lights at KEMH for breast cancer awareness

Friday 30 September 2022: The main entrance of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will be bathed in a soft pink light every night during the month of October. The light is to remind the public to manage their breast health and to highlight breast cancer awareness.

Last year Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) upgraded its 2D mammography unit to a 3D unit. The GE Pristina machine produces significantly clearer images. Research has shown that more cancers are detected with 3D mammography than with 2D.

BHB also has an automated breast ultrasound (ABUS) unit that can soon be used as an adjunct to the mammogram service, for people with dense breast tissue. Research shows that using the ABUS increases by 35.7 percent, the potential to find cancers that would not have been found with mammography alone.

Physician referrals are not required for mammograms at BHB. Members of the public 40 and over are advised to have a scan annually. Those who have a family history of breast cancer can contact the BHB mammography unit directly on 239- 1223 for advice on when they should be scanned.

30 September 2022 Home Page, News

Community Intellectual Disability Team to host Exceptional Fall event

Thursday 29 September 2022: Bermuda Hospitals Board’s Community Intellectual Disability Team (CIDT) will be hosting Exceptional Fall BBQ Celebration on Saturday 1 October following postponement of the Exceptional Summer BBQ Celebration, which was slated for the end of August.

“This is the second social event we’ve created this year specifically for our intellectual disability community and their families,” said Chris Cunningham, manager of CIDT. “To mark the first anniversary of our team, we held A Fete of Exceptionalities in June at the Warwick Parish Council Field. That was so well received that we decided to create another social event.”

Exceptional Fall BBQ Celebration will take place on Saturday 1 October at Clearwater Beach from 11am-2pm.

“The main objectives of these events are to provide our clients with safe space for meaningful interaction with the general community and their peers,” said Morrisa Rogers, clinical director of intellectual disability. “It’s our hope that other event organisers will, through our example, understand how to make inclusion possible for those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Diversity and inclusion have far reaching positive effects on all members of our community.”

29 September 2022 Home Page, News

KEMH welcomes baby during hurricane force winds

Friday 23 September 2022: While winds from Hurricane Fiona were raging outside, Bermudian couple Kei-shea Fubler and Brandon Wilson were oblivious as they brought their first child, daughter A’riyah Justice Fubler-Wilson into the world at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

A’riyah was born at 3:17am weighing 6lbs 8oz.

Mother Kei-shea was overdue and was actually slated to be induced before news came that Hurricane Fiona would impact the island. “The doctors had rescheduled that for Monday or Tuesday,” said father Brandon, “but A’riyah decided to come naturally today. It all worked out well.”

Bermuda Hospitals Board had advised the couple to overnight in the Maternity Unit as a precaution given the late stage of the pregnancy.

“They felt that the baby could come and that it would be difficult, or near impossible for us to make it here in time,” said the father. “And that’s what happened. They gave us good advice and we are glad we took it.”

Beaming with delight, Brandon said witnessing the birth of his daughter was difficult to explain. “So many different wonderful emotions are there. I was happy, I wanted everything to go smoothly and for the birth experience to be good one and for her to be healthy. Anything can happen during delivery and I’m grateful that we had a successful delivery. It’s a blessing.”

Mother Kei-shea said:” I’m overwhelmed with joy. I brought this new life into the world. She is well and I am well. I’m blessed. And it’s such a relief that she came naturally. I was a bit scared of being induced. The nurses and the staff were there for me and for Brandon. I felt supported.”

Asked if they’d considered naming their daughter Fiona, the couple said many of their family and friends had asked the same. “We thought maybe Stormy,” said Kei-shea, but we had already agreed on A’riyah Justice and decided we were comfortable with that.”

23 September 2022 Home Page, News

Community Intellectual Disability Team hosts Exceptional Summer event

Monday 8 August 2022: Bermuda Hospitals Board’s Community Intellectual Disability Team (CIDT) will be hosting its Exceptional Summer BBQ Celebration at the end of August.

“This is the second social event we’ve created this year specifically for our intellectual disability community and their families,” said Chris Cunningham, manager of CIDT. “To mark the first anniversary of our team, we held A Fete of Exceptionalities in June at the Warwick Parish Council Field. That was so well received that we decided to create another social event.”

Exceptional Summer BBQ Celebration will take place on Saturday 27 August at Clearwater Beach from 11am-2pm.

“The main objectives of these events are to provide our clients with safe space for meaningful interaction with the general community and their peers,” said Morrisa Rogers, clinical director of the Intellectual Disability Programme. “It’s our hope that other event organisers will, through our example, understand how to make inclusion possible for those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Diversity and inclusion have far reaching positive effects on all members of our community.”

 

 

 

 

8 August 2022 Home Page, News

38 college and university students join BHB for summer internships

Thursday 4 August 2022: Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) has employed 38 students in its Summer Student Programme this year. The 12-week programme provides college and university students an opportunity to gain experience, develop skills, and make important business contacts in their field of interest.

Students this year are from a wide range of disciplines and degree programmes, both clinical and non-clinical.

“Our 2022 cohort of interns comes from 29 different institutions based in Bermuda, Canada, Curacao, Cyprus, the UK and the US,” said Asia Ming-Raynor, manager of the BHB programme. “They are working across various departments within our organisation. We have seven medical students, who are at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH), two psychology students who are based at our Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute (MWI), and four nursing students who work across both campuses.”

Students are also working in the following BHB departments: Facilities Management, Finance, hospital medical records, Environmental Services, Human Resources, Information Technology, Lab Services, Long Term Care, Neurology, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Project Management and Imaging Services.

“We are pleased to offer this experience to our young Bermudians,” said BHB Deputy CEO Scott Pearman, “particularly as we had to cut back during 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“BHB has offered summer internships since the 1960s, but in 2000 we revamped the programme, expanding it to include non-clinical interns in the many supporting areas of the organisation.

“While our 2022 intake is lower than pre-pandemic years, we are greatly encouraged by the high calibre of those that have joined us this year. We also thank the Bermuda Hospitals Charitable Foundation (BHCF) and their corporate donors, who have funded the programme.”

“We recognise the importance of supporting and encouraging excellence in our future BHB workforce,” said BHCF Executive Director Lisa Sheppard. “We donated $150,000 for this year’s Summer Student Programme. An important aspect of the student work experience is that on completion of their studies, they are motivated to return to Bermuda and to BHB.”

Over the past five years, BHB has employed 236 Bermudian interns in its summer programme. Of those, 39 were medical students, 191 were general studies students, and six were culinary arts students.

BHB’s 2022 summer students are: Ma Jasmin Bacabac, Asrael Basden, Llewllyn Burgess, Annefa Burke, Gianluca Cacace, Tahj Cox, Maya De Silva, Jay-Quan Dill, Delia Ebbin, Justin Ebbin, Yanni Gibbons, Dedra Hayward, Jahkera Hill-Ingham, Chantae Hollis, Christopher Jackson, Haleigh Martin, Ryley Mason, Gabriella Medeiros, Erika Morris, Fatima Muhammad, Sierra Pacheco, Kyon Parfitt, Abigail Powell, Jaeshri Romeo, Shondreka Scraders, Tiara Shine, Kyasia Simmons, Ari Smith, Keishun Swan, Charlotte Theisen, Nathan Titterton, Keiron Tucker, Ceola Wade, Izeya Wainwright, Shania Wedderburn, Destiny White, Katherine White  and  Diego Wilson.

Applications for BHB’s 2023 Summer Student Programme will be released on the website BHB Jobs NOW – Bermuda Hospitals Board, in December.

BHB Summer Student Statistics 2017-2022

4 August 2022 Home Page, News