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September 8, 2015
CEO NEWS
Just about two years ago I wrote to you all about the news that was swirling around about the
“snooping” that goes on when people have access to information they don’t really need in the
course of their work, but can’t seem to resist taking a peek. At the time, Heartland Health had
found ourselves in at least one of these situations, and we suddenly realized that in spite of our
best intentions and the actions we take to prevent unnecessary access to private information, we
are vulnerable.
This was my plea and my commitment to you:
“I encourage you all to sort through your thoughts on this important issue as we gain increasing access to scads of
information that we may or may not need in the course of our duties, simply because the age of technology has made it so.
Meanwhile, we will commit our organization to educating and reminding employees about our responsibilities, to improving
our capacity to audit and dig deeper into instances of inappropriate access, and to being completely transparent with the
consumers of our services if our security, privacy, and confidentiality measures are found lacking. Say no to snooping!”
So two years later we find that these stories are still swirling around in the media, and that Heartland Health Region is there
again. I don’t usually worry too much about what is said in the media because we all know that the stories often present one
side of a story and must be read with a critical eye. But in one of the editorials the writer suggested that people might want
to think twice about accessing services from our Health Authority because there is evidence that we have a difficult time
assuring peoples’ privacy. This is not a reputation that we want to have. Reputation is critically important in healthcare
because the work that we do is all about trust. People trust us when they are at their most vulnerable. We owe it to them to
be worthy of that trust.
We all know that there are lots of good things about the technological advances we are privileged to have access to these
days. They help us to keep in touch with friends and family in real time and around the world, to pay our bills, to maintain
records, to shop on-line, etc. But along with these privileges comes considerable risk. We share our information with a
specific person or for a specific purpose. Unless we specifically consent to have our information passed on, we expect that it
will be used for the intended purpose and otherwise kept private.
This is a highly complex issue. I don’t have the knowledge and expertise to sum it up in a brief newsletter article. My
objective is to encourage the self-reflection, discussion and education that we all need to meet our obligations when we take
our oaths of confidentiality and privacy in health care. I would like to believe that it is a no brainer that we only access the
specific information we need to provide service to our clients, and that we need our clients’ consent to access and share
information that is entrusted to us. Unfortunately, it is not a no brainer to all of us or we would not see the breaches that we
hear about regularly in the media.
Over the past two years, Heartland Health Region has established a working group to assess our vulnerability around access
to private information and to recommend or take actions that minimize breaches. We have improved our orientation and
education activities, explored opportunities and advantages of various audit procedures, and looked at commonalities and
differences between the various information systems that are used in the health system. The things we
need to do to reduce our risk of a privacy breach might look different from one system to another. But
one thing that is certainly common to all of our systems is that each of us has the ability to determine
what is the appropriate level of access required to do our work and to seek counsel if there is any
question about it.
If in doubt, seek advice from your supervisor or from our Heartland Health privacy officer Jeanette
Abbott 306-882-4111 ext. 2315 or email to: [email protected].
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Use of Video and Audio Recording Equipment in Long Term Care (LTC)
There have been reported instances of family members video and audio recording episodes of care or putting
audio/video surveillance (nanny cams) in LTC resident rooms within Heartland Health Region. This is causing
concern for staff who believe it is inappropriate or illegal.
Video and audio recording equipment can be used in a resident’s room, if the resident is cognitively aware and
approves it or if the substitute decision-maker approves the use. Our sensibilities are challenged when we
know that these cameras are recording personal care, which is considered to be very personal and private.
While it may not be palatable to us, there is no legal reason to stop this practice or to remove any equipment
found in a resident’s room. Also, there is no legal requirement to notify us if a resident chooses to have audio/
video recording equipment in the room (except if third party conversations are being recorded, which is
eavesdropping and is illegal). The resident’s room is no different from a private home and we, as health care
workers working for a publicly funded organization, have limits to the expectation of privacy in performing any
duties required of us.
There have been media reports regarding the use of nanny cams that have substantiated concerns that people
had no other way to prove. Without evidence, any claim or concern about treatment or mistreatment falls
under “he said, she said” which is frustrating for both families and staff and usually goes unresolved. Video
surveillance is being used more frequently in organizations where vulnerable people are in care…the very
young, the sick or disabled and the elderly. It is not uncommon for a daycare to provide live streaming so that
parents can check in from time to time to monitor their children. Health care organizations are also installing
video monitoring in the public areas and posting the areas so that visitors are aware.
None of us likes to feel that we are not trusted or that we work in a “big brother” type of environment. We take
pride in the good quality, compassionate care that we provide. The sad reality is that the isolated instances of
abuse contribute significantly to the lack of trust families have regarding their loved ones’ safety, and the safety of residents is driving the movement for care providers to be more transparent regarding life in care facilities. I recently saw the following picture on Facebook that really resonated with me.
Jeanette Abbott
Manager of Quality Improvement, Privacy & Access Officer
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Primary Care Paramedic Certificate Program to be Offered in Rosetown
The Primary Care Paramedic certificate program will be offered at Great Plains College Rosetown program centre
for 41 non-consecutive weekends between Nov. 6, 2015 and Feb. 5, 2017. Offering the program in Rosetown
allows the most accessibility for students currently living and working in the Cypress, Heartland and Saskatoon
Health regions. The program expansion will help meet the high demand for paramedics across the health care
sector.
This weekend program is the only part-time offering in the province, making the training accessible for those
students who are employed full-time during weekdays. It is a wonderful opportunity open to individuals looking for
a career change or for those already in a health care related field seeking advancement. The Primary Care
Paramedic certificate program emphasizes authentic hands-on training in pre-hospital emergency care, with both
hospital and ambulance practicums. This industry-recognized program, brokered through Saskatchewan
Polytechnic, is fully accredited by the Canadian Medical Association. The curriculum aligns with primary care
paramedic roles and responsibilities outlined in the National Occupational Competency Profiles (NOCP) for the
Paramedic Practitioner of Canada. Graduates are eligible to write the provincial licensing exam for registration with
the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics. Students will be enrolled on a first qualified, first admitted basis.
Therefore, early application is
encouraged.
Candace Heitt Memorial Run
Unity & District Memorial 5K, 10K and 1/2 Marathon
Plus 3 Person Relay
Tribute to………..Candace Heitt Bursary and Future Paving Path Unity
Sunday, September 20th 2015
Times:
8:00 am start…………….for 21 KM (1/2 Marathon) plus 3 person relay
9:00a.m start………………for 10KM
10:00a.m start………………for 5KM
Location……… UNITY GOLF COURSE
Entries
$40.00 payable to “Candace Heitt Trust Fund”
Student Discount $20.00
Pick up and drop off at:
Heitt’s Plumbing & Heating 199- 2nd Ave E.
Or Mail to: Donna Boser &/or Terra and Keith Heitt
Box 537, Unity, SK SOK4LO
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Page 6
News Around the Region
Keep sending in your summer pictures!
They may be featured in a future edition
of the Heartland Link.
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Page 7
2015 Student Bursary Program Approved Click on the link below for details and applica on form.
2015 HHR Bursary Applica on Form or check out the website:
h p://hrha.sk.ca/careers/regional‐bursary‐program/
**Please note applica on deadline is now 5:00 pm on October 15, 2015.*** If you have any ques ons regarding Bursaries in Heartland Health Region, please call (306)867‐9701.
Please follow the link www.saskatchewan.ca to go to the Provincial government site Search for: Clinical
Placement bursaries and Nurse Educator bursaries. These are applied to and distributed separately by the
Province of Saskatchewan.
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Page 8
Please check out this poster regarding
the upcoming preceptor conferences. Please note that the region
will be able to fund an honorarium
to those who take the time to register
and attend one of the upcoming conferences.
Please contact Leona
Anderson, Recruitment and Retention
Coordinator if you require further information.
If you have any questions or concerns,
please feel free to contact me directly. Payments will be processed after
the last conference in Saskatoon on
October 22, 2015.
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Page 9
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
Being Held in Rosetown
Open to all Healthcare or Administration Staff
Who should attend: Anyone who may work with the public and may
come across somebody who may be having suicidal thoughts
September 30 & October 1, 2015 – Rosetown Civic Centre, Room 59
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm both days
***All participants are required to bring a bag lunch for both training days.***
Coffee and water will be available to participants free of charge.
Space is limited so please register as soon as possible to reserve your seat.
Please note that there is no fee to attend this workshop thanks to the Heartland Health Region for
donating their staff as trainers in addition to a generous donation from the Canadian Mental Health
Association, Saskatchewan Branch that is covering the cost of participant materials.
For more information and to get a registration form contact Nicole Miller at ((306) 882-2672,
Ext. 2294 or email [email protected]. Registration deadline is September 25, 2015.
Saskatchewan Interprofessional
Preceptor Conference
Open to health professionals from all disciplines who supervise students
during the clinical placement portion of their health science programs
Sept 24, 2015
Wascana Rehabilitation Centre
Pre-Registration Required for ALL sessions!
To register Please Contact Your Telehealth Coordinator
Adrienne Wendt @306-463-6150 ext 304 or by e-mail [email protected]
Sessions will NOT be guaranteed without pre-registration.