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The Brockville & District Hospital Foundation proudly hosted its first-ever MEDtalks session on Tuesday, January 21, at the Aquatarium.
The event drew an inquisitive and engaged group from the community, eager to learn more about healthcare services in the region.
The session focused on key topics such as what to expect when visiting the Emergency Department, understanding the TRIAGE system, managing wait times, exploring alternative care options, and understanding the roles of both Brockville General Hospital and the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the panel of distinguished healthcare professionals who made this event a success:
• Julie Caffin, President and CEO of Brockville General Hospital, shared valuable information about the hospital’s services and the importance of collaboration between local healthcare providers and the plans being implemented to alleviate congestion in the emergency department.
• Deanne Henson, Director of Patient Care Programs, provided an overview of the Triage Process, CTAS scale, Medical Directives, and next steps while emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to delivering quality care through various programs and services.
• Samantha Peters, Patient Flow Coordinator, discussed the critical role of Early Intervention Outreach Team and community-based care options for preventing more serious health issues and supporting long-term wellness.
• Jennifer Oomen, Program Manager at ACU, Ambulatory Care, highlighted the follow-up care provided to patients discharged from the Emergency Department
• Manish Watts, Interim Executive Director of the Mallorytown Clinic, provided insights on alternative healthcare options at the Mallorytown Clinic.
• Leslie Groves, Pharmacy Manager at Pharmasave, spoke about practical advice and care for those seeking guidance outside of traditional emergency settings.
SERVICES AVAILABLE AT MOST PHARMACIES
• Extend prescriptions for up to 12 months or the prescribed quantity (incl. refills).
• Prescribe Champix and Zyban for smoking cessation.
• Prescribe Tamiflu for influenza.
• Prescribe nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (Paxlovid) for COVID-19.
• Some offer point-of-care tests (glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, A1c).
• Review medications to avoid duplications or interactions.
• Organize medications with compliance packs for better adherence.
• Flu, COVID and shingles vaccines, plus any shots you need before a trip.
• Assess patients for 19 minor ailments.
• Please ask your Pharmacist how they can help.
There are limitations to what Pharmacies can do and there are specific circumstances where they may refer a patient to another, more qualified, health care professional. Prices and services vary by pharmacy so check with your pharmacist to see what they can do and what it will cost you.
At the conclusion of the discussion, attendees were invited to submit their questions, sparking meaningful conversations around local healthcare services and resources.
For those who were unable to attend the session in person, a recording of the discussion will be available on the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation website in the coming weeks. Please visit this link to download the resources discussed.
“We are thrilled to see such a strong turnout and meaningful engagement from the community,” said Trish Buote, Executive Director of the Brockville & District Hospital Foundation, “Our goal with MEDtalks is to keep our community informed and empowered when it comes to healthcare decisions. We look forward to hosting more sessions like this in the future.”
Our next MEDtalks is scheduled for April 15, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing with the topic being Colorectal Care – we will talk about the importance of regular check-ups, early detection in maintaining colorectal health, recognizing warning signs and addressing concerns before they escalate and what happens if we find something concerning, here's what you can expect next.
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