The Briefing Note features a monthly poll. Polls are selected based on initiatives aimed to improve the experience of our providers and staff, resulting in better patient care.

Have your say by participating in our poll at the end of this email.

And as a BONUS, poll participants will be entered into a draw to win a $25 gift card to a local business! Who doesn't want that?!

If you have any dates to add to the calendar, please contact Joanna.Barrotta@hamiltonfht.ca

Lead Physician Update

From Dr. Brian McKenna, Deputy Lead Physician

Dear Colleagues, 

I sincerely hope that this note finds you well. The cooler air and shorter days are a reminder of both how quickly the calendar turns but also of how refreshing that sense of a new season can be. As we enter the fall season, I wanted to take this opportunity to both brief everyone on some of the interesting work that is ongoing at the HFHT but also to reaffirm our commitment to the wellbeing of everyone across our FHT as we enter an unpredictable viral season. I know that I speak for both Scott as well as myself in saying that if anyone is struggling in their current practice situation, we'd really appreciate hearing from you. A core component of our strategy going forward is to develop and implement the types of infrastructural supports that clinicians need to practice their craft with peace of mind in knowing that there is always help when required. Read more...

Greetings and Best Wishes

We wish a warm welcome to our new team members and all the best to those who are moving on to the next chapter! 

• Arrivals and Departures

EDI Update

Check out the blog from EDI Coordinator Anjali Upadhya-O'Brien for updates, including a new EDI statement for HFHT. A reminder that all HFHT EDI information can be found on the intranet by going to the Organizational Information tab or by visiting the HFHT public website under the Who We Are tab.

Groups Update

Coming soon! AFFIRM youth groups will be available again. AFFIRM is a 9-session evidence-based manualized group integrating identity affirmation with CBT to improve wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth. Read more...

Patient and Provider Safety Update

Canadian Patient Safety Week is Oct 24-28! This year's theme is Press Play on Safety Conversations. When we have safety conversations it changes the way we think about safety. Ask questions, listen, and act. Complete our survey at the bottom of this email to let us know what your thoughts are about safety in your own health care environment and topics you would like to hear more on from us! And, scroll to the Events section of this email to learn of an upcoming IPAC education session!

HFHT Social Responsibility

After a robust donation collection for the Backpack Project through the Good Shepherd, the Social Responsibility Committee is already planning the next donation drive. Check out all upcoming campaigns on the Social Responsibility webpage. 

Medical Advisories

• August 26: Updated eligibility for pre-exposure prophylaxis for Monkeypox (also refer to the vaccine guidance handout and referral form)
• Sept 2: Aconitine poisoning memo 1 and memo 2
• Sept 16: Enterovirus D68

Remember to use the HBHC Screening Tool on all pregnant patients (regardless of risk factors)

• Read a reminder from Lindsay Pys, Public Health Nurse with Hamilton's Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program, on the benefits of completing the screening tool with your patients. Our screening rates are down from the last 2 years! 

NEW NUTRITION RESOURCES: Malnutrition awareness and plant-rich eating!

• This week is Canadian Malnutrition Awareness week. Early detection of malnutrition can improve quality of life, promote healing, and prevent falls and hospitalizations. Learn more about the prevalence and risks of malnutrition and access a primary care malnutrition toolkit. Speak with your team's RD about how to incorporate malnutrition screening into your visits using the EMR and how the team RD to support patients who screen positively.
• Check out the new Plant Rich page on the HFHT website to continue our HFHT Green Initiative efforts and support patient-provider conversations about the benefits of plant rich eating. Check out just one of the many resources you'll find there - a Quick Reference on the health and planet benefits of plant-rich eating and nutritional considerations!

Mental health tools from St. Joe's that you may find useful

• The Concurrent Disorders Capacity Building Team offers consultation, webinars, toolkits, and more. Browse their website for a variety of resources!
• The hospital has also recently released A Guide for People and Families Struggling With Suicide, developed in partnership with a parent who lost a son to suicide. It includes ways to work together to reduce risk, safety plan, understanding suicidal thoughts and behaviour, etc.

Collaborative Mental Health Learning Sessions

A reminder that the next session is on Wednesday, October 19, and will cover ADHD with Dr. Nick Kates and Andrea Widerick, MHC. Read more for registration info and a list of all of the upcoming sessions.

Watch the recording of the first session (Anxiety Disorder).

Training from HFHT/McMaster on supporting young patients who have Eating Disorders

Wednesday, October 5, 1:30 - 4:00 p.m

• Led by experts from McMaster's Pediatric Eating Disorders Program
• Learn practical approaches to care 
• Learn when and how to refer to McMaster's program and what to do while waiting for admission
• Learn about other stepped care options

View the invitation to read more and register. NOTE: In-person registration is now closed but registration for virtual attendance remains open.

FREE CME (Mainpro accredited) from the Gay Men's Sexual Health Alliance on PnP/Chemsex

Thursday, October 6, 9:00 a.m. to noon

• Learn about PnP populations that are disproportionately impacted
• Demonstrate knowledge of biopsychosocial context of PnP in the MSM community
• Learn how to practice a harm reduction approach
• Develop competencies in cultural humility and safety and clinical care

Register online and contact Devan Nambiar at GMSH if you have questions.

Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Education Session

Wednesday, Nov. 23, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m.

• Back by popular demand! This virtual webinar will include participation from Public Health Ontario and Hamilton Public Health Services. An agenda and more details are to come.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow

The rooftop garden at 123 James Street yielded a great crop for the Beasley neighbourhood community fridge. Check out this 1.5 minute video about the garden.

The next donation campaign is collecting winter clothes. If you are cleaning out your closets or purchasing winter clothes, consider donating to our winter clothing campaign. More soon!

Gift card winner from the last poll

Last month, we asked several questions about teams and wellness. Folks who provided feedback entered a draw to win a $25 gift card to a locally owned business of their choosing.

The winner for last month's random draw is

Nathalie Debois! Please reach out to HFHT Communications to claim your prize!

Poll of the Month:

The Patient and Provider Safety Committee is interested in knowing what your thoughts are about safety in your own healthcare environment, and topics you'd like to hear more about from the Committee. From the pool of respondents, we will select a random winner to win a gift card!

1) What is your most concerning safety issue?

2) Has your practice(s)/work location attempted to improve patient/provider safety in any way?

3) Of the topics below, which would you benefit most from in terms of future messaging and information?

Thanks for participating!

If you have any further feedback to share, please email Francine.Williams@HamiltonFHT.ca.