POUR DIFFUSION IMMÉDIATE / FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  2008-01-22                                                                      N^o / No. : RSR-RHA-080104

REGULAR MONTHLY PUBLIC MEETING OF THE RESTIGOUCHE HEALTH AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Campbellton (N.B.) - The Board of Directors of the Restigouche Health Authority held its regular monthly public meeting on January 21, 2008, at the Campbellton Regional Hospital. Here are the highlights of that meeting:

Report of the President and CEO

President and CEO, Dan Arseneau, reviewed the Quarterly Report on Volume and Service Indicators for the period of April – December 2007.  “Generally speaking, there is not a lot of change in volume and service indicators as compared to the same period in 2006” he said.  For the Campbellton Regional Hospital, the number of admissions is showing a 5.5% decrease and the number of Emergency Room visits a 5.6% decrease.  The number of breast screening procedures has increased by 59.9% and the number of visits to the Extra-Mural Program by 13.0%.

Report of the Professional Advisory Committee (PAC)

Mrs. Ruth Lyons, Chairperson of the Professional Advisory Committee, presented her report. She advised the Board that the PAC has approved protocols and clear guides to follow in screening patients on admission for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), as well as the process to follow for patients who on admission, are known to be MRSA positive.

She also presented highlights of the Performance Report for the 2nd Quarter (July to September 2007).

The Health Authority is actively recruiting health professionals in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.  Positions are available in pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology, social work and speech-language pathology.

Report of the Chief Nursing Officer

Mrs. Gwen Cook, Chief Nursing Officer, presented her report. She advised the Board that the Restigouche Satellite Dialysis Unit celebrated its first anniversary on January 15, 2008.  “We have four dialysis stations operating six days a week and providing services to 16 patients” she said.

Mrs. Cook also advised the Board that a partnership between the nursing homes in Campbellton and Dalhousie, the New Brunswick Community College – Campbellton Campus and the Health Authority is being developed to address the shortage of patient service workers.  The 22-week training program will assist with staffing issues in the Nursing Homes and the Campbellton Regional Hospital.

Finance and Planning Committee

The Finance and Planning Committee reported a deficit of $497,064 for Transferable Programs, and a surplus of $51,082 for Non-Transferable Programs as of October 31, 2007.  The Mental Health budget deficit is $286,146.

Presentation on Patient Safety

Mrs. Diane Mignault, Director of the Quality Management and Decision Support Department, and Mrs. Monique McNair, Manager of Risk and Patient Safety, made a presentation on Patient Safety.  Highlights of their presentation included:

• Canadian Adverse Event Study – Baker/Norton Report
• Steps to improve Patient Safety
• Restigouche Health Authority : what has been done to date and what needs to be done in the future
• Roles of Health Leaders

New Specialist

The CEO was pleased to inform the Board of the arrival of a new specialist for Region 5.  “Dr. Pradeep Shenoy, Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) surgeon, is scheduled to begin work in June 2008.  This is certainly excellent news, as we haven’t had a full-time ENT specialist in Region 5 for approximately 15 years.  Dr. Shenoy will have clinics in Dalhousie and Campbellton and perform surgeries at the Campbellton Regional Hospital” said the CEO.

Date of next meeting

Monday, March 10, 2008 – Campbellton Regional Hospital.