Chez nous - The MCH Employee Newsletter

Welcome to the Web edition of Chez nous! Here you’ll find all articles from the current printed edition of Chez nous as well many news items, events and other information found only on the online edition. 

February 9, 2009 Edition

NEWS

How a tiny baby learned to eat
“We went from a nightmare to a sweet dream,” says Zola’s mother, Dina. “The Feeding Disorders Clinic changed our lives.” Read more +

Construction begins for new state-of-the-art intraoperative MRI suite
On Monday, January 19, work started on construction of the B3 extension to house the new intraoperative MRI suite. The crane was in front of the main entrance for two weeks. The main entrance will be partially closed as construction continues for the next two months. The MCH will be the first Canadian pediatric hospital to have this type of equipment which allows surgeons to have an MRI performed during a surgical procedure.

MCH ER gets a face-lift: Two years of renovations are finally over
The renovations to the MCH Emergency Department are over!
 

To see photos of the newly renovated ER, click here.

MCH Trauma launches its new website
MCH Trauma hopes that by launching their new website it will give the hospital an edge on diffusing information in many aspects of trauma care, injury prevention and education. +

The Ideal Patient Room – on Tour
To give the public a glimpse of the healing, comforting and high-tech single patient rooms that will be the centrepiece of our redeveloped campuses, the McGill University Health Centre has built a life-size model room and is taking it ‘on tour’ around Montreal. Chez Nous sat down with Sylvie Ampleman, an MUHC nurse involved in the design, to talk about the model patient room and what the public reaction has been so far. +

MCH Trauma passes government accreditation processes with flying colors.
On November 20, 2008, the Neurotrauma Program of MCH Trauma underwent a triple accreditation process. As longstanding partners in the provincial trauma network, for the past two years we worked with eight regions in the southern and western part of the province to be accredited as an inter-regional consortium. +

Statutory Holiday at MCH
Monday, February 23, will be a statutory holiday for employees of the MCH and the other MUHC sites. On this day, all hospital services will operate on a weekend schedule. Please inform parents and patients about this and don’t forget to change your telephone message and display the posters that were sent to every department.

MUHC Health Education Collection now available on the Intranet
The Education Healthcare and Informatics Portfolio (EHIP) is pleased to announce the Intranet launch of the MUHC Health Education Collection, available through any MUHC computer. +

MCH Career Day attracts close to 400 high school students
On January 27 and February 3, close to 400 grade 10 and 11 students piled in to the MCH Amphitheatre for the 3rd Annual MCH Career Day organized by Public Relations and Communications. The goal of the event was to show the students from 10 different French and English schools the wide variety of careers in the health care field and to introduce them to the MCH and MUHC.

Many thanks to this year's presenters who willingly gave their presentations twice: Dr. Sharon Abish, oncologist, Karen Casey, nutritionist, Johanne L'Ecuyer, Radiation Technologist, Carlo Galli, Trauma Coordinator / physiotherapist, Nicole Ann Poitras, nurse, Jessika Truong, pharmacist, Tasha Kokinasidis, Human Resources, and The Honourable Dr. Arthur T. Porter,  CEO and Executive Director MUHC. In their evaluations, the students said they appreciated learning about the different jobs and some said the day helped either solidify their decision to pursue a specific career or peaked their interest in a particular career.



EVENTS

The Awards of Excellence: The clock is ticking!
The deadline is almost here for The Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation Awards of Excellence submissions. Nomination forms will be accepted until February 27, 2009.

If you have a colleague who has always impressed you, it’s time to nominate them for an Award of Excellence.

Info: Valerie Frost, Director of Special Events, MCHF, ext. 29253.


Memorial Service
A memorial service is being organized to remember the children who have died recently at the MCH. We shall also be commemorating children who have died of SIDS. All staff members are warmly invited to attend this service, which will be held on Tuesday February 17 at 2 p.m. in the Amphitheatre (D-182).

Lunch & Learn: Guitar 101
Luke Quin, communications coordinator at the MCH Foundation, and former guitarist for Canadian ska group General Rudie, is offering a group guitar lesson for beginners and intermediates during a Lunch & Learn hour at the MCH. Also known as the “guitar doctor”, Luke believes that with a little guidance, everyone can improve their skills regardless of their level.

Date: Wednesday, February 18
Time: 12:00 Noon
Room: D-162

RSVP: Terry at 24307
Presented by the Quality of Life at Work Committee

Employees' Coffee Break
To mark Valentine's Day and the end of the Award of Excellence nominations, the Quality of Life at Work Committee and the MCH Foundation invite you for a coffee at the Cafeteria and to meet a few colleagues while you're at it.

This invitation is also for the evening and night staff. Don't miss out! Join us at the beginning or end of your shift.

Date: Friday, February 13
Time: 7:30 to 10:30 a.m., and  from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Where: MCH Cafeteria
See you there!

Department of Nursing Awards of Excellence 2009: Nomination period starts February 23
It’s time once again to recognize excellence in nursing at the MCH. As in past years, the Department of Nursing Awards of Excellence will be given at each site throughout the MUHC. Categories for nursing excellence include individual nurse, leadership, partner in practice, professional development (group and individual), and the Valerie Shannon MUHC Award for Innovative Leadership, given to a nurse or group of nurses demonstrating innovative leadership in nursing practice.

The nomination period runs from February 23 to March 27, 2009. The MCH committee for the Nursing Awards of Excellence will soon notify staff on how to obtain nomination packages which include application forms. For more information, contact Andréane Pharand at 22569.

The winners will be announced at the Awards Ceremony will take place in May. Details on the event will be published in future issues of Chez nous.


CONTINUING EDUCATION

See the list of grand rounds and other continuing education events  happening at the MCH in the coming weeks.


IN FOCUS

Technology dependant children getting the care they deserve
He is dependant on a ventilator to keep him alive. This child lives in the hospital, but thanks to one pioneer he is getting the best, most humane care possible. +


OUR PEOPLE

Two MUHC nurses help families cope with the sudden loss of a loved one
“The Families we take care of come to the MUHC hospitals because of a sudden traumatic event; some of whom are subsequently declared brain dead,” says Wendy. “Obviously people are in shock so we support, explain and help them cope as well as we can under the given circumstances. We become the family’s advocate, and in turn provide them with an opportunity to help those waiting for an organ or tissue donation.” +