The Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation Newsletter • Spring 2012

IN THIS ISSUEBoudreau Bursary 2

INSPIRED 3

Fracture Navigator Program 4

The DGH Auxiliary 7

Donate to the DGH 8

Visit the Dartmouth General Hospital online atwww.dghfoundation.ca

DGH Foundation325 Pleasant Street,Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4G8

902-465-8560

Several months ago, the Department of Health and Wellness along with the Capital District Health Authority announced plans to begin the process of redesign and expansion of the Dartmouth General including the long awaited and greatly anticipated 5th floor development. During the year we will be hearing more about what this will mean for the hospital and the residents of our area. We will be sharing this information with you as we work together to provide improved facilities and services.

The Foundation’s work is to raise funds for much needed medical equipment and this year we have been asked to provide $225,000 for equipment for the Emergency Department, Surgery & Periop Department and for ENT equipment. These include flexible Laryngoscopes, a Glidescope, Ortho Table, Bariatric Laparoscope instruments, an EKG, overhead lights and typhoon flushers for the ER. In addition we will provide $100k for small equipment items

and professional development opportunities for staff when no other funding is available. Your support of our programs and events makes this funding possible.

The Foundation said adieu to two members of our Board of Directors recently. Mary MacPhee, who served as Board Secretary, completed her term at the end of 2011. Kevin Tomlinson is moving back to Ontario in June. They have both been tremendous assets to our Board, and we extend our gratitude to them for their service and wish them the very best in new endeavours.

In this newsletter you will read about two very important and innovative programs that will begin this year at the hospital. The Fracture Navigator Program that is being generously funded by Sun Life Financial and the Inspired Program. Both programs will change the way we address two chronic diseases – osteoporosis and COPD.

InTouch is published semi-annually

for friends and donors of theDartmouth General Hospital.

Board of Directors 2012

Executive Kim Conrad, Chair

Clifford A. Moir, Chair EmeritusBill MacMaster

Vice-Chair & TreasurerMichael Wild, Past ChairShirley Morash, Secretary

DirectorsDiane Burns

Chris GiannouDean Hartman

Todd Howlett, M.D.Chief of Staff Sandy Lambie

Patrick O’ReganFred Smithers

Jamie Thomson

StaffZita Longobardi,

Executive DirectorNicol Clarke,

AdministrationLisa Cottreau,Special Events

All inquiries may be directed to:Dartmouth General Hospital

Charitable Foundation325 Pleasant Street

Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4G8Tel: 465-8560Fax: 465-1129

Email:dghfoundation@cdha.nshealth.ca

Visit our website at:www.dghfoundation.ca

Visit us on Facebook

InTouch | Spring 2012

2

Bernice Boudreau BursaryThe Boudreau Family honoured the palliative care volunteers this year with the 2012 Bernice Boudreau Bursary for their dedication to palliative care. Maureen Carew, Dawn Valardo and Jim Lambie, known as “Volunteer Visitors” have collectively contributed over 2,500 hours to patients and their families who need support. Pictured with the Boudreau family are volunteers, Jim Lambie and Maureen Carew.

Proudly presented by IN SUPPORT OF

FIND OUT MORE!

27th Lobster Dinner & Auction

Thank You for making this year’s event a great success!

3

Spring 2012 | InTouch

INSPIRED is a new evidence-based outreach program for those living with advanced Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This program was first introduced at the QEII. Because current models of care are under stress it has a significant impact on patients, families and the health care system. The program has proven to be very successful at the Halifax Infirmary site. The vision to expand the program to all patients with COPD within CDHA is limited due to funding issues; however the DGH Foundation has provided a grant to enable the program to begin at the Dartmouth General Hospital.

INSPIRED brings together a new multi-disciplinary specialist team who provide holistic, needs-based, hospital-to-home services for patients and family caregivers. Services include: self management education; optimization of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments; action plans; provision of psychosocial-spiritual support; and engagement of patients and family caregivers in advance care planning discussions.

“This is a very valuable program to COPD patients in Dartmouth” says Dr. Jill Lawless.

The Respiratory Department had been recently refurbished including the waiting area thanks to Investors Group Dartmouth.

INSPIRED Comes To The DGH...a new

multi-disciplinary specialist teamwho provide holistic,

needs-based, hospital-to-home services

Sun Life Financial Funds Fracture Navigator Program

InTouch | Spring 2012

4

LEFT TO RIGHT Scott Woodman, Regional Vice-President Sun Life Financial and Michael Wild, a Sun Life Advisor in Dartmouth and Past Chair of The Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation present a cheque for $103,292 to Foundation Chair, Kim Conrad and Dr. Diane Theriault, Program leader.

Osteoporosis is not a benign disease. For the individuals who suffer wrist, spine, shoulder, hip and other fractures as a result of osteoporosis, the stories are personal ones. Pain, disability, reduced mobility and long-term disability are all too frequent. In addition pain and fear of falling can cause individuals to avoid being active and restrict their social activities, leading to isolation from family and friends. Osteoporosis can also negatively impact a person’s self-esteem, especially if fractures cause a loss of height or kyphosis, over curvature of the upper back.

The disease can also place a significant burden on family caregivers who share the anxiety of the disease and are often required to assume additional responsibilities as a result of their family member’s disability and decreased mobility. Both vertebral and hip fractures result in an increased mortality rate. Close to 23% of women and an even higher percentage of men who suffer hip fractures will die within six months of related complications. Many who survive are permanently disabled and one-quarter of hip fracture patients who survive for one year still cannot walk without assistance.

Once an individual has broken a bone due to osteoporosis, they are much more likely to break again. There is no doubt that fracture patients represent a population which is at very high risk to re-fracture.

The Health Care Costs of Osteoporosis

Fractures due to osteoporosis have been associated with an increased length of hospital stays and with increased rates of institutionalization. The impact on the health care system and the cost to society are substantial.

According to the findings of a Canadian study of 18 different health conditions, hip and vertebral fractures were among the top three conditions with extended hospital stays and substantial health care costs. Another Canadian study found that a hip fracture patient who returns home after hospitalization costs the health care system in excess of $21,385 in direct costs, while a patient who must be institutionalized costs over twice as much at $44,156. While yet another study reported that only 44% of people discharged from hospital

for a hip fracture return home. The remaining 10% go to another hospital, 27% go to rehabilitation care and 17% go to long-term care facilities.

Over 80% of fractures in people over the age of 60 are osteoporosis related. In the 2007-08 fiscal year, there were 1073 hip fractures in Nova

Sun Life Financial Funds Fracture Navigator Program

5

Spring 2012 | InTouch

Scotia in persons age 60 and over (data from NS Department of Health). Based on the above information, it can be calculated that the annual costs of osteoporotic hip fractures in Nova Scotia are in excess of $21 million. Reducing the number of hip fractures by only 10% would result in cost avoidance in the order of $2 million.

Bone mineral density (BMD) testing that leads to a diagnosis of osteoporosis provides many benefits: forwarding test results to the primary care physician substantially increases rates of osteoporosis treatment; patient awareness andunderstanding of BMD results increases osteoporosis treatment rates and patient adherence with treatment.

The Care Gap inPost Fracture Care

The rates of osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment in the fracture patient population remain low. This is a recognized international phenomenon. Osteoporosis is not mentioned to the majority of fracture patients. Fewer than 20% of patients who sustain an osteoporotic fracture are tested or treated for osteoporosis in the acute care settings. Canada does not escape this trend. In 2001-02 in Manitoba, only 17.6% of women suffering a hip or spine fracture received osteoporosis medications. A more recent Quebec study revealed that of women over 50 with a fragility fracture, only 21% received either a bone density test or treatment for their underlying osteoporosis. Closer to home, a recent study at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital revealed that of 73 fragility fractures who were assigned to usual care, only 28.8% had BMD testing and only 24.5% received a first line osteoporosis medication.

The current orthopaedic system provides optimal and effective acute care of fracture patients; however the underlying osteoporosis is rarely diagnosed nor treated. Chronic disease management principles would dictate that the goal of the health care system in these fracture patients should be to reduce future complications from their disease including a reduction of repeat fracture burden by initiating early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for such osteoporotic patients.

A Fracture Navigator at DGH Will Help Address the

System Limitations.

Identification of fracture patients with undiagnosed and untreated osteoporosis (earlier screening and diagnosis will lead to prevention of repeat fractures and other fracture related

complications, thus reducing patient suffering and reduce fracture cost on the health care system).

Decreased admissions to nursing homes (for every hip fracture averted, there is freeing up of valuable orthopaedic resources to allow redeployment to total hip and total knee replacement surgery thereby decreasing long wait times for these procedures).

Post-fracture Care Modelsof This Type Have Been Shown to Reduce Overall Healthcare Costs

Thanks to the generosity of Sun Life Financial, the Dartmouth General Hospital will introduce a Fracture Navigator Program this year. Scott Woodman, Regional Vice-President Sun Life Financial and Michael Wild, a Sun Life Advisor in Dartmouth and Past Chair of The Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation, presented the funding in the amount of $103,292 to Dr. Diane Theriault for this program. “One of the main areas of focus for our philanthropy program at Sun Life is supporting health-related initiatives, especially those that promote wellness or prevention. We’re proud to partner with the hospital to be part of a program like the Fracture Navigator, which can make a real difference for many people in our community,” said Mr. Woodman.

Program leader, Dr. Diane Theriault, in expressing gratitude to Sun Life Financial reiterated that this is a major step to improving the health and wellness for all individuals who have osteoporosis.

Many Thanks!

The Affair...Wine, pastries, music and art all with a French flavor set the stage for the inaugural ‘The Affair’ held at the NSCC Waterfront Campus on February 14.

More than 250 people experienced the nightlife of Paris as they sipped French wines at a series of mini wine classes focused on various French wine regions. The classes were led by students and members of the Canadian Association of Professional Sommeliers Atlantic Chapter. Wine regions featured included Bordeaux, Burgundy, the Loire, the Rhone and more. The evening was a huge success and thanks to the generous support of corporate sponsors, attendees, donations of wine by French wineries and

their local suppliers, the goal of raising thousands of dollars for priority medical equipment was achieved. -Occasions Magazine, Spring 2012

InTouch | Spring 2012

6

Sponsored by

Sun Life FinancialConrad GroupKool 96.5 FMScotiabank

Noah’s Mom PhotographyMinuteman Press

Indian Garden FarmsFloors Plus

Absolute Travel Specialists LimitedBy the Glass

The organizational meeting to develop the hospital Auxiliary began May 9th 1973, with 30 prospective members attending. Four years later, on June 7th, 1977, the Auxiliary was “incorporated” and granted “registered charity” status. Currently the Auxiliary coordinates all hospital volunteers and has 148 active members, contributing over 15,000 volunteer hours each year.

The Auxiliary has always played a very active role within the hospital. In early years members served night lunches to patients, handled television rentals, and staffed the Auxiliary Office, the Pastoral Care office, the Medical Library and assisted in the Pharmacy Department. They continue most of these programs today as well as assisting in the Transitional Care Unit, Palliative Care, Menu Program, Information Desk, Emergency Desk and the Diabetic Clinic.

Volunteers staff and manage the Corner Shoppe and the Gift Cart for the convenience of patients and staff.

The Junior Volunteer program (ages 16-18) continues to flourish providing valuable experiences for young people.

For many years the Auxiliary has been recognizing a high school graduate pursuing a medically related program at university or community college with a bursary. Since 2003 the bursary has been valued at $1,500.

In addition to assisting with clinical areas of the hospital, the Auxiliary’s fundraising role is of great importance. Over the years they have conducted many activities, including dinner theatres; fashion shows; 50/50 draws; a winter carnival snowball and many raffles, art shows and a celebrity auction. The Holly Tree Bazaar continues to be a highlight each year supplemented by the St. Patrick’s Day Bake Sale and numerous raffles. The Corner Shoppe

7

Spring 2012 | InTouch

AUXILIARY EXECUTIVE 2012

PRESIDENT - Sandra Lambie

PAST PRESIDENT - Val Conrad

1st VICE PRESIDENT - Marilyn Lee/Ethel Oliver

2nd VICE PRESIDENT - Pat Morris

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY - Lori Beard

RECORDING SECRETARY - Fran Turnbull

TREASURER - Vel Strum

A History of the DGH Auxiliary and Achievements is a major source of revenue providing approximately $45,000 annually towards medical needs of the hospital.

All monies raised are used to purchase items which would not ordinarily be available through operating budgets and has contributed over $1,253,051 to the hospital. Currently, the Auxiliary provided the funding to refurbish the family waiting rooms, a $125,000 project.

One of the most significant hospital projects was the establishment of the Healing Garden in 2006, marking the hospital’s 30th anniversary. Under the guidance of Val Conrad, the garden became a reality and is a stunning oasis for patients, staff and visitors.

Through its history of service to the community, the Auxiliary’s role remains significant. Welcome smiles, offers of help, a listening ear, are everyday examples of what makes this community stronger.

Agreement No.40028771

OPTION 1

Enclosed is my cheque or money order for $_______ payable to: DGH Foundation.

OPTION 2

Please charge $_______ to my credit card. Visa Mastercard AMEX

Card #:_______________________________________________________

Expiry:________________________________________________________

Signature: (TO PERMIT TRANSACTION)__________________________________________

OPTION 3

I’d prefer to pay in monthly installments.

Please deduct $__________ from my bank account on

the 1st or 15th of each month for _______ months or until further notice.

I’ve attached a ‘voided’ cheque.

Ms. Mrs. Mr. Dr. Other

Name (please print) ______________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Postal Code_______________email__________________________________

Dartmouth General Hospital Foundation 325 Pleasant Street Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 4G8Tel. (902) 465.8560/8531

Thank You very much for your support!

Helping us today could mean saving the life

of a loved one in our community.

“Yes, I want to support the Dartmouth General HospitalFoundation for priority medical equipment”

A TAX RECEIPT WILL BE ISSUED PROMPTLY.CHARITABLE REGISTRATION #BN 12245 5611 RR00011

Our Helping Hands Are HereWhen You Need Them!