Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: COVID-19

  • Wellness Together Canada

    Shared by Wellness Together

    Shared on February 11, 2021

    Now more than ever, the mental health of people across Canada is being challenged. The COVID-19 pandemic is often thought of as a public health crisis, but it is also proving to be a mental health crisis.
    Services nationwide continue to experience unprecedented demand as people struggle to cope with the mental health impacts of isolation, financial uncertainty and the complex challenges brought about by disruptions to daily routines.
    Every person in Canada deserves access to free, immediate and 24/7 mental health support during these trying times. Wellness Together Canada is here to help.

    About Wellness Together Canada
    Wellness Together Canada is Canada’s first and only online platform offering immediate mental health support for people of all ages, in every province and territory, and in both official languages.
    It provides a “stepped care” model where Canadians can be instantly connected to virtual mental health services, from a five-minute self-assessment, to extensive support and resources, to live phone, video or text counselling with a mental health professional or crisis responder.
    The portal is funded by the Government of Canada.

    Available Resources

    • All services and resources are available 24/7 at no cost to users, ever. This includes:
    • Immediate crisis support
    • Mental health self-assessment and monitoring
    • Access to self-directed virtual programs
    • Moderated community of support
    • Virtual group coached anxiety program
    • E-courses, including drop-in mindfulness class
    • Live one-on-one counselling support by video, phone, or text
    • Get Help Now
    • Visit Wellness Together Canada for 24/7 access to free mental health and substance use support at wellnesstogether.ca.
    • For Immediate Crisis Support: Text WELLNESS to 741741.
    • If it is an emergency, phone 911.

    Sharable Resources:

    Return to: COVID-19 Resources: Mental Health and Wellness during COVID-19

  • QI in Action eBulletin # 104 – Identifying Priority Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination from EMRs

    QI in Action eBulletin # 104 – Identifying Priority Populations for COVID-19 Vaccination from EMRs

    In this Issue:

    • What is POPLAR?
    • POPLAR and COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization
    • Data Security & Privacy
    • How to Register?
    • COVID-19 Cancer Screening Tip Sheet for Primary Care Providers
    • Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey
    • Upcoming Webinars

    What is POPLAR?

    The Primary Care Ontario Practice-based Learning and Research Network (POPLAR) is an initiative of Ontario’s six University Departments/Sections of Family Medicine and the Alliance for Healthier Communities. POPLAR securely collects and de-identifies electronic medical record (EMR) data to support practices in delivering optimal care across Ontario and strengthen practice-based clinical research and quality improvement processes.

    POPLAR works with clinicians, researchers, and policy makers, providing information on the vital work primary care does, while supporting practices in delivering optimal care across Ontario. Currently, over 1,000 family physicians are contributing EMR data for over 1.8 million patients to the POPLAR database.

    POPLAR and COVID-19 Vaccine Prioritization

    Building on the work POPLAR has done in the past 10+ years, POPLAR can assist practices wishing to identify patients that should be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccinations. This relies on EMR data that have been extracted from primary care practices, cleaned, and standardized. The data can accurately identify groups of patients meeting various criteria.
    Complex queries can sometimes be difficult to run in EMRs. POPLAR can readily flag patients to be prioritized when the identification parameters rely on multiple criteria (e.g., age range + uncontrolled diabetes + obesity).

    POPLAR data is also linkable to census data, which means that differences in neighborhood socio-economic levels can be added to health data in EMRs; this allows a more comprehensive assessment of risks. This is especially relevant for vaccination prioritization: we know that social challenges our patients live with, such as poverty, can be associated with a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 and greater risk of serious complications once infected.

    POPLAR can obtain aggregate measures from census data at the neighbourhood level, including type of residence, immigration status, average household income, unemployment, education.

    There is strong evidence in Ontario that the risk of infection varies by neighbourhood and is associated with each neighborhood’s socio-demographic profile. For example, in Ottawa, neighbourhoods with more Black, Middle Eastern, low income, and single-family residents have higher rates of COVID-19 infections.

    COVID an neighbourhood chart- ebulletin #104

    We can only understand the impact of COVID-19 on our practices and our patients through collecting and analyzing accurate and representative health data. The pandemic has exposed many data gaps in Ontario. Our teams are vitally important to ensure that those we serve are included, as our information reflects our settings, patients, and communities. Collectively, primary care’s voice can be heard by providing safe and secure access to real-world data; this is possible with your help!  Register with the POPLAR network member closest to you today to start contributing your EMR data.

    Data Security & Privacy

    POPLAR only studies de-identified patient and practice data. POPLAR complies with robust ethics, governance and security measures. Individual patients have the right to opt out of their data being collected through POPLAR’s networks for research.

    Data for QI in Your practice

    Generation of de-identified EMR dataset

     

     

     

     

     

     

    How to Register?

    Help POPLAR build practical evidence in family medicine, by supporting the collective Culture of Curiosity and by contributing data. The time and effort it takes to safely and securely contribute is minimal. All you need do is fill out a consent form and a brief survey; POPLAR staff will coordinate data extraction at your practice, with all safeguards in place.

    If you are interested in registering, or if you would like to find out more information about POPLAR, please contact Sandeep Gill at Sandeep.gill@afhto.ca, who will then direct your query to your local network contact. More information can also be found on the AFHTO website here.

    COVID-19 Cancer Screening Tip Sheet for Primary Care Providers

    In June 2020, Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) released COVID-19 Tip Sheet #15: Guidance for primary care providers resuming breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening to support primary care providers as they resumed cancer screening. This updated streamlined tip sheet was developed to continue to support primary care providers with cancer screening based on ongoing fluctuations in COVID-19 cases and local variation in COVID-19 trends.

    Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey

    Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey

    Last year, we launched the Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey for teams to implement in order to capture the patient experience with virtual care. Moving ahead we are collecting teams’ aggregate responses as we create a narrative of how virtual care could be permanently included in the patient care journey – submit your data here!

     

    Upcoming Webinars:

    Primary Care Virtual Groups – Transitioning A CBT Program & Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab Program To Virtual
    February 17, 2021 (12-1 pm EST)
    This webinar is in collaboration with two Family Health Teams transitioning in person programs to virtual. Scarborough Academic FHT will share how they transferred their CBT skills group for depression and anxiety to online along with the benefits and challenges. Arnprior FHT is presenting on how they modified an in-person Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab to Virtual in the rural community of Arnprior, ON. Learn more and register here.

    Engaging and Supporting Caregivers In Primary Care Teams: Working Together To Improve Outcomes And Enhance The Patient, Caregiver, And Family Experience
    February 25, 2021 (12-1 pm EST)
    In this webinar, learn about the Ontario Caregiver Organization and the key programs, services, and resources they offer. Learn about three key caregiver-related strategies that can positively impact health outcomes and the patient/family/caregiver experience. Find out about resources, programs, and actions that primary care teams can take to help advance these strategies. Learn more and register here.

     

    Interested in sharing your teams’ initiatives in a future webinar? Email Sandeep Gill – Sandeep.gill@afhto.ca to learn more about the AFHTO KTE Webinar Schedule!

    In Case You Missed It: Check out eBulletin #103 or other back issues here!
    Questions? Comments? Contact us at improve@afhto.ca.

     

  • Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring resources, fact sheets and more

    Bits & Pieces: COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring resources, fact sheets and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring program resources now available
    • Happy Psychology month
    • Supply Ontario survey
    • Interprofessional primary care during COVID-19: a survey of the provider perspective
    • Correction-anti-racism webinar series open to members
    • COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet, cancer screening update and more
    • Reminder- primary care virtual groups webinar, Feb. 17, 2021
    • Trans health mentorship call
    • Infection prevention and control at work: basic awareness training
    • Microsoft Teams update
    • PHAC webinar: emerging issues on covid-19 vaccines: allergies, anaphylaxis, and low dead volume syringes
    • Upcoming events including transitioning programs to virtual and more

    COVID-19 collaborative home monitoring program resources now available

    Related to this recently launched program, Georgian Bay FHT has provided resources to help other members set up their own program, including CHMP pathway, patient information handouts and EMR assessment forms.

    Happy Psychology month

    To all our Psychologists, thank you for looking out for Ontarians’ mental health throughout the pandemic. Happy Psychology Month!

    Reminder- The Ontario Psychological Association is also still working with AFHTO to improve access to psychological services in times of need. Last spring, they activated the Disaster Response Network to connect essential front-line workers who needed support from psychologists. Until March 31st, Ontario physicians, nurse practitioners and FHTs may still refer essential workers with no or limited health benefits directly to OPA or inform patients to call 211 to be connected to a psychologist within 48 hours. Up to 6 counselling sessions are offered at no cost.

    Supply Ontario survey

    The government recently established Supply Ontario, a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services.

    They’re asking for input to help identify where there may be opportunities to improve the value that the agency can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes. Deadline February 24.

    Interprofessional primary care during COVID-19: a survey of the provider perspective
    Thank you to those who participated in the survey led by Drs. Catherine Donnelly (and Jordan Miller and Rachelle Ashcroft. An article has now been published, with input from our own Sandeep Gill.

    Correction- Anti-racism webinar series open to members
    Hosted by Central Brampton FHT’s mental health team & CMHA Toronto Opening Doors Project, Anti-Racism – What is it and Where do you fit in? is a webinar series with four consecutive episodes, which offers an opportunity to explore our own individual identities and how it relates to practicing anti-racism:

    • Part 1: Reflecting on our own Identities -Feb. 17 AND 24
    • Part 2: Building Bridges: Anti-Racism 101- Mar. 3 AND 10

    Members are welcome to attend.

    COVID-19 vaccine fact sheet, cancer screening update and more

    Recent updates include:

    We continue to update several pages on our site with resources and news:

    Reminder- primary care virtual groups webinar, Feb. 17, 2021

    This webinar is in collaboration with two FHTs transitioning in-person programs to virtual. Scarborough Academic FHT will share how they transferred their CBT skills group for depression and anxiety to online along with the benefits and challenges.

    Arnprior FHT is presenting on how they modified an in-person Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab to Virtual in their rural community. In this webinar they will share their patients’ thoughts and feelings on the program adjustment, discussing wins and struggles along the way. Register here.

    Trans health mentorship call

    Rainbow Health Ontario’s Trans Health Mentorship call is a teleconference every other week for Ontario clinicians to connect with peers who have experience caring for trans and non-binary service users.  

    The call is open to any professional (physician, nurse, social worker, mental health worker, etc.) who is or will be working with trans and non-binary service users. Learn more here.

    An employee with glasses, mask and glove cleans a counter

     

    Infection prevention and control at work: basic awareness training

    A new online training program is now available to help Ontario workers recognize infection hazards in the workplace and what can be done to prevent them. Developed in consultation with infection control consultants and epidemiologists, this free, 30-minute eLearning program from Public Services Health & Safety Association equips workers with knowledge in how infections spread and what action can be taken to protect themselves and others in the workplace.

     

     

    Microsoft Teams update

    AFHTO continues its conversations with Ontario Health on extending the Microsoft 365 licensing (which includes Microsoft Teams) to AFHTO members. Ontario Health is working through the details with Microsoft, and they are considering affiliate licensing that would be made available through a licensing provider. AFHTO will advise members when the affiliate licensing has been set up, along with the details on the discount pricing (hopefully before fiscal year end).

    PHAC webinar: emerging issues on covid-19 vaccines: allergies, anaphylaxis, and low dead volume syringes

    Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) webinar hosted by the National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID):
    English Session
    February 10, 2021 1pm-3:00pm EST
    Register: Click here
     
    French Session
    February 12, 2021  1pm-3:00pm EST
    Register: Click here
     
    Previous Public Health Agency of Canada COVID-19 vaccine webinars for health care providers can be found here.

    Engaging and supporting caregivers in primary care teams: working together to improve outcomes and enhance the patient, caregiver, and family experience, Feb. 25, 2021

    Cohosted with Ontario Caregiver Organization, this webinar will highlight resources and opportunities for teams to support and engage caregivers.

    Register today.

    Waiting Room Revolution – A Podcast About Unlocking the Secrets to a Better Illness Experience

    Drs. Hsien Seow and Samantha Winemaker share the stories of patients and families’ serious illness journeys. Listen to the first 4 episodes today.

    Goal Management Training for Treatment of Executive Dysfunction, Feb. 19, 2021
    Learn more about the intervention, research, and models to deliver Goals Management Training virtually. Learn more here.

    Recognizing and Managing Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care during COVID-19, Feb. 9, 2021
    Ontario Health webinar with experts in the field and resources about how to support patients presenting in primary care with symptoms of anxiety. Register here.

    Personal Resilience for Hospice Palliative Care, Mar. 3, 2021
    Learn how to enhance personal resilience during even the most challenging times.
    Find out more here.

    Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
    The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.

    Advance Care Planning & Goals of E-Learning Modules, Available until Mar. 31, 2021
    The HPCO is offering their e-modules on person-centred decision making for a limited time. Register before the end of March to access the resources. Learn more here.

  • Winter Highlights 2021: AFHTO Leadership Council

    The AFHTO Leadership Council met on February 4, 2021. Below are the highlights from the winter 2021 council meeting; updates on last week’s meeting with officials at the Ministry of Health; and links to useful resources.

    AFHTO review

    • Highlights of the work that is keeping AFHTO busy were shared with the council, including COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, OHT development, the pre-budget submission, and quality improvement work. Updates on vaccination roll-out and OHT development are later in the communique.
    • The pre-budget submission is underway in collaboration with the Ontario College of Family Physicians, the OMA’s Section on General and Family Practice, and the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario.
      • Together, we are recommending expansion of team-based primary care; embedding mental health and addiction and home and community care services in primary care; and strengthening virtual care foundations in primary care.
      • The submission will be posted on AFHTO’s site next week, after it has been submitted.
    • An update on the work of AFHTO’s Quality & Knowledge Translation Program was provided to the council and can be read here.
    • Dr. Rob Annis, a member of AFHTO’s board of directors, spoke to governance structure changes that are underway at the Ontario Medical Association. New board members could help drive leadership and change in primary care. Member leaders are encouraged to apply, and physicians are encouraged to vote for primary care representation. The deadline to apply is tomorrow, February 9, and voting is March 23 to April 13. Anyone with questions can contact Dr. Annis.

    COVID-19 vaccination roll-out

    • Leadership council members received an update from Dr. Daniel Warshafsky (Senior Medical Consultant, Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health) and Nadia Surani (Director, Primary Health Care Branch) on the provincial approach to vaccination roll-out.  AFHTO is regularly speaking with the Ministry of Health and the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force regarding the role of primary care in vaccine roll-out – in stage 2, but particularly in stage 3 when the general population will be vaccinated.
    • Work is being done to ensure primary care is a pillar in the planning. The pivot of primary care to go into mass vaccination clinics will be part of the planning.
    • As vaccine planning happens across the province, a reminder that PHUs are in charge of the planning and are to engage with primary care. Primary care will determine clinical priorities and will need to decide if there is capacity to support initiatives like mass immunization campaigns. Please connect with your PHU to ensure that they are sharing their vaccine roll-out plans, and share your plans with us.
    • Teams are reminded that they can access the provincial Pandemic PPE Transitional Support stockpile through the remedy system (even if you have more than 7 days of stock you can still access this supply). Ignore the question that asks if you have connected with your supplier first.  
    • A detailed update was circulated on Saturday, February 6, and can be read here.

    OHT development

    Triad survey: Primary care priorities

    • Thank you to triad members who completed a survey that was circulated prior to the leadership council meeting to help AFHTO frame priorities moving forward. Feedback is still welcome.
    • The survey was one question: “In your role as ED, board chair, or lead physician, what do you think is the biggest opportunity for primary care teams to focus on over the next 3 to 6 months?” The following were shared as top priorities and discussed with the council:
      • COVID-19 vaccination roll-out
      • Mental health and addiction challenges and needed support
      • Advancing OHT work
      • Maximizing utility of virtual care
      • Spreading access to team-based programs and services
      • Getting back on track
    • AFHTO will continue to focus on supporting teams in these areas.

    Meeting with the Primary Health Care Branch, Ministry of Health
    AFHTO met with officials from the Ministry of Health’s Primary Health Care Branch on Thursday, February 4, following the leadership council meeting. Here are the highlights of the meeting with the ministry:

    • Mental health and addiction funding letters
      • The letters are in the final stage of approval and, once signed, the Ministry will be sending them out to all interprofessional teams.
      • All FHTs will receive a minimum of $5,000, with a top-up based on roster size. Teams can choose to pool this funding within regions to target areas in greatest need.
      • At the moment, the expectation will be to utilize the funds by fiscal year end, but a parallel stream of work is happening at the Ministry to enable the funding to be carried into next fiscal year. This is still to be determined.
    • Annual Operating Plans and funding support:
      • About 60% of teams submitted their Annual Operating Plans for FY 2020/2021, which the Ministry is currently reviewing in tandem with AOPs submitted in FY 2019/2020. A reminder that you do not have to mention all the COVID-related clinics you are doing as those are one-time events.
      • The Ministry recognizes that program and service delivery targets may be affected as a direct result of COVID. Teams will not be penalized if programs and services are not delivered as planned and should continue to balance urgent/high need service provision with the need to support COVID testing/assessment centres and vaccination roll out.
      • Timelines for AOPs for FY 2021/2022 has not yet been determined.  
      • Although there is not a pool of operational funding to support teams right now, the Ministry continues to ask teams to keep track of COVID-related expenses to enable advocacy for more funding if needed in the next fiscal year (ex. upgrades of IT for virtual care, licenses for virtual care modalities, IPAC in your teams). As we will be entering into a new political cycle, we are hopeful it may create opportunities for further investment in primary care. Teams are advised to start thinking about other increased budgetary demands, such as rent increases, so we can begin advocacy efforts accordingly.
      • Though budget funding requests typically are only reviewed during the AOP submissions, teams are still able to make unsolicited in-year funding requests through their ministry program consultant, although there is no guarantee that those requests will be met.
    • FHT contract:
      • The FHT contract is expiring in March 2022. Although we have had preliminary discussions with the Ministry on opportunities to modernize the contracts, we expect that there will be at least a one-year extension to the current contract due to the impacts of COVID. We will keep members updated as we learn more.
    • Pandemic pay:
      • We have heard that some primary care staff redeployed to an assessment centre run by hospitals still have not received their pandemic pay. The Ministry confirmed that hospitals have been reimbursed for March and April expenses and are still working on the subsequent months’ reimbursement, so this may be creating delays. If you are still having issues in accessing pandemic pay for your staff, please let us know.

    Supply Ontario survey

    • The government recently established Supply Ontario, a single integrated supply chain across the public sector that will leverage the province’s purchasing power to provide greater value and consistent access to high-quality products and services. They are asking for input to help identify where there may be opportunities to improve the value that the agency can deliver for your organization and patients, through better supply chain processes.
    • Please take a moment to fill out this survey by Wednesday, February 24.    

    Webcasts and other supports

    And, finally, for new members of the council who may not have access to the members only section of the website – or any member who may not have signed up for it! – you can set up your log-in here:

    • Click on ‘Member Login’ in the top right corner of AFHTO’s homepage
    • Go to “Create New Account” and follow the steps
    • All individuals are verified as members by AFHTO staff and then permission is granted.
    • If your email address does not show the team where you work, members are encouraged to send a quick email to info@afhto.ca to share this information after creating the account. This helps ensure permission is quickly granted.

  • February 6th Update on COVID-19 Vaccination Roll Out

    Dear Members,

    We are writing to provide you with an update from our united Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council (*PC-VAC). This week’s key messages that we shared with vaccine decision-makers can be found here.

    We are mindful that the news regarding vaccines is evolving daily, and we will have to continue to be prepared for changes and uncertainties in the coming months as a sector. Along with our partners in primary care, we are committed to sharing regular updates, usually weekly, except on weeks where there are no significant new developments to share.

    New Resources:

    • The Ministry has provided a number of guidance documents describing common side effects following vaccination including an After Care sheet and Guidance for Health Care Workers.
    • We know that vaccine supply issues are an ongoing concern but phase 1 continues to roll out with the intent to accelerate the vaccination of long-term care, high-risk retirement, and First Nations elder care residents. Please click here to read the most up to date COVID-19 Vaccination Technical Briefing.
    • The OCFP has developed a resource for special populations and the recording for their most recent Community of Practice session on New Vaccines, building vaccine confidence and more from February 5, 2021 can be found here.
    • A COVID-19 – Allergy/Immunology BASE™ Managed Specialty Group is now available through Ontario eConsult. Physicians and nurse practitioners can ask COVID-19 vaccine allergy related clinical questions to Allergy and Clinical Immunology specialists electronically and receive a response within days.

    Patient Resources:

    Other Information:

    • The updated prioritization framework for the population is being finalized for approval by the cabinet over the next few weeks and we will share the guidance document once it is received.
    • The COVID-19 Science Table released its lessons learned from Israel’s vaccine rollout, including: “leveraging primary care providers, including family doctors, nurse practitioners and other community-based clinicians who have established relationships with patients is key to promoting vaccine confidence, while increasing human resources required to administer vaccines as quickly as the supply will allow.”
    • The Ontario Hospital Association released a media statement calling for the need to migrate vaccination efforts away from hospitals to public health, primary care, and pharmacies.
    • We continue to work with public health to encourage all the public health units to engage primary care early, are supporting connections with local primary care leaders, and are soon releasing a practical guide to primary care partnership in vaccine rollout. Please ask your PHU for your region’s vaccine rollout strategy if you have not seen it and share with us so we can support best practices across the province.  
    • COVAXON is the provincial system to record COVID vaccination, adverse events and eventually also integrate the approved prioritization sequence.  
      • See ADM Memo to Primary Care – COVID-19 Vaccination and COVAXON, February 1, 2021.
      • The prioritization framework will be integrated into COVAXON and an associated scheduling system is planned that will enable patients to choose their preferred locations and make direct appointment bookings.
      • While it likely won’t be fully integrated into your EMR, we understand COVAXON system will be able to send reports of your vaccinated patients to your EMR.  

    To facilitate coordinated action in primary care, we are seeking to understand beliefs relating to the COVID-19 vaccine and what supports are needed for healthcare professionals in primary care. Please complete this new, very brief survey to help gain a better understanding of your perspectives and experience. Click here to access the survey.

    We look forward to continually updating you on the provincial vaccination strategy. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or ideas.

    Yours in good health,

    The AFHTO Team

    *Ontario Primary Care COVID-19 Vaccination Action Council:

    • Alliance for Healthier Communities
    • Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario
    • Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
    • Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic Association/Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario
    • Ontario College of Family Physicians
    • Ontario Medical Association Section on General and Family Practice
    • Ontario’s Academic Chairs of Family Medicine

  • Georgian Bay FHT launches a Home Monitoring Program with their OHT for COVID patients at home

    Collingwood Today article published January 29, 2021

    By Collingwood Today

    To better support residents in South Georgian Bay who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are recovering at home, the South Georgian Bay Ontario Health Team (SGB OHT) has launched a Home Monitoring Program to care for high-risk patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19.

    A similar program was created at the London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) in response to the emerging evidence and research surrounding the dangers of ‘silent hypoxia’ in patients who tested positive for COVID-19. Silent hypoxia occurs when a patient’s oxygen levels fall dangerously low, while not displaying significant respiratory symptoms, such as shortness of breath. If not attended to, silent hypoxia can result in serious health complications, including respiratory failure.

    In response to this risk, The Georgian Bay Family Health Team, Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, and the North Simcoe Muskoka Local Health Integration Network Home and Community Care collaborated to develop a shared community response to care for high-risk patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. The LHSC team provided consultation and resources to the SGB OHT clinical team – enabling them to adapt the program to the South Georgian Bay community.

    Patients in the program receive a pulse oximeter and education on its use, in addition to daily nurse-led virtual visits to assess oxygen levels, symptoms and overall health, as they monitor for signs of silent hypoxia.

    “Patients with COVID-19 may only have mild symptoms when they are first diagnosed, but things can progress quickly, especially from day 5-10 after the onset of symptoms,” says Dr. Mark Quigg, a family physician with the Georgian Bay Family Health Team. “Through this program, our nurses are able to proactively identify patients who are showing signs of silent hypoxia and get them into treatment before their oxygen levels become critical and they require intensive care. This is especially important as the number of COVID-19 cases in our community continue to rise and potentially become more contagious. Any efforts to reduce the use of intensive care resources is essential to the integrity and sustainability of our health care system.”

    The COVID-19 Home Monitoring Program is a powerful tool in helping patients receive early intervention when needed, and thereby avoiding rapid decline and requirement for intubation and ventilation. It is believed that as a result of this program, a number of lives have been saved in South Georgian Bay, through a collaborative approach to care.

    May Porter and her husband Gord from Wasaga Beach, Ontario have been enrolled in the COVID-19 Home Monitoring Program since their COVID-19 diagnosis in the New Year. Porter says that she looks forward to the call from the program nurses every day. “The equipment helps me to know that my oxygen levels are OK and that I don’t need to worry about every little change in my symptoms. The regular calls from the nurses have given me reassurance and support and we are so grateful for all that has been done for us, while I was in the hospital and at home.”

    Dr. Quigg has seen firsthand how the program has not only helped patients deal with their physical symptoms, but also provides a level of emotional support. “Being diagnosed with COVID 19 is very frightening for many patients and the program nurses are able to provide emotional support and guidance during their daily ‘virtual rounds’ that many patients appreciate.”

    Patients can be referred into the COVID-19 Home Monitoring Program through their primary healthcare provider, public health, and the Collingwood General and Marine Hospital, upon discharge.

    For more information about the South Georgian Bay COVID-19 Home Monitoring Program and criteria for referral, please visit www.gbfht.ca.

    Read the full article here

    To learn more and view other COVID-19 initiatives by AFHTO members, click here.

  • Bits & Pieces: engaging and supporting caregivers webinar Feb. 25 and more

    Bits & Pieces: engaging and supporting caregivers webinar Feb. 25 and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Engaging and Supporting Caregivers, Feb. 25
    • Members’ stories
    • Anti-racism webinar series open to members
    • Mental Health and Additions Centre of Excellence supports for HCW and more
    • Now is the Time to Choose Wisely: Advancing QI slides and video
    • Improving access and navigation to psychological services during COVID-19
    • Prenatal Screening Ontario seeking working group members
    • Survey to better understand public beliefs and perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccines
    • COVID-19 cohort study in GTA
    • Joint letter on vaccination roll-out and community providers
    • Upcoming events including transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual and more

    Engaging and Supporting Caregivers, Feb. 25

    There are 3.3 million family caregivers in Ontario who play a critical role in health outcomes. We are pleased to cohost a webinar with the Ontario Caregiver Organization which will highlight resources and opportunities for teams to support and engage caregivers:

    • Learn about the Ontario Caregiver Organization and the key programs, services and resources they offer.
    • Learn about three key caregiver-related strategies that can positively impact health outcomes and the patient/family/caregiver experience.
    • Find out about resources, programs, and actions that teams can take to help advance these strategies.

    Register for this webinar on Feb. 25.

    Members’ stories

    City of Lakes Family FHT staff with the Tim Hortons for Good campaign van

    City of Lakes FHT – The City of Lakes Family FHT was visited by the Tim Hortons for Good campaign Feb. 1.

    Georgian Bay FHT – South Georgian Bay OHT has launched a Home Monitoring Program to care for high-risk patients with suspect or confirmed COVID-19.

    Anti-racism webinar series open to members
    Hosted by Central Brampton FHT’s mental health team & CMHA Toronto Opening Doors Project, Anti-Racism – What is it and Where do you fit in? is a webinar workshop series which offers an opportunity to explore our own individual identities and how it relates to practicing anti-racism:

    • Part 1: Reflecting on our own Identities -Feb. 17 & 24
    • Part 2: Building Bridges: Anti-Racism 101- Mar. 3 & 10

    Members are welcome to attend.

    Mental Health and Additions Centre of Excellence supports for HCW and more

    Recent updates include:

    We continue to update several pages on our site with resources and news:

    Now is the Time to Choose Wisely: Advancing QI slides and video

    Choosing Wisely webinar slide

    On January 27 we cohosted a webinar with Choosing Wisely Canada on improving practice, enhancing patient experiences, and reducing unnecessary tests and treatments. Slides and video are now available.

    Improving access and navigation to psychological services during COVID-19

    Ontario Psychological Association has recently launched Askforhelptoday.ca, a new e-referral and matching service that improves the way Ontarians connect to psychological services. Funded by RBC Insurance, it utilizes technology from Strata Health Solutions to match patients to the most appropriate provider. OPA navigators will ensure each patient is connected quickly and confidentially to a psychologist based on their needs and personal preferences. This can be paid either through benefits or out of pocket.

    The Ontario Psychological Association is also still working with AFHTO to improve access to psychological services in times of need. Last spring, they activated the Disaster Response Network to connect essential front-line workers who needed support from psychologists. Until March 31st, Ontario physicians, nurse practitioners and FHTs may still refer essential workers with no or limited health benefits directly to OPA or inform patients to call 211 to be connected to a psychologist within 48 hours. Up to 6 counselling sessions are offered at no cost.

    Woman in blue shirt making heart on stomach

     

    Prenatal Screening Ontario seeking working group members

    Consider using your experience to support Ontario’s prenatal screening system. Prenatal Screening Ontario depends on input from experts and advisors from relevant fields to ensure that all the elements of a robust screening program are best carried out.

    They’re looking for representation from across all regions of Ontario including Northern Ontario, rural and Indigenous communities, to join the Genetics Working Group and Education Working Group. Check out their website for more details about the working groups, and how to apply. The deadline for applications is February 19, 2021.

    Survey to better understand public beliefs and perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccines

    To facilitate coordinated action in primary care, Women’s College Research Institute is seeking to understand beliefs relating to the COVID-19 vaccine and what supports are needed for healthcare professionals in primary care.

    You are invited to complete a brief survey to help them better understand your perspectives and experience.

    Note: They will be distributing this survey monthly for a total of four months to understand how experiences are changing over time.

    Click here to access the survey.

    COVID-19 cohort study in GTA

    A COVID-19 Research Study led by Mt. Sinai Hospital and funded by Weston Foundation, Physicians’ Services Inc., and COVID-19 Immunity Task Force is looking for people working in private medical offices and clinics in the Toronto area. The COVID-19 Cohort Study (CCS) follows staff and their families throughout the pandemic to find out the rate of COVID-19 infection, antibody levels over time, and the uptake of vaccines against COVID-19.

    The researchers are looking for staff who have direct patient contact as well as those that have no contact with patients.

    For more information about the study visit here.

    Joint letter on vaccination roll-out and community providers
    AFHTO, in partnership with other primary care and home care associations, wrote to Premier Ford and Minister Elliott last week regarding the need to plan the vaccination roll-out to vulnerable and home-bound individuals.

    “While we understand that currently, there is a shortage of vaccines, and that this reality is outside of the province’s control, we are concerned that there is not a transparent plan around how needles are going to get into the arms of people identified to be in Stage 2, namely those that are vulnerable and/or home-bound and the providers that care for them.”

    Read the full letter here.

    Primary care virtual groups – transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual

    This webinar is in collaboration with two FHTs transitioning in-person programs to virtual. Scarborough Academic FHT will share how they transferred their CBT skills group for depression and anxiety to online along with the benefits and challenges.

    Arnprior FHT is presenting on how they modified an in-person Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab to Virtual in their rural community. In this webinar they will share their patients’ thoughts and feelings on the program adjustment, discussing wins and struggles along the way. Register here.

    Mental health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID: A virtual course for family caregivers, starting Feb. 2, 2021
    This course will run for 6 weeks beginning on Tuesday February 2, 2021. Find out more here.

    Changing the way we work: Update on COVID-19 Vaccines, Feb. 5, 2021
    The next in OCFP/DFCM COVID-19 CoP sessions. Register here.

    Recognizing and Managing Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care during COVID-19, Feb. 9, 2021
    Ontario Health webinar with experts in the field and resources about how to support patients presenting in primary care with symptoms of anxiety. Register here.

    What do Covid-19 vaccines mean for me? Feb. 18, 2021
    Part two of The Globe and Mail and The Royal Society of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine series. Register here.

    Advancing Excellence in Transgender Health, Mar. 4, 2021
    The aim of this conference is to bridge this gap and provide information and resources to better equip Nurse Practitioners providing care to Gender Diverse individuals. The highlight is hearing the patient perspective. Find out more.

  • Follow-up on ED check-in calls Jan. 26 & 27 – and additional tools and resources

    This email is being sent to EDs/Admin Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations.

    Dear triad members,

    We had our first 2021 regional ED check-in calls on January 26 and 27. The eight check-ins last year were valuable to AFHTO for our advocacy and support efforts, and teams tell us the calls remain of value to them, so we’re pleased to continue with them this year.

    This is a follow-up communique with the materials promised on the January calls, and some additional reminders, tools, and resources.

    Vaccine roll-out

    • We polled EDs during the calls for input on vaccine roll-out, as well as training topics and hospital partnerships. Thank you to all EDs who participated! The results of the polls are here.
    • AFHTO’s most recent vaccine roll-out update was circulated and posted on January 22. While we hope to make this collaborative communique a weekly event, we will only send an update when there is new information to share. We expect to send a new update out in the next couple of days. Stay tuned!
    • All PHUs were required to submit their regional vaccination plans to the Ministry on January 20; however, we understand some PHUs received an extension for the submission. Each PHU was directed to meaningfully engage with primary care in the development of these local plans.
    • We encourage all of you to reach out to your local PHU to access their regional plan and identify the role of primary care in vaccination roll out.
    • Please continue to share these regional plans and how local organization is proceeding with AFHTO. It is helpful to learn regional strategies and what is going well, as well as concerns or issues that teams are facing.
    • In preparation for wave 2, regional strategies could include developing vaccination confidence/hesitancy tools, stratifying population based on age/illness, obtaining informed consent now, and establishing a list of staff support and capacity for deployment.
    • The most updated vaccine screening and consent form from the Ministry of Health is now posted on our site. Just a reminder that the Ministry is posting ongoing COVID-19 Vaccine-Relevant Information and Planning Resources on their site.
    • On February 1, the Ministry sent a memo to the primary care associations indicating that the COVAXON access and training at the moment is only for health care providers currently engaged with the hospitals and local PHUs that are administering the vaccines in mass clinics and congregate settings. When more vaccines become available in phase 2 and 3, the ministry will issue usernames and login credentials to primary care providers who indicate they will be administering COVID vaccines. This will be done in collaboration with the PHUs so, once again, it is important to connect with your PHU to see what their rollout training plan is. Please let us know if you have any concerns or questions and will try to seek out any answers you need.

    Conversation with the Mental Health and Additions Centre of Excellence (Ontario Health)

    • The Mental Health and Addictions Centre of Excellence updated members on the work they are doing, particularly on psychotherapy hubs and the possible role of primary care in these models. This work is early in development but will build on the current Ontario Structured Psychotherapy program for depression and anxiety.
    • AFHTO and our provincial primary care partners meet frequently with the Centre of Excellence and will continue the conversation. Working groups or other avenues to further primary care partnerships and to support this work will be discussed.
    • The Centre spoke to their first first measurement-based care webinar series that was held in January: “The Why: Why should Ontario apply measurement-based care in mental health and addiction services?” More about this series can be seen here.
    • We know health care workers are burning out and need ongoing supports. OH has developed some tools to help providers cope with COVID:
    • AFHTO, in partnership with the three other interprofessional primary care associations, wrote to Minister Elliott last week regarding the $3M in federal mental health funding that had been committed to last year, but has yet to flow.
      • Given the tight timelines to spend funds by the end of the fiscal year, we have asked the government to permit the funds to spread into the next fiscal year. This will help ensure the money can be spent thoughtfully to support those who need it the most.

    Knowledge Translation and Exchange (KTE) webinars

    As we look at priorities, we ask triad members to please complete a short survey by Wednesday at noon. The survey is one main question:

    “In your role, what do you think is the biggest opportunity for primary care teams to focus on over the next 3 to 6 months?”

    Please provide your input here.

    Thank you, and please reach out at any time with questions or suggestions on how we can continue to support you.

    Stay well,

    Your AFHTO Team

  • Joint Letter on Vaccination roll-out and Community Providers

    Wednesday, January 27th, 2021

    Subject: Vaccination roll-out

    Dear Premier Ford and Minister Elliott:

    Our members/staff are engaged community health providers who have been fighting on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic since it began. We are aware that vulnerable and home-bound individuals in the community are slated as the next priority group to receive vaccinations. These people are cared for by our providers.

    While we understand that currently, there is a shortage of vaccines, and that this reality is outside of the province’s control, we are concerned that there is not a transparent plan around how needles are going to get into the arms of people identified to be in Stage 2, namely those that are vulnerable and/or home-bound and the providers that care for them.

    The province must use this delay to engage with us NOW, so that we are ready to deploy our existing vaccine capabilities to reach our patients expeditiously. Waiting will result in damaging delays.Trying to recreate alternative distribution networks when they currently exist will result in further damaging delays and confusion.

    Community health care providers, including primary care nurses, doctors, and pharmacists, as well as home care nurses have demonstrated experience reaching out to our patients to deliver vaccines. Our members/staff are trained in vaccine handling and program delivery. Patients trust their health care providers the most and for the vulnerable, homebound patients, it is imperative that they receive vaccines from the people who know them best. 34 Public Health Units with 34 different approaches – for the most vulnerable there needs to be a consistent approach so that they do not fall through the cracks.

    It has been well-established since November, that the Pfizer vaccine has a shelf-life of five days after freezing. The risk of our members/staff not utilizing the vaccinations within this time frame is non-existent, as collectively SE Health, VON and Bayshore complete over 40,000 home visits per day. Unlike the recent vaccine rollout, we are certain that doses provided to our members/staff will be used on the cohorts for which they were intended. We base this on our experience delivering vaccination programs, on the number of people we serve and our ability to access them quickly.

    Many who can travel to appointments should be vaccinated through their primary care providers and those who are home-bound will require visits from community nurses. Use our expertise as vaccines are our ‘bread and butter’ and we know our patients best.

    Our members/staff need to be ready to mobilize immediately. For this reason, we are asking for more provincial direction to plan this critical effort and need government and public health leadership to engage with us. We are all in this together.

    Sincerely,

    Kavita Mehta, Chief Executive Officer, Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario

    Stuart Cottrelle Chief Executive Officer, Bayshore Healthcare

    Leanne Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, Ontario College of Family Physicians

    Dr. Doris Grinspun RN, MSN, PhD, LLD (hon), Dr (hc), FAAN, FCAN O.ONT, Chief Executive Officer, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario

    Shirlee Sharkey Chief Executive Officer, SE Health

    Jo-Anne Poirier, Chief Executive Officer, VON Canada

    Dr. Cathy Faulds, MD, CCFP, FCFP, CAC (PC), Family Physician Focus Practice in Palliative Care

    Dr. Thuy-Nga (Tia) Pham, MD, MSc, CCFP, FCFP, East Toronto Family Practice Network Physician Lead

    Cc:
    Matthew Anderson, President and CEO – Ontario Health

    Helen Angus, Deputy Minister of Health

    Emily Beduz, Director of Pandemic Response

    Alison Blair, Associate Deputy Minister – Pandemic Response and Recovery

    Steven Del Duca, Ontario Liberal Party Leader

    Colleen Geiger, President and CEO (acting) – Public Health Ontario

    MPP France Gelinas, NDP Health Critic

    Andrea Horwath, NDP Leader

    Joyce Mankarios, Director of Policy

    Mike Schreiner, Leader of the Green Party of Ontario

    Rana Shamoon, Director of Health Policy (Office of the Premier)

    James Wallace, Chief of Staff (to the Premier)

    Heather Watt, Chief of Staff (to the Minister of Health)

    See the pdf version here.

  • Bits & Pieces: primary care virtual groups webinar, immunization for specific groups, and more

    Bits & Pieces: primary care virtual groups webinar, immunization for specific groups, and more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Primary care virtual groups – transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual
    • Members’ stories
    • Planning immunization for specific groups, complicated grief and more
    • Online safety and data backup- tips from TechSoup Canada
    • IBS/Low FODMAP diet: video series from Thames Valley FHT RDs
    • Ontario Health Connection newsletter
    • MEQ and MME update
    • Statistics Canada hiring for 2021 census
    • Upcoming events including The Globe and Mail COVID-19 vaccine series and more

    Primary care virtual groups – transitioning a CBT program & cardio-pulmonary rehab program to virtual

    This webinar is in collaboration with two FHTs transitioning in-person programs to virtual. Scarborough Academic FHT will share how they transferred their CBT skills group for depression and anxiety to online along with the benefits and challenges.

    Arnprior FHT is presenting on how they modified an in-person Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab to Virtual in their rural community. In this webinar they will share their patients’ thoughts and feelings on the program adjustment, discussing wins and struggles along the way. Register here.

    Members’ stories

    Georgian Bay FHT – what it’s like at a COVID assessment centre
    Mount Sinai Academic FHT- Supporting family medicine residents during a pandemic

    Planning immunization for specific groups, complicated grief and more

    Recent updates include:

    We continue to update several pages on our site with resources and news:

    The Nonprofit Guide to Online Safety: Protectign Your Passwords

     

    Online safety and data backup- tips from TechSoup Canada

    If you’re not signed up for TechSoup Canada’s newsletter, their latest addresses issues of online safety and data backup, among other relevant WFH technical and IT topics for nonprofits.

     

     

    IBS and the Low Fodmap Diet

     

    IBS/Low FODMAP diet: video series from Thames Valley FHT RDs

    Thames Valley FHT RDs have produced a patient education video series on managing IBS. Each video is 4-5 minutes in length.

    Find out more here.

     

    Ontario Health Connection newsletter

    Ontario Health has just sent their first newsletter of 2021. If you haven’t done so already, you can sign up for them to get up to date information on resources available to you.

    MEQ and MME update

    eHealth Centre of Excellence’s Opioid Management Toolkit calculates MEQ and the Telus PS Suite update now features MME calculations. Get the details here.

    Statistics Canada hiring for 2021 census
    The next census will take place in May 2021 and Statistics Canada is hiring approximately 32,000 people across the country to assist in census data collection activities. Please promote this to your patients if they may have been financially affected by COVID-19.

    Now is the Time to Choose Wisely: Advancing Quality Improvement in Primary Care, Jan. 27, 2021

    Engaging primary care providers in QI is particularly relevant now, as the pandemic has further emphasized the importance of resource stewardship given the urgent care needs and constraints related to COVID-19. Learn more and register here.

    Let’s Talk… About the things that make you happy, Jan. 28, 2021

    MindBeacon webinar on Bell Let’s Talk Day for a talk about values, taking positive action and living a more resilient life. Register here.

    Digital Health/EServices for OHTs, Jan. 28, 2021 

    Gain an understanding of the digital supports available and how to leverage eConsult and eReferral to support your OHT’s priority patient populations.
    Learn more about this RISE webcast here.

    Recognizing and Managing Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care during COVID-19, Feb. 9, 2021
    Ontario Health webinar with experts in the field and resources about how to support patients presenting in primary care with symptoms of anxiety. Register here.

    Mental health for adults with developmental disabilities during COVID: A virtual course for family caregivers, starting Feb. 2, 2021
    This course will run for 6 weeks beginning on Tuesday February 2, 2021. Find out more here.

    Changing the way we work: Update on COVID-19 Vaccines, Feb. 5, 2021
    The next in OCFP/DFCM COVID-19 CoP sessions. Find out more here.

    What do Covid-19 vaccines mean for me? Feb. 18, 2021
    Part two of The Globe and Mail and The Royal Society of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine series. Register here.