Ultimate Blogging Championship

Tag: COVID-19

  • Bits & Pieces: OTF Resilient Communities Fund webinar, cancer screening & more

    Bits & Pieces: OTF Resilient Communities Fund webinar, cancer screening & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • OTF Resilient Communities Fund webinar Sep 29
    • Reminder- Electronic Asthma Management System tool demonstration, Sep. 15
    • IHP Sessions: six leads still needed
    • Breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening and FIT requisition update
    • OMA pocket journal for contact tracing and more
    • Upcoming events including Care Of The Elderly and more

    OTF Resilient Communities Fund webinar Sep 29

    Grants available to help teams rebuild and recover from the impacts of COVID-19:
    Join us September 29, 12:00-12:30 p.m. to find out how your team can tap into these funds.

    The Ontario government is investing $83 million through the Ontario Trillium Foundation to provide grants through this Resilient Communities Fund to help eligible non-profit organizations, including family health teams and primary care organizations, recover from COVID-19 and continue the delivery of vital programming in their communities.

    In this webinar, Andrea Spencer and Jason Huehn from Optimus SBR will provide an overview of the Resilient Communities Fund application process and requirements, discuss how your organization can benefit from the fund, and provide strategic advice on how to maximize your probability of success in securing funding. The next submission deadline is December 2. Register here.

    Reminder- Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15

    Significant gaps persist in asthma care across Ontario. The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma. Find out more here.

    IHP Sessions: six leads still needed

    We still need volunteers to lead the popular break-out sessions at the AFHTO 2020 Conference for the following professions:

    • Health promoters
    • Nurse practitioners
    • Physiotherapists
    • Psychologists
    • Nurses (RN/RPN)
    • Administrative
    • Physician assistants

     If you’re interested, please contact Beth MacKinnon today. The lead will receive a $20 discount on their conference fee.

    Breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening and FIT requisition update

    Summary Guidance for Primary Care Providers Resuming Cancer Screening_2020-08-25

    As of August 25, 2020, LifeLabs will start accepting new fecal immunochemical test (FIT) requisitions for groups at higher risk of colorectal cancer:

    • Average risk people over age 60 who have never been screened for colorectal cancer
    • Average risk people with previous unsatisfactory FIT results
    • Eligible average risk people awaiting organ transplant

    LifeLabs will continue to send out a limited number of FIT kits per day to allow for a gradual resumption of services across the healthcare system. As such, primary care providers can begin sending in new FIT requisitions when seeing patients in one of the higher risk groups identified above.  

    To ensure a coordinated resumption of services, Ontario Health strongly encourages Regional Cancer Programs, primary care providers and endoscopists to work together to ensure appropriate follow-up of patients with abnormal FIT results.

    Reminder regarding breast cancer and cervical screening
    Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario) is recommending that routine breast and cervical screening tests be resumed in a gradual manner. For reference, a summary of Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)’s guidance for resuming breast, cervical and colorectal cancer screening is here.  

    Detailed tip sheets have been developed for healthcare providers to guide the resumption of these services, please email cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca if you would like a copy.

    If you have any questions about resuming cancer screening, please contact cancerinfo@ontariohealth.ca.

    OMA pocket journal for contact tracing and more

    Updates released within the last week include:

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

    Approaches to Health Care Consent, Advance Care Planning & Goals of Care Conversations, August 27- September 17, 2020

    Four-part webinar series from Hospice Palliative Care Ontario for front line workers, health care/service providers and first responders. Find out more and register here.

    ECHO Care Of The Elderly, Sep. 9 to Dec 16, 2020
    Join CAMH on Wednesdays to brush up on your capacity to care for the frail and complex aging individuals.
    Apply here.

    Strengthening Families Together Virtual Series, Sept. 10- Oct. 1, 2020

    Share this webinar series by IAmMentalHealth with any caregivers to those with schizophrenia or a psychosis related illness. Learn more here.

    Osgoode Professional Development, Oct. 5, 2020 – Apr 28, 2021

    AFHTO is partnering with York University’s OPD to provide members 10% off a variety of health law programs for professional development. For discount code and course offerings, click here.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference, Oct. 8-9, 2020

    Registration has opened for Tectonic shifts: rebuilding primary care in a new world, our 2020 virtual conference! Members receive a significant discount so contact your administrator for your member access code. Early bird deadline Oct. 1. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: Helen Bevan and Jane Philpott at the conference & more

    Bits & Pieces: Helen Bevan and Jane Philpott at the conference & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • AFHTO 2020 registration open
    • 211 Ontario slides and video available
    • The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams
    • Ontario releases COVID-19 management plan for schools and more
    • Engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey
    • NPs can now sign for medication samples
    • Osgoode Professional Development discount for members
    • Upcoming events including Approaches to Health Care Consent and more

    AFHTO 2020 registration open

    Helen Bevan Dr. Jane Philpott

    Registration has opened for the AFHTO 2020 Conference, featuring sessions with Helen Bevan and Dr. Jane Philpott. There’s also a free morning with the Bright Lights Awards ceremony!

    We sent member access codes to the leadership of all teams whose renewal fees have been received so far, so you can register today!

    The working groups have now reviewed all submissions and a notification email has been sent to each contact person. If you are part of a group that has prepared an abstract, please ensure your group contact has received an email including the words “AFHTO 2020 Conference” in the subject between August 21 to 23. (Please have them check their junk mail as well.)

    If your contact person has NOT received this notification, please contact info@afhto.ca today.

    211 webinar

    211 Ontario slides and video available

    Slides and video for our Aug. 20 webinar, 211 Ontario – Connecting Patients to Community Programs and Services are now available. Visit our site to access these resources.

     

     

     

    The role of social workers in interprofessional primary healthcare teams

    Published in Healthcare Policy, this study seeks to determine the amount of social work services provided in CHCs and FHTs, identify the types of services that social workers provide in CHCs and FHTs and ascertain the methods social workers use to deliver services in CHCs and FHTs.

    Authors include Vela Tadic, Bruyère Academic FHT and Rachelle Ashcroft, Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto. Find out more here.

    Ontario releases COVID-19 management plan for schools and more

    Several updates have been released within the last week including:

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

    Engagement of patients with diabetes via virtual health apps survey

    A York University researcher is seeking input from family physicians, nurses and nurse practitioners. The aim of their research is to improve practice and policy about the potential of Virtual Health Apps use in primary care settings with a special focus on vulnerable and marginalized patient populations. To provide your input, please fill out this survey.

    NPs can now sign for medication samples

    Q: Pharmaceutical representatives often leave medication samples at the clinic where I work as a nurse. Can I provide a medication sample to patients?

    A: Under federal law, nurse practitioners can accept and distribute medication samples to patients.

    To find out more visit the College of Nurses of Ontario site.

    Osgoode Professional Development discount for members

    AFHTO is partnering with York University’s OPD to provide members 10% off a variety of health law programs for professional development from Oct. 5, 2020 – Apr 28, 2021. Topics include among others AI in healthcare, consent and capacity and elder law. For discount code and course offerings, click here.

    Approaches to Health Care Consent, Advance Care Planning & Goals of Care Conversations, August 27- September 17, 2020

    Four-part webinar series from Hospice Palliative Care Ontario for front line workers, health care/service providers and first responders. Find out more and register here.

    Ask me Anything About Health Privacy, September 2, 2020
    Join Kate Dewhirst’s final webinar and ask questions around Health Privacy. Register here.

    Strengthening Families Together Virtual Series, Sept. 10- Oct. 1, 2020

    Share this webinar series by IAmMentalHealth with any caregivers to those with schizophrenia or a psychosis related illness. Learn more here.

    COVID-19 and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Ethics, September 1, 2020

    Join this final webinar in this COVID-19 and IDD series hosted by the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. They will address ethical questions and issues that have emerged in health care and support of people with IDD.
    Learn more here.

    Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15

    The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma. Find out more here.

  • Return to the Workplace: A psychological toolkit for heading back to work

    SHARED BY the CMHA

    Shared August 17, 2020

    Return to the workplace: A psychological toolkit for heading back to work is a guide to support the mental health of individuals as they plan safe transitions back into their workplaces and to help employers as they develop policies and procedures for supporting staff returning to the workplace. This toolkit is part of an effort to support the mental health needs of Ontarians and promotes principles of positive mental health and well-being while encouraging the use of additional supports. It has been reviewed and informed by diverse perspectives, including clinical leaders from the mental health and addictions community across Ontario. This toolkit aims to serve employees and employers across a variety of sectors. Readers are encouraged to use this as a guide to understanding how their mental health and the mental health of their colleagues has been affected by the pandemic and explore strategies to support themselves and others as the transition to the workplace occurs.

    More information is available here

     

    A NEW TOOLKIT TO HELP YOU GET BACK INTO THE WORKPLACE: AN INTRODUCTION

    • What to expect 

    RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE AFTER A PANDEMIC:MENTAL HEALTH CONSIDERATIONS FOR EMPLOYEES

     

    • How has the pandemic affected us? 

    • The cognitive triad 
    • Different thinking styles that can be unhelpful 
    • Tips for speaking with your employer 

    RETURNING TO THE WORKPLACE AFTER A PANDEMIC:THE EMPLOYER PERSPECTIVE

     

    • Tips for speaking with your employees 
    • Creating a psychologically healthy and safe workplace 
    • A note on telecommuting and remote work 
    • Your own well-being

     

    For the complete toolkit (PDF), click here.

     

    Return to: COVID-19 Resources: Management, Operations, HR and COVID-19

  • Social prescribing: The next step for equitable healthcare

    Healthy Debate opinion piece by Kate Mulligan and Kavita Mehta

    The data are in: people living with racism, low incomes and crowded housing are most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The attention it has drawn to these inequities has healthcare providers re-examining their practices with respect to virtual care, active outreach and health equity.

    However, many are not sure what to do next. In addition to structural and policy changes, patients and healthcare practitioners need a straightforward, practice-based solution to help them take immediate action that can address health and social needs in real time. They need supportive structures that enable them to use both COVID-19 testing and routine healthcare visits as opportunities to collect vital sociodemographic data and to screen and refer people for access to food, housing, income supports, culturally safe supports and community connection. They need social prescribing, a way to integrate health care with community and social services to support people’s immediate social needs.

    Read the full article here.

    Relevant Links:

  • Bits & Pieces: IHP session leads, back to school advice, OTF youth grant & more

    Bits & Pieces: IHP session leads, back to school advice, OTF youth grant & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • We need IHP session leads
    • Back to school advice from a Markham FHT physician and a teacher
    • Reminder- 211 Ontario webinar Thursday, August 20- register now
    • Members’ stories
    • OTF Youth Opportunities Fund grant opportunity
    • Updated testing guidance and more
    • Registration open for Project ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network (OBN) Fall series
    • Ontario Health services to enhance medical capacity in Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes
    • Upcoming events including governing through COVID-19 and more

    We need IHP session leads

    Planning is on track for the AFHTO 2020 Conference and this includes the sessions for interprofessional healthcare providers! There will be a virtual group session on Wednesday, October 7, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., and it will be followed by the IHP break-out sessions from 1:30 to 2:30.

    We’re looking for volunteers to lead the popular break-out sessions by coordinating topics, presenters, and a moderator.

    Leads are needed for the following professions: health promoter, nurse practitioner, physiotherapist, psychologist, nurses, administrative staff and physician assistants.

    These one-hour sessions between peers need a lead to happen. If you’re interested, please contact Beth MacKinnon today. The lead will receive a $20 discount on their conference fee.

    helping your family prepare for return to school

     

    Back to school advice from a Markham FHT physician and a teacher

    Markham FHT ‘s Dr. Dana Abenstein and her husband Darren Abenstein, a teacher, created a resource to help families prepare their kids to return to school during the pandemic. We shared this on social media last week and it reached over 5800 on Facebook.

     

     

    Reminder- 211 Ontario webinar Thursday, August 20- register now

    211 Ontario: Connecting Patients to Community Programs and Services webinar shows how 211 can assist primary care teams. It will provide some baseline information about 211’s Accredited enquiry service and Standards driven resource database of benefit to patients when trying to access services in the community – particularly services during COVID-19, such as mental health services, food and other basic needs. Register here.

    Two Essex County NPLC staff show some of the devices to be used in the lending program

     

    Members’ stories

    Essex County NPLC: receives COVID-19 Emergency Support for Community Organizations grant to improve access to technology and enhanced digital services

    Georgina NPLC: Georgina NPLC’s COVID-19 testing drive-thru tests over 130 residents as negative

     

     

     

    Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Youth Opportunities Fund grant opportunity

    Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Youth Opportunities Fund has announced the deadlines for grant streams that aim to support projects improving the wellbeing of children, youth, and families facing systemic barriers. AFHTO members, especially Indigenous teams, and partners may be eligible for the System Innovations Stream.

    • Grant Amount: Up to $250,000 per year
    • Grant Term: 2 to 6 years
    • Organization Registration Deadline: September 16, 2020
    • Grant Application Deadline: October 14, 2020

    Find out more here.

    Updated testing guidance and more

    Several updates have been released within the last week including:

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

    Project ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network

     

    Registration open for Project ECHO Ontario Bariatric Network (OBN) Fall series

    Update your knowledge of post-bariatric care and the management of patients living with obesity by joining other primary care providers and a multi-disciplinary team of specialist from the Bariatric Centres of Excellence. For more information and to register visit their site.

     

     

    Ontario Health services to enhance medical capacity in Long-Term Care and Retirement Homes

    For anyone who also works in either long-term care or retirement homes, Ontario Health provides:
    1. LTC & RH Consult Line:   

    • For primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and medical directors in LTC and RH
    • Provides 24/7 access to general internal medicine specialists via a telephone consult line for urgent medical issues
    • The PCP/NP/Medical Director can call 1-8338-2HELPU to reach a specialist on-call  
    • For general inquiries or questions about this service email:  ltcrh.consult@wchospital.ca

    2.    VirtualCare App:   

    • For primary care physicians in LTC to remotely connect with clinical staff and residents
    • This service supports virtual video-enabled visits/medical assessments via laptop or tablet
    • Fully integrated with PointClickCare and MED e-care EHRs  
    • Watch a demo:  https://vimeo.com/415554798
    • Start onboarding today or let us know if you need further implementation assistance to complete your onboarding:   Contact info@ontariohealth.ca  or  call 1-877-302-1861

    These services continue to be available at no cost to homes and are accessible until October 31, 2020. Organizations with access to similar programs in their region (e.g. The LTC+ program in Toronto) are encouraged to continue to use those programs.

    Governing through COVID-19 and Beyond, August 25, 2020

    Webinar on governance at this time of   uncertainty and change. Topics include resumption of services; what governors  should know about Ontario Health Teams; and where we  can go from here to continue to strengthen organizational governance practices and prioritize board efforts. Register today!

    OTLCA Conference Call for Abstracts, August 21, 2020

    Submit your abstracts around the theme: Long Term Care 2020: Reimagining Change in Unprecedented Times being held virtually on October 26 and 27, 2020. Submit your abstract.

    Approaches to Health Care Consent, Advance Care Planning & Goals of Care Conversations, August 27- September 17, 2020

    Four-part webinar series from Hospice Palliative Care Ontario for front line workers, health care/service providers and first responders. Find out more and register here.

    COVID-19 and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Ethics, September 1, 2020

    Join this final webinar in this COVID-19 and IDD series hosted by the University of Toronto, Faculty of Medicine. They will address ethical questions and issues that have emerged in health care and support of people with IDD.
    Learn more here.

    Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15

    The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma. Find out more here.

    ECHO Care of the Elderly, September 9 – December 16, 2020

    ECHO Care of the elderly community is now live for registration. Be ready to discuss dementia, responsive behaviors, frailty, pain, polypharmacy, medical cannabis and more this fall.
    Learn more here.

  • Georgina NPLC’s COVID-19 testing drive-thru tests over 130 residents as negative

    Georgina Post article published August 5, 2020

    By Mike Anderson

    More than 130 residents tested negative for COVID-19 after the Georgina Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic (GNPLC) launched a “pop-up” drive-thru testing site at the Georgina Sutton Arena Hall parking lot on July 29.

    According to GNPLC Clinical Director Beth Cowper-Fung, 133 tests were completed, including nine walk-ins, with no one testing positive for the virus.

    “All tests were negative. Some very happy folks will get to visit loved ones in other provinces or long-term care,” she said.

    While Ms. Cowper-Fung was hoping for a bigger turnout, with 400 swabs available for testing, she wasn’t sure they could have handled any more vehicles.

    “I was hoping to get more. But we were steady. And so even if we had 400 cars show up, I don’t know that we could have seen them all, and it would have been horrific to turn them away,” she said.

    “Those 133 people will now go out there into the community and say it doesn’t kill you. It’s not that bad. And so we may have more interest going forward.”

    While some residents were a little apprehensive about getting the test, they were grateful not to have to drive to Newmarket to get it done.

    More than a dozen vehicles lined-up for the start of the “no-appointment necessary” testing, which was offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    The first car to enter the parking lot was driven by Joan from Jackson’s Point, who has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and wanted to get tested for some peace of mind.

    “I do cough, and I just wanted to make double sure,” she said.

    “I think it’s a great idea because many people can’t get down to Newmarket or just don’t want to, because they’re afraid to go to the hospital where they might catch it.”

    That sentiment was echoed by Rachel, from Pefferlaw, who wanted to get a test because she hasn’t seen family members, including a sister who’s ill, in four months.

    “I think a lot of people have wanted something like this earlier. Because it’s too far to drive to Newmarket,” she said.

    Despite concerns that expanded community testing might lead to a spike in Georgina’s COVID numbers — currently six active cases with no new cases reported over the past seven days — several residents said that it’s necessary to curb the spread of the virus.

    “We’re doing a pretty good job. But with the beaches opening up, I’m concerned. It’s important to test because some people are carriers and don’t even know they have it,” Joan said.

    “I think testing is good. Because you’re not going to know who’s sick and who’s not, I think it’s for the best. We should know,” Rachel added.

    Rachel would like to see more drive-thru testing, as more people are coming from outside Georgina during the summer months.

    “A lot of them are acting foolishly and not obeying the laws.”

    Mayor Margaret Quirk also wants to see more community testing going forward.

    “If you’re asymptomatic and you’ve got the COVID virus, you need to know, and we as a community need to know,” she said.

    “At the very beginning of this pandemic, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said that the key to bringing the pandemic under control is testing, testing, and more testing.”

    Mayor Quirk also emphasized that testing on this scale, couldn’t happen without the leadership of the Georgina NPLC.

    “They have health care professionals. They know what they’re doing. This didn’t just happen overnight. This took a lot of planning. We, as a Town, don’t have the ability to put a testing site in. So it’s great that the nurse practitioners have stepped up to do it.”

    While the event was a logistical challenge, requiring contributions from various health agencies, the Town of Georgina, local not-for-profits and businesses, Ms. Cowper-Fung is considering more drive-thru testing events in the coming months.

    But she would like to streamline the process.

    While she said that the actual swabbing was fast, there was a lot of time spent handling IDs and processing paperwork.

    She’d like to double the number of administrative staff and pre-book tests, allowing forms and labels to be printed beforehand.

    Still, she estimates it took just 16 minutes from start to finish, if the vehicle was six car lengths behind.

    Test results, which typically take from 36 to 72 hours, are posted online at https://covid-19.ontario.ca and require an OHIP card number to access.

    If residents do not have an OHIP card or cannot access a computer, the staff at the GNPLC will assist them.

    Read the full article here

  • Bits & Pieces: ED mentorship, $83 million in grants, IHP sessions & more

    Bits & Pieces: ED mentorship, $83 million in grants, IHP sessions & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Reminder- ED Mentorship Program
    • Ontario Trillium Foundation redirecting $83 million in grants
    • IHP session leads needed for AFHTO 2020 conference
    • Primary care patient/client virtual care experience survey
    • New Chief Executive Officer for Indigenous Primary Health Care Council
    • Reminder-COVID-19 ED interviews end soon
    • Updated COVID case definition, symptoms, guidance and more
    • Hospice Palliative Care Ontario tools mailed to teams
    • Invitation for primary care sites to collaborate on a research study on chronic low back pain
    • Upcoming events regarding 211 Ontario – connecting patients to community programs and services and more

     

    Reminder- ED Mentorship Program

    We are looking for EDs from different regions and working/funding models to join our ED Mentorship Program as mentors!
     
    Mentoring is about supporting people to develop their leadership skills. It’s a relationship based on trust that is designed to help a mentee take on increasing initiative, build confidence, and excel as leaders. New EDs can learn from others who have experience and who are willing to help them in developing their skills and expanding their knowledge.

    If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please complete this survey and we will be in touch. More information is here.

    Ontario Trillium Foundation redirecting $83 million in grants

    The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) will be redirecting $83 million from its Capital and Grow granting streams to support Ontario nonprofits through the Resilient Communities Fund. This is to support rebuilding the capacity of eligible non-profit organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19. Relevant details include:

    • Two intake deadlines: September 2 and December 2, 2020
    • Grants are for one year, starting from $5,000 to $150,000

    AFHTO members and partners may be eligible to apply. Find out if you’re eligible here.

    IHP session leads needed for AFHTO 2020 conference

    Planning is on track for the AFHTO 2020 Conference and this includes the sessions for interprofessional healthcare providers! There will be a virtual group session on Wednesday, October 7, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., and it will be followed by the IHP break-out sessions from 1:30 to 2:30.

    We’re looking for volunteers to lead the popular break-out sessions by coordinating topics, presenters, and a moderator. Leads are needed for the following professions: dietitians, health promoters, nurse practitioners, occupational therapists, psychologists, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, administrative staff, physician assistants, and chiropodists.

    These one-hour sessions between peers need a lead to happen. If you’re interested, please contact Beth MacKinnon by Tuesday, August 18, 2020. The lead will receive a $20 discount on their conference fee.

    Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey

    Primary care patient/client virtual care experience survey

    The rapid adoption of virtual care during the pandemic not only addresses the current needs but it will most likely shape the future of primary care delivery, beyond the pandemic. As a result, we formed a working group with a number of patients, primary care, health system and health research organizations to create the Primary Care Patient/Client Virtual Care Experience Survey.

    This is to help fill informational gaps to inform future planning and further support the implementation of virtual care in primary care. Different tools, guides and templates are available to help. This is a public survey which non-members can use as well, so feel free to share with your peers. Visit our site to find out more.

     

    New Chief Executive Officer for Indigenous Primary Health Care Council

     

    New Chief Executive Officer for Indigenous Primary Health Care Council

    Congratulations to Caroline Lidstone-Jones who has been appointed as the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Indigenous Primary Health Care Council (IPHCC) effective September 1, 2020. Learn more here.

     

     

     

    Reminder: COVID-19 ED interviews end soon

    AFHTO, in partnership with the University of Toronto and Queen’s University, wants to understand the initiatives your team has taken on to continue to provide comprehensive primary care during this pandemic. Visit our site to fill out the Doodle poll to schedule your participation.

    Updated COVID case definition, symptoms, guidance and more

    Several documents have been updated and shared to the Ministry’s website as of Aug. 6 including:

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

    Hospice Palliative Care Ontario tools mailed to teams

    Advance Care Planning, Goals of Care and health care decision making conversations are becoming more prevalent and more important than ever, with the aging population and COVID-19. Tools to help you and your patients have been mailed to your team either in March or July. You can use them in your waiting room and directly with your patients. Everything you, your patients and families need can also be found at SpeakUpOntario.ca   

    HPCO would like your feedback on whether you are getting more requests from patients to talk about health care decision making, if you found these resources useful, or if you’re looking to receive more resources. Please feel free to reach out to them at nav.dhillon@hpco.ca.

    Invitation for primary care sites to collaborate on a research study on chronic low back pain

    A PhD student at Queen’s University is looking for primary care sites to collaborate on his research on team-based primary care for the management of chronic low back pain. He is looking for them to participate in a virtual focus group (via Zoom) to understand their experiences. There is also the opportunity to assist with patient recruitment to participate in telephone interviews to understand their experiences with access. If you would like to learn more, please email Kyle at kyle.vader@queensu.ca and he can provide you with more information about how to get involved in this research.

    211 Ontario – connecting patients to community programs and services, August 20

    This webinar shows how 211 can assist primary care teams. It will provide some baseline information about 211’s Accredited enquiry service and Standards driven resource database of benefit to patients when trying to access services in the community – particularly services during COVID-19, such as mental health services, food and other basic needs. Register here.

    Governing through COVID-19 and Beyond, August 25, 2020

    Webinar on governance at this time of   uncertainty and change. Topics include resumption of services; what governors  should know about Ontario Health Teams; and where we  can go from here to continue to strengthen organizational governance practices and prioritize board efforts. Register today!

    The Lung Health Foundation Events

    Medicinal Cannabis – Treating Symptoms of Lung Cancer, August 17, 2020
    Learn more about the endocannabinoid system and apply to your practice. Find out more here.

    Medicinal Cannabis in Chronic Pain, August 24, 2020
    Enhance your knowledge by better understanding how to access medical cannabis. Learn more here.

    Child and Youth Mental Health Webinar Series for Primary Care Providers – Supporting Families With Screentime During COVID, August 19 & 26, 2020

    The CHEO is holding a 2-part webinar series that will cover on-demand topics around the use of technology by youth. Find out more here.

    ECHO Ontario Mental Health – Fall Programs, September 2020 – June 2021
    Join Project ECHO for any of their 6 mental health programs being offered this fall. Topics include addictions, DBT, Trans healthcare, OCD and IDD. View the offerings here.

    Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15

    The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma.

    The system can be used by any provider and is fully integrated with OSCAR EMR and Telus PS EMR. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: COVID Alert app, governing through COVID-19 & more

    Bits & Pieces: COVID Alert app, governing through COVID-19 & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • The COVID Alert app is now available!
    • “Governing through COVID-19 and Beyond” – Register now for the next governance webinar!
    • Reminder-COVID-19 ED interviews end soon
    • AFHTO Letter to the OMA Negotiations Committee
    • AFHTO 2020 Conference: did you get your confirmation?
    • 211 Ontario – connecting patients to community programs and services, August 20
    • Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15
    • Join AFHTO’s IHP Advisory Council – Deadline extended to this Friday, August 7!
    • New quality standards- chronic pain and early pregnancy complications and loss
    • Social work student practicums in FHTs
    • Upcoming events regarding OHT restart and more

    The COVID Alert app is now available!

    This new made-in-Ontario, privacy-first app lets you know if you may have been exposed to COVID-19. To do so, it relies on people voluntarily installing it and telling it if they test positive. The app can then send a message to other app users who have been in close contact with that person over the previous two weeks.

    Everyone is encouraged to download and use the app to help protect themselves and those in their community. We encourage you share this information with your colleagues, family, friends, neighbours, and patients. More information and resources to help you do so are here.

    Reminder: COVID-19 ED interviews end soon
    AFHTO, in partnership with the University of Toronto and Queen’s University, wants to understand the initiatives your team has taken on to continue to provide comprehensive primary care during this pandemic. Interviews end August 14.

    Visit our site to fill out the Doodle poll to schedule your participation.

    “Governing through COVID-19 and Beyond” – Register now for the next governance webinar!

    Join us on Tuesday, August 25, from 12- 2 p.m. for a webinar on governance at this time of uncertainty and change. We will be joined by several speakers who will provide guidance and advice to board members on resumption of services; what governors should know about Ontario Health Teams; and where we  can go from here to continue to strengthen organizational governance practices and prioritize board efforts. There will be time for questions.

    While this webinar is targeted for boards, EDs and staff are welcome to join. Register today!

     

    AFHTO Letter to the OMA Negotiations Committee

    Last week AFHTO provided feedback to the OMA Negotiations Committee on the upcoming Physician Services Agreement based on dialogue with some of our physician leaders. Recommendations include:

    1. Increased access to capitated models of PEMs while also increasing access to team-based care
    2. Permanent billing codes for virtual care and investments in electronic medical record integration
    3. Investment and recognition of clinical leadership while also supporting the organization of primary care

    To learn more, read the full letter.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference logo-cropped

    AFHTO 2020 Conference: did you get your confirmation?

    If you are part of a group that has prepared a submission, please ensure your group contact has received the email with the subject: “Thank you for your AFHTO 2020 Conference Submission!” (Please have them check their junk mail as well.)

    If your contact person has NOT received this confirmation, please contact info@afhto.ca by tomorrow, August 5.

    211 Ontario – connecting patients to community programs and services, August 20

    Co-hosted by AFHTO, this webinar shows how 211 can assist primary care teams. This webinar will provide some baseline information about 211’s Accredited enquiry service and Standards driven resource database of benefit to patients when trying to access services in the community – particularly services during COVID-19, such as mental health services, food and other basic needs. Register here.

    Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) – tool demonstration, Sep. 15

    The Electronic Asthma Management System (eAMS) is an evidence-based clinical decision support system developed to improve your ability to deliver best care for patients with asthma.

    The system can be used by any provider and is fully integrated with OSCAR EMR and Telus PS EMR. Find out more here.

    Join AFHTO’s IHP Advisory Council – Deadline extended to this Friday, August 7!

    Are you interested in advising AFHTO on the top issues facing IHPs in team-based care? Would you like to be a leader in working with IHPs in primary care to advocate for and speak to the critical role of teams? Would you like to share and spread knowledge and learnings?

    If yes, AFHTO invites you to apply to join the IHP Advisory Council! We have extended the deadline to apply to this Friday, August 7.

    We are eagerly looking to collaborate with the next IHP leaders to further interprofessional team-based primary care in Ontario. Please consider applying to join us.

    More information on the council is here. If you have any questions, please contact Beth MacKinnon at beth.mackinnon@afhto.ca.

    New quality standards- chronic pain and early pregnancy complications and loss
    Ontario Health (Quality) has released two new quality standards:

    For more information please contact OH-HQO_QualityStandards@ontariohealth.ca.

    Resumption of services guidance, FAQ and more

    Resources released within the past week include:

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

    Social work student practicums in FHTs

    The role of social work in Family Health Teams (FHT) in Ontario is critical for the success of patient outcomes. FHTs provide a rich environment for social work students to prepare for their professional careers. University of Toronto is reaching out to ask if you would consider including a social work practicum at your FHT.

    In addition to the regular benefits, there is increased flexibility this year:

    • Practicums can be virtual or in-person
    • Virtual practicums have the benefit of taking place anywhere in Ontario.
    • Time requirements for the 2020-21 academic year can range between 337.5 hours (48.2 days) and 518 hours (74 days).
    • Wednesday, Thursday, Friday remain practicum days. Flexibility is possible, depending on the individual start dates (see note below).  Student orientation may dictate a confirmed start date.
    • Other benefits to field instructors can be found here

    They completely understand that any commitment made will be contingent on capacity to provide supervision in these unusual times. If you wish to learn more about social work practicums, please email Eileen McKee at e.mckee@utoronto.ca or Rachelle Ashcroft at rachelle.ashcroft@utoronto.ca or please see their website for more information.

    If you are able to contribute to the education of an MSW student between now and April 2021, please contact practicum.fsw@utoronto.ca.

     

    Ontario Health Implementation Restart, August 6, 2020

    On August 6, Miller Thomson LLP is holding a complimentary webinar that will cover the recap status of OHTs, update on the new application process, requirements for collaborative decision making and action items for OHTs for each stage of development. Learn more and register here.

    Addressing Caregiver Burnout: Finding and Accessing Supports, August 5 – 19, 2020

    Join the HPCO in this 3-part series while they address burnout by healthcare providers and caregivers. Learn more here.

    Child And Youth Mental Health Morning Rounds And Lunch & Learns, August 11-27, 2020

    The CHEO is holding 4 sessions covering depression in adolescents, anxiety in toddlers and younger children, parent-child relationships and anxiety in adolescents. Find out more here.

    ECHO Concussion Series, September 9 – December 16, 2020

    Don’t miss this free 15-part series this fall on diagnosing and managing your concussion patients. Find out more here.

  • Bits & Pieces: Members’ stories including parking lot injections, infection prevention and control checklist & more

    Bits & Pieces: Members’ stories including parking lot injections, infection prevention and control checklist & more

    Your Weekly News & Updates

    In This Issue  
    • Congratulations to members in five new OHTs
    • Members’ stories including parking lot injections
    • Recommendations to the Primary Care Working Group
    • Infection prevention and control checklist
    • AFHTO 2020 Conference submissions due tomorrow
    • Improving the Ontario Disability Support Program application process for health care professionals
    • Seeking physician input on screening or diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    • COVID-19 section
    • Upcoming events regarding pandemic pregnancy and more

    Congratulations to members in five new OHTs

    Congratulations to the five new Ontario Health Teams and to our member teams that are engaged and participating in the development of OHTs. And further congratulations to all OHTs, receiving funding of $25.25 million for virtual care and other direct support. See the full list of members here.

    Congratulations as well to members in the 17 teams invited to complete a full application.

    Additional articles:

    Members’ stories including parking lot injections

    Mount Forest FHT: Mount Forest FHT receives grant to reach Mennonite, Amish populations

    West Carleton FHT: A parking-lot injection clinic: An adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic

    Recommendations to the Primary Care Working Group

    After consulting physician leaders, AFHTO provided recommendations to the OMA Primary Care Working Group. These recommendations are applicable to physicians affiliated with FHTs, but many could apply to any physician that works in a patient enrolment model (PEM) in Ontario.

    To learn more about these including our recommendations on access and quality issues, walk-in clinics and more, please visit our site.

    Infection prevention and control checklist

    Per Directive #2 and the ministry’s Operational Requirements for Health Sector Restart, it’s recommended that each healthcare entity develop an organizational risk assessment (ORA). The CPSO has developed an IPAC checklist to guide individuals in conducting ORAs in Independent Health Facilities and Out of Hospital Premises during this pandemic.

    Teams should complete an ORA that assesses the efficacy of control measures that are in place to mitigate the transmission of infections, and this is a good resource to help you do so. It can also be used for self-assessment and to guide policies, procedures, preparedness, and response planning.

    AFHTO 2020 Conference logo-cropped

     

    AFHTO 2020 Conference submissions due tomorrow

    The deadline for both abstracts and Bright Lights nominations is tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Submit to highlight all the work you’ve done for your communities.

     

    Improving the Ontario Disability Support Program application process for health care professionals

    The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is looking to improve your experience by:

    • allowing you to complete DDP forms online
    • making billing easier
    • providing timely and informative notifications regarding the status of your open applications

    They need your feedback to make sure they introduce service improvements that truly work for you in the form of a short survey. At the end of the survey, you may choose to provide your contact information if you want to participate in a compensated discussion and design session about your experiences with ODSP applications. Please fill out the survey and help them improve the ODSP application experience.

    Seeking physician input on screening or diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Physicians are often the main contact point for young children, thus are critical for screening or diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Queen’s University researchers invite you to complete one online survey that will focus on physician knowledge, clinical practice, and service gaps in the local medical community. It is anticipated that this research will allow them to identify patterns of community practice and inform future education and training. All information collected will be strictly anonymous.

    COVID-19 section

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

    Pandemic Pregnancy: Interim Schedule and Safety Considerations for Prenatal Visits During COVID-19, July 29, 2020

    Join the Choosing Wisely Canada community in their virtual gatherings to discuss an interim schedule for prenatal care to reduce unnecessary in-person contact. Find out more here.

    Compassionate Communities, Community Care & Connection during the COVID-19 Pandemic: HPCO Webinar Series, August 4 – 18, 2020

    Hospice Palliative Care Ontario is hosting a compassionate Care webinar series for healthcare providers and more. Find out more here.

    Addressing Caregiver Burnout: Finding and Accessing Supports, August 5 – 19, 2020

    Join the HPCO in this 3-part series while they address burnout by healthcare providers and caregivers. Learn more here.

    Child And Youth Mental Health Morning Rounds And Lunch & Learns, August 11-27, 2020

    The CHEO is holding 4 sessions covering depression in adolescents, anxiety in toddlers and younger children, parent-child relationships and anxiety in adolescents. Find out more here.

    ECHO Concussion Series, September 9 – December 16, 2020

    Don’t miss this free 15-part series this fall on diagnosing and managing your concussion patients. Find out more here.

  • Update from the Primary Health Care Branch, transitions to a new normal, PPE, virtual care, and HR updates

    This email was sent to EDs/Administrative Leads, Board Chairs and Lead Clinicians of AFHTO member organizations.

    Dear triad members,

    To help us keep in touch this summer, we had a province-wide ED check-in call with ministry officials on July 22. Here is the follow-up information promised on the call. There were many questions and much discussion, so if you weren’t on the call, you can listen to the recording here.

    AFHTO maintains a strong relationship and works regularly with officials to ensure our members’ voices are heard, and we appreciate the time they give us to speak with you directly. Thank you to Allison Costello (Director, OHT Implementation and Supports Branch), Darlene Wong (A/Senior Manager, Interprofessional Programs Unit, PHCB), and Fernando Tavares (A/Program Manager, Interprofessional Programs Unit, PHCB) for being on the call.

    Update from the from the Ministry

    • The OHT Implementation and Supports Branch provided an update and said there would soon be more information on OHTs. The following day, on July 23, five new OHTs were announced and 17 were invited to full application. Congratulations to teams who are now an OHT candidate!
    • On July 23, the government also announced that they will be providing financial support to the 29 OHTs of up to $25.25 million. Of this funding, $9.5 million will be dedicated to virtual care; with the remaining $15.75 million, each OHT will receive up to $375,000. More information is here.
    • The Primary Health Care Branch (PHCB) confirmed there will be no additional operational funding available for FHT and NPLC budgets. However, it will be crucial for teams to report Q1 and Q2 accurately and to forecast for year-end to capture any COVID-related costs. The ministry will be using this data to understand the additional cost pressures facing teams, which will then be the basis used for additional funding requests. To help with forecasting the impact of the pandemic on your year-end budget, you can adapt and use the COVID-19 Expense Forecast Checklist.
    • A reminder that the 2020-21 Annual Operating Plan Submission package, released July 2, is due mid-September, although this due date is not firm. There is a webinar with the ministry on our site on how to complete AOP and Schedule A that may be helpful – please click here for the recording.

    Transitioning to a new normal

    PPE

      Virtual care

    Human Resources

    • AFHTO is arranging a webcast for late August that will provide guidance to boards on governance through COVID-19 and beyond. Stay tuned for registration details!
    • The ministry has rolled out pandemic pay to hospitals, long-term care homes, and retirements homes, and they are working on Ontario Health and municipalities. Teams that are leading FHT-run assessment centres should connect with their OH contact  at MOH.PPInquiries@ontario.ca to seek clarity on receiving their pandemic pay.
    • R&R funding was disbursed in April, and teams should be working on reallocating the increases. For guidance, please see the Recruitment and Retention Planning Document and the Compensation Guidance Document for more information. This is the last of the four-year commitment to R&R increases, and we will be looking at future compensation advocacy when the timing is right.

    Reminders!

    • HR webinar: The third webinar for executive directors on Managing HR through COVID-19 with Maria McDonald of McDonald HR Law is this Wednesday, July 29, at 11 AM. Registration will close end-of-day tomorrow, so please register now if you haven’t yet! This webinar’s for EDs only unless an ED requests otherwise.
    • Membership: The deadline for renewing AFHTO memberships is this Friday, July 31. Please contact Paula Myers with any questions. We hope we have proven of value to you this past year, and we will strive to continue to do so throughout the changes we are all experiencing.
    • ED interviews: AFHTO is working with our research partners to showcase how primary care has stepped up – and will continue to step up – to support Ontarians and to ensure a sustainable and equitable healthcare system. Thank you to all the EDs who have already had interviews with our researchers, and a reminder to other EDs to please schedule your interview

     

    As discussed on the call, here is a link to Shared Service Agreements that teams can use between organizations and with unaffiliated physicians. These are templates provided by Cottage Country FHT and would require legal review before finalisation for any teams.

    Keep checking out our COVID-19 section that we regularly update with news, tools, and resources, including the daily situation reports and regular memos from the ministry’s command table.

    We will be in touch late August or early September about resuming monthly regional ED calls in the fall if teams feel they would still be of value.

    Please contact us any time. We’re here to support you.

    Sincerely,

    Your AFHTO Team