Vulcan and Region Family and Community Support Services hosted the Calgary Bow Regional FCSS spring conference with 30 Staff, Board and Council Members from many communities.  This region includes Calgary, Banff, Canmore, Airdrie, Strathmore, Wheatland, Rockyview, High River, Foothills, Claresholm, Nanton, Stavely and Vulcan. It was a lovely bright, open space, and we appreciate being able to use it and showcase the Wellness Space to other communities. The morning speaker was Andrea Davis, a survivor of the Costa Concordia Cruise Ship Disaster, speaking on trauma, resilience and the kindness of others.  An Association update and regional sharing of information followed that. 

 

Staff were able to participate in NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Program) in the wellness centre on April 15^th. This course teaches staff concepts and hands-on skills required in caring for newborns that need resuscitation. A theory component and exam are done before the hands-on portion and testing, as seen in the photos. Having this onsite allows us to work with our site-specific equipment to familiarize ourselves and keep the experience true to our practice. We practice setting up the baby warmer, airway management, chest compressions, and medication delivery.

In conjunction with NRP, staff can also participate in Maternity Update, where we review imminent deliveries and complications.

Although Vulcan does not provide maternity services anymore, the staff still maintain their skills and knowledge through these courses. We provide this care in emergency cases such as imminent deliveries and when caring for patients being transferred for further care.

The Staff at the Vulcan Community Health Centre is using the Wellness Space for ongoing training. And would like the community to know how thankful they are. 

ACLS (advanced cardiac life support) took place in the wellness centre on Tuesday January 26, 2021. The staff was covering IOs at this station (intraosseous – drilling into the bone when no IV access).  We do this often in cardiac compromised patients and trauma patients. Staff are able to spread out during class content and then can come together for skills station. 

Connect Care is the bridge between information, healthcare teams, patients and the future. The foundation of Connect Care is a common clinical information system, that will allow healthcare providers a central access point to patient information, common clinical standards and healthcare practices. 

Currently, the Wellness Space is being utilized for onsite training for our local healthcare team. Having space to provide this training, and remain socially distanced and safe. 

We are able to do this training in this place, because of your donations. 

Thank you!

On Wednesday, Feb. 17 we had Patrice Jull from 3M** come and provide education on Negative Pressure Wound Therapy using V.A.C. Therapy (vacuum-assisted closure). We set it up as a Zoom session for other staff to attend as well.

This type of therapy delivers negative pressure (from a vacuum) to a specialized foam dressing attached to the wound. This helps promote wound healing for difficult to heal wounds. The presentation covered how to prepare the wound bed, dress it and use the V.A.C. unit and accessories. Staff then participated in hands-on learning practicing with the equipment and simulated wound beds provided by Patrice. We finished off the session by setting up and completing wound care on our actual patient requiring this kind of therapy.

We don’t often receive patients with wound vacuum dressings so having the opportunity to bring in some “just in time training” helps staff provide current and competent safe care. This type of therapy is being used more and we will likely see more patients with it. Being able to provide this to our patients helps bring them back to their community sooner, spending less time in the urban hospitals.

We were so grateful to have the opportunity to use the new Multipurpose Room at the Vulcan Community Health Centre for the Covid-19 Vaccine Program. Our focus on the first few clinics is on the ages of 75 and up. For a lot of the seniors, it was their first visit since the new build, and they expressed how fortunate they were to be able to receive the Vaccine here in Vulcan. Having this large space available really simplified the planning of the Vaccination Program. 

It is a beautiful, functional space!

Supportive Pathways, Dementia Care Training. 

As the Clinical Nurse Educator at the Vulcan Community Health Centre, I received dementia care training that I provide to staff called Supportive Pathways. 

Staff working in Long Term Care are required to have this training. I attended an Early Onset Dementia Conference in Edmonton two years ago, thanks to the Vulcan County Health and Wellness Foundation bursary program. At this conference, I entered a draw and won the opportunity to be registered in a 12-day course called Dementia Care Matters! These 2 courses have allowed me to shape and enhance the Supportive Pathways course I teach staff and contributed to the Dementia Care for Support Staff training I provided in April. It was great to focus on support staff such as environmental services, dietary, and recreation as they have special day-to-day interactions with our residents.

My passion for dementia care has evolved through my nursing practice, training, and most importantly, through the eyes of a daughter of a parent living with Dementia. The picture in the PowerPoint is of my mom Dianne in a care facility with my daughter Mya making kissing faces at each other. Making moments with people living with Dementia can be as simple as drawing, doing puzzles, listening to music, or holding hands. These connections are often simple but impactful.