BC Cancer Agency’s Abbotsford Centre celebrates one-year anniversary
Many staff from the Abbotsford Centre will tell you that the past year has whizzed by so quickly they haven’t had a chance to reflect on their one-year anniversary. However, it’s evident when you walk through the doors of the centre that the nervous anticipation of opening day has given way to a newfound confidence.
The BC Cancer Agency has developed considerable expertise in planning, building, and working with communities to operate new cancer centres. In the last 15 years, three new centres opened in the province: the Fraser Valley Centre in 1995, the Centre for the Southern Interior in 1998 and an expanded centre in Victoria in 2001.
However, the landscape changed with the opening of the Abbotsford Centre in August 2008 (the official opening ceremony was held in September). The new centre, the first to be completely designed in tandem with a hospital, was built using a public-private partnership model.
“Not only did staff have to learn how to navigate within a new centre and with new work teams, but we became part of a complex organization – the ARHCC – which has multiple partners – the Provincial Health Services Authority, the Fraser Health Authority (FHA), the BC Cancer Agency and Access Health Abbotsford (AHA) – so the new structure took some getting used to,” says Noorjean Hassam, director of regional operations for the Abbotsford and Fraser Valley Centres. But almost a year later, staff have settled in well.
“There’s a mental switch that’s happening now from planning and getting a new hospital and cancer centre up and running to how do we become fully operational and make things run more efficiently,” adds Noorjean.
The lessons learned from Abbotsford will be invaluable as the Agency moves ahead with planning for its sixth cancer centre in the province: the Centre for the North in Prince George. The Agency, FHA and AHA are conducting post-evaluation surveys looking at key areas such as project infrastructure, building maintenance, equipment procurement, IM/IT, and HR, and those reports will help inform staff as they move forward with the planning, construction and operation of the new centre, another public-private partnership project.
Patient Comments
Opening a new cancer centre is a complex undertaking, but once the doors are open, the true measure of success is based on patient satisfaction, as Noorjean Hassam, director of regional operations, notes in the adjacent article. Below are just a few comments from Abbotsford Centre patients that let us know how we’re doing:
“I am so grateful to staff and volunteers in the cancer centre. We've had so much support in this difficult life journey."
"I started radiation for prostate cancer in November, 2008. I find staff so friendly and helpful. I had to cancel a couple of times on account of the weather, but I was told to come in when I could and they would fit me in. I give the staff in Unit 4 (Radiation) a Big 10."
"Cancer clinic staff and facilities are a credit to our community"
"No complaints, just praise for all the love and care given by everyone. You all are truly professionals, with a heart for your patients.”
"I have nothing but respect for staff and they way they go about their job with skill and good humour."
“They tried very hard to match what I wanted and if I needed a certain time due to other appointments, they were great.”
For continuity, many of the staff involved in planning for the Abbotsford Centre are also involved in planning for the Centre for the North, which should make the process even smoother the second time around. In the meantime, Abbotsford Centre staff have some helpful pointers. “It’s important to start early, particularly when it comes to staff recruitment; to establish good working relationships with your partners; and to remember that no matter how well you plan, the unexpected always happens, so take it as it comes,” says Tammy Currie, director of Radiation Therapy for the Abbotsford Centre.
Recruitment has been a challenge – as it is across the country – and that might mean looking at different ways of delivering care. “How do you still provide excellent care, while taking into account the reality that you might have a more difficult time recruiting than in an urban centre?” asks Dr. Frances Wong, chief physician for the Abbotsford and Fraser Valley Centres. “Abbotsford is a good place to test out some innovative models that could be transferred to Prince George.”
“You need to think creatively about incorporating telehealth, videoconferencing, and IT support in order to provide care,” says Heather Rennie, leader of Patient and Family Counselling, “as you may not have all your staff at start-up.”
You also need to be sensitive to the needs of the community says Heather. “You can’t simply take a program which is working in one area and transfer it to another, as each community’s needs are different.”
Proper mentorship and training for new recruits is also important says Sue Gill, clinical nurse leader, Abbotsford Centre. “Many of our hires were new to the oncology setting, and had to be certified in a short time frame. However, their past experience and expertise has helped enhance the dynamics of the entire team.”
While challenging, opening a new centre provided opportunities for many programs. “You can innovate and try new things a bit more easily,” says Ram Ramaseshan, leader, medical physics for Abbotsford and Fraser Valley Centres. The Abbotsford Centre medical physics team was the first to implement a paperless system within the department.
At the end of the day though the ultimate measure of success is based on whether patients feel they are receiving good care, says Noorjean. “Even though we’re in this beautiful setting, in a state-of-the-art building with the latest equipment, the first thing patients mention is how caring staff and volunteers are – and that means a lot to me.”
One-year milestone: reflections from staff
We asked Abbotsford Centre staff what the highlights were for them over the past year. Here are some of their responses:
The highlight of working at the Abbotsford Centre has been being part of something that is going to be great for the future of the community. Abbotsford has opened up the possibility for many more people to have treatment closer to home and not have to make the long drive to Surrey or Vancouver.
Kelly Augustson, secretary, Systemic Therapy.
Patients have repeatedly expressed their pride and excitement that this fantastic centre is in their home community. It has been a welcome relief to those many patients needing cancer treatment, particularly through the long winter of 2008.
Gregory Huebner, clinical counsellor, Patient and Family Counselling.
The Abbotsford Centre brought so many different people together – from different professions, backgrounds, and regions – and we’ve all worked well together to open up this new centre. I’m really proud to have been part of the team.
Kookie Bedia, unit clerk, Systemic Therapy.
The teamwork has been inspiring. The staff as well as patients are nurtured here. I had been away from a cancer centre setting for 10 years before I was hired at Abbotsford, and I'm really happy that the caring and nurturing environment hasn't changed.
Tammy Waterhouse, pharmacy technician.
It was a lot of fun to be able to talk to patients, the public and staff at the Open Houses which were held when the centre first opened. It was a really eye-opening experience for people to get a behind the scenes look at what we do.
Glenn Anderson, Radiation Therapy Service Technologist.
We're starting to see patients who were here at the beginning graduate from treatment. I get to spend a lot of time with my patients and really get to know them, and it is such a great feeling when they finish treatment and are ready to go on with their lives.
Barb Fulton, nurse, Systemic Therapy.
Everybody has been very helpful and supportive. There's a sense that we're all working towards the same goal, and everybody just helps each other.
Mackenzie Yu, radiation therapist.
Advancing Strategic Direction #1
Sustain and advance the BC Cancer Agency's system of cancer control.
ACU Revamps Chart Maintenance Procedures through imPROVE
As one of the first of many imPROVE RPIW’s (Rapid Process Improvement Workshops) scheduled to take place in the Ambulatory Care Unit this year, the Vancouver Centre Chart Maintenance Project looked at how we compile and manage charts.
Charts often consist of loose papers randomly attached to the health record folder. In an effort to reduce potential losses and wasted time looking for documents, the RPIW team looked at ways of streamlining chart maintenance.
While preparing for Accreditation, it was discovered that loose papers were often attached to the outside and inside front covers of the patient’s chart, with unsecure methods such as paper clips and rubber bands. This allows staff to have ready access to the most relevant information, but also poses a potential risk because confidential information can become lost or mixed-up. The completion of Allergy Alert Forms and Signature Logs were also areas of focus.
The team that looked at this particular initiative included staff who were in the ACU and Health Information Services. “This initiative has come from the people who are on the front lines doing the work,” says Mary Flaherty, director, Clinical Operations, Systemic Therapy. “We wanted those individuals in the trenches to bring forward solutions and test the changes.”
The team decided that the overarching principles of the project were:
- The integrity of the chart should be complete.
- The chart should be physically secure.
- Staff should have ready-access to the most relevant information.
The chart as a tool needs to be functional and parallel a patient’s journey to provide informed, safe and risk-free care. “By reducing the number of loose documents attached to a chart, we’re working to improve patient safety,” says Steve Lundie, health unit clerk, ACU Systemic Therapy, VC, and team participant.
To reduce potential risk, a plastic sleeve will be placed in every patient’s chart to store important documents until they can later be filed. Unit clerks will process the documents and put them back in the sleeve, which will act as a temporary repository. Health records staff will then process the information. They are the only ones with authority to add or delete information from a patient’s assembled chart. To combat staff confusion, the team devised standard guidelines for filing and discarding documents.
In order to address incomplete or missing Allergy Alert Forms, the team has drafted a policy that will allow nurses and pharmacists to enter information as well, essentially improving patient safety and care.
For incomplete Signature Forms, the team devised a departmental signature log so that a department record is kept of all signatures of staff and students who care for patients. “We are working to improve patient safety,” says Steve. “By creating a master list of signatures, patient safety will be improved. There will be a clear cut record of who’s been in contact with the patient.”
The implementation process is currently taking place and staff are being educated on the new practices. While it may take a while to achieve full compliance with existing patient charts, the new procedures should be in place this September. For the rest of the regional centres, the implementation date is set for October.
Advancing Strategic Direction #1
Sustain and advance our system of cancer control.
PET facility update: Cyclotron arrives on site
The PET radiopharmaceutical laboratory – currently under construction at the BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Centre – celebrated a major milestone with the delivery of a cyclotron - a machine that produces radioisotopes used in PET scanning.
On June 6, workers carefully positioned the 22 ton crated machine in a specially constructed cyclotron vault, which has four feet thick concrete walls for shielding. Construction will continue around the cyclotron and is expected to be completed in September 2009. Full installation and commissioning of the cyclotron will begin when construction is complete.
The new 6,000 square foot laboratory will enable the Agency to produce a stable, safe and secure source of radioisotopes used to perform PET/CT scans as well as conduct research and clinical trials on novel radiopharmaceuticals. Currently, TRIUMF at UBC is providing the radioisotope required for the Agency’s clinical PET program until the Agency facility begins onsite production.
The state-of-the-art facility includes three separate clean rooms dedicated to clinical and research radioisotope production.
PET, or positron emission tomography, is a non-invasive whole-body imaging procedure which allows physicians to more accurately diagnose and manage disease. A special type of sugar (FDG ) is attached to a radioactive component, which is then injected into the patient. The PET scanner can detect metabolic changes at the cellular level by monitoring which cells absorb the FDG.
Watch for more updates in the Link.
Advancing Strategic Direction #1
Sustain and advance our system of cancer control.
First carbon neutral action report submitted to government
BC Cancer Agency initiatives among report’s success stories
In May, Ruth Abramson, corporate manager, Environmental Sustainability, submitted the PHSA’s first Carbon Neutral Action Report to the government. It is a blueprint of how the PHSA and its agencies are moving towards becoming carbon neutral.
At the BC Cancer Agency, staff have been dedicated to reducing electricity and paper usage, and using environmentally friendly modes of transportation.
The Vancouver Centre and Vancouver Island centres most recently switched to LED lighting in parkades and perimeter areas. The new lighting uses less energy than normal lighting, without compromising quality or safety.
As an organization, we’re committed to buildings that incorporate environmentally sustainable design, construction and operational features. The BC Cancer Agency’s Research Centre was the first newly-constructed health care or laboratory building to achieve the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Canada gold rating. The Centre for the North will also be built to be as environmentally sustainable as possible.
“Staff at the Agency are already highly involved in green initiatives,” says Ruth, “But I’d like to encourage everyone to get involved and look for changes they alone or as part of department can make towards sustainability.”
If you’re interested in reading the full report, or tips on how you can make a difference, check out the PHSA pod (type in pod in your web browser).
If you have examples of what you’re doing in your department or centre, please send them to Ruth at rabramson@phsa.ca We will profile some of the best stories in future issues of the Link. Ruth is also interested in hearing your ideas on what the Agency can do to be more sustainable.
Newsmakers
In April, at a special ceremony, the BC Friendship Centre acknowledged the support and care provided to two of their staff members by the BC Cancer Agency.
Members of the BC Friendship Centre and native elders from the First Nations band mixed sage and tobacco in with soil to mark the Vancouver Island Centre, which sits on First Nations land, as sacred ground. They proceeded to honour Johanna den Duyf, Systemic Therapy Leader, Vancouver Island Centre, with a drumming song led by Paul Lacerte, the executive director. Native elders also sang and prayed at the event, which included a presentation to Johanna of a First Nations blanket, an authentic drum, and a red flag and smudge to be placed in the east window of the building to protect the centre.
“It was an incredibly humbling and moving experience to have received such tributes. It is very much an honour,” says Johanna. "I was a bit in shock!”
“Cancer affects not only the individual, but their friends and family and there is a real feeling of community that shines through the relationship between the two centres.”
The drum will be added to the artwork already on display at the centre. “The Vancouver Island Centre will now forever be wrapped in the First Nations arms," says Johanna.
Dr. Connie Eaves (Vice-President, Discovery) has been awarded the Henry M. Stratton Medal from the American Society of Hematology. Connie receives the award for her remarkable achievements in the area of stem cell biology over more than two decades. Connie has been on the cutting edge of adapting or introducing technologies related to stem cell biology, especially her ground-breaking techniques of using the long-term culture system to understand the proliferative and renewal properties of normal and malignant primitive human hematopoietic stem cells.
Dr. Ed Hardy (medical oncologist with the Vernon Community Cancer Centre) received the BC Cancer Agency's Centre for the Southern Interior Khong Khoo Community Care Award. Ed was chosen this year for his tireless work on behalf of cancer patients in the Vernon area and for being a relentless advocate for the clinic. Ed received his medical training in Saskatchewan and after a fellowhip in hematology and oncology in Salt Lake City Utah, he joined the Vernon Cancer Clinic in October 1999.
"Ed has made significant contributions to cancer care throughout the North Okanagan," says Dr. Kong Khoo, colleague and medical oncologist with the BC Cancer Agency's Centre for the Southern Interior. "He's been chief of staff and head of the Department of Medicine at Vernon Jubilee Hospital and been involved with numerous fund raising events for cancer in the North Okanagan."
Ed also recently received an award from Interior Health for his contributions to cancer and medical care in the Interior, and the Physician of the Year award from his peers in Vernon.
Inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer enormous success
By all accounts, the BC Cancer Foundation’s first-ever Ride to Conquer Cancer on June 20-21, 2009 was an enormous success. A total of 1,701 riders raised more than $6.9 million in the ride from Surrey to Seattle. The proceeds will directly fund research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.
Contact the BC Cancer Foundation
Provincial Office:
604.877.6040
infobccf@bccancer.bc.ca
Abbotsford:
Liz Harris
604.851.4736
lharris3@bccancer.bc.ca
Fraser Valley:
Kate Ludlam
604.930.4083
kludlam@bccancer.bc.ca
Southern Interior:
Cynthia Waldek-Peters
250.712.3910
cwaldekpeters@bccancer.bc.ca
Vancouver Island:
Laura Walsh
250.519.5554
lwalsh@bccancer.bc.ca
Vancouver:
Sharon Kennedy
604.877.6040
skennedy@bccancer.bc.ca
A large part of The Ride’s success is due to the excellent participation of BC Cancer Agency staff. Over 150 riders and crew took part from all over the province. Together, the Agency’s 10 teams raised close to $500,000!
So a very special thanks to all Agency team members: Linear Accelerators, OvCaRe, The Serious Adverse Events, Bloody Fools, Wheezy Riders, GrasPods Chain Gang, Valley Velociraptors, Team VIHA, BC Cancer Agency – Vancouver Island and Okie Spokies.
Here’s what The Serious Adverse Events team captain Dr. Kim Chi (medical oncologist and Medical Director, Clinical Trials Unit, BC Cancer Agency’s Vancouver Centre) had to say: “The Ride to Conquer Cancer was a fantastic event that blew away my expectations. It was especially rewarding for me to have some of my patients and their families on my team and to be able to ride with them. I'm definitely going to be forming another team next year.”
Agency radiation oncologist Dr. Tom Pickles shared this story of a training experience: “One day I arrived at work, locking the bike at the parkade exit. I felt great after a 40 km ride, lean and fit and in perfect health. Just as I locked the bike, a car exited the parkade. In the passenger seat was a young woman - maybe 25. She had no hair and was staring ahead with a neutral face. That was the moment the reason for the ride hit home. It wasn't about me training and feeling great, it wasn't about the participants at all. It was about raising serious money for those who are fighting the disease daily and who will face it in the years to come.”
Again, thank you all for making the Foundation’s inaugural Ride to Conquer Cancer such an amazing success, and we hope to ride with you in 2010. Online registration has already begun at www.conquercancer.ca.
Advancing Strategic Direction #4
Ensure we have the resources to achieve maximal organizational effectiveness.