Please see below for the following updates:

• Please report your income to SMPA for EPIC – Project Connect
• New guidelines for AV recordings by patients and visitors
• Guidance for scheduling meetings at Unity Health: Be mindful of religious and cultural observances
• COVID-19 vaccine information from pharmacy
• Changes to piperacillin-taxobactum dosing and standard method of administration at St. Michael's and Providence
• MSA Holiday Party E-invite

Thank you to DOM members who have signed up for a role with the rollout of the new EPR – EPIC.  A reminder to those of you with a contracted role that pays a stipend, these funds need to flow through the SMPA as it is income.  We have learned that UHT is providing you with direct payment. Please either forward the payments to the SMPA or report the income to Jessie Zhao.  

Unity Health has released a new guideline on audio and visual recordings by patients and visitors. Under Canadian law, patients are permitted to take a recording of a conversation they’re involved in without the consent of the other party, including recordings that staff and physicians may or may not be aware of. The new guideline outlines the expectations for staff and physicians within this legal framework.

We want to support our teams so they continue to feel safe at work. Recordings are not permitted in cases where a recording is illegal, obstructive, disruptive, targeted or harassing. We have developed an escalation process (outlined in the ‘Information for staff and physicians’ document below) and a number of resources to build awareness about the new guideline and help staff and physicians in situations where a patient would like to record their care.

Resources:

• Guideline: Audio and Video Recordings by Patients and Visitors
• Information for staff and physicians on the new guidelines (includes escalation process)
• Conversation starters for staff and physicians– key phrases to support staff during a recording encounter
• Hospital signage – 8.5x11 and 11x17 posters available to post in clinical areas. Leaders can order them from the Print Shop using this code: 90109
• Guideline FAQs for patients – these have been publicly posted on the Unity Health website and can be shared with patients and visitors, should they have questions

We appreciate your support in familiarizing yourself with the new guideline and these resources. If you have any questions about the guideline or these materials, please speak with your supervisor. 

Unity Health has developed a new guidance document to help staff, physicians, learners and leaders schedule meetings outside of religious holidays and cultural observances. Please read the document carefully and note that every reasonable effort should be made to allow staff, physicians, learners and volunteers to observe their religious and cultural events without jeopardizing the fulfillment of their obligations. A list of holidays and observances can be found on UnityNet, however, when scheduling a meeting, the best thing you can do is ask your attendees ahead of time if the proposed date and time conflicts with religious or cultural observances. If you think we’re missing an observance that should be added to UnityNet, please email [email protected].

The new guidance document can be found on the Human Rights Office page on UnityNet.

Please be advised that the Moderna Spikevax COVID Vaccine XBB.1.5 is now available for eligible inpatients.

As of Oct. 18, inpatient vaccine orders can be placed under CPOE at St. Michael’s and St. Joseph’s and on paper at Providence. Vaccinations will take place on Wednesdays and Fridays at St. Joseph’s and St. Michael’s, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Providence.

Please click below to access:

• Product Monograph
• Eligibility guidance document the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
• Consent Form which needs to be completed prior to vaccination. 

We are changing the piperacillin-tazobactam dosing and method of administration at St. Michael’s and Providence sites, effective Nov. 6, 2023.

Changes to piperacillin-tazobactam dosing and method of administration at St. Michael’s and Providence

(NOTE: St. Joseph’s has already implemented this change)

• Piperacillin-tazobactam convenience order set for adults includes orders for extended-infusion piperacillin-tazobactam dosing regimens for different clinical scenarios and renal function
• Piperacillin-tazobactam doses will be administered over four (4) hours [extended infusion] as the standard method of administration; only in exceptional circumstances should the doses be administered over 30 minutes [traditional infusion]

The Unity Health Antimicrobial Subcommittee has come to this decision to align with recent changes to microbiology susceptibility reporting criteria and due to the superior pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic exposure of extended-infusion over traditional infusion for piperacillin-tazobactam.

For more information on this change, read the Twice a Week article. 

As a reminder the MSA party is for physicians that pay the MSA dues.

Dear MSA Members, 

The MSA at St. Michael’s Hospital is happy to announce the return of our annual Holiday Party!

We will be hosting our event at the Omni King Edwards Hotel on SATURDAY DECEMBER 9^TH, 2023 at 6:00PM. 

Dress code is formal. Guest may bring a plus one. Seating arrangements can be chosen through the RSVP page. 

Please scan the QR code or click this link to RSVP. Guests may bring a plus one. The RSVP deadline will be on Wednesday November 15^th, 2023. 

Please contact the UHT MSA assistant Charmaine Retanal ([email protected]) if you have any questions. 

We look forward to seeing you all for our Annual Holiday Party!

Best,

Charmaine Retanal on Behalf of St. Michael’s MSA

Charmaine Retanal
Administrative Assistant to Dr. S. Grover
Therapeutic Endoscopy Unit

St. Michael's Hospital

30 Bond Street

Toronto, Ontario M5B 1W8

T: 416-864-5628