Be Aware Health Care | March 26th, 2024

Fake Nurses, Million Dollar Lawsuit, A New World Record, & More

Author

Marc
March 26, 2024

Good morning my Canadian readers. Before we begin let me fill you in on some historic medical news. In a tale of resilience and medical triumph, Walter Tauro, a patient at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto, has etched his name into history books. At the age of 87, Tauro has become the oldest kidney transplant recipient ever recognized by Guinness World Records. His journey, marked by 15 years of kidney disease, culminated in successful surgery, defying age-related doubts and showcasing the hospital's pioneering Kidney Transplant program. 

In this week’s email:

Ontario News

  1. Slipped Through The Cracks: Fake Nurses

  2. Guelph Hospital Faces Million Dollar Lawsuit

  3. More Push and More Action For Primary Care Teams

  4. Locum Program Survives with 6 Month Extension

Canada as a Whole 🇨🇦

  1. Canada Healthcare Ranks Last

  2. Discharge From Hospital. Check Into Hotel.

  3. Make Healthcare Free Again

Ontario News

Slipped Through The Cracks: Fake Nurses

Illustration of 3 nurses and their shadows with question marks over top of the shadows. Be Aware Healthcare logo can be seen beside the illustrations

In the hustle of Ontario's healthcare landscape, one voice rings clear: Doris Grinspun, CEO of the Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, she’s clear when it comes to patient safety.

Picture this: a 27-year-old woman facing fraud charges for allegedly impersonating a nurse in not one, not two, but three Ontario senior care facilities. Cue the alarm bells.

The Ministry of Long-Term Care's not messing around either. They're cracking down, mandating rigorous credential checks for every nurse hired, no exceptions. And a recent inspection in Hamilton's uncovered similar issues, shining a light on potential risks to our most vulnerable.

Now, these cases might be rare, but Grinspun's not taking any chances. She's sounding the alarm for ongoing diligence – because when it comes to patient safety, there's no room for slip-ups.

Guelph Hospital Faces Million Dollar Lawsuit

In a legal showdown unfolding in Hamilton, a resident is aiming for a hefty $1 million compensation from Guelph General Hospital (GGH) and its medical team. The claim alleges that during a total laparoscopic hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy at GGH in August 2022, their ovaries were removed without consent.

The patient points fingers at the hospital and staff, citing negligence that led to pain, suffering, and an elevated cancer risk due to the unauthorized ovary removal. While the hospital and its staff have fired back with a notice of intent to defend, it's vital to note that none of the allegations have been substantiated in court.

Adding complexity to the situation, the patient contends that a physician involved in the procedure confessed to causing gland death by inadvertently cutting off blood supply to the ovaries. Their response? Offering free hormone treatment samples, but the patient's current regimen, applying a topical treatment thrice daily, brings side effects like hot flashes and night sweats from hormone replacement therapy.

More Push and More Action For Primary Care Teams

In a strategic move, the Ontario government is funneling over $9.8 million into connecting up to 34,000 individuals to primary care teams across Simcoe, Bruce, and York Regions. This allocation is part of a broader $110 million initiative rolling out across the province.

The plan? Establishing ten new or expanded interprofessional primary care teams, catering to a spectrum of needs from Indigenous primary care to mental health support and clinics tailored for vulnerable populations.

The objective? Timely access to healthcare, alleviating the burden on emergency departments, and ultimately bolstering overall health outcomes.

Locum Program Survives with 6 Month Extension

If you remember from last week’s issue, we were on the edge of seats waiting to see if an essential hospital program would be canceled or renewed. Now Ontario's taking action to keep rural and northern hospitals afloat by extending its Temporary Locum Program for another six months.

This brainchild, born during the pandemic, lures city doctors to fill crucial shifts in rural hospitals. Health Minister Sylvia Jones is teaming up with the Ontario Medical Association, eyeing a long-term fix. But NDP health critic France Gelinas is hammering the drum for a permanent solution, not just eleventh-hour extensions

Canada as a Whole 🇨🇦

Canada Healthcare Ranks Last

Canada's in the hot seat, landing dead last in a healthcare access survey among its rich-country peers. A survey by the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

Only 86% of Canadians had a doctor or primary care spot in 2023, a dip from 93% in 2016. That's a staggering four million adults left out in the cold. And if you're hoping for a quick appointment? Well, tough luck. Just 26% managed same or next-day bookings, putting us at the bottom of the pile. It gets worse: Lower-income folks were hit hardest, with fewer securing primary care. Plus, nearly 40% of those left hanging had chronic health issues. And the pandemic's mental health toll? A whopping 29% reported battling depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues last year.

Discharge From Hospital. Check Into Hotel.

In Edmonton, another family's sounding the alarm after their kin's shuffled between two hotels post-hospital visit. Glen Green who has complex care needs; was ping-ponged from Royal Alexandra Hospital to shelters, all thanks to Contentment Social Services' housing setup.

First stop? A Travelodge in Leduc, then a move to Park Inn. But his family's not sold on the process or the care quality. And they're not alone. Another patient's family got similar treatment, sparking a whole mess of political and regulatory chatter.

Contentment Social Services is doubling down, citing bed shortages. Meanwhile, Park Inn staff aren't exactly thrilled, shedding light on the patient care pitfalls. The Premier's jumped in to settle unpaid bills, but health professionals say it's high time for better oversight and discharge planning to safeguard patients.

Make Healthcare Free Again

Health Minister Mark Holland's hammering home the Canada Health Act (CHA) to keep the healthcare playing field level for all Canadians. He's laid down the law with over $79 million in mandatory Canada Health Transfer (CHT) deductions, all to squash patient charges for vital services in 2021-2022. 'No more dipping into pockets,' the CHA says. But fear not, provinces and territories get those deducted bucks back once they get rid those patient charges. Six lucky areas are cashing in over $90 million in reimbursements. The feds are all in on teaming up with provinces and territories to keep healthcare universal and wallet-friendly.