Michelle Fehr, Sleep Disorder Centre

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

Michelle Fehr, a respiratory therapist at Misericordia’s Sleep Disorder Centre, says the sleep team has upped their game during COVID-19.

To protect patient safety and still deliver their needed services, they are visiting patients at hospitals to allow them to go home sooner rather than bring them to MHC for a full sleep study.

Ordinarily a sleep study would allow Michelle and her team to determine if someone requires a bi-level machine to help them breathe during sleep, and how to calibrate the machine for that patient.

To allow patients to get their machines and go home, the team at Misericordia is remotely downloading data from the machines and visiting patients at hospitals to give them the help they need to go home without making an extra trip to the centre.

It’s a major adaptation, but it’s keeping more people safe during the COVID-19 outbreak and still allowing patients with sleep disorders or lung disease to get the equipment they need to breathe properly.

Michelle is also keeping herself and others safe by washing her hands a lot more, and social/physical distancing—a critical measure to stopping the spread of the virus. It’s a measure Michelle will be glad to discard once COVID-19 is defeated.

“You know what I miss doing? Hugging people. That will probably be the first thing I give them a hug, all my friends, when this is over!”

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: covid19manitoba.ca

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

Shauna Courchene, Patient Registration

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

Patient registrar, Shauna Courchene, has been putting in some extra shifts at Misericordia’s patient registration desk. COVID-19 has brought new screening procedures and safety protocols that are ever-changing.

“Often we’re the first checkpoint for patients after an initial screening at an entrance,” she says.

“We register them before they go up for surgery or any minor procedures. Also our emergency eye care.”

Patients have been coming in a little more nervous during the COVID-19 outbreak, especially older people.

“It puts a smile on my face when they say, ‘You’re so cheerful.’

“It’s our responsibility and dedication to make sure all patients and their families feel safe when they’re coming in.”

Shauna says the patient registration team takes care of each other. She usually starts, and ends, her day checking in with everyone to make sure they’re feeling OK.

“I feel like we’re all in this together.”

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: covid19manitoba.ca

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

Jimmy Varga, Finance

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

For Jimmy Varga, MHC’s director of finance, it’s almost business as usual in the finance department as bills still need to be paid and staff hired as the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve.

“It’s year end, so this time of year is always busy,” says Jimmy. “Plus, we are now tracking COVID-19 expenses separately from the rest of operations, in terms of salary and supply costs.”

“The Provincial Health Contact Centre has been most impacted with the hiring of close to 70 new COVID-19 screeners as casual positions within Health Links – Info Santé.”

Residents and families who usually visit the finance department in person to make payments are now being guided to mail in cheques, pay over the phone using credit card or set up recurring direct deposits.

“I’ve also noticed everyone is washing their hands more regularly in the department,” says Jimmy with a laugh.

On a more personal note, Jimmy enjoys checking in on breaks with his wife to see how she is faring at home caring for their 10-month-old Elias, who is just starting to wave.

Jimmy’s finding it hard not being able to take Elias to visit grandparents – in particular Jimmy’s Mom, who is a health-care aide in a Winnipeg emergency department – for everyone’s safety. 

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: covid19manitoba.ca

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

John Beilman, Environmental Services

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

“I’ve never experienced anything like this in my life. You get used to doing things for decades,” said John Beilman, on the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on Misericordia.

“Each cleaning staff member typically has their floor or area to clean, but when I’m paged, it can be anytime, anything, anywhere.”

Nowadays there is an increased need to gear up in personal protective equipment (PPE) for terminal cleaning of isolation rooms. PPE includes gloves, a gown and a mask, to protect patients and staff.

John has been part of the MHC environmental services team for more than four decades, starting as part-time staff, working weekends.

The environmental services team is always diligent and conscientious about deep cleaning, but COVID-19 has presented different work like, “We took half of the chairs out of the cafeteria, and spaced them,” said John about COVID-19 procedures, including social distancing.

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: manitoba.ca/covid19

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

Dr. Mathen K. Mathen, Head of Ophthalmology

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

“Nothing is normal. Everything is different,” Dr. Mathen sums up the evolving COVID-19 situation at Misericordia, home to the provincial eye care centre of excellence.

Ophthalmologists are still seeing patients in MHC’s eye care clinics, but only those whose condition would otherwise deteriorate if they didn’t continue to receive timely care: many macular degeneration injections and oncology appointments, for example.

Dr. Mathen is currently working with Winnipeg ophthalmologists across the city to finalize a new process so they can provide on-call eye care at Misericordia – where personal protective equipment (PPE) and support is more available – rather than in their offices.

Coincidentally, as he’s speaking, an ophthalmology resident pops her head into Dr. Mathen’s office to fit-test a pair of PPE goggles.

“We’re reduced our elective surgery slates,” says Dr. Mathen, “and we may go to strictly emergency surgeries in the near future. I know this is a difficult message for patients who have been waiting some time for eye surgeries. We take our direction from Shared Health and this is absolutely the safest way to protect our patients and our staff.”

“Misericordia will always remain open for eye emergencies.”

Indeed. Dr. Mathen is the emergency on-call ophthalmologist this week and performed four retinal detachment surgeries today.

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: covid19manitoba.ca

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

Jen Downie, Occupational Health

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

COVID-19 has required Jen Downie to adjust her life for the time being.

The MHC occupational health nurse left for a family vacation to Florida in early March—before the outbreak started affecting Canadian lives very much.

“Nothing was really happening yet when we left, and then everything went bananas.”

They returned on March 17, and Jen has been working from home ever since.

“My priority is the health and safety of the staff at MHC,” said Jen, who is on day five of 14 days of isolation with her family.

“My kids are older (11 and 14) and are very good at looking after themselves. My husband is a teacher and has been busy preparing learning packages for his students.”

From home, Jen is able to answer many questions from concerned staff over the phone. She’s also been coordinating with her MHC colleague Dianne to screen staff and help provide important advice and recommendations and support.

The most important message she has for the staff at MHC right now is: “Stay home from work if you are sick, practice frequent hand washing and practice social distancing.”

Jen is looking forward to being back at MHC after her isolation

“I do feel a sense of community and connectedness as we all navigate this together. I am proud to be on staff at MHC and am so grateful to be able to contribute to the health and safety of the MHC family.”

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: manitoba.ca/covid19

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

Thomas Koop, Nursing Student

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

Thomas Koop and many of his fellow 4^th year University of Manitoba nursing students are working the phones as COVID-19 screeners at Health Links-Info Santé.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now. There’s so many different places to get information from—just about everything you read on social media. A lot of people are anxious.”

Thomas and other nursing students were redirected to help as screeners at Health Links-Info Santé when COVID-19 caused many of their community health practicums to be cancelled. After completing necessary training he began answering calls and helping people.

“I’m used to assessing patients at a hospital bed, and over the phone has its unique challenges.”

Thomas says in spite of longer wait times at Health Links-Info Santé, people have been very friendly and thankful.

“Everyone I’ve talked to has been super understanding.”

Thomas was also happy to see the arrival of the online COVID-19 screening tool (also available by calling 1-877-308-9038) for Manitobans to determine if they should contact Health Links – Info Santé or seek other medical advice.

As more and more people are isolating and practicing social distancing to help prevent virus spread, Thomas has good advice for us all:

“Keep doing what Manitobans do best: be friendly, be supportive. It’s really easy to get scared right now, but just keep doing what we have to do.”

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: manitoba.ca/covid19

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

Kory Wilson, Security

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and Misericordia Health Centre staff are on the front lines.

Kory Wilson says his job has become “a little more detailed,” since COVID-19.

The 22-year veteran of the Misericordia Health Centre security team is helping screen everyone arriving at the health centre.

“The process is working,” Kory says.

Everyone entering the health centre is asked about their recent travel and if they have any cold/flu symptoms. Depending on their answers, they might be ushered to a side area where a nurse gives a more detailed screening and decides on next steps.

“At the end of the day, we have to keep staff and patients safe,” says Kory.

Although he sees some people are feeling anxious or stressed about COVID-19, most everyone has been understanding and grateful.

“A lot of people, as they’re leaving, say ‘thank you, and stay safe.’”

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: manitoba.ca/covid19

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

Shery McManus, Recreation

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

Shery McManus has worked at Misericordia Health Centre for 30 years. She started her MHC days in the housekeeping department, spent 15 years working at Misericordia Place and the last five years she’s been a part of the PRIME recreation team.

Now with PRIME having a limited capacity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Shery describes her role as “floating.” She goes to where Misericordia long-term care programs and residents need her. At this time, it’s Misericordia Place.

“Feels like I’m going home to Misericordia Place,” said Shery.

Misericordia Place is somewhere she already knows, but the residents don’t know her…yet.

“I baked cookies for the residents at Miz Place. They’ll get to know me and I’ll bribe them with cookies,” she jokes.

Some residents are feeling scared and uncertain about everything that’s going on in the world right now. And that’s when recreation staff, like Shery, come in to support residents’ needs. Older adults in long-term care can face social isolation – they may be separated from their spouse and friends.

“Recreation staff are there for your family member, when you can’t be there,” said Shery.

With long-term care facilities suspending visitors, MHC recreation staff is focusing on one-on-one interactions with residents. The goal is to find activities residents like and recreate the feelings and sense of value that those activities bring. Additionally, iPads are being set up so residents can do video calls with friends and loved ones.

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: manitoba.ca/covid19

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19

Bernard Lambert, Health Links – Info Santé

The COVID-19 pandemic is changing our world and health-care professionals are on the front lines.

Bernard Lambert is a Team Leader at Centre de Santé in St. Boniface. Last week he brought his staff to join forces with the Health Links-Info Santé team at Misericordia Health Centre to help with the influx of phone calls from Manitobans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bernard and his team of 10 usually work out of their St. B. location, fielding calls to Health Links-Info Santé requiring French language services. COVID-19 has brought everyone together under the MHC roof to streamline and coordinate efforts.

“It’s better to be an army together than an army split,” said Bernard.

The number of nurses and COVID-19 screeners taking calls in a 24-hour period has risen dramatically since COVID-19 began, and they’re training and adding more every day to help bring down wait times.

Bernard, who has been a nurse for 39 years, including 16 working emergency, says he’s amazed at how cooperative and patient Manitobans have been as the call centre ramps up to meet increased demand.

“They thank us when we answer, even if they’ve been waiting a long time.”

He’s happy to see an online COVID-19 screening tool (also available by calling 1-877-308-9038) now up and running to help Manitobans determine if they should call Health Links-Info Santé or seek other medical advice.

Keep COVID-19 informed by visiting: manitoba.ca/covid19

#mhcfamily #healthcareheroesMB #COVID19