January 18, 2017
Amandeep Gill, left, Tasha Quaghebeur, Poonam Reddy and Simonette Oxales strike a pose at a staff appreciation event at the Northeast Community Health Centre in Edmonton.
Story by: Andrea Martin
Community and rural hospitals in Edmonton Zone have challenged their teams to make safety part of their everyday work — and it’s having a positive impact.
The 2016 rates for disabling and lost-time injuries dropped 10 per cent over the previous year, collectively, for the Northeast Community Health Centre, Strathcona Community Hospital, Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital, Westview Health Centre, Leduc Community Hospital and Devon General Hospital.
“We’ve taken a holistic approach to safety, knowing that we need to support and care for our staff, so they can do their best to look after patients,” says Donna Grier, executive director of Edmonton Zone Community and Rural Hospitals for AHS.
The focus on worker safety and wellness starts at the top. Each month, Grier meets with her leadership team to talk safety, as they review their disabling injury rates, identify hazards and share best practices.
In turn, each site has its own respective workplace safety committee, with representatives from all clinical areas and departments such as Pharmacy, Nutrition and Food Services, and Facilities, Maintenance and Engineering (FM&E).
Heather Durstling, site director for the Fort Saskatchewan Community Hospital and Northeast Community Health Centre, says the focus on safety has evolved beyond these monthly meetings and has become a part of every workday.
“Everyone on the committee is expected to take ideas for improving safety back to their teams to put into practice, or further refine to suit their work environments,” adds Durstling. “They’re also tasked with keeping their team’s safety education up-to-date and maintaining their area’s Workplace Health and Safety bulletin board.”
“Time is the major contributing factor and the difference between someone getting hurt or not,” adds her colleague Wayne Mangatal, a Temperature Control Mechanic/HVAC at the hospital. “We keep our skills fresh and our eyes sharp for any anomalies that may present any impending dangers.”
Rhonda Ikert, unit manager and Northeast-Workplace Health and Safety committee leader, says the success of this grassroots safety committee is due to the fact it challenges frontline workers to become part of the solution.
“It’s about listening to staff concerns and taking action to resolve issues as soon as possible,” adds Ikert. “Our FM&E team at Northeast and Fort Saskatchewan are a big part of our success — their sense of pride in keeping our facility safe and flexibility in coming up with solutions to unexpected challenges.”
Creating a positive safety culture, however, involves more than just eliminating potential hazards. Efforts must also focus on recognizing good work and employee wellbeing.
“Last summer, the unit managers at Northeast wanted to host an event for staff to have a little fun at work and show our appreciation for all they do,” says Durstling. “We organized a weeklong celebration that included department-led coffee and treats, an open market and staff BBQ and photo booth.”
For Durstling, it’s all a step in the right direction.
“By working together, we’re caring for our people so they are healthy, safe and appreciated for all the wonderful work they do.”
