Good morning, TeamUHN!
It is a pleasure to connect with you across care, research, and education through this weekly CEO update – all in service of A Healthier World.
Key reminders and updates
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After 19 months of incredibly hard work from TeamUHN, we went live on Epic – a modern health information system that is supercharging our clinical transformation! At 4:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, I had the great honour of being in the main command centre at Atrium on Bay to press the "Go-Live Button" and celebrate the crowning achievement of the Synapse project with other TeamUHN members. This momentous occasion was available on a livestream, and was recorded and is
available for replay here.
This is a landmark moment for UHN and one will take us to the next level of care, with one source of truth for the patients we are fortunate to serve. There are, of course, issues to be resolved in the coming days and weeks, and working through learning curves as we become familiar with the system. Then, once the system is stabilized and we have mastery of daily workflows, we can start to turn our attention toward optimization and enhancement. We want to walk steadily before we run.
As I've said in the past, it is entirely normal and expected for there to be moments of stress over the coming weeks as we adapt to a change of this magnitude. I thank you all, in advance, for treating each other with respect, professionalism, and kindness as we all work to become masters of this new system. Please remember to be kind to yourself, as well.
On Saturday, I had the privilege to visit some units and talk with staff about go-live, and the enthusiasm, optimism, and commitment I saw and felt were authentic. TeamUHN is strong, resilient, kind, and forward-thinking, and the way you have embraced this transformational change is proof of that.
Thank you to the Synapse and Digital teams' commitment to resolving urgent issues to stabilize the system, and the ongoing journey of optimization to enhance the quality and safety of patient care, education, and research.
Thank you TeamUHN and congratulations! We finally have the health information system you – and our patients – have been wanting for far too long.
Please read more about our Synapse implementation
in this story from UHN News. -
Earlier this morning, I was pleased to participate in the groundbreaking ceremony for the world's largest raw wastewater energy transfer system at Toronto Western Hospital. I marked the milestone alongside Toronto Mayor John Tory and leaders from Noventa Energy Partners, the Canada Infrastructure Bank, Vancity Community Investment Bank, and Enbridge Gas. This project will lower our greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 10,000 metric tonnes each year, make our hospitals more resilient, and provide access to wastewater samples that will bolster our status as the top research hospital in Canada. While you can learn more about today's announcement in an upcoming UHN News story,
this article from last spring and
this video explain more about this exciting endeavour.
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Last Thursday night, the Ontario Progressive Conservatives won a second majority government in the provincial election. I congratulate Premier Doug Ford on his new mandate and commend NDP Leader Andrea Horwath, Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner, and all who stepped forward to put their name on a ballot for their public service and spirited campaigns. As the top hospital in Ontario – and indeed, Canada – we are always eager to work with the provincial government to advance care, research, and education, and move forward our goals for A Healthier World. I look forward to working with whomever is appointed Ontario's next Minister of Health.
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Last week, the Government of Canada extended COVID-19 border restrictions for travellers entering Canada until at least June 30. These measures include requiring visitors to provide proof of being fully vaccinated, and for unvaccinated Canadians and permanent residents to show proof of a negative molecular test taken before entering Canada and quarantine for 14 days. Learn more about those restrictions on the
Government of Canada website.
Closing Notes
Sunday, June 5 was World Environment Day: Thanks to our Facilities Management – Planning, Redevelopment & Operations (FM-PRO) colleagues on the Energy & Environment Team for helping UHN to deliver planet-centred care, research, and education across our sites every day. Climate change is a major threat to health and we're grateful for their efforts in addressing pressing environmental issues, as well as fostering a strong culture of sustainability at UHN. In 2021 alone, they reduced overall energy use by 1.5 per cent and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 12,847-tonnes – the equivalent of taking 225 cars off the road. Energy & Environment has also been hard at work with 700 staff who volunteer for the Green Team – most recently the team volunteered for a planting day at the
Indigenous Healing Garden located at The Michener Institute of Education at UHN.
Learn more at their annual report here and connect with the team at
green@uhn.ca.
June is Brain Injury Awareness Month. Each year, 50,000 Canadians experience a brain injury, which happen as a result of a car accident, a fall, or a medical problem such as a stroke, brain aneurysm, brain tumour, or cardiac arrest. The team at
Toronto Rehab provides rehabilitation to people who have acquired non-degenerative neurological disorders, helping those with a brain injury work towards returning to their jobs, and living more independently.
The Hull-Ellis Concussion and Research Clinic at Toronto Rehab offers patients information about new research findings to improve concussion care.
The Canadian Concussion Centre at
Krembil Brain Institute includes world leaders in brain injuries, imaging, genetics, clinical care, neuropsychology, and psychiatry working together to diagnose and treat persisting symptoms of concussions and to do the research necessary to improve the diagnosis and treatment of concussions and their consequences. Learn more about the long-term consequences of concussion in a recent episode of Krembil Brain Institute's new podcast, 'Your Complex Brain'.
Starting today – Monday, June 6 – the free UHN shuttle bus pickup and drop-off location at Toronto Western Hospital (TWH) has been relocated to the north corner of Nassau St. and Leonard Ave. The move is necessary because of a watermain replacement and road construction being carried out by the City of Toronto on Leonard Ave., Lippincott St., Oxford St., and Bellevue Ave. This change will be in place until November 30, 2022, and will in no way impact clinical operations at TWH. Staff who park in the Leonard garage will still have full access to the Leonard Ave. entrance.
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Have a good week,
Kevin
