Monday, April 27, 2020

St. Paul's to help expand hospital patient capacity

A room in St. Paul's Green Wing residence.

One of Waterloo Region’s largest hospitals is finding extra hospital bed capacity at one of the Affiliated and Federated Institutions of Waterloo.

St. Paul’s University College has agreed to provide Grand River Hospital (GRH) with 84 private rooms to house non-urgent, non-COVID patients currently housed at the hospital.

"We know that hospitals around the world are concerned about their capacity to accommodate the growing number of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Richard Myers, St. Paul’s Principal. “St. Paul’s is happy to do its part to ensure our hospitals have the resources they need during this extraordinary period.”

The agreement, which starts immediately and runs until June 30, 2020, allows the hospital to use St. Paul’s Green Wing residence to host low-acuity, non-COVID hospital patients who require an alternative level of care. These patients are typically waiting to be transferred to another care setting or home with support, and no longer require the level of acute care that the hospital provides, making the residence an ideal space. 

“We have been extremely pleased with the response from our community partners as we plan to accommodate a potential increase in patients due to COVID-19,” says Ron Gagnon, Grand River Hospital president and CEO. “Grand River Hospital has been investigating the use of temporary spaces on behalf of the hospitals in Waterloo Wellington to create capacity in area hospitals, should we need it in the coming weeks. 

“This partnership will enable us to manage a potential surge in need and support us in continuing to provide the very best care to those in our community.”

The Green Wing is a new addition to St. Paul’s, opening in fall 2017. Each room has its own washroom. No students will occupy St. Paul’s residences this term and the facility will be thoroughly sanitized before it is returned to use as a residence later in the year.

Grand River Hospital will continue to deliver care to the patients they transfer to the residence. Hospital-standard cleaning staff will also ensure high levels of cleanliness and sanitation continue. Spaces may also be used to accommodate staff and physicians if the region sees a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Maintaining security and confidentiality while working remotely

A message from the Secretariat.

Information Systems & Technology (IST) has done a great job providing the technology and support people need to get started on working from home, and as we establish new work routines we also have to keep in mind that the University’s policies and guidelines still apply to work performed at home. The Secretariat has developed a guidance page that focuses on privacy, confidentiality, and University records management aspects of Policy 46 and provides links to other relevant guidance on the Records Management and Information & Privacy websites. On a very practical matter, it also provides guidance on secure shredding of paper documents that people might accumulate while working at home.

While working from home, employees should remember that the documents and other information they create and use in their work are University records. You must still follow Policy 46 – Information Management and its supporting guidelines as you create, use, store and manage University records at home. This applies to all University records including those containing personal information, which are classified as restricted records.

University information management guidelines particularly relevant to work-from-home include:

• Guidelines on record keeping
• Guidelines for confidential records
• Guidance on Information Confidentiality Classification
• Guidelines on use of email and instant messaging
• Guidelines for secure data exchange

Read the rest of the article on the University's Coronavirus website.

Campus Wellness provides update to students

"My top priority at Campus Wellness is supporting students as we adjust to a new reality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please know that we are open and here to help," wrote Water Mittelstaedt, director of campus wellness in a memo circulated to students late last week.

Accessing Campus Wellness services

"Health Services' support is available on-site as needed," writes Mittelstaedt. "Initial appointments will be provided via telephone and when deemed necessary, in-person appointments will be scheduled. As well, our Family Clinic and Psychiatry care continue to be provided. Where possible, we are making services available through alternative formats, for example phone appointments. You can book an appointment with Counselling Services by calling, 519-888-4567 ext. 32655 and you can book an appointment with Health Services by calling, 519-888-4096. Visit Campus Wellness news for updates to our services."

Supporting mental health

"We understand the feelings of uncertainty and need for precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic can lead us to feel heightened levels of anxiety, stress and isolation," Mittelstaedt's memo continues. "Although things may sometimes feel overwhelming, taking care of your physical and mental health is important. During this unprecedented time, we are committed to supporting the wellness of all students. Here are some other mental health resources available online: 

• If you are feeling distressed, you can access these free counselling services:
  • Good2Talk (1-866-925-5454)
  • Here24/7 (1-844-437-3247)
  • Empower Me (1-844-741-6389)
  • Kid’s Help Phone (1-800-668-6868)
• If you need information about health services or supports related to substance use, mental illness, and gambling go to:
  • ConnexOntario (1-866-531-2600). Their services are available 24/7, confidential, and free.
• If you would like to speak with a peer, WUSA offers peer support and mentoring programs:
  • MATES is a one-to-one peer support program that provides services to students who are experiencing personal or academic concerns or low-level mental health and wellness difficulties"

"We are keeping the Campus Wellness website up to date with information," writes Mittelstaedt. "As always, if you have any questions or health related concerns give us a call. Please stay safe, healthy and well."

There are a lot more Good Buddies of the University where that came from

"This is my good buddy and stress reducer," writes Professor Kate Rybczynski of the Department of Economics. "She lets me know that this too shall pass, and nothing really matters in the grand scheme...unless it involves her comfort. All activities that inconvenience her are prevented!"

"Here are the huskies Sabaka and DD (Diamond Dog)," writes Professor Susan Roy of the Department of History.

"This is my 9 year-old Australian cattledog, named Terrapin," writes Anne Grant, manager of the Ecology Labs in the Faculty of Environment. "He is anticipating my arrival to the workstation where he will keep me company."

"Little Kikka has a wool bed and a pretty water dish on my desk, yet still feels she has the right to critique my work (see tongue)," writes Pamela Smyth, media relations manager and co-host of the Beyond the Bulletin Podcast.

"This is Arletta, demanding attention assisting during our weekly team conference call," writes Kelly Greatrex, graduate financial aid records specialist in Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. "She’s set up her own bed office on my desk and alternates between chasing the mouse pointer on the screen and napping."

"This is my big orange tabby, Sully, supervising my other good buddy - my daughter - in the assembly of my new desk chair," writes Lori McConnell, assistant to the Associate Dean, Graduate Studies in the Faculty of Environment.

Remember, you can send in a picture of your Good Buddy and let us know its name and other details to bulletin@uwaterloo.ca.