Our community matters to us
Mackenzie Health continues to support our community through the pandemic, and we remain ready to provide care to anyone who walks through our doors.
We are continuing to see increased patient volumes at both hospitals. These increased patient volumes compounded with the challenges we and all hospitals across the province are facing with health human resources are putting additional pressure on our operations and on our people. Patient safety and quality care are always our priority, and we appreciate the community’s patience and understanding as we manage through these very difficult times.
While we are seeing increased patient volumes, we have been fortunate that cases in our community and the number of COVID-19 patients in our hospitals seem to be stabilizing. This is further proof that the COVID-19 vaccine is working.
Throughout the pandemic, we implemented policies and procedures to help keep everyone safe and we all know that the vaccine is the strongest tool available to us to end the pandemic. That’s why, along with a number of other hospitals across the GTA, Mackenzie Health will be implementing a mandatory vaccination policy for all visitors to either of our hospitals and community-based locations. We want to thank everyone in our community who has stepped up to date to get vaccinated.
October is also Breast Cancer Awareness month. Keep reading for Sharon’s story about how the team at Mackenzie Health is using innovative technology to support her on her journey to recovery.
Mackenzie Health wants to hear from you! It’s nearing time for our annual telephone town hall with residents across western York Region.
All this and more in this edition of the Insider.
Keeping everyone at Mackenzie Health safe during the pandemic
At Mackenzie Health, the safety of our patients, families, staff, physicians and volunteers is our top priority. COVID-19 continues to affect our community and remains a concern across our region and the province. The most severe impacts are on those who are unvaccinated.
Visitor guidelines are evolving in a safe and compassionate manner to ensure the safety of everyone within our hospitals’ walls. Many hospitals across the GTA are implementing similar visitor policies to reduce and minimize opportunities for transmission of COVID-19.
With safety in mind, effective Monday, Nov. 15, visitors to Mackenzie Health will be required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, as defined by the Ministry of Health, or a medical exemption along with a piece of government-issued ID, to enter the hospital. There will be limited exceptions to this policy for support persons and visitors of labour and delivery, NICU or paediatric patients; visitors of imminent end-of-life patients; and those accompanying a patient to the Emergency Department.
We encourage everyone to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as it’s the best tool we have available to us to end the pandemic.
This policy is specific to hospital visitors. For patients, anyone can come to our hospital for care whether they are vaccinated or unvaccinated.
We recognize how important it is for patients to be surrounded by family and friends while they’re in the hospital and this decision was not made lightly. We’re doing everything we can to ensure that families feel supported and connected while their loved ones are in the hospital. Those who are unvaccinated can still connect with their loved ones virtually or by phone. That’s why we’ve made WI-FI across the hospital and all TV, internet and phone access free on the tablets available at each bedside.
For more information, please visit our website at mackenziehealth.ca/visitors.
Getting a mammogram can change everything
Sharon Tay is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer at Mackenzie Health and finds it to be "truly a blessing to get treatment in such a positive environment.”
Sharon Tay had never been admitted to hospital. She is a healthy, active 62-year-old, who was always diligent about her annual check ups and doctor visits. So, when she received an unexpected call following a standard bone density test and mammogram in March 2021, she immediately had a sinking feeling something was wrong.
“When I was called to come back for a second mammogram, I immediately knew that something wasn’t right,” says Sharon. “With no history of breast cancer in my family, I held on to the hope that whatever was discovered in the first mammogram was nothing serious.”
Unfortunately, Sharon’s second mammogram in early April 2021 confirmed that she had HER2-positive breast cancer, an aggressive type of breast cancer that carries proteins that promote the further growth of cancer cells.
Guided by her expert care team, Sharon’s next step was to undergo a lumpectomy to remove the cancerous tissue. As part of the process, she underwent a Radioactive Seed Localization (RSL) procedure at Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital. This procedure implanted a tiny metal seed (about the size of a sesame seed) containing a small amount of radiation into Sharon’s abnormal breast tissue to help the surgeon more easily find the abnormal tissue as he operated to remove it.
“We started using RSL at Mackenzie Health a little over a year ago and it brought many benefits to our patients as well as our operations,” says Dr. John McKee, a radiologist at Mackenzie Health. “Compared to the wire localization procedure, RSL can be done a couple of days before the surgery, making it more convenient for patients to go home without worrying about a wire sticking out from the area that’s being operated on. RSL also enhanced the scheduling process, reducing the wait time for patients and allowing our surgeons to operate on more patients daily. Most importantly, RSL provides increased accuracy over wire localization which prevents the need for a potential second surgery.”
Sharon recently successfully completed 16 rounds of chemotherapy and will now continue her radiation treatment for five weeks to prevent the recurrence of cancer.
While undergoing treatment, Sharon ensured she kept her faith and her positive attitude. She continued her work as an insurance broker, lead bible study classes and embraced her foodie side by continuing to discover and try new restaurants with her husband every week.
“Being diagnosed with breast cancer can be scary, but when you have a care team that you can trust as I do at Mackenzie Health, a solid treatment plan and an incredible support system, everything becomes easier,” says Sharon. “Take it one day at a time, one appointment at a time, one chemotherapy treatment at a time. Don’t let fear stop you from having a good life. No matter how tired you are or how difficult it gets, don’t give up. Just take it one moment at a time.”
Discussing the importance of mental health
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Mackenzie Health’s mental health experts participated in a panel discussion presented by RBC Foundation and moderated by Melanie Ng, CityNews and Breakfast Television anchor and reporter. The live, one-hour event addressed our community’s top questions about where to find help and how to support loved ones in prioritizing mental health. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted us all in many ways. We’ve had to manage through fear and uncertainty, adjust to working from home, pivot to virtual schooling and limit our face-to-face interactions with family and friends. While these measures have kept us safe from the COVID-19 virus, they have undoubtedly had an impact on our mental health. That’s why it’s so important to have conversations like this one. Don’t worry if you missed the conversation! We have a recording for you to watch any time:
Telephone town hall scheduled for November 16
Mackenzie Health’s annual telephone town hall to provide updates and engage our community has been scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 16. This will be another opportunity for our community to connect directly with Mackenzie Health. Residents will have the opportunity for a two-way conversation about what matters most to them, and hear from Mackenzie Health senior leaders about hospital operations, how we’re supporting residents across western York Region and more. This will also be an opportunity for our community to have their say as we create our new strategic plan that will guide Mackenzie Health’s priorities over the next few years. More information about how to participate in the telephone town hall will be shared on Mackenzie Health communication channels soon.
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