July 1, 2026

 Updated Work Standards

2 new work standards have been created to replace an older work standard outlining how to fill staffing needs when demand exceeds capacity.

Please review these updates.  A copy is in the work standard binder near the TL desk as well as on the S drive.  If the wording or process is unclear, please let Chelsea or Kerry know and we can edit as needed. 

Reminder

Although we are only just getting into summer vacation, plans for winter holidays must be made. 

Vacation requests for October 1, 2026 through to March 31, 2027 must be submitted by 

0000 August 1st to be considered by seniority.  

After that date all vacation will be awarded on a 1st come 1st awarded basis. 

Provide Your Feedback

Survey: Share your feedback on Translation Services

Submit by: July 17, 2026 SHA is seeking employee feedback about Translation and Interpretation Services. While these services support patient care, this survey is open to all staff, not just those who currently use them. Your input will help improve Translation and Interpretation Services and support safe, high-quality care delivery throughout the province. Find the link to the survey in your email - SHA News June 30th

Saskatoon Summer Resources 2026

 A comprehensive list of community supports has been added to the cell phones. It includes resources for a wide range of needs such as housing, food access, back-to-school backpacks and supplies, and general mental health support.

Please share these resources with anyone you feel may benefit from them.

Construction Notice

The drinking water system located around 3315 Fairlight Drive is scheduled for repair/maintenance on Saturday July 25th 

Road restrictions will be in place as pavement is disrupted during the repair.  Painted markings will indicate where the maintenance will occur therefore please stay clear of the marked work zone to avoid car relocation. 

Cultural Conversations

As June comes to a close, it's a good opportunity to reflect on the quilt activities we participated in and the learning we shared.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the quilt activity! 

If you'd like to continue your learning, recordings of the Truth and Reconciliation Journey Conversation Series are available on YouTube:

Truth and Reconciliation Journey Conversation Series - YouTube

WWPHC DOOR CODE CHANGE EFFECTIVE  JULY 1

June 24, 2026

 National Indigenous History Month Team Activity

Activity #7

The last federally operated residential school in Canada, the Gordon Reserve Indian Residential School in Punnichy, Saskatchewan, closed in 1996. More information is available at the link below:

Gordon Reserve Indian Residential School

Activity #8

Learn about the artistry of beading:

How beading reunited this artist with her Metis heritage

BONUS Activity:

Expand your vocabulary by learning a few new words.

Our quilt looks great!  Thank you for your participation.  I hope you learned a few things. I know I did! It will be submitted to the contest. I hope we can win a team coffee party!

Kid's First Process Changes

Effective June 22, there will be some process changes to the Kid's First work flow to comply with privacy standards.    Below is a copy of the new Work Standard.  A copy of the Work Standard will be in the Kid's First cubicle for you to review as well.  With the addition of the pamphlets and sharpie to the supplies needed, a new clipboard has been purchased to help keep all the items that you need all neat and in one place.  Please keep everything all together to ensure that all the supplies are in good order for the nurse that follows you.

As we work through this process change, please let us know if there are any ways we could improve the process while still ensuring that we meet privacy standards.  The process change is somewhat minor from the nursing perspective, but has a larger impact on our OAAs.  It means that they are not able to make charts until later in the day.  Please ensure that you are as prompt as possible with getting the altered Kid's First log back to them to facilitate their work. 

Thanks for your adaptability!! 

Rachael Says

Remember your ABCs!

Please pay attention when filing charts back into the cabinets.  Several charts have been found out of order.  They should be placed alphabetically:

• Example: If you are organizing "cat", "car", and "cup", all start with C.
• Look at the second letter: a (cat), a (car), and u (cup).
• Since "a" comes before "u", "cat" and "car" come first.
• To break the tie between "cat" and "car", look at the third letter: t vs r. Since "r" comes before "t", the correct order is: car, cat, cup. 

        Welcome to Chang - a new casual OAA.  She is orienting with Rachael & Chon this week. 

BFI Coordinator

There is a 0.8 FTE temporary posting for the BFI Coordinator on MyConnection.  Please don't apply to leave Healthy & Home, but if you know someone who might be interested, please pass it on.  The work that happens in acute care directly affects ours, so having a strong candidate supporting that work benefits our program greatly!

Online Mental Health Support - Online Therapy Unit

We recently received a supply of resource wallet cards from the University of Regina's Online Therapy Unit. This program offers free, confidential online wellbeing courses for new and expecting parents, as well as counselling and support services for individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns. Feel free to take a supply of cards for your home visiting bag to distribute as needed.  

A program poster is currently displayed in the BFC along with some cards that you can give to clients. An additional poster will be placed at the entrance of WWPHC to help raise awareness of these available supports. See the website link below for specifics on the program offerings.

 https://www.onlinetherapyunit.ca/

 

June 17, 2026

 More Quilt Activities

Activity #5

Research, Responsibility, and Indigenous Health

This episode features Dr. Bernice Downey. Dr. Downey is a woman of Ojibwe and Celtic heritage, a mother, and a grandmother. She is a medical anthropologist whose current research interests include Indigenous women’s heart health, health literacy, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, and health and research system reform for Indigenous populations.

Listen here

Activity #6

There are 2 opportunities in Saskatoon THIS WEEK to Celebrate Indigenous culture. See the links below:

Rock our Roots Walk for Reconciliation - Friday June 19 10:30 - 2:30

The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; often the only time when siblings and cousins might be reunited. Walkers are encouraged to wear an Every Child Matters orange shirt. Cultural performers from our community 'rock their roots' along the route to show their support and celebrate Saskatoon's incredible diversity.

More information HERE

National Indigenous Peoples Day - Sunday June 21 9:30 am - 5pm

More information HERE

New C-Section Dressing

The new AQUACEL® Ag Dressing will be replacing the Mepilex Ag dressing.

Indication: Designed for wounds at risk of infection

Key Benefits:

• Absorbs and locks in exudate and bacteria
• Reduces fluid pooling beneath the dressing
• Sustained ionic silver release for up to 7 days
• Effective against common SSI pathogens including MRSA and VRE
• Demonstrated greater bacterial reduction compared to Mepilex Border Post-Op Ag in comparative testing

Duration of Use

Can typically remain in place for up to 7 days, depending on wound condition and exudate levels.

Application & Removal Instructions:

Please review the detailed application and removal instructions below:

    This video link has been added to the phones so that we can pass it onto clients as needed. 

Patient Education: Removing an AQUACEL® Ag Dressing

It is important to provide patients with proper dressing removal instructions, as the dressing can become quite adherent. Protecting skin integrity during removal is essential.

Removal Instructions:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before removing the dressing.
2. Gently press down on the skin with one hand and carefully lift up an edge of the dressing with the other hand.
3. Stretch the dressing down and out (not up) to break the adhesive seal.
4. Slowly work your way around the dressing repeating this technique until the dressing is loose and remove the dressing.
5. Inspect the skin for any redness, irritation, blistering, or areas of skin stripping and report concerns to your healthcare provider.
6. Dispose of the dressing and wash your hands again.

Missing Equipment

A reminder that there should always be 4 regular cuffs (marked with lower case letters) & 4 large cuffs (marked with upper case letters) available to casual staff.  There SHOULD also be 4 stethoscopes available for use.  Shared equipment is not being returned leaving others to scrambling for equipment at the beginning of the day.  A few permanent staff bags have been gone through and their assigned equipment has been taken.  This is NOT ACCEPTABLE.  This equipment has been assigned to that nurse for her use and care.  Please do not go through people's bags to get equipment.  

Staff bags should be stored on the left shelf closest to the wall.  Casual bags are to be stored below the TcB meters on the right shelf. 

Missing:

Stethoscope #14 - pink

Regular blood pressure cuff 'l'

Large blood pressure cuffs A & D

If you have this equipment in your bag, please return it asap! 

Still also on the hunt for Scales R & T :(

Breastfeeding Statistic Accuracy

Please pay close attention to an infant’s feeding status when triaging or reviewing PPCRs for follow-up.

If the PPCR indicates "exclusive breastfeeding," but the lactation consultant /SLP documentation notes that ABM was provided and/or recommended, and the family is providing ABM supplements when you see them, please ensure the feeding status is corrected and accurately documented at entry into our program.

Accurate feeding information on admission to H & H is essential. Incorrect entry data can affect our program statistics at discharge and may subsequently impact our Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) outcomes and reporting.

PART - Professional Assault Response Training

The Professional Assault Response Training (PART®) program has been redesigned to ensure SHA employees receive the appropriate level of violence prevention training for their role, and that time spent in training is both valuable and effective. 

PART has taken the place of the previous WAVE training. There are two components to this type of new training - online education modules plus in person practice. 

In our role at Healthy & Home we will take part in the "Level - 3 Training" based on our risk potential in the environment we work in.

Each department has been asked to have a peer trainer. If you are interested in this role please let Kerry or Audra know.  

Upcoming Information Sessions

June 10, 2026

 National Indigenous History Month Team Activity

2 more squares on our team quilt this week 😀

Activity #3  Watch the video below to learn about the remarkable work of Dr. Karen Hill

Activity #4 

First Nations Urban Reserves

An Urban Reserve is land within a city purchased on the open market by a First Nation which eventually will be granted Reserve status by the Federal Government. Land does not become a Reserve just because it is owned by a First Nation. Reserve status is obtained by going through a complex process which results in the federal designation of the land as Reserve. Once an urban reserve is approved by the federal government, jurisdiction transfers to the First Nation, and city bylaws and regulations no longer apply.

Urban Reserves bring a variety of benefits for First Nations and the City, including contributing to First Nations’ financial independence and self-determination, enhancing community supports with urban members, and those living on home reserves, and responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92, which calls on municipalities to support Indigenous economic participation through education and employment.

The City refers to Land Holdings as land purchased by a First Nation that has not yet been designated as Reserve status but has the intention of establishing an Urban Reserve in the future.

Did you know?

The City of Saskatoon is home to the first commercial urban reserve in Canada. This urban reserve, Asimakeniseekan Askiy, was created by Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in 1988. Its creation pre-dates the drafting and signing of the Treaty Land Entitlement (TLE) Framework Agreement, signed by Canada, Saskatchewan and approximately 30 First Nations in the Province in 1992. It is fair to say that the enduring relationships and work done by Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and the City of Saskatoon laid the foundation for the TLE Framework Agreement and the resulting process to settle outstanding land claims throughout the Province, ever since

Interesting Read! 

I am pleased to share with you our newly updated literature review Perinatal Transmission of HIV: Prevention, Treatment, and Education

Saskatchewan continues to see high rates of new HIV cases in the province with a large number of these cases being identified in women of childbearing age. Recognizing the continued needed for understanding HIV in the context of pregnancy, the Saskatchewan Prevention Institute conducted a review of new literature in this area and updated our resource. This resource includes current evidence-based findings and recommendations on perinatal transmission, transmission prevention, and barriers to prevention. It also includes health promotion around these topics.

Work Safe Wednesday

There is a new series of resources to support how to increase sun safety in the workplace.  

Work Safe in the sun

An additional resource below is available to share with clients 

Sun Smart Sask

In case you see them in your travels

Following the direction of City Council, Indigenous Support teams are now working in the community to be an additional resource in Saskatoon’s Coordinated Community Safety Plans.

In teams of two, Indigenous Support staff will be focused on supporting the Downtown BID and the Riversdale BID, including the Pleasant Hill neighbourhood. Through the summer, each team will spend 40 hours per week in these BIDs. They will be in casual clothing, wearing Hi-Viz vests, with the City of Saskatoon logo on the front and “Support Team” on the back, as well as City identification cards on a lanyard to help people know who they are. Each team will have an unmarked car to assist with transportation to services.

Shifts and patrol areas have been determined based on incidents and call data from the Coordinated Community Safety reports, made up of data from Saskatoon Police Service (SPS), Saskatoon Fire Department, and Commissionaires. These will be regularly assessed and adjusted to provide help where and when it is most needed.

Responsibilities include:

• Relationship-building and making sure relatives know what supports and services are available and helping them connect to those services where possible.

• Identification and prevention of crime as appropriate

• Identification and reporting of crime to other tiers in the Coordinated Community Safety Team as appropriate

• Reporting required data for weekly reports 

The Support teams have been trained in:

• First Aid, CPR, AED and Naloxone delivery

• Trauma Informed Practices

• Verbal judo

• Conflict resolution

• Orientation of supports and services available throughout the City

• Protocols for transporting vulnerable individuals

All have Vulnerable Sector Security Clearance.

They will be collecting data including:

• Number of wellness checks per day, by neighborhood

• Number and type of emergency and medical responses

• Number of people requesting/accepting supports, and relevant details

• Number of people transported to specific supports, and relevant details

• Number of incident responses related to:

• Fires

• Property trespassing or damage

• Assault

• Garbage

• Sharps

• Number of calls for additional support to Fire Community Support, Alternative Response Officers or Saskatoon Police Service regular patrol

The teams have had orientations with Fire Community Support and the Fire Department’s Unhoused team. They will also be meeting with SPS’s Alternative Response Officers, Community Mobilization Officers, and Bike Unit.

Rachael Says

Please remember that Baby Bridge is on PAUSE.  We currently do not have an Nurse Practitioner to staff the program.  No new referrals will be accepted until further notice. Direct clients who do not have a primary care provider to have their babies assessed at a walk in clinic.  

 

June 3, 2026

FREE Webinar TOMORROW

 

Most of us entered this work because we care deeply about families. This session offers an opportunity to listen, learn, and better understand the experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ families as they navigate healthcare, pregnancy, birth, infant feeding, and parenting. Sometimes the smallest shifts in how we communicate or show up can make a family feel safer, more respected, and more supported.

Together, we will explore:
• The lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ families within healthcare systems
• How language can help build trust and belonging
• Practical ways to create safer and more welcoming care environments
• The role of trauma-aware and relationship-based support

Thursday June 4 @ 11:00 Sask time      REGISTER HERE

No More Albumin!

We have received official orders to stop collecting albumin samples in the community with our TSB blood draws.  

The NICU team is clear that the role of low albumin is limited to cases where baby is clinically unwell (eg concern for sepsis, and these should be directly referred to ER rather than drawing home bloodwork).  Peds also agreed to discontinuing routine albumin. 

Since we do not have an albumin result (unless collected previously in hospital), it will not factor into our risk calculation.  

As a result of this change (and because we were sending more off for printing), the Newborn Hyperbilirubinemia Record has been updated.  We also made a change to where it is written that we need to follow babies with neurotoxicity factors for 120 hrs.  If you know of additional edits to ANY documents that might increase clarity, please let Kerry or Audra know.

National Indigenous History Month Team Activity

In honour of National Indigenous History Month, Healthy and Home will be participating in the Quilt activity.  Each week we will publish 2-3 short activities or learning opportunities to complete.  As we complete squares on the Quilt, we will mark them off.  At the end of the month, we will submit our quilt for a chance to win a team coffee party!!

Activity #1.  Please click on the video below to watch a 2 min video about the Sturgeon Lake Birthing Centre that opened April 30th.

Activity #2  How many Calls to Action were released by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada?

Please Help!

Fit Testing 2026

🎉 Fit Testing Alert! 🎉

A number of staff members are due for Fit Testing in 2026. I'll be posting a schedule outside the educator workspace for everyone who is due.

If you think your name should be on the list and don't see it, please let Audra know so we can get you added.

A big thank-you to Ashlee for recently completing the Peer Fit Testing training! She is now our resident Fit Testing expert and will be our go-to person for all things Fit Testing.

Thanks, Ashlee, for taking this on!