September 16, 2026

College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) upcoming process change for renewing Professional Liability Protection (SUN and OOS CRNS Members)

SHA is aware of an upcoming change from College of Registered Nurses of Saskatchewan (CRNS) regarding the registration process related to Professional Liability Protection (PLP).

Your CRNS registration previously included the fee for PLP, which is required as part of nursing licensure. In previous years, CRNS collected the fee and forwarded this payment to the PLP provider, the Canadian Nurses Protective Society (CNPS), on your behalf.
Beginning this year, registrants will now pay the fee for PLP directly to CNPS instead of it being collected by CRNS as part of registration.

What does this mean for my reimbursement from SHA?
Employees will make one claim the combined receipt amount of the registration payment to CRNS and insurance fee to CNPS under Reimbursements/Professional Fees Reimbursement tile in My Connection (KB0012953). You will need to attach both receipts in the case for full reimbursement to be paid.

License renewal usually opens October 1.  Once you renew your license on the CRNS site, you will have to log onto the CNPC site and create an account.  The total fees are the same as last year ($558.71), it just is split into $487.31 to the CRNS and $71.40 to the CNPS.  Once you have both receipts, make one claim for reimbursement on MyConnection. 

A Gentle Place to Land Between Appointments

 

The questions families have about feeding rarely follow an appointment schedule. A difficult night, a change in feeding, or a moment of doubt often happens long after they have left your office. LLLC offers families a supportive place to talk through those moments while they wait to see you again. Our trained volunteer Leaders provide free peer support through virtual and in-person meetings, phone calls, messages, and trusted resources. We listen without judgment, share evidence-based information, and help parents feel less alone as they work toward their feeding goals. LLLC does not replace clinical care. We work alongside it. Referring families to LLLC gives them an extra layer of connection and encouragement between appointments, while helping them recognize when they need to return to their healthcare provider. We are here to support your work and offer families a gentle place to land. *No current in person supports in Saskatoon but virtual groups available.

September 9, 2026

Required Education - Privacy Modules Update 

There have been a number of questions regarding the privacy modules listed in the mandatory ed booklets.  Understandably so! You will notice that on page 3 of the document it will say " Non-Annual Safety Training" so anything beyond that title is not a yearly requirement. Therefore, if you have previously completed your Privacy Foundations & Privacy and Social Media modules you do not have to do them again.  It is suspected that another privacy training module will be distributed in the near future and once released I will let you know how to access.  

Every family deserves support throughout every stage of their breastfeeding journey—including weaning. 💛
La Leche League (LLL) is offering a free e-book to help families navigate the weaning process with information, guidance, and support.

Variance Tracking (White Duotang)

Thank you for your diligence in filling out the variance tracking form in the white duotang when your TcB meter reads +/- 50 points from your TSB value.  This is an important step in helping us detect aging machines that need to explore retirement as well as troubleshooting to ensure the meters are functioning optimally.

Please remember to fill in ALL fields, including the last one.  It s a 3 strikes you're out rule. 

If it is the 3rd misread within 30 days please put a sticky note on the meter DO NOT USE  (if it is a weekend) or let Kerry/Audra know as the meter will need to be pulled for comparison. 

 

Continuing Education Hours

Over the past years, we have organized a group to participate in GOLD online learning.  This conference takes place annually from April to July.  Spending time on online education during our limited window of nice weather can be challenging.  I am proposing shifting our group registrations to the fall and taking in 2 conferences that appear to be high quality and offer large amounts of CERPS as well.  The cost is comparable with GOLD.  They are currently being offered, so I wanted to offer you a chance to look at a sample of their content.  The only challenge to this is for those who are counting on CERPs to renew their IBCLC next fall.   

Please take a look at the content being offered this year as a sample, and we can discuss group plans in huddle. 

iLactation.com offers 22.5 CERPs and runs online from Sept 15 -  Dec 15 ($240 USD)

A sample of this year's content can be viewed HERE 

Breastfeeding Conferences offers 30.25 CERPs and runs online from September 20 - Jan 20 ($269 USD)

A sample of this year's content can be viewed HERE

August 19, 2026

 The results are IN!

Thank you to the 15 people who read the blog post and voted - Our newest office assistant's name has been voted to be GARY!  Please treat him with kindness and ensure that he returns to his resting place in the supply room between uses.  Welcome to the team Gary 😀

Team Meeting

A reminder that September 23 is our next Team Meeting. It will take place in the WWPHC Theatre from 12:30 - 4pm.  If anyone who is not scheduled to work is available to help with home visits in the morning, prior to the meeting, please email Kerry. 

Correct Stats

Please make a note on the PPCR if the method for feeding has been recorded incorrectly.  This allows our OAAs to ensure that the stats are accurate on our end.  Ensuring that medical or non medical indication for supplementation is correct affects our BFI designation.  If it is wrong, please make a note in the margin on the PPCR so that it can be recorded correctly on discharge from our program. 

Loaning out Equipment

We are fortunate to have several breast pumps available for loan.  The pump kits however, are a limited quantity based on budget allowance.  Ensuring that we are doing a needs assessment is important to ensure that we have enough kits available to loan to families of limited means.  If the family has the financial ability to rent a pump, please give them the pump rental information.  

If you plan to loan a scale to a family, please discuss with the Team Leader first.  

July 29, 2026

 Free CERP

Click HERE to sign up

Coming soon...

Our next Team Meeting will be held 

                September 23

              WWPHC Theatre 

                    12:30-4pm

Please make an effort to attend. 

New office support

We have a new staff member that will help keep our area tidy.  They are stored in the supply room near the pumps.  Please treat them gently and empty the collection bins after use.  Since they play such an important role, a name is required.

Suggestions incude:

    Rosie, Broom Hilda, Taylor Swept, Gary

Please vote for your favorite, or offer suggestions at the link below: 

VOTE HERE

(this is also a test for who actually reads the blog... you are being monitored)

Pumping Care/Flange Sizing Presentation by GOLD

Gold Learning Day is offering a presentation on pumping and flange sizing—a topic that continues to generate a great deal of interest!  If you still have funds available in your education bank, this may be a great opportunity to consider!

Register by July 31st and SAVE! 

Current price = $40 USD 

If there are any other GOLD learning opportunities you've been considering, now is a great time to register! In recognition of World Breastfeeding Week, most GOLD Learning modules are currently 20% off. 

Question Of The Week! 

A family recently asked whether beef tallow can be used to heal sore nipples while breastfeeding. It's an interesting question—and one I suspect we'll be hearing more often as natural skincare products continue to grow in popularity. I seem to be spotting a lot of homemade tallow products on the craft sale scene!

Beef tallow does act as an emollient, helping to soften the skin and reduce moisture loss. In general wound care, maintaining a moist healing environment can support skin repair however, what does the evidence say in relation to breastfeeding and its use? Unfortunately... not much! 

Currently,

🐮there is very little to no research on the use of beef tallow for nipple care during breastfeeding, and  no clinical evidence to support its safety or effectiveness for treating sore or damaged nipples. 

🐮no breastfeeding organization currently recommends it's use 

🐮its safety for breastfeeding infants has not been established

🐮the most concerning is the potential for microbial contamination if homemade or improperly  processed

🐮added fragrances or essential oils that may not be appropriate for infants have the potential to be ingested 

July 22, 2026

 

Educational Opportunity 

If you found Dr. Naomi Dow's "The Thrush Trap" presentation at the GOLD Conference this year to be informative, you may also be interested in her upcoming online conference presentation. 

Breastfeeding Buddies of Waterloo

Just a reminder that the Breastfeeding Buddies website offers a wide range of evidence-informed infographics and resources to support new families.

Families can also be directed to the Breastfeeding Buddies website and Instagram page, where they can access reliable information and practical support whenever they need it.

To make these resources easier to share during home visits or BFC appointments, I will be adding a few  of the resources to our iPhones so they can be forwarded to families in the moment.

One resource that may be particularly helpful is the infographic on How to Calm a Crying Baby, which provides practical, family-friendly strategies that can be shared during visits.

In addition to these resources, the website also offers free online webinars that families can watch at their convenience, including:

• Nighttime Nursing and Coping with Crying
• It's All About Milk Supply
• Breastfeeding Beyond a Year

Game Night

Ashley M is hosting her annual Game Night! 

                       July 29 7-9:30pm 

address is posted on the white board

Come out and have some fun & lots of laughs.

Please RSVP to Ashley so that she knows about how many are coming. 

Road Closed

Starting the week of July 27, Wanuskewin Road will be fully closed north of 72nd Street for approximately three months for pipeline installation.

Traffic travelling between Saskatoon and Highway 11 will need to use the signed detour via Louis Riel Trail (Highway 11) and Idylwyld Drive. Access to areas north of 72nd Street E will remain available from the south.

July 15, 2026

 Golden Nipple Award

 Congratulations Maddie! 

FREE CERP!

iLactation is celebrating WBW2026 with a free presentation by Dr Ashley Robinson called From evidence to practice: applying human milk microbiome science in lactation counseling.

REGISTER HERE for this informative presentation
Registration price: FREE
Only available until August 31, 2026.
Registration closes on August 10, 2026.

Survey

If you have used or recommended this app to a pregnant person or if you have any feedback to share, please complete the survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/mySKpregnancy by August 15.

 

To learn more about the app, visit https://skprevention.ca/my-saskatchewan-pregnancy/. 

July 8, 2026

 Changes to NICU follow up

Going forward, we will only be making a chart and offering phone calls to NICU families who have a baby ≥32 weeks gestation.  This will ensure a connection to community services is made for families who will soon be in the community.  NICU is now staffed by Lactation Consultants who can support and educate on establishing milk supply as appropriate for their baby.  Other supports are also available in NICU for the families who have younger babies that will have more extended stays in the acute care setting.  

The work standard has been updated and is in the binder.

Pump Cleaning

Please ensure that ALL milk, hair or anything else is cleaned off the pumps when they are returned.  Specifically, the Pearl pumps in the cup holder area have been found to have dried milk from the previous user after being 'cleaned'.  It is important that we offer clean pumps to our families!  If you don't have time to clean it well, please ask for assistance.   

Recorded Presentation

A recording of the webinar, Psychiatric Emergencies during Pregnancy and Postpartum, hosted on June 24 at 1pm is now available HERE

CERPs

Anyone looking for CERPs that DID NOT register for GOLD or BEST?

2 upcoming online conferences that look interesting:

Register HERE before Aug 21 for Early Bird Pricing

Register HERE before Aug 8 for Early Bird Pricing

2026-2027 OH&S Leaning Modules 

The moment you have all been waiting for has finally arrived! 2026-2027 Learning Modules are ready for you! Email will be coming out soon with education booklets and instructions attached. 

In effort to prep us all for electronic charting we are going paperless this year when it comes to submitting the certificates and completed booklets! For support see the poster hanging on the side of the CNE cubicle! We can work towards this new process together! 

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