9Y Mel Miller Hospice team

The entire 9Y team at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre demonstrates integrity in all their actions. One example of this is by providing accurate information in a timely manner. Demonstrating integrity ensures that a high level of respect is shown to patients, families, colleagues and other services or areas that they interact with. Speaking with honesty and compassion can often soften a difficult message. If they are unable to move forward with a care aspect, they attempt to provide an alternative.

At times staff and families have different opinions about the use of narcotics for pain relief. The family desires to have the patient more awake and able to engage in meaningful conversation or shared moments, but the patient is having pain and requires narcotics for pain relief. It can be a challenge when a family member does not want a narcotic used and the nursing team sees how beneficial the medication could potentially be. In situations like this, the team ensures that there are nursing measures in place to alleviate pain, including physical therapy.

The 9Y team actively reports situations through the use of the reporting and learning system (RLS). Staff are excellent at use of the RLS. When these reports are reviewed by the unit manager, there is never blame or finger pointing. Rather the situation is described accurately and in detail. The culture on 9Y is one of ensuring safety for all, never a mechanism for blame. They look to problem solve together.