Self–help tips: stop the spread of flu

Rebuilding lives in Canada and Afghanistan

Community RepoRtV o l u m e 2 | I s s u e 1 | W i n t e r 2 0 1 0

Helping people take the next steps

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Rebuilding Lives campaign reaches $15-million goal!

thank you to our community for your tremendous support!

What’s it take to rebuild lives?

It takes incredible commitment and generosity from our loyal donors. Thank you for supporting our Rebuilding Lives campaign and helping us reach our $15-million goal.

Rebuilding Lives is the first public fundraising campaign in support of St. John’s Rehab Hospital since our opening in 1937. The ambitious campaign supports a major facility redevelopment project, the hospital’s first-ever research fund, leading-edge treatment equipment and education programs that advance rehab care.

The campaign’s slogan asks a simple question: “What’s it take to get your life back?” Our supporters have provided the answer - your contributions

help us give people the abilities, tools and hope to return to their lives following a life-changing injury or illness.

The Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, through the Ashforth Trust, have provided a $5-million gift to lead the generous donors to the campaign. John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton have also provided their visionary support of $2 million, as well as years of

commitment to the hospital. Our new outpatient wing will be named in the Eatons’ honour.

Our most recent major supporters are the Carpenters’ Union, Central Ontario Regional Council; the Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario; and the Universal Workers Union Local 183. Through their combined commitment of $1 million, these unions are helping us rebuild people’s lives after illnesses and devastating injuries in the workplace.

The campaign has proven to be a tremendous success thanks to the leadership of Hon. Art Eggleton, Rebuilding Lives Chair, and the dedicated members of the campaign cabinet.

“What seemed like a far-away dream just a few years ago is now a reality,” says Malcolm Moffat, President and CEO, St. John’s Rehab Hospital. “The support of our donors, staff and community has been incredible! We are very proud of this achievement and very thankful for your commitment to our patients.”

While we have reached the goal for this campaign, our patients continue to need the latest specialized equipment and rehabilitation techniques. This will depend on our loyal, generous community - we hope that you will continue to join us in rebuilding lives! n

Celebrating a combined $1–million gift are (from left): Tony Iannuzzi, Carpenters’ Union, Central Ontario Regional Council; Malcolm Moffat, President and CEO, St. John’s Rehab Hospital; Hugh Laird, Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario; Ucal Powell, Carpenters’ Union, Central Ontario Regional Council; Tony di Cosmo, President, St. John’s Rehab Foundation; Ron Johnson, Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario. Not pictured: Durval Terceira and Daniel Avero, Universal Workers Union, Local 183.

We are very proud of this achievement and very thankful for your commitment to our patients.

,,

,,Questions about recovery? We’re finding the answers.

St. John’s Rehab Hospital’s research program develops new therapeutic approaches by combining innovative studies with patient care. We’re finding the answers to returning people home sooner, in better health and with improved quality of life – in Toronto, in Canada, and around the world.

Are electrical injuries a life sentence? Imagine not being able to do daily chores such as raking leaves or sweeping floors because it hurts to move. Or, not being able to sit or stand in one place for more than 15 minutes because the pain builds even when you are still.

For Albert Organ, managing chronic pain after an electrical injury is a daily battle.

In June 2005, the 46-year-old former construction worker grasped a metal handle of a truck’s door. The truck started rolling and hit a power line, causing a powerful electrical current to surge through his body.

The pain from the severe nerve damage, as well as the psychological and emotional trauma of the accident, makes it difficult for Albert to stay active and participate in the activities of daily living.

St. John’s Rehab Hospital is helping people like Albert combat chronic pain through an interdisciplinary approach that combines medicine, cognitive and behavioural therapy, and complementary therapies such as acupuncture, chiropractic, and aquatic massage.

“Pain is a highly individual experience and there is no one treatment,” says Dr. Joel Fish, Chief Medical Officer at St. John’s Rehab Hospital and the leader of the Electrical Injury Clinic. “The key is to combine therapies so we can reach all sources of pain.”

Our experts have worked closely with the Ross Tilley Burn Centre at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in a study that confirms the effectiveness of our approach.

The study shows that from assessment to discharge, electrical injury patients identified improvements in their levels of pain in almost all areas of their bodies. The study will soon be published in the Journal of Burn Care and Research, with hopes of leading to future improvements in pain control.

Another study has shown that, although everything may look fine on the outside, electrical injury survivors can experience long-term neurological dysfunctions, like muscle fatigue, weakness, or loss of sensation. They may have difficulty doing simple things like walking or using everyday tools. The medical community needs to be aware of these findings to ensure people can get the treatment they need following an electrical injury.

Our researchers will continue to explore the treatment, prevention and diagnosis of these complex, often invisible, injuries.

Aquatic massage has brought tremendous pain relief. “I can feel the benefits of aquatic massage up to three days after the treatment,” says Albert. “The massage really helps to relieve tension and just makes me feel happier and less worried.”

To learn about our current studies, see page 2.

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Can people work hard on evenings and weekends, yet return home sooner?Most rehab facilities only offer services from Monday to Friday. This means that inpatients often spend their weekends without participating in therapy. This may also force patients at acute care hospitals to wait for admission to a rehab facility.

In both cases, patients are not actively moving towards returning home.

This year, St. John’s Rehab expanded our rehab services to seven days per week - offering inpatient therapy, admissions and discharges on the weekends. Outpatient service hours were also extended to allow us to care for patients sooner after their return home.

We’re confident this change improves the efficiency of the healthcare system, and now a research study is measuring the results.

Researchers are exploring seven-day-per-week rehabilitation for patients recovering from total hip or knee replacements. The study looks at whether this approach improves patients’ level of independence and function, as measured by the industry-standard Functional Independence Measure. We’re also looking at whether these patients achieve the same excellent outcomes while staying at the hospital for a shorter time.

“[This] could facilitate the patient’s earlier return to the community, reduce waiting times for inpatient care, and help acute care hospital partners free up space in their inpatient units and emergency rooms,” explains Marie Disotto-Monastero, Occupational Therapist, Manager of Clinical Informatics, and the principal researcher for the study.

This project could serve as a model for provincial healthcare policy. n

Could walk tests move a step further?Using her walker, Shirley Leaf confidently walks down the corridor of St. John’s Rehab Hospital and stops when she arrives at a bright orange pylon. “I’ve walked for two minutes and I don’t feel tired — I am definitely ready to go home!”

As Shirley walks, her gait, balance and distance are carefully measured by Maria Lung, Physiotherapist and Researcher. Lung works

with a team to compare the benefits of two tests that measure how people can return to walking after hip or knee replacement surgery.

Physiotherapists frequently use walk tests to reflect patients’ quality of life, monitor their treatment progress, and measure their

walking ability. Typically, each test takes six minutes.

Not all walk tests are considered equal. According to Lung, “a two-minute walk test is simpler and less straining on patients.”

There are other benefits. In a busy rehabilitation unit, time and space for a six-minute walk test can be limited. Also, many patients cannot physically tolerate a long test, as they might feel tired or experience pain during and after the test.

The research team hopes to show that the shorter test is an equally valid measure of quality of life, and can also free up valuable time for additional patient care.

Patients could spend less time undergoing tests, and more time recovering so they can return home to their families and lives. n

Can we mix the business of recovery with the pleasure of video games? With a Wii™ bit of therapy, rehab patients are more motivated than ever.

The Nintendo® Wii™ video game system is not only a teen craze. It has also become a useful tool in rehabilitation therapy. Using a motion sensitive controller, the Wii allows players to simulate real-life activities. This helps improve their balance, strength, motor skills and range of movement.

At 63 years old, Sebastiano Sarracini never expected to become a gamer. But, after a total knee replacement, he found himself virtually tightrope walking, playing sports and using balancing games.

“It’s great because I can practice different movements. The Wii has helped my balance and it is great fun,” says Sebastiano (pictured below with Jack Fraser, Physiotherapist Assistant).

At St. John’s Rehab Hospital, people recovering from traumatic injuries, burns, neurological conditions or bone, joint and muscle conditions all use the video game as part of their customized rehabilitation program.

“When patients use the Wii, others cheer them on. It provides a social element that other interventions cannot provide,” says Vera Fung, Physiotherapist and Researcher.

By adding 15 minutes of playing time to a patient’s traditional therapy program, researchers are hoping to show that there are benefits of the Wii: improved motor skill redevelopment, participation in rehabilitation and satisfaction with the therapy experience.

Research will continue to explore therapy options associated with the Wii that will maximize patients’ motivation, while reducing the tediousness patients can sometimes associate with their traditional therapy. n

These advancements in rehabilitation knowledge, growth and innovation are possible thanks to the generous support of our donors, including the Martin Family, Hydro One and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 258.

Research, education, equipment and other needs continue to grow at St. John’s Rehab. Please help us develop techniques and provide leading care for people throughout Ontario and the world.

Visit www.stjohnsrehab.com/foundation to find out more. n

Questions about recovery? We’re finding the answers. Continued from page 1

Taking the next step. Our patients know that it’s no easy feat.

With our support, they recover from traumatic injuries after car collisions and workplace accidents. They live with strokes that have paralyzed entire sides of their bodies. They regain energy after debilitating heart conditions, organ transplants and cancer. And, they learn to walk again on artificial knees or even prosthetic legs.

People also need our support to take the next steps in their lives. Whether learning the skills to return to their jobs, overcoming barriers in society, or gaining the confidence to face their friends and family, our patients work to feel whole again.

To help people recover from life-changing illness or injury, we’ve introduced Next Steps: the 2009-2014 Strategic Plan.

Our priorities over the next five years are: s Rehabilitation capacity s Specialty programs s Chronic disease management s Right care, right place, right time s Patient safety

s Quality improvement s Healthy organization and workplace culture s Teaching s Research

Rehabilitation helps the healthcare system meet the challenges of increasing injuries, new diseases and an aging population.

As people survive more conditions than ever, rehabilitation helps us return home in better health and thrive in our communities.

St. John’s Rehab Hospital is taking the next steps to continue leading rehabilitation care in Ontario. Over the next five years, our ambitious strategic plan will help us get there.

Learn more about our Next Steps at www.stjohnsrehab.com. n

With the research team looking on, Shirley Leaf takes her walk test.

Helping people take the next steps

At the forefront of specialized rehabilitation care

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Building a modern rehabilitation facility Next phase of construction begins this winter!

Survivors of life-changing illness or injury are closer than ever to recovering in a modern facility specifically designed to help them return to independence and quality of life.

Over the past 12 months, St. John’s Rehab Hospital has completed our first-phase construction projects, including our new parking lot and loading dock. This has paved the way to begin construction of our brand new, state-of-the-art wing this winter.

“We are thrilled to turn our focus to constructing an improved patient care facility,” says Malcolm Moffat, President and CEO. “We’ll soon be better equipped to care for the rehabilitation needs of the 21st century.”

The redevelopment is possible thanks to the support of the Government of Ontario, and the contributions of our generous donors. St. John’s Rehab Hospital also thanks our patients, visitors, partners, staff and Willowdale neighbours for your patience and support of this important project.

Features will include:

• The 49,000-square foot John C. and Sally Horsfall Eaton Centre for Ambulatory Care

• Dramatically expanded and improved multidisciplinary treatment space

• Clinic space for face-masks, splinting, gait- training and returning to activities of daily living

• The modern, bright St. John’s Rehab Auxiliary Therapy Pool

• A renovated inpatient wing to spread our 160 beds from four to five floors

• A fully accessible main hospital entrance

• Expanded therapy gardens, a key element in the whole-person approach to recovery

12th Annual

Rehab Golf ClassicOn June 8, 2009, more than 120 supporters teed up to raise money for St. John’s Rehab Hospital at the 2009 Rehab Golf Classic. This 12th annual event raised more than $90,000 for the hospital. Thank you for your support in rebuilding people’s lives!

Silver Sponsors: Aramark Canada Ltd. Deloitte & Touche LLP Pegasus Group of Restaurants

Dinner Sponsor: Lofranco Chagpar Barristers

A legacy of rebuilding lives

If you have thoughtfully included St. John’s Rehab in your estate planning, or if you’d like a no–obligation, free quote for an annuity or life insurance, please call us at 416-224-6945.

To learn more about how to make a charitable bequest, and the amazing benefits to you and to our patients, please visit www.stjohnsrehab.com/foundation. n

After two stays at St. John’s Rehab, Barbara Crowe (pictured with her husband Douglas) feels lucky to have been a patient here.

“The care here is excellent,” Barbara smiles as she remembers her time at the hospital. “I love the attitude of the staff here. They’re so supportive,” she recalls.

Barbara and Douglas have generously returned the support. As members of the Rebuilding Lives Legacy Society, they are part of a growing community that has planned a future gift for St. John’s Rehab in the form of a bequest, a life insurance policy, an annuity, an endowed fund, or another trust arrangement.

By remembering the hospital in their estate planning, these committed donors can gain a taxable benefit to help their own financial situation, while also helping the hospital in the future.

What inspired Douglas and Barbara to remember St. John’s Rehab in their will? Douglas explains: “Statistics show that we are living longer. This means that there will be not only a continuing, but greater need for the kind of special services that St. John’s Rehab provides.”

His advice to others? “For me, life is all about living. To live, one has to learn how to give, to share and to receive. I can think of no better way of demonstrating giving than by supporting St. John’s Rehab, which does so much to enhance the quality of life for so many people.”

Thank you to Douglas and Barbara, and to all of our donors, for your unwavering support of St. John’s Rehab!

Title Sponsor

Road to the Green Sponsor Gold Sponsor

Platinum Sponsor

Rebuilding Lives - thanks to your support.

Three-year accreditation award recognizes quality rehabilitation care

St. John’s Rehab Hospital is proud to announce that we have received a three-year accreditation award from Accreditation Canada.

Through an external peer review process that uses nationally recognized standards, Accreditation Canada helps health providers throughout Canada evaluate and continuously improve the quality of their services.

Over a three-day visit in October, expert surveyors looked at all areas of our rehabilitation care programs and support services. Following the visit, the surveyors noted more than 50 strengths

including: “a patient focused approach, holistic care,” “interprofessional integration,” “strong team work,” “a focus on evidence- based practice,” and “an organization that lives its values.”

Our accreditation report notes that the hospital has met 555 of 571 applicable Accreditation Canada standards (97.2 per cent) – an excellent result!

The next step for St. John’s Rehab will be to report back about some specific identified opportunities for improvement by March 2010. We look forward to sharing our improvements in this report and at our next survey in 2012. n

Self-help tips: stop the spread of fluWith the novel H1N1 Influenza A appearing last spring, and the recent rise in new cases, you might be wondering how to protect yourself and your family. Whether it’s H1N1 or the seasonal flu, a few simple precautions can help reduce the spread:

Hand hygiene: Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water when they are visibly soiled. Use a sanitizer at other high-risk times, such as after shaking hands, handling money or touching high-traffic surfaces.

Keep your distance: If you need to sneeze or cough, do so away from others or sneeze into your sleeve. If you or others are sick, stay at least two metres away from each other.

Be aware of your own health: If you experience any flu-like symptoms (such as fever, cough, fatigue, aches, sore throat or headache), stay away from work, school or other public places.

If you become increasingly or seriously ill, seek medical attention immediately.

Consider being vaccinated: Vaccination is a personal choice. You should weigh any concerns you may have against the likelihood of becoming seriously ill or passing the flu to others.

Stay informed: There are many sources of confusing or conflicting information. Seek out a reliable source, such as the Public Health Agency of Canada at www.fightflu.ca or the website of your local public health unit.

These self-help tips are not exhaustive and are not a substitute for medical advice from a health professional.

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Scheduled for completion by 2012, the St. John’s Rehab redevelopment is specifically designed to help people return to active, productive lives in their homes, communities and places of work.

For construction updates or to learn more, please visit www.stjohnsrehab.com/redevelopment. n

STeP AheAD RehAb CliniCHelping people recover from injury, illness or surgery

Have you experienced joint, spine or other muscle or skeletal injuries?

St. John’s Rehab’s Step Ahead Rehab Clinic is a fee-for-service outpatient clinic specializing in the assessment and treatment of orthopaedic conditions and injuries.

Step Ahead Rehab Clinic treats: • Motor vehicle collision injuries • Work-related injuries and illnesses • Muscle, bone and joint injuries and conditions including whiplash, lower back pain, repetitive strain and sport-related injuries

Complementary therapies: • Massage Therapy • Acupuncture • Chiropractic • Chiropody • Orthotics/Custom Footwear

A provincial and national leader in specialized rehabilitation, the Step Ahead Rehab Clinic has the full spectrum of skills to treat short and long-term orthopaedic health and disability concerns.

Day and evening appointments are available Monday to Friday. For more information or to make an appointment:

Phone: 416-224-3179 Fax: 416-226-3358

Online: www.stjohnsrehab.com

Visit us at: Beatty Wing (west entrance), St. John’s Rehab Hospital 285 Cummer Avenue (between Yonge Street and Bayview Avenue).About St. John’s Rehab Hospital

St. John’s Rehab is the only hospital in Ontario solely dedicated to specialized rehabilitation. Home to Ontario’s only burn rehabilitation program and Canada’s only organ transplant rehab program, we are a leader in delivering individually customized rehabilitation care that returns people to their lives.

Our expert clinical team provides specialized treatment, education and support for people with complex, life-changing illnesses and injuries: people recovering from amputations, burn injuries, cancer, cardiovascular surgery, organ transplants, orthopaedic conditions, strokes and neurological conditions, traumatic injuries and complex medical procedures and conditions.

Located in North Toronto, we are a community affiliated teaching site of the University of Toronto and we advance rehabilitation research and discovery. With a unique focus on the whole person – body, mind and spirit – St. John’s Rehab Hospital is rebuilding people’s lives. n

Learn more and let us know what you think online Community Report is published (print, e-mail, and online) twice per year by Strategic Communications, St. John’s Rehab Hospital. For information about any of the articles in this newsletter, please contact us at:

St. John’s Rehab Hospital phone: 416-226-6780 285 Cummer Ave. Fax: 416-226-6265 Toronto, ON M2M 2G1 e-mail: info@stjohnsrehab.com editor: Marcus Staviss Contributors: Jodi Miller, Leslie Mitchell, Katherine Nazimek

To sign-up for the e-mail newsletter, to give us your feedback, or to learn more about St. John’s Rehab Hospital, visit www.stjohnsrehab.com.

Rebuilding lives in Canada and AfghanistanCanadian Forces recognizes hospital for

helping wounded soldiers, civilians recover

This spring, representatives from the Canadian Forces came to St. John’s Rehab Hospital. Their mission: to give our staff a heartfelt thank you for rebuilding the lives of Canada’s wounded soldiers- both at the hospital and at the front lines in Afghanistan.

Our team was recognized for providing specialized treatment and support to injured soldiers returning from duty overseas. We were also noted for educating military medical personnel on specialized rehab techniques for traumatic injuries, burns and amputations, so that they could care for soldiers and civilians on the front lines.

The event also celebrated the success of the annual Achilles 5-km Run/Walk. Over the past two years, more than 100 St. John’s Rehab staff, supporters and members of the Canadian Forces have run with former patient Master Corporal Jody Mitic. Despite losing both legs during an explosion in Afghanistan, Mitic has run the race twice - finishing both runs in less than 40 minutes! n

Colonel Jean Grondin, Eastern Commander Health Services Group (right) and LCol Mark Nicholls, Commanding Officer, Land Forces Central Area Headquarters (left) present Malcolm Moffat, President and CEO, with a special plaque recognizing our staff.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Walk/Run starts at Steam Whistle brewing, Toronto

It takes a community of support and heroic determination to achieve inspirational goals. Our survivors of life-changing injuries and illnesses are taking on the 5-km challenge, and you can be part of the team. Help rebuild people’s lives by joining St. John’s Rehab staff, supporters, and patients as we cross the finish line in March.

All funds raised will go towards specialized rehabilitation equipment, and support our expert staff in continuing to provide leading patient care.

News, Careers & Events

help us take another step towards rebuilding people’s lives

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www.stjohnsrehab.com/5K