Posted on: May 22, 2024
Since CEO Kathy MacNeil's May 2 update that outlined the objectives of the Ministry of Health's new Substance Use and Addictions Management in Hospitals policy, there have been much work started on implementation.
Below is a summary of the key actions underway now:
Change Work
- We have launched a Substance Use & Addictions Management (SUAM) Integrated Task Force to lead the change work required to implement this new policy. I'm chairing the task force, which has accountability to the Integrated Clinical Governance Council under our clinical governance structure.
- The task force includes members from Addictions Medicine & Substance Use, Mental Health & Substance Use, Medical Health Officers, Indigenous Health, Occupational Health & Safety, people with lived experience, Protection Services, General Support Services, Clinical Learning & Knowledge Services, First Nations Health Authority, EPMO, ECMO and Communications.
- A new provincial committee led by Dr. Penny Ballem and the Ministry of Health is focused on policy implementation provincially, with an intention to standardize care where appropriate and to share expertise.
- VPs of Indigenous Health across the province are considering how to ensure plans, processes and pathways are established to prevent Indigenous people from further harm while ensuring critical supports for Indigenous patients accessing and receiving quality and culturally safe care.
- We are working in partnership with the First Nations Health Authority to ensure First Nations specific needs are understood and addressed.
Clinical Operations
- In parallel with other health authorities and provincial partners, Island Health has compiled a full list of medical addiction specialists across the region and submitted needs for relational and other on-site security capacity to the Ministry of Health. We are awaiting next steps that will consider where services and resources need to be enhanced across all health authorities.
- Review and analysis of current practices is underway in relation to routine screening about potential substance use that is culturally safe and free from racism.
Communications & Engagement
- Signage is at main entrances of all acute sites and Emergency Department entrances informing patients and visitors that consuming and self-managing drugs outside of designated OPS locations is prohibited on hospital premises. The sign image is attached here.
- Initial communication and engagement took place with the Health Authority Medical Advisory Committee (HAMAC), Integrated Clinical Governance Council (ICGC), BC Nurses' Union (BCNU), Heath Employees Union (HEU), Department Heads, and Clinical Services Deliver (CSD) Operational Oversight.
- A Substance Use & Addictions Management in Hospitals Policy Updates page was created on the intranet to consolidate updates and resources.
Education, Policies & Procedures
- Clinical Learning & Knowledge Services (CLKS) completed an inventory of related staff education available across Island Health.
The scope of the policy instrument applies to acute care, however the task force and ELT have heard and understand this work is applicable across the organization.
The task force is committed to implementing these changes to support you as quickly as possible, recognizing that some of the change work is complex and will take some time. We will provide regular updates, both to all staff through the SUAM updates intranet page and to teams most impacted by these changes and to all staff.
We greatly appreciate your work to provide compassionate, culturally sensitive care to all who need our help as we take steps to enhance safety for all patients, staff and medical staff.