A STOP THE BLEED® participant “packs” a bullet wound with a t-shirt (Durham College).

Thomas Bezruki holds up a package of combat-grade medical gauze and a red t-shirt.

“You would be amazed at how much material it takes to pack a large, deep wound. If you don’t have gauze on hand, even a t-shirt will work,” he tells the group gathered around him, a mix of first responders from the Oshawa area, students and staff from Durham College, and the general public.

A member of the group steps forward to practice packing a deep laceration on a realistic-looking fake limb, complete with simulated blood pouring out of it. She uses almost the entire package of gauze to “pack” the wound and applies direct pressure with her hands before the bleeding finally stops.

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“Anyone who does this training can help save a life.”

– Corey Freedman, Manager, Trauma Services at Sunnybrook

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The demonstration is part of STOP THE BLEED®, a training course developed by the American College of Surgeons that provides civilian bystanders with the skills and tools to stop uncontrolled bleeding in an emergency situation. Instruction is delivered using a combination of presentations and hands-on practice.

Sunnybrook’s Centre for Injury Prevention brought the program to Canada for the first time in 2017, and has since trained thousands of people.

“We show people how to stop life-threatening bleeding following everyday emergencies, natural disasters and mass casualty incidents. Anyone who does this training can help save a life,” says Corey Freedman, Manager of Trauma Services at Sunnybrook and a certified STOP THE BLEED® facilitator.

The facilitators who helped certify over 200 people at Canada’s largest-ever STOP THE BLEED® training event on May 13, 2022.

On May 13, 2022, Sunnybrook partnered with Durham College to hold the largest STOP THE BLEED® training event ever held in Canada, helping 217 people become certified.

The event was held a week before the Victoria Day long weekend, which is often referred to as the unofficial start of trauma season. Trauma hospitals like Sunnybrook traditionally see a significant increase in traumatic injuries over the summer months, making this a key time to offer the training to large groups. Watch of video of the event on Instagram.

Course facilitators included several staff members from Sunnybrook and Bezruki, the Manager of Emergency Management at Durham College and a former Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) medic in the Canadian military.

Thomas Bezruki demonstrates the proper use of a tourniquet to stop uncontrolled bleeding (Durham College).

Bezruki says Durham College has installed over 30 STOP THE BLEED® kits, which include essential items like tourniquets, gloves and gauze, across its Oshawa and Whitby campuses. He hopes other institutions follow suit by offering the training course and installing the kits, and he encourages individuals to sign up for STOP THE BLEED® training.

“Everyone should know how to stop bleeding after an injury. The more people who know how to control bleeding in someone who is injured, the greater the chances are that person will survive,” he says.

Sunnybrook offers public and private STOP THE BLEED® training opportunities. Learn more and register for an upcoming course at sunnybrook.ca/stopthebleed.

The post Stopping the bleed to save a life appeared first on Your Health Matters.

When the Jennifer Tory Trauma Recovery Clinic opened at Sunnybrook in April 2021, physiotherapist Carly Orava was one of the first people to join the newly-created team.

“I was excited about the creation of this clinic because we’re able to follow and care for trauma patients for up to a year after they are discharged from the hospital. This model gives us a deeper level of insight into our patients’ recovery process that we didn’t necessarily have before,” she says.

Carly says the patients they see are dealing with a variety of issues after an injury, including physical disability, pain, mental health problems and the effects of brain injuries. The new clinic operates in a dedicated space where patients receive care from a range of health professions including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work, physiatry, psychology, clinical psychiatry and pain services.

Before the clinic opened, a trauma patient who had been discharged but still required follow-up with multiple care providers would have needed to visit several different areas of the hospital. Patients who live further away from the hospital may have also had trouble accessing care in their home communities.

“Now, we can identify and address gaps in care pathways to make sure no one is falling through the cracks,” says Carly, who has worked with trauma patients at Sunnybrook since 2013, first as a student in the inpatient trauma unit and then at St. John’s Rehab.

The clinic, which is the first of its kind in Canada, has booked close to 1,900 appointments over the past year. Carly says that while there are ebbs and flows, no two days are the same.

“Some days I may only have a few patients scheduled, but then one of the occupational therapists identifies a patient who may benefit from physiotherapy during one of their appointments, so I will drop in to do an assessment. Or, I could be called to the inpatient trauma unit to evaluate a patient and help put together their discharge plan. You definitely have to start your day with an open mind,” she says.

As the team celebrates the successes of the clinic’s first year, they’re already looking ahead to the future.

“We’re still growing and figuring out how best to meet the needs of all our patients,” says Carly.

However, one thing she knows for sure is that the collaborative environment of the clinic has made for a seamless experience for patients.

“Our patients are happy knowing that somebody still cares about their recovery, even when the acute care phase of their journey is complete, and we are happy to be able to provide that to them,” she says.

The post Physiotherapist reflects on first year of Jennifer Tory Trauma Recovery Clinic appeared first on Your Health Matters.

It can feel great to get outside after many months of being stuck inside, whether that means lighting a bonfire, BBQing dinner or lighting off some fireworks to celebrate Victoria Day.

The May long weekend also marks the beginning of ‘trauma season’, and our Ross Tilley Burn Centre (RTBC) has already started to see a spike in admissions of patients who have been burned in bonfires or scalded while cooking. However, there are a few simple things you can do to stay safe and injury-free.

Dr. Marc Jeschke, medical director of the RTBC at Sunnybrook, says that common sense can prevent many of the injuries they see each summer.

“In the summer, you’re more relaxed, maybe some alcohol is involved. This is when burn injuries can happen,” says Dr. Jeschke. Here are some of the most common causes of burn injuries RTBC staff see, and how to prevent them:

BBQs and fire pits

When barbecuing, Dr. Jeschke says, stick to the rules: use fireproof gear, don’t put gasoline or igniter fluid on the grill and don’t wear loose, flowing clothing while cooking.

“With loose clothing, you turn around quickly or get too close, and the fire ignites the clothes. You then have a major injury for no reason whatsoever,” says Dr. Jeschke.

He recommends waiting until after you’ve finished cooking to consume alcohol. The same principle applies to tabletop fireplaces, which have been growing in popularity as a backyard patio feature.

“These can be dangerous because they’re at the exact same height as small children and pets. Keep loose clothing away from these too, and don’t throw any accelerants on them,” he says.

Ethanol-fueled fire pots

Ethanol-fueled fire pots are often more decorative in nature, set on tabletops or in small bowls or pots, but don’t let that fool you: they are dangerous because they use highly flammable fuels, like butane and ethanol. In fact, Health Canada issued a consumer warning in 2019 and asked manufacturers to stop selling these products.

“Explosions can happen when you try to re-light the fire, because there can still be fumes or low flames that can ignite during the refuelling process,” says Anne Hayward, a social worker at the RTBC.

If you have an ethanol-fueled fire pot at home, Dr. Jeschke recommends getting rid of it.

“We’ve seen way too many people injured while refueling ethanol fire pots. It can happen to anyone. They are dangerous, and they can be deadly,” he says.

The post Tips for preventing burn injuries this summer appeared first on Your Health Matters.

“Even though people are staying close to home, physical distancing can lead to an increase in high-risk behaviours, which in turn cause the types of injuries we often end up treating here,” says Dr. Marc Jeschke, medical director of the Ross Tilley Burn Centre at Sunnybrook.

The good news is that often, a little common sense can go a long way. Below are some tips from our Ross Tilley Burn Centre (RTBC) team:

Be careful when burning brush and debris

It’s understandable that many people want to make use of their time at home to get a head start with spring maintenance around their properties. Those who live on larger properties outside of the city, however, should think twice before burning large piles of brush and debris.

“Do not pour gasoline or another igniter fluid onto a fire that’s already burning, like a bonfire. The fire can come right back up into the container you’re holding, which will then explode,” he says. The person holding the container may also react by throwing it, inadvertently spraying other people nearby with burning fuel.

There is also the risk of a sudden shift in the direction of the wind, or the potential for unknown substances to be added to barrel fires. Have a safety plan in place, which includes having a container of water nearby or a garden hose on standby before starting the fire, and make sure someone else who knows what you’re doing (and where).

“With fires, you should always remember safety, and know where the closest water supply is,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Try not to use alcohol as a coping mechanism

Tolerating isolation is difficult for many people, particularly as the pandemic drags on, but Dr. Jeschke warns against drinking more alcohol as a coping mechanism.

“People are staying at home and drinking and smoking more, putting themselves at risk,” says Dr. Jeschke.

He says many of the injuries they see in the RTBC are the result of poor judgment. Simple activities like smoking and cooking can become deadly if a person falls asleep. Dropping a lit cigarette onto the carpet or leaving a stove unattended can ignite a fire very quickly.

If you do decide to consume alcohol, enjoy responsibly.

Take care of your mental health

The past year has brought huge changes to our daily routines, significantly impacting the mental health of many people. Anne Hayward, RTBC’s social worker, says it’s important to remember that physical distancing does not equal emotional or psychological distancing.

“For many people, physical distancing increases feelings of isolation, anxiety and depression, especially in at-risk populations. This, in turn, can lead to an increase in substance misuse and self-harm,” says Hayward.

“It’s more important now than ever to keep engaged, which can include staying in contact with people by phone, text, e-mail and using virtual technology.”

Hayward also recommends limiting the amount of time spent reading, watching and listening to the news, and only using reliable sources when you do.

“There’s a balance between being informed, but not overwhelmed,” she says.

If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, one strategy Hayward recommends is Expressions of Gratitude.

“By asking yourself what you are grateful for, it shifts the focus away from some of the negativity and worry and helps you to focus on something positive. This could include something simple like an act of kindness, spending time with people you love, or realizing what’s important,” she says.

Take care when cooking

With stay-at-home orders in place once again, more people are preparing and cooking meals at home. Keep some simple safety tips in mind, such as not wearing loose, flowing clothing while cooking.

“With loose clothing, you turn around quickly or get too close, and the fire ignites the clothes. You then have a major injury for no reason whatsoever,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Make sure your smoke alarms are working, stay in the kitchen at all times when you’re cooking, move anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop, and keep kids away from areas where hot foods or liquids are being prepared, like stoves and microwaves.

If you do suffer a burn:

If it’s a significant burn, call 911. While waiting for help to arrive, don’t put butter, vinegar, oil or lemons on the burn.

“The best initial treatment for all burns is cool running water. Don’t soak the injured area, just let the water run over it,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Help is available

Hayward says there are many reasons for people to feel anxious or overwhelmed right now.

“People may be struggling with financial, housing, food and job insecurity concerns, new or pre-existing mental health issues. They may also have immune-compromised or senior loved ones who are at risk, or loved ones who are living in other cities, provinces or countries that they can’t get to right now,” she says.

Others may be self-isolating in abusive or volatile living situations, which can lead to scalding, contact or chemical injuries, she adds.

Help is available through a variety of organizations, including 211 Ontario, Kids Help Phone and Connex Ontario, among others. A complete listing of crisis support hotlines is available at ontario.ca/coronavirus. If you are experiencing an emergency crisis situation, please contact 911 immediately or present to your nearest emergency department. 

If you’re a former RTBC patient and feel as though you need support during this challenging time, Dr. Jeschke encourages you to get in touch with the burn centre.

“Please reach out. You are not alone, and we will assess how we can best help you,” he says.

Note: this article was originally published in April 2020 and has since been updated.

The post Staying safe during COVID-19 lockdown: tips from our burn centre appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Dr. Samira Mubareka (left) and Natasha Salt

Earlier in March, we asked our followers on Instagram to send us their COVID-related questions about double masking and the new variants. Two Sunnybrook experts have weighed in below: Natasha Salt, director of infection prevention and control, has answered questions on double masking and Dr. Samira Mubareka, microbiologist and infectious diseases physician, has answered questions about the variants. 

When should you double mask?

Natasha Salt (N.S.): Double masking may be considered for non-medical masks, or those used outside healthcare by the public. The main premise, around any mask, in addition to filtration, is that it should fit snuggly around the nose, chin and cheeks in order to be effective. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) also recommends that non-medical/fabric masks are made of at least 3 layers. When you don’t have tight fitting non-medical mask or triple layer fabric mask, you may consider doubling up to add layers (improving filtration and fit) to your existing mask.

Which types of masks should be doubled, and which are good on their own?

N.S.: Double masking may help improve the fit of some cloth masks and may provide more protection if your mask only has one or two layers. How well a non-medical mask works depends on the materials used, how the mask is made and how well it fits. A well-fitting mask should:

• Be large enough to completely and comfortably cover your nose, mouth and chin without gaps
• Fit securely to your head with ties or ear loops
• Be comfortable and not require frequent adjustments
• Maintain its shape after washing and drying

Medical-grade, well-fitting masks are fine to wear on their own, and do not need to be layered. If you have a medical-grade mask that is a bit loose, you may consider using “ear savers” or tightening ties to improve seal.

Is it true that I should wear 1 mask instead of 2?

N.S.: If your cloth mask fits properly and has 3 layers, you do not need to double mask. The most important thing is to continue following public health guidelines for preventing COVID transmission – clean your hands, stay home if you are unwell, practice physical distancing, make essential trips only, wear your mask properly and don’t touch your face.

Does double masking make a big difference?

N.S.: If your cloth mask fits snugly around the eyes, nose and chin, and leaves no gaps on the side, double masking may not make a difference. If you want to improve the fit of your cloth mask (and you don’t have underlying breathing problems) double masking may help.

Remember, whether you’re wearing one mask or two, they need to be changed routinely. Discard disposable masks and launder reusable masks at least daily (or more often if you wear them continuously).

The biggest difference we can make is to continue following all recommended public health recommendations, like wearing a mask, cleaning our hands, practicing physical distancing and limiting travel to essential trips only.

I work in a grocery store and have been doubling up on masks. Is that a good idea?

N.S.: Double masking may help you improve the fit of your cloth mask, if that is an issue you’re experiencing. However, wearing two masks may be more uncomfortable, cause you to touch your face more often to make adjustments, which can promote infection by bringing in more germs to your nose and eyes. You may want to consider other options, such as wearing a 3-layer mask (with a filter) and ensuring your mask fits properly.

I have asthma. When I double mask, I feel like I’m suffocating. Could you suggest an alternative?

N.S: Consider buying a 3-layer cloth mask with a filter in it, which provides enough protection to make double masking unnecessary. The mask should be made of a breathable material and should fit your face properly.

If the mask you’re wearing is making it difficult to breathe, that’s a sign that you need to step away from that situation and give yourself a break. Take off that mask in a safe zone where you’re able to do so and take a rest.

Should front-line health-care workers be double masking now?

N.S.: If you are a healthcare worker with access to medical-grade personal protective equipment (PPE), you do not need to double mask at work. Doing so increases your risk of self-contamination by adding additional complexity and increasing discomfort and perspiration, making it more likely that you bring your hands up to your face to adjust your PPE.

If you wear a surgical mask as the inner mask, can you reuse it?

N.S.: If it is a medical-grade surgical mask, you do not need to double mask. Medical masks should be properly disposed of after each use.

Is double masking better than a shield and mask?

N.S.: No. For health care workers, the CDC recommends against wearing two disposable, medical-grade masks at the same time. In situations where health care workers have been wearing multiple medical-grade masks at work, we actually have seen transmission, which we think is from self-contamination.

Do you expect to see more variants in Canada in the coming months?

Dr. Samira Mubareka (S.M.): Yes, that is something we’re preparing for. While our team is studying the original dominant strain, we are sequencing the genomes of the variants as well. It’s likely we will continue to see mutations in new variants that make the virus more adaptable and transmissible. To date, the new variants of COVID-19 that were first detected in the U.K and South Africa have been found in Ontario, but the extent of their spread is not yet fully known. Recent testing has shown that B.1.1.7 variant first detected in the UK is approximately 20% of the virus circulating.

What makes the variants more contagious?

S.M.: Very little is known about the precise mechanism for enhanced transmission for some of these variants – for example, the B.1.1.7 variant has approximately a 30-50% increased risk of transmissibility, meaning a person has higher odds of becoming infected.

Scientists are still studying the variants to understand whether this is related to virus entry into the cell and enhanced replication and related factors like shedding, persistence in air or other aspects of the environment. The ability of variants of concern to evade the immune system and the potential role in transmission are also currently being studied.

Does the vaccine protect against the new variant?

S.M.: There are a lot of unanswered questions when it comes to the variants, and it will take more time before we know how they will impact the vaccine’s efficacy. However, infectious disease specialists are confident the approved vaccines will work on these variants to some extent.

Several new variants that have been identified in the U.K., Brazil and South Africa. So far, it appears the vaccine may not be as protective against the South African (B.1.351) variant, but it is effective against the U.K. (B.1.1.7) variant.

The post Sunnybrook experts answer your questions about double masking and COVID-19 variants appeared first on Your Health Matters.

1) Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Fires spread incredibly quickly, as this video shows. You only have only a minute or two to get of a burning building, so it’s essential to be alerted to a fire as quickly as possible.

“Having a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home can mean the difference between life and death,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Test your equipment regularly, and replace the batteries when necessary. Don’t forget that smoke detectors have an expiry date listed on the back – they need to be replaced every ten years.

2) Take care when cooking

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, more people are preparing and cooking meals at home. Keep some simple safety tips in mind, such as not wearing loose, flowing clothing while cooking.

“With loose clothing, you turn around quickly or get too close, and the fire ignites the clothes. You then have a major injury for no reason whatsoever,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Stay in the kitchen at all times when you’re cooking, move anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop and keep kids away from areas where hot foods or liquids are being prepared, like stoves and microwaves.

3) Don’t use dangerous equipment, like blowtorches, inside

Cold weather in the winter can cause frozen pipes, furnace breakdowns and other issues around the house. Dr. Jeschke’s advice? Call in the experts.

“You should not be doing things like taking a blowtorch to a frozen pipe. You don’t know for sure whether there’s water in that pipe, or if it’s actually a fuel line that could heat up and explode,” he says.

Running generators inside is also a big no-no. You can’t see, taste or smell carbon monoxide, which is why you should be checking your carbon monoxide detector to make sure it’s working. The same goes for smoking or having an open flame around propane-powered appliances.

4) Layer up – frostbite is a burn, too

If you know you’ll be outside for an extended period of time, dress for the weather. The feeling of pins and needles, lack of feeling in a certain area, or skin that is hard and pale may mean you’ve developed frostbite.

“Frostbite is no joke. The effect it has on the skin is similar to a burn, so people with severe frostbite are treated here in the burn centre. If your skin turns black and then blisters, you’re in trouble. Get medical attention immediately,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Take extra care when fuelling up your car in the winter, and wear gloves when doing so. “Getting gasoline on your hands when it’s very cold out will cause your skin to freeze within seconds,” he says.

More tips to protect yourself from frostbite »

5) Use common sense

Dr. Jeschke says many of the injuries they see in the burn centre are the result of poor judgment. Simple activities like smoking and cooking can become deadly if a person falls asleep. Dropping a lit cigarette onto the carpet or leaving a stove unattended can ignite a fire very quickly.

“Maybe someone’s decision-making ability was impaired by drugs or alcohol, or they didn’t stop to think about the potentially dangerous consequences of a situation,” he says. “Don’t be that person.”

Note: this article was originally posted in January 2018 and updated in February 2021.

The post Five ways to stay safe from fires and burns appeared first on Your Health Matters.

Captain (Retired) Martin Maxwell was 20 years old when he piloted a glider carrying a team of British Army commandos into Normandy, France just after midnight on June 6, 1944. His mission, Operation Deadstick, unfolded only hours before Allied forces started the largest seaborne invasion in history, known as D-Day.

“We were the first ones to fly in behind enemy lines that night. We surprised the Germans and captured Pegasus bridge, which limited their ability to counterattack during D-Day. For many of us, D-Day was the turning point for the Allied forces in WWII,” Maxwell says.

Maxwell, who is now 96 years old, had hoped to return to Normandy this year to mark the 75th anniversary of V-E Day, before COVID-19 and his current hospitalization at Sunnybrook forced him to change his plans.

When it became clear he would still be in the hospital on November 11, Maxwell’s care team came together to help him mark Remembrance Day.

Social workers and physicians arranged for Maxwell’s wife of 54 years, Eleanor, to drop off his uniform and medals on the morning of November 11. They also helped him set up a video call with a dozen of his family members so he could share parts of a speech he had originally planned to deliver during a Remembrance Day ceremony.

Just before 11 o’clock, nurses laid out his uniform and medals on his bed. Pinned to the lower left side of his jacket is the distinctive red ribbon and five-armed badge of the Legion of Honour, the highest distinction awarded by France, given to him for his role in capturing Pegasus bridge.

Maxwell’s most recent trip to Normandy was five years ago to mark the 70th anniversary of D-Day. He says that as he walked through the rows of tombstones marking the final resting places of 1700 of his fellow comrades, the inscription on one gravestone in particular has stayed with him.

“It said, ‘For your tomorrows, we gave our todays.’ So, on Remembrance Day, we must ask ourselves, ‘what have you done with the tomorrows they gave you?’”

The post ‘What have you done with the tomorrows they gave you?’: Meet Retired Capt. Martin Maxwell appeared first on Your Health Matters.

“Thanksgiving isn’t ‘cancelled’ this year; it’s always important to be thankful. The most important thing is to have close contact only with people in your household,” says Dr. Jerome Leis, Medical Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Sunnybrook.

He says that the next one to two weeks are going to be crucial in terms of reducing the spread of COVID-19 in the community.

“Gathering with fewer people is something we can all do right now to help get the number of positive cases down again.”

Some creative ways to stay connected with loved ones include virtual get-togethers, enjoying a physically distanced walk outside, and sending gifts or cards.

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““Occupancy at our Burn Centre is already very high, and we’re concerned about needing to admit even more people this weekend because of burns from cooking.”

– Dr. Marc Jeschke, Medical Director of Sunnybrook’s Ross Tilley Burn Centre

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While gatherings need to be smaller this year, it’s still important to stay safe while preparing a holiday meal of any size. Sunnybrook’s Ross Tilley Burn Centre (RTBC) often sees more cooking-related injuries during upcoming holidays like Thanksgiving and Diwali.

On the Thanksgiving holiday weekend last year, the RTBC admitted four patients who had been burned while preparing food.

“Occupancy at our Burn Centre is already very high, and we’re concerned about needing to admit even more people this weekend because of burns from cooking,” says Dr. Marc Jeschke, Medical Director of the RTBC.

Below, he offers some tips on staying safe while preparing a holiday meal.

“If we can prevent one cooking-related burn this weekend, it’s worth it,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Cut down on distractions to avoid burns

Cooking multiple dishes at the same time can be a challenge. Be careful not to overwhelm yourself in the kitchen – a brief moment of distraction can end in a burn from pulling hot items from the oven or a fire starting on the stovetop.

Avoid wearing loose, flowing clothes while cooking

“With loose clothing, you turn around quickly or get too close to the grill or the oven, and the clothes ignite. You then have a major injury for no reason whatsoever,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Do not try to deep fry a frozen turkey

Deep frying a turkey comes with several risks: you could spill scalding hot on yourself, or burn your hands touching the very hot pot.

That risk escalates even further if your turkey is not completely thawed before it goes into the pot of heated oil. The water inside the frozen parts of the turkey will turn to steam, causing the oil to boil over and resulting in huge flames that can set you (or your home) on fire.

Don’t cook or BBQ after consuming alcohol

“This is something we see all year round, not just during holidays,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Alcohol impairs judgement and can cause dangerous behaviour such as falling asleep while food is still cooking in the oven.

If you do suffer a burn:

If it’s a significant burn, call 911. While waiting for help to arrive, don’t put butter, vinegar, oil or lemons on the burn.

“The best initial treatment for all burns is cool running water. Don’t soak the injured area, just let the water run over it,” says Dr. Jeschke.

The post Tips for giving thanks, safely appeared first on Your Health Matters.

“I thought that was a bit odd to be assigned a closed bed,” says Clarice, 25, who asked her supervisor if there was some sort of issue with the room assignments.

Her supervisor explained that the room had been set aside in case a patient with a suspected case of the novel coronavirus (later named COVID-19) needed to be admitted to the hospital, since it was a negative pressure isolation room with a separate ventilation system.

“Back in January, we had only just started to hear about the novel coronavirus. No one really knew very much about it, or how to treat patients who were sick with the virus,” says Clarice.

“I remember thinking to myself, ‘what are the chances we would actually admit a patient tonight?’”

But a few hours later, her unit got a call from the Emergency Department. Clarice’s supervisor pulled her aside and relayed the news: they were admitting a patient with respiratory symptoms and a concerning chest x-ray who had just returned from Wuhan, China. He would be brought up to the isolation room on their unit and would be treated as a Person Under Investigation (PUI) until his test results came back, but they strongly suspected this could be the first confirmed case of the novel coronavirus in Canada. Clarice would be his primary nurse.

“I never felt scared. Everything just felt surreal,” says Clarice.

Clarice (above) was just three months into her new career as a member of Sunnybrook’s Acute Care Nursing Resource Team (ACNRT) when she volunteered to care for the patient with the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canada.

“I was thinking a lot about the best way to care for him, and what kind of isolation protocols would be followed. How sick will he be? What if he codes when he gets here – were there special procedures I had to follow? So many scenarios were running through my mind.”

Before the patient arrived, the hospital shift manager arrived on the unit to give Clarice a detailed refresher on donning and doffing the required personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as going over what would happen if the patient suddenly deteriorated, or “coded.”

“Everyone was very open about the fact that there was a lot about this virus we did not know. That made me feel more at ease, the fact that we were all learning about this together. I had so much support behind me from the other nurses on the unit that night,” she says.

Once the patient arrived on the unit, he was taken into the isolation room. When Clarice went in to introduce herself and explain the next steps in his care, she realized the health-care workers weren’t the only ones feeling the stress of the situation.

“It must have been terrifying for him, to have everyone in PPE and trying to stay away from him as much as possible, and to not have any family members around,” says Clarice.

Later that weekend, when the patient’s test results for the virus came back as positive, “I kept thinking about how isolated and alone he must be feeling,” she says.

She was scheduled to work three more shifts that week, so she did the thing that made the most sense to her: she called her supervisor and volunteered to care for him for the rest of the week.

“I was a familiar face to the patient, I could communicate with him in his language, and I felt comfortable with the protocols and procedures we were following. Plus, I was living alone and would not put any vulnerable members of my family at risk. Why not?”

Watch: Clarice shares her story on Cityline (and receives a big surprise!)

‘It felt as though the experiences and decisions I’d made in my life had been leading to me toward that moment’

Clarice says she was first inspired to go into nursing while growing up in Toronto during the 2003 SARS epidemic.

She remembers flipping through a copy of Reader’s Digest, trying to find the crossword puzzle, when she came across an article about nurses caring for patients who were sick with SARS.

“I thought those nurses were so courageous to do this work even though they felt scared, and some even came down with SARS themselves. That’s when I first thought that maybe I could be a nurse someday,” says Clarice.

Clarice eventually turned that idea into reality by enrolling in the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto, graduating from the program at the end of 2019.

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“I really believe that everything aligned so that I was in the right place, at the right time , to help this patient.”

– Clarice

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She was just three months into her new career as a member of Sunnybrook’s Acute Care Nursing Resource Team (ACNRT) when she volunteered to care for the patient with the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canada.

“It felt as though the experiences and decisions I’d made in my life had been leading to me toward that moment,” says Clarice.

“SARS is what got me interested in nursing in the first place, so to finish nursing school just a few months before a new pandemic hit, and then to be working on the unit that night in January and be assigned that isolation room – I really believe that everything aligned so that I was in the right place, at the right time, to help this patient.”

While Clarice was only a few months into her new nursing role, she is no stranger to demonstrating leadership through action: she spent the last eight and a half years serving as a Primary Reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces, only leaving her position as an army corporal earlier this year at the peak of the first wave of COVID-19, when it became clear she had to prioritize her work at the hospital.

“I was 16 when I joined the military, so it was hard to make that decision to leave, but they were understanding,” says Clarice.

“They told me it was time to go and fight a different kind of war.”

‘I know this is where I want to be’

The first patient with COVID-19 was discharged home after a short hospital stay. But when the pandemic was declared two months later, Clarice once again volunteered to work in a new unit created to care for patients with COVID-19.

Clarice and some of the other ward nurses had never worked in an intensive care unit (ICU) before, so the COVID-19 unit implemented an innovative hub model to help familiarize them with the unique demands of ICU nursing.

“We were each paired with an ICU nurse, and then we would care for two patients together as a team. While some of these patients were relatively stable, others would become critically ill very quickly. It was a really challenging, eye-opening experience,” she says.

Clarice says that working on the COVID-19 unit has caused her to re-think the direction of her career. She now plans to pursue a specialized certificate in intensive care nursing in the near future.

“Before all of this, I had never really thought about being an ICU nurse, especially not so early in my nursing career. But now I know this is where I want to be,” she says.

“Before all of this, I had never really thought about being an ICU nurse, especially not so early in my nursing career. But now I know this is where I want to be,” says Clarice.

Though there are fewer patients with COVID-19 in the hospital at the moment, Clarice’s shifts are busier than ever.

She says that some of her most difficult moments during the pandemic have been as a result of the ongoing restrictions and changes that all health-care workers, patients and families are trying to navigate.

“When visitors became restricted, that was very challenging for patients. We tried to fill that gap as best we could, sometimes using technology like tablets and video calls to help patients stay connected. But of course, it wasn’t really the same,” says Clarice.

“I’ve always enjoyed spending time with my patients, trying to help them understand what’s going on with their care. Sometimes it’s as simple as explaining why I’m putting a saline solution in their IV line – I try to help them feel that we’re not doing something to them, we’re doing it with them. That’s become even more important now that many patients don’t have access to their usual support systems.”

What the future holds

While the next few months hold a lot of uncertainty, Clarice does know one thing for sure: she and her fiancé, Guillaume, are finally going to get married this fall.

“He also works as a nurse at a hospital downtown, so we had to put off our wedding plans earlier this year. It will be small since there are still a lot of restrictions, but we’ve never really liked the idea of having a huge wedding anyways,” says Clarice.

“Now I just need to stop working so much overtime so that we can actually plan it!”

The post Meet the nurse who volunteered to care for Canada’s first COVID-19 patient appeared first on Your Health Matters.

While Sunnybrook treats many people with severe burns caused by common summertime activities every year, there has been a recent spike in admissions because of injuries caused by barbecues and bonfires.

“In the first three weeks of June alone, we’ve already admitted six patients who were seriously injured in incidents with bonfires and barbecues,” says Dr. Marc Jeschke, medical director of Sunnybrook’s Ross Tilley Burn Centre (RTBC), the largest adult burn centre in Canada.

Almost all of those cases involved accelerant, alcohol or a combination of the two.

Here, he offers several tips to keep you safe and away from the emergency room this summer:

Don’t drink and light a barbecue or bonfire

“If you’ve had too many drinks to drive, you should not be using a barbecue,” says Dr. Jeschke. The same goes for bonfires. Already in May and June, the RTBC has seen several cases where patients were injured by bonfires and alcohol was involved.

Dr. Jeschke says many of the injuries they see in the burn centre are the result of poor judgment.

“Maybe someone’s decision-making ability was impaired by drugs or alcohol, or they didn’t stop to think about the potentially dangerous consequences of a situation,” he says.

“Don’t be that person.”

Don’t use accelerants on fires and barbecues

With COVID-19 restrictions in place, more people are preparing meals at home or cleaning up brush and other debris on their properties.

Since April, the RTBC has admitted five patients who were seriously injured after using accelerants (such as gasoline) on bonfires and barbecues.

“Do not pour gasoline or another igniter fluid onto a fire that’s already burning, like a bonfire. The fire can come right back up into the container you’re holding, which will then explode,” he says.

The person holding the container may also react by throwing it, inadvertently spraying other people nearby with burning fuel.

Keep a source of water nearby

If you’re going to have a bonfire, barbecue or use a fire pit, make sure you have a source of water nearby, whether it’s a garden hose on standby or a bucket of water, before starting the fire. When a fire gets out of control or a person is burned, every second counts.

“With fires, you should always remember safety, and know where the closest water supply is,” says Dr. Jeschke.

Get rid of your ethanol-fueled fire pot

Ethanol-fueled fire pots are often more decorative in nature, set on tabletops or in small bowls or pots, but don’t let that fool you: they are dangerous because they use highly flammable fuels, like butane and ethanol. In fact, Health Canada issued a consumer warning last year and asked manufacturers to stop selling these products.

“Explosions can happen when you try to re-light the fire, because there can still be fumes or low flames that can ignite during the refuelling process,” says Anne Hayward, a social worker at the RTBC.

Last year, the RTBC admitted four patients who were injured by ethanol-fueled fire pits. Unfortunately, one of those patients passed away from their injuries.

The burn centre hasn’t had any admissions yet in 2020 from ethanol-fueled fire pots, and they hope it stays that way.

“We’ve seen way too many people injured while refueling ethanol fire pots. It can happen to anyone. They are dangerous, and they can be deadly,” says Dr. Jeschke.

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Don’t wear loose clothing around open flames

 Keep some simple safety tips in mind while gathered around a fire pit or barbecuing, such as not wearing loose, flowing clothing.

“With loose clothing, you turn around quickly or get too close, and the fire ignites the clothes. You then have a major injury for no reason whatsoever,” says Dr. Jeschke.

What to do if someone is burned

If you or someone you’re with does get a burn, the best initial treatment is cold, running water.

“Don’t soak the injured area, just let the water run over it,” says Dr. Jeschke.

If it’s a significant burn, call 911 to get to the nearest hospital. Do not attempt to use homemade remedies on the burn, such as butter, vinegar, oil or lemon.

The post After spike in injuries from barbecues and bonfires, burn experts urge caution appeared first on Your Health Matters.