London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC)

Hand-washing is one of several public health guidelines that can limit the spread of COVID-19. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub. Make sure you wash your hands regularly. This includes when you leave public spaces, before you touch your face, after you use the restroom, when preparing food, or when you reach for that gingerbread cookie! Let’s do our part this holiday season to limit the spread of COVID-19.

New visitor restrictions are coming to LHSC on December 26 as Ontario moves to lockdown. Thank you for your understanding as we continue to protect the health and safety of our patients, families, staff and physicians. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/coronavirus/visitor-policy

Pfizer-BioNTech #COVID19vaccine has arrived in London, and the first vaccine will be administered tomorrow. Stay tuned for more updates! Middlesex-London Health Unit

Today is the last day of Antibiotic Awareness Week. By 2050, it is estimated that 10 million people worldwide will die annually from resistant infections if we do not make positive changes to the way we use antibiotics. That figure is more than the number of deaths due to all types of cancers. Please join LHSC’s staff and physicians who have taken the pledge to ‘Handle Antibiotics with Care’ to preserve this vital resource!

In a study, researchers at Lawson Health Research Institute examined whether a Crohn's disease patient’s DNA can be used to identify their risk of severe disease. They found that patients with a genetic variant in a gene called FXR (farnesoid X-receptor) are much more likely to need surgery and to need it earlier in their care journey. Surprisingly, they found that women with the genetic variant are at an even higher risk than men. Dr. Aze Wilson, Associate Scientist at Lawson Health Research Institute and Gastroenterologist at LHSC notes, Our findings suggest that genetic testing could be used to identify patients at a high risk of poor outcomes. This would allow physicians to tailor treatments to give patients the best chance at success. Read more: https://www.lawsonresearch.ca//genetic-testing-crohns-dise

We’re hiring full time registered nurses in our Mental Health Care Program. Join our amazing team as an experienced registered nurse or as a new graduate through the New Graduate Initiative program (NGGI). See details and register online at www.lhsc.on.ca/careers

This holiday season, spread joy and not COVID-19 by maintaining at least six feet (or two metres) of distance between yourself and those outside of your immediate household. Physical distancing is always important even when you’re wearing a mask to keep our community safe and to ensure hospitals can maintain capacity to care for those who need it.

Waiting on COVID-19 test results? Middlesex-London Health Unit has advice on how you can continue to #StopTheSpread while you wait.

Just a reminder to please wash your hands, wear a mask, limit contacts and practice distancing. Let’s help stop the spread of COVID-19. #HandsFaceSpace

Book a COVID-19 Test Appointment online for Carling or Oakridge Assessment Centres through our website. If you have questions, send us an email through our site...! Book here: covidtestinglm.ca/online-booking/ London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) Middlesex-London Health Unit #ldnont #middlesex #covidtesting

The Fall 2020 issue of inside LHSC will be published in the community this week in The Londoner, and on November 21 through The London Free Press. This edition features first-hand accounts from staff and physicians working at LHSC during the early days of COVID-19, as well as harrowing stories of patients battling the illness. Read the online edition here: https://inside.lhsc.on.ca/

The Urgent Medicine Clinic (UMC) at Victoria Hospital is celebrating its 25th anniversary! The UMC provides rapid access to care for patients presenting to the Emergency Department with acute medicine related issues to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. The clinic sees an average of 175 patients each month. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//lhscs-urgent-medicine-clinic-turns

Canadian Blood Services’ London Blood Donors Centre needs to fill 45 appointments for tomorrow (Tuesday)! Visit blood.ca to make an appointment if you can help.

Each November, LHSC's Injury Prevention team spreads awareness about the Period of PURPLE Crying to remind caregivers and parents that an increase in crying is a normal part of infant development. #PURPLECrying

Registered Polysomnography Technicians (more commonly known as sleep technologists) help patients with various conditions to improve their sleep and health outcomes. Sleep Technologist Appreciation Week runs from Oct. 25-31, and showcases the accomplishments made in the sleep disorders centers, laboratories, and education facilities. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//spreading-awareness-for-sleep-tech #STAW2020

LHSC’s President and CEO Dr. Paul Woods is pleased to introduce The Gratitude Campaign, a new and exciting opportunity for our community to join LHSC in sharing our gratitude for each other and all we have accomplished together throughout 2020. Until Nov. 13, share your gratitude online post a message, photo, drawing, or short video illustrating your gratitude for our people to your social media using the hashtag #lhscgratitude Follow along here on Facebook each #ThankfulThursday as we update the Gratitude Album, showcasing all of the submissions received from staff, physicians, and our community. More information is available on LHSC’s website: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//share-your-gratitude-for-the-peopl

Our Facilities Management (FM) department manages and maintains all the building and site infrastructure at LHSC. This video showcases some of the infrastructure systems and how they support patient care. Our FM team is made up of many skilled professionals and we thank them for their contributions.

A new study, conducted by performing metabolomics profiling on blood samples from 30 participants at LHSC, identifies biomarkers that could be used in a quick, inexpensive COVID-19 blood screening tool.

Your health and safety are LHSC’s top priority always. Let’s #FlattentheCurve so we can maintain services during Wave 2 and be able to keep providing care for you and your loved ones. Your actions are more important than ever, so this holiday weekend: Practice physical distancing, wear a mask when you cannot maintain 6 ft. of distance from others, wash your hands often, and limit social contact to those in your own household. We may be apart but we’re still #InThisTogether to #StopTheSpread.

November 8-14 marked Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) Week, and as it comes to a close, we want to recognize all of our dedicated MRTs at LHSC. This past week celebrated the contributions of MRTs who provide an essential link between patients and their health, mastering the technology and art of providing accurate state-of-the-art diagnostic images and radiation-related treatment. They include radiological technologists, nuclear medicine technologists, magnetic resonance ...technologists, radiation therapists and diagnostic medical sonographers. MRT Week shone a spotlight on this dynamic area of health care to increase awareness and understand the contributions of the professionals involved in the clinical applications of medical radiation technology. These photos are of just a few of our remarkable RTs at LHSC. We thank you - this week, and always - for your dedication and focus on providing quality patient care.

Public Service Announcement - The London COVID-19 Assessment Centres will be open on Thanksgiving Monday, October 12: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//london-covid-19-assessment-centres London’s COVID-19 Assessment Centres are operated by LHSC and the Thames Valley Family Health Team, with support from Middlesex-London Paramedic Service, the Middlesex-London Health Unit and the City of London, Ontario - Municipal Government.

This Thanksgiving, we may be apart but we’re still #InThisTogether. We all have a role to play in slowing the transmission of the virus. Join us and take the pledge to #StopTheSpread today: http://www.ontariocovidpledge.ca/. Reply in the comments with what you’re doing to keep everyone safe this weekend!

Halloween is this Saturday! Middlesex-London Health Unit has some tips and creative ideas to ensure you and your family stay safe while having fun.

Its day four of #HealthCareSimulationWeek! CSTAR at LHSC has patient simulators such as SimMan and SimMom that simulate many different health challenges. Over the past year CSTAR has partnered with several clinical areas to offer in situ simulations, taking place in the actual patient care setting. The focus in recent months has been testing and troubleshooting COVID-19 practices to ensure staff safety is maintained while providing excellent patient care. Here are some photos of SimMan and SimMom ready for in situ simulations in the emergency departments at University and Victoria hospitals, and in the Intensive Care Unit.

The North Tower Atrium at Victoria Hospital is awash in orange today as we join the World Health Organization in recognizing World Patient Safety Day. World Patient Safety Day highlights the importance of patient safety as an essential component for strengthening health-care systems and saving lives. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//lhsc-recognizes-world-patient-safe

In 1995, Mariah Carey’s song Fantasy was topping the charts, Forrest Gump won the Oscar for Best Picture, and a revolutionary ecommerce platform called eBay was launched. That fall, it was also the year that University Hospital and Victoria Hospital merged, officially creating London Health Sciences Centre. Take a stroll down memory lane as we recognize this integral part of our history: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//lhsc-celebrates-the-25th/vh-merger

Its day three of #HealthCareSimulationWeek! Running a mock Code Blue allows nursing students and residents in our critical care units to practice their resuscitation skills, using a high fidelity patient simulator. A Code Blue is activated when an adult is observed to be in cardiac arrest or a life threatening situation. Evidence shows that high-quality chest compressions and reducing the intervals between giving CPR and an electronic defibrillator shock are the most important components of effective resuscitation. Learners work as a team to respond and get valuable feedback from the simulator on the rate and depth of compressions.

At LHSC a team of 70 occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help patients regain independence and maximize function in their day-to-day lives, and we celebrate them during Occupational Therapy Month. Read about how they make everyday possible for our patients: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//october-is-occupational-therapy-mo

We’re joining the Canadian Patient Safety Institute in celebrating Canadian Patient Safety Week, October 26-30, to recognize extraordinary achievements in patient safety and quality. This year’s theme, Virtual care is new to us, recognizes the important role of virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about virtual care and how you can participate in Canadian Patient Safety Week virtually: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//canadian-patient-safety-week-2020-

LHSC’s Victoria Family Medical Centre is proud to mark its golden anniversary this year, celebrating 50 years as a community-based family practice clinic with a current roster of about 5,000 patients. The team is marking the occasion with a tree trunk sculpture, part of a larger series for the Hamilton Road Tree Trunk Tour. Read more about this important milestone: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//victoria-family-medical-centre-cel

The Childrens Healthcare Coalition, a growing collective which includes Childrens Hospital at LHSC, is hosting a virtual town hall to discuss the impacts of COVID-19 on childrens mental health, development and physical well-being. This event is open to all Ontarians and will be held on Thursday, September 17, 2020, at 7 pm ET. Find more information here: http://bit.ly/KidsinCrisisTownHall

The Thames Valley Family Health Team has information on their website about London's COVID-19 Assessment Centres, including testing guidelines, where to access testing, and contact information.

Our Blood Donor Challenge in support of Canadian Blood Services has come to an end, but the need for blood is constant: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//lhscs-2020-blood-donor-challenge-h

View all the submissions of gratitude directed at LHSC’s people shared by staff, physicians and the community. Check back each #ThankfulThursday to view the updated Gratitude Album. Until Nov. 13, share your gratitude online post a message, photo, drawing, or short video illustrating your gratitude for LHSC’s people to your social media using the hashtag #lhscgratitude.

October is Safe Sleep Awareness Month! We wanted to share some tips for parents and caregivers to ensure a safe sleep environment for infants.

OAKRIDGE ASSESSMENT CENTRE UPDATE: Starting today at 8:00 am, Oakridge phone lines (519-667-6886) will be answered live. However, phone lines will close once t...he next day's appointments are filled, and phone lines will no longer accept voicemails. Once phone lines close, please call back the following morning at 8:00 am. More info here: http://ow.ly/PTGn50BZbRA See more

As we head into the fall season, its important to remain vigilant and follow public health advice to limit the spread of COVID-19. Things like practicing physical distancing, avoiding crowded spaces, washing your hands often, wearing a mask, and sticking to a small and consistent social circle will help ensure we continue to #FlattentheCurve.

Triple-negative breast cancer cells can facilitate changes to the lung that both attract cancerous cells and allow them to grow. The majority of studies on meta...static cancer have focused on the characteristics of tumour cells and not on the organs to which they spread. Dr. Allan’s team is studying how the lung microenvironment itself is contributing to lung metastasis. The best way to explain lung metastasis is the seed and soil analogy, says Dr. Allan. The seeds are the breast cancer cells from a primary tumour and the soil is the lung’s microenvironment. Seeds can break away, but they only grow if the soil is fertile. https://www.lawsonresearch.ca//why-breast-cancer-spreads-l

Midwives are experts in low-risk pregnancy, birth and newborn care and have practice privileges at hospitals. There are approximately 50 midwives in the London area affiliated with LHSC. Learn more about midwifery and watch the full video here: https://inside.lhsc.on.ca//I%27m-pregnant-can-i-have-a-mid

The Patient Partner Rapid Feedback Team has been instrumental in providing a patient lens during the pandemic to rapidly changing policies and procedures. The Rapid Feedback Team is comprised of 15 dedicated Patient Partners who are passionate about ensuring the patient and family voice is heard. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//the-patient-voice-during-a-pandemic

Teaghan Gearey's mom knew something was wrong with her 7-year-old daughter. It would take two years to be formally diagnosed with an extraordinarily rare metabolic disorder. Read about the family's journey to life-saving treatment: https://inside.lhsc.on.ca//journey-to-a-life-saving-treatm

Effective Monday, October 5, there will be changes to London's COVID-19 Assessment Centres to meet the testing needs of our community. Visit our website for the most recent information: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/coronavi/covid-19-assessment-centres

We love this video demonstrating one family’s #lhscgratitude. Thanks for sharing! Check back each Thursday to see updates to LHSC’s Gratitude Campaign album.

Its day two of #HealthCareSimulationWeek, and today were highlighting the importance of the simulation lab in providing hands-on practice to develop procedural skills such as gaining vascular access, and utilizing point-of-care ultrasound. Before arriving at a workshop, medicine residents and students learn hours of material so they can spend as much active time as possible in the simulation lab.

This October, we’re celebrating Safe Sleep Month with patients and families in the Mother Baby Care Unit to raise awareness of infant safe sleep behaviours. LHSC has also become only the first hospital in Ontario, and only the second in Canada to be certified as a Bronze Safe Sleep Hospital by Cribs for Kids National Infant Safe Sleep Initiative. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/news/celebrating-safe-sleep-month

Growing up, Cayleigh Kearns planned to be a blood donor. What she didn’t plan was requiring blood transfusions twice a week to treat Common Variable Immunodeficiency, an antibody deficiency that leaves the immune system unable to defend against bacteria and viruses. It’s important to give blood so that I can continue to live my life with purpose as an aunt, best friend, sister, and daughter," explains Cayleigh. The need for blood is constant, and it is safe to donate during COVID-19. Learn more about our Canadian Blood Services Blood Donor Challenge, and book an appointment today: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//lhscs-2020-blood-donor-challenge-r

Its #HealthCareSimulationWeek! Simulation is a learning tool that recreates a health-care environment to allow staff and physicians to experience a realistic event, teaching them new skills, refreshing old ones, and improving the delivery of safe and effective patient care. CSTAR (Canadian Surgical Technologies and Advanced Robotics) at LHSC offers a variety of simulation experiences. Health Care Simulation Week is sponsored by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and runs until September 20. Each day this week, well highlight a different form of simulation, so be sure to check back!

Earlier today, LHSC’s flags were lowered to half-mast and President & CEO Dr. Paul Woods shared a message with staff and physicians in recognition of Orange Shirt Day. Orange Shirt Day aims to create awareness of the individual, family, and community inter-generational impacts of Indian Residential Schools, promoting the concept that every child matters. Read his message here: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//flags-lowered-to-half-mast-on-oran

#SmileCookie week is back! And this year, there are more ways to get a smile. Head to your local Tim Hortons or order on SkipTheDishes, Uber Eats or Door Dash. ...Order a box for yourself, or send one to a friend. The full $1 from each cookie supports kids at Childrens Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC). See more

Were hiring registered nurses and registered practical nurses! Learn more and apply at https://www.lhsc.on.ca/careers

LHSC supports #OrangeShirtDay, a national day dedicated to recognizing the harm done to Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools. Today we reflect on our role in creating a culturally-inclusive environment for Indigenous partners, patients and colleagues.

Were pleased to share that Carol Young-Ritchie, Chief Nursing Executive and Co-Lead, Pandemic Incident Management Team at LHSC is among the inaugural class of Fellows of the Canadian Academy of Nursing by the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA-AIIC). The Fellowship program recognizes and celebrates the most accomplished nurses in Canada and represents the highest honour for Canadas nursing leaders. Candidates are selected based on their demonstration of substantial contributions and sustained impact to nursing. Congratulations, Carol!

Do you know how big your social circle or bubble is? Region of Waterloo Public Health and Emergency Services shows us that it's bigger than you might think. Remember to wear a mask and practice physical distancing with anyone outside of your bubble so we can protect each other and flatten the curve!

Patients from the Urgent COVID-19 Care Clinic at LHSC are enrolling in a study testing the use of an online patient care platform called VIRTUES designed by the Cardiac Arrythmia Network of Canada (CANet) to help track symptoms for COVID-19 positive patients. They also use a home-based pulse oximeter to measure pulse rate & oxygen saturation.

Blood analysis is an important component of disease management for our paediatric patients who have Phenylketonuria, a rare inherited metabolic disease. During COVID-19, staff and physicians made it possible for patients to take finger prick blood samples at home and mail them to LHSC for testing. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//helping-patients-collect-blood-at-

Londons COVID-19 Assessment Centres at Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre and Oakridge Arena will be open for Labour Day.

LHSC is pleased to offer a Virtual Visit Program for patients and their loved ones to receive assistance with connecting over the internet while visitor restrictions remain in place. Those who are not able to use their own devices to communicate through audio or video calls can receive assistance with hospital devices and technology platforms. To request a Virtual Visit and learn more, please visit https://www.lhsc.on.ca/coronavirus/visiting-the-hospital

For many patients, families and visitors, their first interaction with LHSC happens when they call Switchboard for information or to be connected with the appropriate department. During the height of the pandemic, our team of 22 switchboard operators answered a wide range of calls from the public with concerns related to COVID-19. Read about the essential role of this department at all times, and especially during the pandemic: lhsc.on.ca/news/helping-connect-people-during-a-pandemic

Check out this video of Mike, one of our dedicated PSWs, performing for patients this past weekend! Mike has been at LHSC for more than ten years, and in that time he has been honoured to share his talent to bring some joy to our patients.

At the onset of the pandemic, volunteer programs at LHSC were put on hold. As of August 4, we have been welcoming volunteers back to the hospital through a gradual, phased approach to ensure their safety. Wayfinding volunteers like Kell are extremely valuable - they help provide information and directions to ensure patients and visitors know where theyre going. We recognize that volunteers are one of the most important resources in our health-care community and we look forward to slowly resuming more volunteer activity within the hospital!

The Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Clinic team at Childrens Hospital, LHSC has created a new drive-up model of care that allows CF patients to receive their routine throat swab at the curbside. The drive-up service keeps families safe while ensuring CF patients receive routine care during the pandemic. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//childrens-hospital-at-lhsc-makes-d

Researchers have unraveled two mysteries of COVID-19, providing evidence for predicting how severe a patients illness will become and why patients develop life-threatening blood clots, by analyzing blood samples from critically ill patients at LHSC.

Fundraise your way with London Health Sciences Foundation! They are excited to launch the DIY Fundraising Program. Celebrate a milestone, challenge yourself, or create a completely unique event where you call all the shots. Learn more and get started today.

The Pathology and Laboratory Medicine (PaLM) team at LHSC has reached a critical milestone in testing volumes for COVID-19. The hospital-based laboratory first began processing COVID-19 test swabs in mid-March with the goal of building from an initial 50 tests per day volume to 3,000 tests per day. The PaLM team has now surpassed that initial milestone as they continue to expand testing capacity, benefiting hospitals and COVID-19 assessment centres across southwestern Ontario. Read more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//lhsc-reaches-significant-covid-19-

It has taken innovation, flexibility and compassion to provide care to our children during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Childrens Hospital, London Health Scie...nces Centre (LHSC) leadership and staff have risen to the challenge. Read about the work theyve accomplished during the first 100 days of the pandemic in this The London Free Press article. Your support and encouragement continue to be important to our health care heroes and our kids. Thank you for standing by them! #StandByChildrens

LHSC is grateful to the community for rallying behind our staff and physicians during the pandemic. One of the ways that businesses have offered support is through donating prepared meals. Read more about these kind gestures and the process for donating meals to feed our front-line: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/news/feeding-the-front-line

Were hiring nurses! Learn more and apply at www.lhsc.on.ca/careers

Childrens Hospital at LHSC has partnered with the London Family Court Clinic to provide pilot access to an innovative service that helps separated parents make informed COVID-19 health-related decisions for their child/ren. Learn more about this service: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//childrens-hospital-partners-with-l #ECSFund London Community Foundation Community Foundations of Canada Employment and Social Development Canada

Museum London has partnered with LHSC, St. Josephs Health Care London, Western, Fanshawe, and others to present an exhibition titled 100 Years of Nursing Education in London, which will run until September 6. The exhibition features many artifacts and interesting stories that explore the rich history of nursing education in London. Learn more: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//visit-museum-londons-100-years-of-

Behind the scenes, LHSCs maintenance teams always ensure the hospital runs smoothly. As priorities shifted during the pandemic, the teams were ready to support our patients, staff and physicians by ensuring all systems were operational. Learn more about this critical work: https://www.lhsc.on.ca/ne/maintaining-lhsc-through-covid-19

LHSC is hiring Medical Laboratory Technologists. Please see https://www.lhsc.on.ca/careers for details and to apply. Thank you in advance as we work together to support our community.

Receiving blood is a life saver. Thousands of people just like me suffer from rare diseases that require blood treatments to keep us alive. If it was not for the selfless act of giving blood, thousands of people would not be here today to share their stories and make a difference in the world, says Carolyn Gallacher, a patient at LHSC who advocates for blood donation. Join the challenge! Register online as a Partners for Life member and make a donor appointment by Oct. 12 for a chance to win. This is more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic, as CBS has seen its numbers decrease over the past few months. It is safe to donate during COVID-19: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//lhsc-launches-its-2020-blood-donor

The Canadian flags at London Health Sciences Centre will be lowered to half-mast today in memory of those who lost their lives in the catastrophic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and all those affected by this tragedy. Full statement: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//flags-lowered-to-half-mast-to-hono

In a randomized controlled trial from Lawson Health Research Institute, findings suggest that surgical treatment for those experiencing chronic sciatica results in better patient outcomes by improving function, quality of life and the ability to return to work: https://www.lawsonresearch.ca//study-suggests-surgery-may-

The Paediatric Family Resource Centre is supporting an increasing number of families at London Health Sciences Centres Childrens Hospital since the beginning of the pandemic response. Since April, staff have completed over 5000 interactions with patients and families to provide support; this totals more interactions than all of last year: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//supporting-childrens-families-thro

The COVID-19 Assessment Centres in London are open for their regular operating hours over the Civic Holiday weekend. The Carling Heights Optimist Community Centre Assessment Centre (656 Elizabeth Street) is open Monday - Sunday from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm; and the Oakridge Arena Assessment Centre (825 Valetta Street) is open Monday - Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

LHSCs Surgi-Centre, which opened in early 2020 across from Victoria Hospital on Baseline Road, has completed more than 100 surgeries. This new space is helping to improve patient experience and reduce the back log of elective surgeries: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//lhsc-surgi-centre-reaches-mileston

Infectious diseases experts from LHSC and Childrens Hospital at LHSC have joined a group of experts from across Ontario to develop updated considerations for a safe school reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//childrens-hospital-at-lhsc-contrib

As President and CEO of LHSC, Dr. Paul Woods recognizes and appreciates the skilled and compassionate care provided by the people he works alongside every day; but he never envisioned that he would be a recipient of that care especially in the midst of both leading the organization and contributing to the regional response of a global pandemic. Read about Dr. Woods patient experience: https://www.lhsc.on.ca//dr-paul-woods-patient-experience-a