CSRT News

June 2010
Keeping members current on issues that matter

CSRT Advocacy Initiatives

Standing Committee on Health Reviews Lessons Learned from H1N1 Pandemic
The federal government’s Standing Committee on Health has a mandate to review national health issues and will be discussing lessons learned from the H1N1 Pandemic. As this topic will be addressed by this Parliamentary Committee in the near future, the CSRT President has sent a letter to Joy Smith, M.P., Chair of the Standing Committee on Health, to provide information on the role of the profession during the H1N1 pandemic and to request that respiratory therapists be included in discussions surrounding health human resources and equipment resources, such as the ventilator stockpile requirements during a pandemic. The CSRT calls for continued pandemic planning and the allocation of appropriate resources and budget allocations be directed towards it. We reiterated our concern about the lack of harmonization between federal, provincial and institutional guidelines and called for national standards for infection control practices and access to personal protective equipment. The CSRT shared its evidence-based position statement on the use of aerosol-generating medical procedures as an example of national statements that proved useful to the profession during the H1N1 pandemic. A copy of the letter is available on the CSRT website (Professional practice / Advocacy)

Federal Government’s report on Health Human Resources
The CSRT has received a copy of the report finalized in June by the Standing Committee on Health week entitled “Promoting innovative solutions to Health Human Resources Challenges”. This report will be tabled when Parliament resumes in September and the Health Department will have 120 days to respond to the Standing Health Committee. The report includes 29 recommendations, some of which are relevant to the respiratory therapy profession. Over the next few months, the CSRT will review the report and formulate a response that can be submitted to Health Canada as well as to the Standing Committee on Health once the report is tabled in Parliament. The report is available on the CSRT website (Professional practice / Advocacy)

We’re Moving!

The CSRT Head Office is moving July 16, 2010. The office staff will be unreachable briefly from July 16 to July 19, 2010. All phone and fax numbers and email addresses will remain the same.

Our new address is:
400-331 Cooper St.,
Ottawa, ON K2P 0G5

CSRT Lapsed Member Draw

Members that renewed their lapsed membership by April 30th were entered to win a free webinar. There were 180 members who renewed their lapsed membership before the deadline. The winner of the draw is James Lock, Penticton, BC, who will have his pick of which webinar he would like to participate.

In Memoriam

Dale Morrison, RRT, from Halifax NS passed away suddenly in late May. Dale was a long-standing member of the CSRT for more than 20 years and a great promoter of the profession. He was actively involved in the AA program at Dalhousie and a regular contributor to the CJRT. Dale taught at the QEII School of Respiratory Therapy. He was one of the first anesthesia assistants at the QEII and co-created and taught the Anesthesia program. Dale was part of the first team to develop the global outreach program for Anesthesia Assistants in Halifax. He was 46 years old. In lieu of flowers donations should be made to Canadian Anesthesia Society International Education Foundation (CASIEF) online under Support or by calling 416-408-0602. Condolences can be emailed to atlanticdartmouthfh@arbormemorial.com

CSRT Award Sponsors

The CSRT extends its sincere thanks to our corporate sponsors of Society awards.

Student Excellence Awards
These awards were created to recognize educational excellence of students in each educational program. CAREstream Medical Ltd., a long-standing industry partner, is committed to sponsorship of this award to highlight the achievements of students.

The President’s Award
This award was established to allow the CSRT President to recognize and individual or organization that has provided support to the President during his term of office. Trudell Medical Marketing has shown their support of the President and the profession by providing financial support for this award.

Robert Merry Lecturer Award
This award recognizes the significant contributions and achievements of an individual to the profession. The lecturer provides the keynote address at the annual educational conference. Roxon Medi-Tech / Nonin Medical have generously co-sponsored this award.

Funding Available - Lung Health Program Phase II

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is pleased to invite eligible organizations to submit a proposal for funding under the Lung Health Program. The Lung Health Program demonstrates the federal government’s role in improving the health of Canadians, and addresses PHAC’s mission to promote and protect the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation and action in public health. This Invitation to Submit an Application is for projects starting January 15, 2011. Phase II of this federal investment includes initiatives to increase awareness of prevention, early detection, and self-management of lung diseases, including potential risks from the environment, through public information products, with emphasis on high-risk populations, including children.

For more information, please see: http://www.lunghealthframework.ca/funding-opportunities

Effective Governance for Quality and Patient Safety Toolkit

Resources for healthcare board members and senior leaders
The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) and the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) offer an Effective Governance for Quality and Patient Safety Toolkit. This resource is available on the CPSI website at www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca. CPSI and CHSRF collaborated with expert stakeholders, leaders and advisors to develop a toolkit to help boards understand and implement effective governance practices for quality and patient safety.