World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week | Nov 18-24
World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week | Nov 18-24
World AMR Awareness Week is a global campaign to raise awareness and understanding of antimicrobial resistance and is celebrated from November 18-24 every year.
Antimicrobial resistance is one of the top global health threats, yet most don’t recognize its impact.
Antimicrobial resistance happens when microorganisms change in ways that make medications used to cure the infections they cause ineffective. When a microorganism becomes resistant to most antimicrobials, they are often referred to as “superbugs.”
Antimicrobial resistance is not new. Alexander Fleming won a Nobel Prize for his discovery of penicillin; he worried that AMR would make penicillin ineffective. Since then, bacterial resistance has been discovered in every antibiotic ever marketed.
Thanks to antibiotics, people no longer die due to uncomplicated infections. Surgery is possible, life expectancy has increased, and infant mortality rates have decreased. But if we don’t slow the rate of AMR, we may be pushed back into an era where uncomplicated infections become significant health threats.
When we use antibiotics to treat infection, they kill susceptible bacteria, leaving behind resistant bacteria that can multiply to take their place. We know that one of the biggest risk factors for the development of AMR is the use and misuse of antibiotics for people and animals.
A study of antibiotic use in Manitoba, “Antibiotics: too Much of a Good Thing?” showed that many people were prescribed antibiotics for infections that cannot be effectively treated with antibiotics or were prescribed inappropriate antibiotics. These practices can lead to AMR.
What can we do to reduce the risk of AMR?
Antibiotics are ineffective for viral infections, such as colds, uncomplicated otitis media (ear infections) or most cases of sinusitis. We can decrease antibiotic use by ensuring that antibiotics are not prescribed when unnecessary. We can also reduce the risk of AMR by using narrow-spectrum antibiotics for the shortest length of time needed to treat the infection.
Prairie Mountain Health has been proud to offer a Trans Health Clinic since 2015. Trans Clinic is excited to announce that our name has been changed from Trans Clinic to The Gender Affirming Care Clinic. This name change encompasses the diversity of our clients and their individual needs under the gender-affirming care umbrella.
Dr. Kelby Treloar and Public Health Nurse Carly Druwe RN (AP) continue to provide monthly clinics at Brandon Public Health in The Town Center on Rosser Ave.
Our clinic is targeted for clients 18 years of age and older. For clients under 18 years of age, we offer support, resources and/or referral to GDAAY or Klinic.
Clients can self-refer to The Gender Affirming Care Clinic by calling 204-578-2500.
Healthcare providers wanting to send a referral can fax 204-578-2824.
The Importance of Gender-Affirming Care
Gender-affirming care is essential for the well-being and mental health of many individuals. This type of care supports people in aligning their physical appearance, social identity, and overall lifestyle with their gender identity. For transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals, gender-affirming care can make a crucial difference in their quality of life, enhancing their confidence, safety, and connection to the community.
Studies show that gender-affirming care has numerous benefits, including improved mental health, lower rates of depression and anxiety, and reduced suicide risk. For many individuals, accessing care such as hormone therapy, counselling, or surgeries can be life-saving. It allows individuals to live authentically, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance that strengthens resilience against the unique challenges they may face.
Unfortunately, there are still significant barriers to accessing this care. From financial limitations and healthcare discrimination to a lack of specialized providers, many people are unable to get the care they need. That’s why community support and advocacy for gender-affirming care is essential. Supporting policies and initiatives that expand access to these services and educating ourselves and others about the importance of inclusive care can help ensure everyone receives the support they need.
Gender-affirming care is about respecting and supporting each person’s right to define and live as their authentic self. By advocating for greater access and understanding, we can help build a more inclusive, compassionate society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you for your referrals to our program to help support our shared clients.
A weight-neutral approach to a healthier relationship with food
Prairie Mountain Health is offering a new free group program called Empowered Eating. Empowered Eating is a weight-neutral approach to developing a healthier relationship with food.
This program was created by Registered Dietitians and Mental Health professionals to help you embrace self-compassion, challenge food and diet rules, and help you nourish and take care of your body. If you struggle with feeling guilty about your eating, feel you are an emotional eater, or want to stop the diet cycle and feel more empowered in your eating, this program is for you.
Empowered Eating has four weekly sessions and is offered in different communities in Prairie Mountain Health and virtually (online). Join us for the upcoming sessions in Swan River at the Swan Valley Health Center on November 7, 14, 21, and 28 from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. To register call 1-877-509-7852, or email [email protected]
Find a poster for the upcoming session here and follow PMH on social media for more upcoming sessions.
Cranberries are round, red berries grown on short shrubs. These vibrant-coloured berries have an acidic taste, and can be enjoyed in many different ways such as juice, sauce, jam, dried, and fresh. Most of the world’s production of cranberries comes from Canada, the United States, and Chile. In Canada cranberries are grown in Quebec and British Columbia.
Cranberry sauce is often served alongside turkey at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners in Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Dried cranberries are sweetened and can be added to salads, trailmix, baking, roasted vegetables, and more. Cranberry juice is often mixed with other fruit juices and sold as cranberry juice cocktail, as the other fruit juices add sweetness to the tart taste of cranberries. Fresh cranberries can be used in baking, roasted with vegetables, in smoothies, in ice cream, dips, and more.
In the past, cranberry beds were constructed in wetlands, now cranberry beds are constructed in areas with a shallow water table. Soil is used to build up dykes around the perimeter of the cranberry beds, and clean sand is hauled in to a depth of 10 to 20 cm to cover the ground. During the growing season, the cranberry beds are irrigated regularly to maintain moisture, however they are not flooded until harvest time.
In the Autumn, when the cranberries develop their deep red colour, the beds are flooded after the first frost to facilitate harvest. A harvester is driven through the beds which loosens the berries from the vines, and the cranberries float to the top. The cranberries are then moved to one corner of the bed and pumped out. They are then taken to receiving stations to be cleaned, sorted, and sent to be packaged or processed. Cranberries can also be harvested when they are still white, before they turn red, and they are turned into white cranberry juice.
The majority of cranberries are harvested through flooding, however there are some crops in the United States that are dry-picked. Dry picking means less bruising, and these cranberries can be sold fresh, instead of being processed into other forms.
Raw cranberries are made up of 87% water, and contain carbohydrates, vitamin C, and fiber. Dried cranberries lose their vitamin C content and are sweetened. Cranberries and cranberry products may have an anticoagulant effect, and people that take anticoagulant medication such as warfarin should consult their healthcare provider before consuming cranberry products.
Many people claim that cranberry products can reduce the risk of urinary tract (bladder) infections, especially for people that suffer from recurring urinary tract infections. However there is not much evidence to support this claim, cranberry is not well tested as a treatment for urinary tract infections. If you would like to try cranberry juice to prevent urinary tract infections, try drinking pure, unsweetened cranberry juice instead of cranberry juice cocktail.
Check out these delicious ways to enjoy cranberries:
PMH participates in Family Medicine Residents’ Retreat
PMH participates in Family Medicine Residents’ Retreat
Prairie Mountain Health (PMH) continues collaborative efforts to recruit physicians to the region. One of the signature events the region attends on an annual basis is the University of Manitoba Family Medicine Residents’ Retreat. First and second-year residents gather each year to participate in what serves as continuing medical education, networking, and, essentially, a job/career fair, which is held to promote potential employment opportunities once their education is complete. This year, the Interlake Health Region hosted the event in Gimli from September 20-22. Approximately 110 Family Medicine Physician Residents attended the retreat, along with their families.
PMH Physician and Recruitment Coordinators Darlene Gray and Tamara Kemp-Boulet represented the region and enjoyed extoling the virtues of living and working within rural settings.
“Besides the many medical practice opportunities available in our region, we heavily promote lifestyle choices. There are many lakes, golf courses, community recreation centres, provincial parks and the Riding Mountain National Park within our large geographical area. Each community celebrates uniquely with arts and other special events, festivals, spiritual and cultural activities and many other volunteer-driven, family-friendly initiatives.
So, any chance we get to promote our region’s ‘good nature,’ we take it.”
Gray added, “We are also very proud to have provincial Residency Programs collaborating and educating students within our Region: Brandon’s Satellite Residency Unit, the Parkland Family Practice Residency Unit, and most recently, a Residency Program operating in Neepawa, which are tremendous mentoring opportunities. We have had much success keeping students here after graduation and hope to achieve even more success in the coming years.”
Some other highlights of the weekend retreat included:
Educational breakout sessions on Pharmacy Basics, EKGs for Family Physicians, Family Medicine Plus and Billing, Financial Literacy, Musculoskeletal Injections, Ultrasound, Casting, and Women’s Health. The luncheon guest speaker was a physician from Nunavut.
Over 30 tables, including PMH, participated in the job fair on Friday night.
The resident retreat rotates among rural, regional health authorities as hosts. PMH is set to host the next event in September 2025. The region last hosted the event in 2022.
Pictured from left: John Dulewich (JDS Laundromat), Greg Thompson, Dauphin Hospital Foundation Chairman and Tony Shewchuk (Tony’s Auto Electric) .
Nearly 50 motorcyclists, car enthusiasts and supporters took part in the 7th Annual Memorial Ride on August 17, 2024 and through their support, helped contribute towards needs at the Dauphin Regional Health Centre (DRHC).
This year, the Memorial Ride, spearheaded by Tony’s Auto Electric and JDS Laundromat in Dauphin, made its way through the Parkland including the Shoal Lake and Minnedosa areas this year.
The 300 kilometre return trip raised a total of $3,000 that was donated to the health centre, through the Dauphin Hospital Foundation.
The Memorial Ride is held in loving memory for those who have lost a loved one or friend. It aims to bring people together in celebrating and recognizing the lives of those lost and doesn’t matter if people rode a vehicle or just purchased tickets. The goal was to enjoy the day, visit with people, share memories and contribute to a worthy cause!
Organizers were very pleased with the support of communities and individuals along the way. The Dauphin Hospital Foundation and Dauphin Regional Health Centre sincerely thank the organizers, participants and all who contributed to this worthy cause.
Portable Ultrasound for Deloraine Health Centre
Pictured L-R: Jamie Denbow, Grace Fletcher, Dr. McKinnon, Alyssa Villavicencio
Thank you to Ashton Bell, Deloraine Health Auxiliary and the Deloraine Palliative Care Committee for your contributions to purchase a Portable Ultrasound machine for Deloraine Health Centre.
In Canada, we celebrate World Breastfeeding Week from October 1 to 8. World Breastfeeding Week is a time to celebrate the role breastfeeding plays in providing children with the healthiest start in life.
Breast milk has just the right amount of fat, vitamins, protein, carbohydrates and minerals for optimal infant growth. Breast milk also contains antibodies and other immune factors to help protect against infections and disease. Breastfeeding benefits mothers’ short- and long-term health and will strengthen the special relationship between mother and baby.
This year’s theme is “Closing the Gap: Breastfeeding Support for All.” This year’s theme will focus on increasing awareness of the inequalities in breastfeeding support and relevance. Breastfeeding saves lives and is the key intervention to promote both mother and baby’s health, survival and wellbeing. Breastfeeding promotes both short and long-term health, good nutrition and food security in normal and emergency situations.
Between 2015 and 2021, the global rate of exclusive breastfeeding of infants in the first six months has steadily increased from 38% to 48% and is on track to reach the 50% target of 2025.
Although progress is happening, it is unequal and insufficient. Differences in breastfeeding rates occur not only between regions and countries but also within countries. Structural, organizational, interpersonal and community determinates of infant feeding choices drive the inequity of breastfeeding. Failing to rectify these inequities will result in a widening gap, even if the overall breastfeeding trend is positive. Therefore, investment in breastfeeding to address these inequities is vital and can help alleviate the social inequalities. It is time to inform and engage in actions to help ensure breastfeeding support for all to close the gap of breastfeeding inequalities.
Brandon Manitoba has many resources to help families during their breastfeeding journey. These include the following:
La Leche League Canada is an international organization dedicated to helping mothers reach their breastfeeding goals.
Canadian Patient Safety Week | Oct. 28- Nov. 1, 2024
Canadian Patient Safety Week | Oct. 28- Nov. 1, 2024
What comes to mind when you think about healthcare harm?
This year’s national theme is about recognizing and reducing all forms of health-care harm, to create safety for everyone.
Recent data shows that in 2022-2023, one in 17 hospital stays in Canada involved at least one harmful event.
In the past, patient safety efforts have been focused on potentially preventable physical harm. But healthcare harm can come in other forms, such as psychological, spiritual and social harm.
Everyone is responsible for safety in our healthcare system. During Canadian Patient Safety Week, let’s explore how healthcare harm is happening by starting the conversation, and taking action.
Staff and Patients/Families are invited to participate in the Virtual Safety Conversations Survey for a change to win a $20 gift card.
Fill out our Virtual Safety Conversations survey and be entered to win a $20 gift card. The survey is open to staff, patients and the general public, and closes Nov. 3, 2024.
Healthcare harm matters to those receiving and delivering care. Recognizing and reducing harm is all essential to creating safety for all.
Let’s broaden our understanding and reduce the impact of healthcare harm together.
October 7-11, 2024 is Canadian Malnutrition Awareness Week. This year’s theme is:
ACT – Advocate – Collaborate – Transform. This theme focuses on strategies to advocate for better nutrition care across healthcare settings.
Clinical Dietitians Emma Barr and Melanie Hart with the new metabolic cart.
One example of how we can ACT and improve nutrition care is the recent purchase of a metabolic cart for patients at the Brandon Regional Health Center. The dietitians advocated purchasing this new equipment and collaborated with physicians and management to write a proposal. It was approved and purchased by the BRHC Foundation, transforming nutrition care for acute care patients. It gives the Dietitian an accurate measure of a patient’s nutrition needs. This allows the Dietitians to prescribe the best nutrition plan and plays a role in getting patients better and home sooner.
Another group that can benefit from ACT is older adults living in the community where 1 in 3 are at nutrition risk. Family and friends can Advocate if they notice weight or muscle loss, loss of appetite, frailty, or mental health issues. If these signs are present, Collaborate with health care providers such as Doctors, Nurses, and Dietitians. With help addressing these issues, their life can be transformed by improved independence, immunity and decreasing the need to go to the hospital.
ACT is important with children, too. Up to 1 in 3 children admitted to hospital are malnourished. If you have a child in hospital, advocate by asking if weight, height or length (and head circumference in children under two years old) have been checked. When you go home, collaborate with the healthcare team and ask for a nutrition plan. Ask to meet with a Dietitian if you need help or have questions. This can Transform your child’s experience by improving growth and recovery and possibly resulting in a shorter stay in hospital.
Nutrition is important at all stages of life; if you have a concern, remember to ACT!
Mental Illness Awareness Week | October 6 – 12, 2024
Mental Illness Awareness Week | October 6 – 12, 2024
Access for All: Time for Action, Time for Change
Illness, which arises from a mental health or addiction problem, can affect all aspects of a person’s life, from an overall experience of well-being to relationships, from employment opportunities to life expectancy. Let’s work together to create a culture of understanding and acceptance.
Mental health, refers to our overall well-being. It’s possible to experience poor mental health without having a mental illness, and conversely, individuals with a diagnosed mental illness can also have good mental health. Mental illness, on the other hand, refers to diagnoses that can significantly affect a person’s thinking, mood, or behavior. These conditions can vary in severity and include disorders such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, among others.
Twenty-six years ago, in 1999, the Brandon Mental Health Center closed its doors. This closure was a result of a “Deinstitutionalization Movement.” People recognized that long-term mental health facilities harmed the human right of freedom of the individual. Once admitted, patients could spend the rest of their lives in an institution, isolated from their communities and families, and subject to care that could be coercive or harmful. This practice also increased stigma in the community. People were treated differently or made to feel ashamed of their illness.
Stigma results in fewer opportunities for work, school, social activities, or housing. It can cause bullying or violence. It isolates people, and it may increase the risk of exploitation. Stigma reinforces a false belief that a person cannot or will not be successful in overcoming challenges or succeeding in their goals. Stigma, discrimination, and harmful experiences – particularly in childhood – can reduce mental wellness.
Mental illness is on the rise in Canada. For example, between 2012 and 2022, the prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder doubled, from 2.6% to 5.2%. If you have not had personal experience with a mental illness, it is likely you know somebody who has. In 2022, 18% of Canadians 15 and over met the diagnostic criteria for a mood, anxiety, or substance use disorder in the prior 12 months (Mental disorders and access to mental health care (statcan.gc.ca)).
People who live with mental illness may not have similar access to conditions that support health compared to someone who does not have a mental illness. Researchers have identified these conditions as the “social determinants of mental health.” Income, employment, education, food security and nutrition, social support and connections, and physical and psychological safety, particularly in childhood, are all essential factors that can promote – or harm – our mental health.
By improving access to life factors promoting health, we can increase the well-being of our communities, families, and ourselves. There are practical steps we can all take to improve the mental health of ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities:
Get Informed!
Listen to the people around you. Taking time to hear stories can provide valuable insight into the symptoms and challenges associated with mental illness or mental distress. You will hear about a variety of ways that people find support during challenging times, and you will hear about the barriers people are experiencing in real-time.
PMH and partners are committed to addressing access and equity for differing needs in our region. We are in the process of, and have, shifted our system to improve access for those in highest need, and together with our provincial partners, are developing new access, intake, assessment and coordination systems. PMH currently provides a robust number of Mental Health and Addictions services with a framework that spans Crisis & Emergency, Acute and Specialized and Community-Based Services, and continues to advocate for additional available services in the region for all citizens. For a complete listing of services available, please visit www.prairiemountainhealth.ca.
Get Connected!
Strong social connections increase well-being and can also increase life expectancy.
Self-care is an essential first step in improving wellness in our community. Consider your nutrition, activity, coping, and personal connections and develop a plan if there are areas you would like to improve. Reach out to your community for information or to share your journey!
Consider participating with local organizations and committees working to improve mental health and wellness in your community.
Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 6-12. The theme is “Access for All: Time for Action, Time for Change”. Consider participating in activities occurring during this week and into the Fall.
If you or a loved one need support, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. There are resources available.
In an emergency, always call 911 or contact your local hospital or health office.
Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call 9-8-8 for support, available to all Canadians in English and French, 24/7.
Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line: Reach out at 1-877-435-7170, a crisis line available 24 hours a day.
Westman Crisis Services: For local support in the Brandon area, contact 204-725-4411 or 1-888-379-7699.
PMH-North: You can also reach 1-866-332-3030 for services in the PMH-North area.
Events
Online Presentation – What is Mental Illness?
Tuesday, Oct. 8
12:00-1:00 pm
What is mental illness? What kinds of mental illnesses are there and what do they look like? What are some common myths about mental illness, and how can we reduce the stigma around mental illness? As part of Mental Illness Awareness Week (October 6-12), join us for a free online lunch-hour presentation that looks at these questions and more.
Online Course – Insights into Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
Wednesday, Oct. 9
7:00-8:30 pm
This free online course will define seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and present practical strategies and skills for better health & well-being during the winter months.
