Health minister focuses on emergency services and infection prevention in JGH tour

Joining Danielle McCann (front row, centre) on her tour of the JGH are (front row, from left) a representative of the minister, Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, Francine Dupuis and Alan Maislin, and (rear row, from left) Dr. Louise Miner, Dan Gabay (Associate Executive Director), and Lucie Tremblay.

Coping with the high volume of emergency patients and preventing the spread of infection were the focus of attention on June 25 during a visit to the JGH by Danielle McCann, Minister of Health and Social Services.

After meeting in the board room with CIUSSS leaders, administrators and senior managers—including Alan Maislin, President of the Board of Directors; Dr. Lawrence Rosenberg, President and CEO; and Francine Dupuis, Associate CEO—Ms. McCann spent about two hours touring the hospital and speaking with members of staff.

On the eighth floor of Pavilion K, Danielle McCann (right) hears about infection prevention from Lucie Tremblay (second from left), accompanied by (from left) Mona Abou Sader, a representative of the minister and Dr. Louise Miner.

On the eighth floor of Pavilion K, she stopped just outside an isolation area to discuss infection prevention control with Louise Miner, Director of Professional Services; Lucie Tremblay, Director of Nursing; and Mona Abou Sader, Head Nurse of K8.

In the Emergency Department, Ms. McCann spoke with Dr. Marc Afilalo, Chief of Emergency Services, and Valerie Schneidman, Head Nurse of Emergency, while touring the Rapid Assessment Zone, which enables patients with less serious problems to be treated and discharged relatively quickly, without having to occupy a hospital stretcher.

In the green pod of the Emergency Department, Dr. Marc Afilalo explains to Danielle McCann how the work area is designed, with the central area reserved for healthcare staff, and patients’ rooms on the perimeter.