Community Health Programs

Community Health Nurses

The Community Health Nurses deliver comprehensive health promotion, public health and disease prevention programs for health concerns identified by Aboriginal communities. These programs are designed in partnership with community members and leaders and help to create environments that support good health practices for individuals and communities.

Community Health Nursing:

Provides curative, restorative, palliative homecare and early detection services. Remote and isolated primary nursing care provides immediate access for urgent and emergent episodic care. Benefits include improved health status, stable chronic illness and improved quality of life for Stó:lō Nation members.
Assesses, develops, delivers and evaluates, using models of health promotion and best evidence, Community Health Nursing programs in partnership with community participants, making recommendations on program priorities and needed resources.
Uses culturally sensitive community development strategies to partner with community members to identify and address their shared health concerns. Builds on existing community strengths to maintain and enhance good health practices.
Advocates for individual and system wide access to needed program to deal with health issues and promotes healthy public policy.
Provides teaching and learning that provides health education to increase knowledge and develop life skills conducive to individual, group, and community health. Addressing clients’ learning needs and selects appropriate teaching/learning strategies to meet needs.
Establishes inter-sectoral partnerships that involve individuals and communities in collaborative relationships with health care professionals, community organizations, volunteer service organizations, etc., to help address broad determinants of health (income, social status, education, employment, and work conditions).

Our Community Health Nurses make home visits to our communities with resources available in all of our services from infancy to elders. Community Health Nurses also promote wellness, prevent illness, and identify good health practices for our Stó:lō communities.

Our Community Health Program offers the following:

Health Education workshops
Health and baby clinics
Immunization promotion and administration
Hearing and vision screening
Pre-/post-natal care
- For more information on pre-/post-natal care, community health nurses encourage utilizing:
  - Baby's Best Chance: Parents Handbook of Pregnancy and Baby Care (PDF) and
  - Toddler's First Steps: A Best Chance Guide to Parenting your 6- to 36-month-old Child (PDF)
  as part of a healthcare team and personal support regimen. These guides are brought to you by the Government of British Columbia. Please note you are still able to pick-up hard copies of Baby's Best Chance at public health units, doctors' offices, and at Sto:lo Nation Health Services, but hard copies of Toddler's First Steps are no longer available.
Promotion of good nutrition
Diabetes-related programs
HIV/AIDS programs

Nurse Practitioner

Nurse Practitioners (NP) can manage common acute and chronic illness and offer preventative health education and planning to help patients be as healthy as possible. NPs offer holistic health assessments and treatment plans and encourage clients to take an active role in health care decisions.

Nurse Practitioners collaborate with all members of the health team such as: nurses, doctors, occupational health therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, etc. If community members do not have a family Doctor, or would prefer a female practitioner, consider transferring your medical records to our Nurse Practitioner's care.

Nurse Practitioners are licensed through the College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) which is regulated by the Health Professions Act. Nurse Practitioners can:

Diagnose
Prescribe medication
Order tests (blood work, ultrasounds, etc)
Manage illnesses, pregnancy, and more

Nurse Practitioners in the Stó:lō Nation Area:

Dana Jones, NP:

Nurse Practitioner Dana Jones is on site at Sto:lo Nation Health Services (7-7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack) every Thursday and Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm. Dana is accepting new patients.

To make an appointment with Dana, please call Sto:lo Nation Health Services 604-824-3200 or toll-free at 1-877-411-3200. Please specify if you would like a general appointment, a Well Women's exam, or a Well Men's exam.

To learn more about the health services Dana Jones can provide for you and your family, please click here to download Dana Jones' brochure. (PDF)

Ginny Hind, NP:

Nurse Practitioner Ginny Hind is on site at the Sumas First Nation health office (2788 Sumas Mountain Road, Abbotsford) on the following dates from 9:00am-3:30pm:

December 6, 2010

Please check with Sumas' Health Reception at 604-852-4041 for additional confirmed dates.

To make an appointment with Ginny, please call the Sumas First Nation health office at 604-852-4041.

To learn more about the health services Ginny can provide for you and your family, please click here to download Ginny Hind's brochure. (PDF)

Nurse Practitioner services are brought to you by a partnership between Stó:lō Nation Health Services and Aboriginal Health Services Fraser Health.

Community Health Workers

The Community Health Worker performs the following functions:

Community advocacy, empowerment, and participation
Health promotion and protection
Illness and injury prevention
Communication and education
Cultural Liaison
Teamwork, partnerships, and collaboration with other sectors
Coordination, management, and administration
Administration of Non-Insured Health Benefits:
- Care Card Applications
- Medical Transportation
- Inform you of Non-Insured Health Benefits
Provide Health Awareness Workshops
Assists Community Health Nurse at Clinics
Schedule immunizations with CHN
Bring outside resources to your community or family
Assist you with Prenatal & Postnatal Requirements
Refer you to Pediatrician, Family Doctor, Nurse Practitioner, Home Care
Promote and inform of other health services, including diabetes programs

The primary goal is to assist community members to make healthy lifestyle choices and help clients become independent. This goal is achieve by using health knowledge and skills encompassing the physical, emotional, mental, and physiological health of the Stó:lō people.

Children's Oral Health Initiatives

COHI is a dental initiative designed to prevent and control tooth decay in young First Nations and Inuit children and to set the stage for a lifetime of healthy teeth.

Why Do We Need COHI?

First Nation and Inuit children aged 0 to 7 years old.
Parents/Caregivers of children aged 0 to 7 years old.
Pregnant women.
COHI works to improve dental health for children to reduce the risk of oral surgery under general anesthetic.
Also to encourage parents and caregivers to:
- Clean their children's teeth
- Keep their own mouth healthy
- Give children healthy drinks and snacks
- Use only milk or water in baby bottles
- Practice good feeding habits
- Enroll their children in COHI
- Visit dental professionals regularly

Home & Community Care Program

Registered Nurses are licensed by the College of Registered Nurses of BC, and are required to maintain an annual practicing license, subject to the membe'‘s fulfillment to meet the required practicing hours, continuing competency, as well as a criminal check. All Nursing Procedures and Treatments will be delivered in accordance with the Professional Standards set out by CRNBC.

Overview

Delivered through a process of assessment, planning, implementing and evaluating professional nursing care of clients of all ages with acute, chronic or palliative health care needs in a community setting. Homecare philosophy focuses on:

Promoting independence, thereby allowing the individuals to remain at home for as long as possible.
The clients, families and communities are supported by Health Professionals through ongoing teachings, counseling and direct nursing care in their own homes, or at the Health Centre.
Through team effort, we assist and support the clients to reach their optimal level of independence, thereby impacting directly on their quality of life.

The following services are available to community members through a referral process: (services are provided to status on reserve members only, due to funding which impacts on staffing level): Self referral, family & community members, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, Social Service, Hospital, Auto Insurer, Regional Health Authority, Mental Health Crisis Centre, Rehabilitation Centre, Worksafe BC and other Health Care Providers.

Nursing Services

Health teaching of clients and/or Informal Caregivers to meet care needs, by enhancing their knowledge, skills and confidence – the greatest benefit is the value it provides to community members and their families.
Monitoring for Therapeutic Intervention – client’s state of health is assessed and observed regularly to determine if treatment change is required; also enables early detection of health status change in client’s condition.
Random monitoring of blood sugars and blood pressures – the focus is on early detection of diabetes and cardiovascular conditions, with early intervention and prevention of complications.
Medication administration and management:
- Medications are prepared and administered through various routes, following a written order from a Physician. (For safety reasons, verbal orders from clients as per Physician, will not be accepted)
  - Note: For safety reasons, Cytotoxic medications administered through the parenteral route (injections ), requires an in depth assessment of client’s knowledge pertaining to handling and disposal of contaminated materials for safety reasons, and to avoid exposure. This process can be time consuming as nurses are required to adhere to guidelines set by the Pharmacy Division of the Primary Health Care & Public Health Directorate, in handling and injecting the drug. Your patience and understanding is requested, to ensure that you as a recipient, is receiving care in a safe manner, and those involved in your care are protected.
- Based on an RN’s initial assessment, a client will be referred to his/her own Physician for this procedure, if it is deemed unsafe to administer a prescribed injection during dosage adjustment, and while frequent blood works are in progress (this will be explained to you in detail during the assessment ).
- Once stabilization of dosage is achieved, the RN will assume the task, as well as teach the client or a responsible family member, how to administer the injection. This will serve as a backup in case of staff unavailability due to shortage, stat holidays and inclement weather, the latter hindering the nurse’s ability to reach a client.
Therapeutic care:
- Necessary for healing including emotional support and pain management.
Wound management:
- Simple & complex dressings using the latest wound care products with evidence based recovery, and applying the principles of community wound care.
Nursing Procedures and Treatments:
- Treatments and/or procedure ordered by a Physician or Nurse practitioner, including delegated acts and blood work.
Footcare & Diabetic Neuropathy Testing:
- Provided by RN’s with the Advanced Nursing Footcare Certificate (UFV). Testing will be performed to detect neuropathy, and teachings will ensue to prevent injuries, which can lead to serious foot ulcers, resulting in gangrene and amputation.
  - Note: Treatments requiring closer monitoring like Tracheostomy care, G-tube feeding & IV Therapy will be considered, provided there is sufficient staff coverage and ongoing care-sharing with Chilliwack Home Health Team and Chilliwack Hospital General IV Team, for backup after hours, weekends and stat holidays. Clients requesting assistance with peritoneal dialysis, will have full support in ongoing teachings, and assisted with developing a good working relationship with the company involved.

Case Management Services

Hospital discharge planning which includes case conferencing, hospital visits and equipment orders, etc.
Initial Assessment to determine a care plan
Intake of client - data collection for admission into program
Consultation with Physicians to discuss potential concerns about client
Consultation with family and community members to discuss concerns and to resolve issues.
Case Conferences with all care providers to ensure continuity of care.
Establishing linkages/liaison between multiple caregivers and programs, to promote optimum client care in an efficient & safe manner.

Personal Care and Assisted Living Services

Under the direction and supervision of the RN, the Health Care Aide performs the following duties:

Personal Care Services
Bathing/Oral care/Skin care/Hair care/Grooming - (baths can be carried out at client’s home, or if client so wishes, utilize the Apollo Bath System at the Sto:lo Health Centre)
Foot and nail care – undertaking foot care duties, following assessment of client by an RN.
Feeding
Assist with mobilization
Rehabilitation exercises – supervising and assisting client with active or passive range of motions, set up by Fraser Health Physiotherapist
Direct Observation Therapy – as directed by the RN, the HCA can monitor client’s compliance with taking their medications
Transferred Skills – can perform nursing delegated tasks like taking blood pressure and blood glucose, and applying simple dressings, only if an RN is unavailable. These tasks will be delegated by the RN through the process of "Transfer of Function," and determined by the RN, for staff confidence, safety awareness and capability. HCA in turn, is required to report findings back to the RN, to determine if Plan of Care needs to be changed.

Are you interested in learning more about the HCC staff? Download information on the Home and Community Care team members by clicking here.

Download the January 2011 HCC schedule here.

Download the February 2011 HCC schedule here.

Eye Clinics

Eye clinics are set up every month. The optometrist is Dr Ahmad.

Admin support will ensure if you are eligible for an eye exams and glasses.

Call front desk for appointment at 604-824-3200 or 1-877-411-3200.

Pediatricians

Stó:lō Nation and Fraser Health have partnered to bring pediatric service to the Stó:lō Nation grounds every Wednesday morning.

Pediatricians Dr. Harries and Dr. Ebash (alternating) are at building 7, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack, B.C. every Wednesday from 9:00am to 12:00pm. The pediatrician will see children from birth to 18 years of age. There is no appointment necessary – this clinic is on a walk-in basis.

For more information, please contact Health Serves at 604-824-3200 or 1-877-411-3200.

Post-Partum Wellness

Fraser Health and Stó:lō Nation Health Services bring you Post-Partum Wellness Support -- a participant-led group session, with nurse facilitator Heidi Beckerleg for post-partum anxiety/depressive symptoms.

This clinic is established to provide support for each person in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental setting; to learn how to help you start on the road to mental and emotional wellness. Space is limited, so to register, please call the Chilliwack Health Unit at 604-702-4900. No drop-ins.

The group takes place every Tuesday from 1:00-2:30pm in Sto:lo Nation Health building 7, 7201 Vedder Road, Chilliwack.

Click here to view information on the Post-Partum Wellness group (PDF)

Baby Time Drop-In

If you are pregnant or have a baby, the Stó:lō Nation Health Services crew invites you to join them on Wednesdays from 10:00am-12:00pm. Meet up with other moms and chat with our community health nurse over snacks and refreshments. Contact a Community Health Worker at 604-824-3200 (toll free at 1-877-411-3200) for more information.

Click here to view Baby Time drop-in info (PDF)

Xyolhmettsel Syemyem (Parent, Child Assistant Program)

Xyólhmettsel Syémyem translated to English Means, “I am protecting my pregnancy.” The Program is a model of the Parent Child Assistance Program The program will:

Assist mothers in improving their lifestyle by incorporating the Stó:lō Culture and traditions.
The mothers will get a better understanding of their roles in their families and communities.

The Goal of Xyólhmettsel Syémyem

The goals of the program are:

To assist mothers to build and maintain healthy independent lives
To promote a safe environment and appropriate health care for the children
To prevent future births of alcohol and drug affected children.
To assist mothers in obtaining treatment maintaining recovery and resolving problems associated with their substance use.
To effectively link families with community resources, including cultural people

The Xyólhmettsel Syémyem Approach

Advocates will provide assistance and long term support to women who are making fundamental changes to their lives and follow the mother and child for three years.
Advocates will ASSIST clients to:
- Identify personal goals
- Obtain alcohol/drug treatment
- Stay in recovery
- Choose a family planning method
- Improve the health of the child including up to date immunizations
- Connect with service providers
- Transportation to appointments
- Resolve system service barrier

Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative

Stó:lō Nation Health Services is excited to announce the strategic development of SNHS Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative (ADI). The ADI’s main focus is to systematically increase the prevention and management of diabetes throughout the SN communities. This program provides SNHS a platform to offer more healthy living education and activities so SNHS can take a proactive fight against this growing epidemic. SNHS is working towards addressing the needs of the diabetic community members by offering more education, tools, clinics and one-on-one counseling.

Program Goals

Assisting community members with the day-to-day management of living with Type 1, Type 2, and Gestational Diabetes
Promote a proactive healthy living approach to combat the health complications Increasing accessibility to diabetic resources and tools
Build a strong bridge with affiliated community organizations

No-Cost Resources Available

One-on-One Diabetes coaching with trained Community Health Workers, Community Health Nurses, Home and Community Care Team, and our Nurses Practitioners.
Foot Care Clinics
Food Skills for Families Workshop
Diabetic Management Tool Kits
Physical Activity Guide
Canada Food Guide
And more resources and tools being added daily

The Stó:lō Nation Health Services team encourages everyone’s participation in the SNHS ADI programs. All Stó:lō Nation communities are at high risk of diabetes so it is important that everyone works together to increase the awareness of diabetes and the health complications that come along with the disease. Please contact the Stó:lō Nation Health Services team for more details. Phone (604) 824-3200 or 1-877-411-3200 to speak with someone today, or email diabetes@stolonation.bc.ca for further information.

Useful Diabetes Links (external)

Canadian Diabetes Association

Diabetes Information (Documents, videos, and events)
Tools and resources
External links and suggestions

http://www.diabetes.ca/

Health Canada (First Nations, Inuit, and Aboriginal Health)

Diabetes Information
Tools & Resources
External Links

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fniah-spnia/diseases-maladies/diabete/index-eng.php

Fraser Health (Diabetes)

Diabetes Education Centre Locator
Centre Referral Form
Education Tools and Resources