Sault Area Hospital tests caregiver ID program
Sault Ste. Marie has been the testing ground for a program that would see the role of caregivers improved across the province, if implemented.
Sault Area Hospital and the Algoma Ontario Health Team have collaborated to adapt an ID program for caregivers that has helped improve communication between medical workers and caregivers.
"It really became evident that we needed to look for ways to eliminate any of those barriers that they may have right across the system of Algoma," said Laura Tenhagen, project lead.
"We needed to look for ways that patients and their caregivers could be reunited."
The program was created by the Ontario Caregiver Organization with the intention of growing it to other regions.
Tenhagen said the pilot launched with 30 caregivers receiving an ID card to use at facilities in Algoma. It has since grown to more than 250.
"The caregiver ID really became that quick recognition that if a particular caregiver was in possession of the ID badge, we knew they had been part of the program," she added.
The Algoma Ontario Health Team said it's also created the role of an essential caregiver designation, which has helped caregivers gain access to their loved ones while restrictions at medical facilities have been implemented.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.