COVID-19 Vaccines Webinar:
Recommendations of the National
Advisory Committee on
Immunization (NACI) on the use of
the AstraZeneca vaccine
Presentation highlights:
• To describe the characteristics of the
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine platform.
• To outline the clinical evidence for the
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
• To summarize NACI recommendations on the use
of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
• To present key information on handling and
administering the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.
We will begin right at 6:00 PM
Check out the upcoming event hosted
by the Public Health Agency of Canada
on Tuesday, March 23
Hosted by: Dr. John Froh
Physician Town Hall
March 18, 2021
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Town Hall Reminders
• This event is being recorded and will be available to view on
the Physician Town Hall webpage (Names, Polling Results,
and Q&A are not posted unless a question is asked verbally).
• Please sign in using your full name!
• Watch for this icon during the event and respond to our live
polls.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Truth and Reconciliation
We would like to acknowledge that we are
gathering on Treaty 2, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 10
territory and the Homeland of the Métis.
Recognizing this history is important to our
future and our efforts to close the gap in
health outcomes between Indigenous and
non-Indigenous peoples. I pay my respects to
the traditional caretakers of this land.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Panelists joining us this evening...
• Beyond the list of presenters on the agenda, we also have a
number of colleagues joining us to support the Q&A.
• Panelists – please introduce yourselves in the chat.
• Ask your questions during the event and panelists will try to
answer!
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19 Surveillance and Epidemiological Trends Dr. Julie KryzanowskiDr. Jenny Basran Vaccine Strategy
Immunization plan for medically/socially vulnerable Vaccine Uptake
Dr. Tania Diener Dr. Kevin Wasko Dr. Julie Stakiw Dr. John Froh Motivational Interviewing Dr. Madhav Sarda Offensive Strategy Highlights Dr. Johnmark Opondo
Pamela McKay Defensive Strategy Highlights Dr. John Froh
John Ash
Safety Update Dr. Mark Fenton
Physician Wellness Jessica Richardson
Your Turn! Poll on Topics/Q&A Vote in our live poll and submit questions!
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
COVID-19 Surveillance and
Epidemiological Trends
Dr. Julie Kryzanowski
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19 cases, rate per 100,000 (last 7-days), by province/territory, Mar 18, 2021
SK continues to
have the
highest
new case rate
in
Canada
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Epidemic curve, SK-COVID-19 pandemic, by zone, Feb 1 2020 – Mar 17 2021 (n = 30,970)
Source: Panorama, IOM
0 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 1/20/2020 2/20/2020 3/20/2020 4/20/2020 5/20/2020 6/20/2020 7/20/2020 8/20/2020 9/20/2020 10/20/2020 11/20/2020 12/20/2020 1/20/2021 2/20/2021 C u mu la tiv e N u mb er of C ases
Central East Central West Far North East Far North West North Central North East North West Regina Saskatoon South Central South East South West Unknown Region Far North Central
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Epidemic curve, SK-COVID-19 pandemic, by age group and month, Feb 1 2020 – Mar 17 2021
(n = 30,970)
Source: Panorama, IOM
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 9000
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan-2021 Feb-2021 Mar-2021
N u mb er of C ases ≤ 19 20-39 40-59 60-69 70-79 80+
•New cases and
test rates, 7-day
rolling average,
per 100,000, by
subzone,
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19 cases and test positivity, 7-day rolling average, Nov 1, 2020 – Mar 14, 2021
Source: Interactive epi file
5% 0.00 2.00 4.00 6.00 8.00 10.00 12.00 14.00 0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00 350.00 11/ 1/20 20 11/ 3/20 20 11/ 5/20 20 11/ 7/20 20 11/ 9/20 20 11/ 11/2 020 11/ 13/2 020 11/ 15/2 020 11/ 17/2 020 11/ 19/2 020 11/ 21/2 020 11/ 23/2 020 11/ 25/2 020 11/ 27/2 020 11/ 29/2 020 12/ 1/20 20 12/ 3/20 20 12/ 5/20 20 12/ 7/20 20 12/ 9/20 20 12/ 11/2 020 12/ 13/2 020 12/ 15/2 020 12/ 17/2 020 12/ 19/2 020 12/ 21/2 020 12/ 23/2 020 12/ 25/2 020 12/ 27/2 020 12/ 29/2 020 12/ 31/2 020 1/2 /202 1 1/4 /202 1 1/6 /202 1 1/8 /202 1 1/1 0/20 21 1/1 2/20 21 1/1 4/20 21 1/1 6/20 21 1/1 8/20 21 1/2 0/20 21 1/2 2/20 21 1/2 4/20 21 1/2 6/20 21 1/2 8/20 21 1/3 0/20 21 2/1 /202 1 2/3 /202 1 2/5 /202 1 2/7 /202 1 2/9 /202 1 2/1 1/20 21 2/1 3/20 21 2/1 5/20 21 2/1 7/20 21 2/1 9/20 21 2/2 1/20 21 2/2 3/20 21 2/2 5/20 21 2/2 7/20 21 3/1 /202 1 3/3 /202 1 3/5 /202 1 3/7 /202 1 3/9 /202 1 3/1 1/20 21 3/1 3/20 21 Te st Po sitiv ity (% ) 7 -Day Ro lli n g Av era ge
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19 cases (n = 31,085), hospitalizations (n = 1,263) and deaths (n = 411) by age
group
Source: RRPL-IOM Data Extract –Updated Mar 18, 2021 1433 1519 1862 2397 2868 2934 2896 2566 2146 1980 1841 1788 1434 983 746 493 1199 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 0-4 5-9 10-14 15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65-69 70-74 75-79 80+ N u m b er o f H o sp itali zation an d De at h N u m b er o f Case s
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
SK COVID-19 Outbreaks (N = 152) by settings Jan 25 – March 17, 2021
Source: COVID response unit, Ministry of Health
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 Ov era ll Wo rk p lace Co m m u n it y Re st au ra n t/Ba r G ro u p H o m e H ealt h Fa ci lity LT C Faci lity Bu sin es s Com m u n al liv in g s e tt in g Pe rs on al Care Ho m e Ev e n t G ym Place o f W o rs h ip As si sted L iv in g Fa cil ity Corre ctio n al Ce n tre Sh e lter Sp o rt Pos t-se con d ary N u m b er o f O u tb re ak
Workplaces
(n = 68) and
Congregate Living*
(n = 34)
account for ~
1 in 3 and 1 in 4
outbreaks,
respectively
*Includes: group home, LTC facility, PCH, communal living setting, correctional centre, assisted living facility, shelter
Previous week Current week
Colour *
Threshold level for Epidemic Spread
“The New Normal”
COVID transmission is
controlled, but there is a risk of community transmission. High risk that COVID
transmission is not controlled. High likelihood that COVID transmission is not controlled.
Assessed Risk of Epidemic
Transmission, by Zone,
Mar 10 – 16, 2021
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs)
• From January 1 to date (March 17)
• 135
VOCs confirmed in SK (by whole genome sequencing, WGS)
• 438 potential VOC identified (by SNP screening)
WGS B.1.1.7 (UK origin)
B.1.351
(South Africa origin)
P.1
(Brazil origin)
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Current situation
• Right now in Saskatchewan:
• Highest new case rate
in Canada
• R(t), VOC and population mobility all
increasing
• Laboratory testing is increasing this week but
rates remain low
• Rate of transmission will ACCELERATE
with VOCs
• SNP assay now being implemented on all COVID-19 positive
cases
• This provides local Public Health teams a ‘heads up’ on potential VOC
• In Regina,
B.1.1.7 becoming predominant
• More transmissible; increasing hospital and ICU admissions and
ventilation
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Key Public Health messages this week
Learning from the past year:
• Household gatherings
increase community transmission
• Do not gather if HCW or work in congregate living settings
• Take extra precautions if 70+ and 50+ with medical risk factors
• Travel
within and between provinces “seeds” VOC and outbreaks
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Key Public Health messages this week
Learning from the past year, remember:
• Outbreaks in
workplaces and schools
reflect community
transmission
• Transmission accelerates when populations mix (i.e., overlapping
“bubbles”)
• Super-spreading events cause explosive increases in cases
• Outbreaks in
crowded and congregate living settings
drive excess
mortality, when populations at risk are not protected
• Need to rapidly deploy vaccine to populations at risk
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Key Public Health messages this week
• A
small proportion
of the population is protected by natural
infection or immunization
• Increased population mobility, social and household gatherings
and VOC will
accelerate community transmission
• Saskatchewan’s health system is
still at risk
of being overwhelmed
• We must be ready to
surge support
to offensive and defensive
strategies and implement local public health interventions
• Timely public health surveillance and risk communication is
required for
swift and decisive action
Dr. Johnmark Opondo
Medical Health Officer – Offensive Strategy
Dr. Johnmark Opondo
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
COVID-19 Modelling
Dr. Jenny Basran
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Effective Reproductive Number – Rt
trend
More effective spread this week with higher Rt = 1.4 (7 day rolling average) The > 7700 undiagnosed infectious individuals potentially can infect 1.4 people each (on average) Did not meet goal of Rt < 0.7 before new variants of concern introduced. Most likely Rt ~1.4-1.6 when VOC introduced, therefore spread will occur.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Sask COVID-19 Admissions per day
Preliminary data analysis showing that over 50% of COVID-19 admitted patients have their first positive test on admission.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
SK Cases, Admissions, Census and Deaths
“False Sense of Security”
• original variant decreasing throughout province. • However, B.1.1.7 variant
increasing, particularly in IRH and Regina.
• B.1.1.7 high prevalence in Regina already.
Increased ICU Census without increased non-ICU census may represent younger patients advancing to critical illness. • More likely than previous
frail older patients to accept ICU level intervention.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Regina – different story with high % VOC
March 14, 2021 – 62 confirmed cases of B.1.1.7 variant.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
Vaccine Strategy
Dr. Tania Diener
COVID Vaccine Strategy Chief
Dr. Julie Stakiw
Physician Lead, Vulnerable Populations
Dr. John Froh
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Vaccine Delivery
• Pfizer and Moderna administration – LTC and PCH 2nd doses, 70+ populations, Priority HCW
o 12870 Pfizer doses to be administered this week in IHICC Saskatoon and IHICC Regina o 15200 Moderna doses began to be administered across IHICC North and IHICC Rural • 15500 Astra Zeneca - population 60-64 and priority HCW
o 3 week administration schedule adjusted to 1 week administration schedule for week of March 14 o Regina Drive Thru Site
• Online and Phone In Booking system launched successfully
o As of 12:00 pm on 18 March, vaccine booking will open up to individuals 67 years of age and older,
individuals 50 years of age and older living in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District, Phase 1 eligible HCW and Clinically Extremely Vulnerable.
o At end of evening March 17 – 66412 people have booked appointments (72% online, 28% phone in) • Prepare for week of March 22 deliveries
o 36270 Pfizer doses
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Immunizations Delivered as of March 17, 2021
Area Distribution Administered Remaining % Administered Daily Change
Regina 41070 26144 14926 63.7 2633
Saskatoon 30627 24592 6035 80.3 662
North Central 15600 15521 79 99.5 178
Far North West 5150 3469 1681 67.4 128
Far North East 4810 3320 706 69.0 101
North West 13818 13506 312 97.7 641 North East 4700 3400 1300 72.3 54 South East 23846 18401 5827 77.2 22 South West 11264 8535 3705 75.8 466 AHA 1040 993 47 95.5 0 Provincial Totals Saskatchewan 151925 117881 34618 77.6 4885
Vaccine Administration per 100,000 Population
Doses Administered Per 100,000 population As at March 18, 2021 https://covid19tracker.ca/vaccinationtracker.html 73914.07 71158.53 44398.62 8631.03 8976.55 9573.43 8210.8 8832.71 9384.64 6453.19 10017.34 6850.37 5346.86 Canada 8971.78www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Socially Vulnerable Populations
Includes vulnerable adults living in group settings and shelters such as: • Emergency Shelters
• Group Homes
• Group Living Homes
Group Homes and Emergency Shelters include: • Day Programs
• Approved Private Service Homes • Mental Health Approved Homes
• Supported Independent Living Program Homes • Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV)
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV)
Criteria includes:
• People with specific cancers
• People with severe respiratory conditions
• People with Rare diseases that significantly increase the risk of infection
• People on immunosuppression therapies sufficient to significantly increase risk of infections • People who had their spleen removed
• Adults on dialysis with chronic kidney disease (stage 5)
• Women who are pregnant with significant heart disease, congenital or acquired • Significant neuromuscular conditions requiring respiratory support
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
CEV Individuals as part of Phase 2
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV):
• Details and supporting documents emailed to SHA Physicians March 16
• Patient eligibility letters are being mailed – will take up to two weeks for some to receive.
• This group is unable to utilize online booking; instead asked to call 1-833-SASKVAX (1-833-727-5829) • Call Centre is prepared to support patients through booking process. Open 7 days per week,
8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Physician Form for CEV Patients
• Physicians can sign off on this form for their CEV patients if they have not received a letter from the Ministry of Health and SHA • CEV patients then are eligible to book their
vaccine appointment by phone using the code CEV2021
• CEV patients must bring their letter or a signed physician form to their vaccine appointment!
• Check your email for a copy of the form or SMA’s Practice Alert (March 17, 2021) for more details.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Aim:
Use an influencer
approach to
increase
vaccination rates
amongst HCW to
achieve an 85%
vaccination rate.
Vaccine Uptake – Influencer Approach
Community Leaders Organizational Leaders Union / Employer Communications Practitioners INFLUENCERS Communications
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Vaccine Uptake – Practitioner Influence
Vaccine Webinar
Invitation to Webinar with Expert panel addressing main topics of vaccine hesitancy in health care
workers
Vaccine Support
Encouraging reach to Providers and other appropriate resources for support in vaccine decision-making
ahead of vaccine appointments
Collaborative FAQ & Webpage
Building a single repository for vaccine FAQ, videos, supported by all involved organizations
SHA SMA
SK Assoc. Nurse Practitioners College of Physicians & Surgeons of Saskatchewan
SRNA
Pharmacy Assoc. of SK U of S: Division of Continuing
Medical Education College of Pharmacy &
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19 Vaccine “Come and Go” Webinar
6:00 – 6:30 Vaccine Development, Efficacy and Hyper-Selectivity
Dr. Scott Napper
6:30 – 7:00 Vaccination in Pregnant and Breastfeeding Patients
Dr. Lexi Regush
7:00 – 7:30 MHO Perspective on Vaccination
Dr. Moliehi Khaketla
7:30 – 8:00 Cultural Influences on Vaccine Hesitancy
Judy Pelly
College of Medicine Division of Continuing Medical Education & the SHA
Open to all Health Care Workers
Approved for Continuing Education Points
Monday, March 29
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
Motivational Interviewing
Dr. Madhav Sarda
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Motivational Interviewing – What Is It?
• A counseling technique to help guide & empower change
• An “approach” – not a script or a structured interview
• Useful in a broad range of applications
• Substance Use (e.g. smoking cessation)
• Treatment of mental illnesses
• Management in chronic disease
• …and Vaccine Hesitancy!
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
A Key
Philosophy
Motivational Interviewing
• Acceptance of a patient’s autonomy and decision-making • You’re not “making them do something”
• Be okay with whatever decision they make and respect their values • Accept, even if you don’t agree
• Avoid paternalism, avoid lecturing as the expert • Remember: change comes from THEM, not YOU
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Stages of Change
Precontemplative Contemplative Planning Action Maintenancewww.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Motivational Interviewing
• Empathy
• Hear them out
• Open questions
• “What are your concerns about the vaccine?”
• Validate
• Reflect back and validate their ambivalence
• Find common ground
• Point out their strengths
• “Sounds like you’re worried about your health and making sure the
vaccine is safe”
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Motivational Interviewing
• Ask Permission to Share Info
• AFTER you’ve heard them out
• Don’t jump straight into your spiel
• Tailor info for them, specific to their viewpoint and values
• Check to see if it made sense
• Developing Discrepancy & Rolling With Resistance
• Use the patient’s “own” examples for change
• E.g. they want to be healthy, spend more time with their grandkids
• Change works better when it comes from their own mouth
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Summary
Motivational Interviewing
• This is just an intro
• Respect the patient’s autonomy and values
• Appreciate where they are in the change cycle
• Be empathic and validate their strengths
• Genuinely hear them out & tailor information to them
• Highlight their goals, their reasons for change
• Link below is a great summary of Motivational Interviewing for vaccination, not
about COVID but fully applicable to COVID (QR code above)
• https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/reports-publications/canada-communicable-disease-report-ccdr/monthly-issue/2020-46/issue-4-april-2-2020/article-6-canvax-addressing-vaccine-hesitancy.html
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
Offensive Strategy Highlights
Dr. Johnmark Opondo
Medical Health Officer – Offensive Strategy
Pamela McKay
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Key goal: prevent, contain and mitigate viral spread and promote population health
Key work of Public Health:
1. Emergency preparedness and response, including cross-sector business and service continuity
2. Epidemiology and surveillance: understand patterns of transmission to adjust response measures
3. Case, contact and outbreak investigation and management
• Population-based measure that aims to interrupt networks of transmission and control epidemic
• Notification Isolation/Quarantine Investigation Reporting Monitoring Evaluation • Assisted Self-Isolation Sites (ASIS), ASIS Medical and Secure isolation sites (SIS)
• Risk assessment: case communicability period, acquisition, exposure setting(s), contacts
4. Testing strategy: symptomatic, active case finding (investigations), public health surveillance
5. Enforcement: Public Health Orders, Public Health inspection, compliance/education 6. Risk communication: public awareness, behavior change, population health promotion 7. COVID-19 Immunization planning and delivery
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Reports VOC SK
SNP Results Description Cumulative total as of March 17, 2021←Difference→ Cumulative total as of March 16, 2021 # Potential VOC Identified 438 52 386 Grand Total 1180 129 1051 Percent positivity for all SK 37.1% 0.4% 36.7%
Confirmed Variant of Concern Cases,
as of March 17, 2021
Type
Number
Location
B1.1.7 UK
121
Regina zone
1
North West zone
3
Saskatoon zone
1
Central East zone
2
South East zone
1
South Central zone
B1.351 SA
5
North Central zone
1
South Central zone
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Offensive Strategy: Testing
• The SHA has developed a new testing strategy that will focus on increasing testing options.
The Test to Protect strategy has three objectives:
• Test to Protect for Health Care Workers: Implement regular and timely POC self-testing for
HCWs and their households to identify and proactively contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2
in healthcare facilities.
• Test to Protect in Vulnerable Populations: Implement regular and timely POC testing for
targeted populations toward informing and proactively allocating resources and
containing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in at-risk populations.
• Test to Protect in Communities: Work with third party partners to implement POC testing
for the public toward mass screening and reporting to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Offensive Strategy: Testing
• POC antigen testing is one important piece of a comprehensive strategy
to prevent transmission and infection by COVID-19 as outlined below:
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Offensive Strategy: Vision for Testing
• What is SHA’s vision for provincial testing? Symptomatic and asymptomatic
COVID-19 testing in health care settings, high-risk areas and for the public
as part of a comprehensive test- trace – isolate strategy
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Offensive Strategy: Testing
Why test and why test now?
Three conditions have come together recently (February 2021) to create an optimal environment for this enhanced provincial testing strategy:
• Point of care rapid (antigen) tests have been evidenced as effective and have been made available in large quantities (700,000 tests will be made available in Saskatchewan over the course of the next few months).
• The presence of new variants of concern (VOC) across Canada means an elevated risk of contracting more transmissible strains of COVID-19.
• The Saskatchewan government recently approved an amendment to the Medical Laboratory Licensing Regulations allowing for the SHA to broadly expand rapid (antigen) testing by deregulating who is
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Offensive Strategy: Testing
What tests are we using?
Three specific categories of tests are currently being used in Saskatchewan:
• Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are considered the “Gold Standard” because of their high
sensitivity and specificity. These tests are analysed within SHA Laboratories and have been part of the Saskatchewan Testing Strategy since the beginning of the pandemic. These PCR results are released in under 24 hours once they reach a testing laboratory. As of March 10th, 2021 all positive COVID-19 cases will have a SNP test performed to screen for the mutation N501Y, which is common to all 3 VOCs. Additional SNP targets may be added in the future if needed to detect other variants.
• Point of Care (POC) PCR: recently introduced in acute care settings in Saskatchewan to have ensure fast confirmatory testing (analysis time of 15 minutes) for patient admissions and transfers within hospitals. (Abbot ID Now is the current testing platform)
• POC Antigen Testing: used for regular and repeat asymptomatic testing of large numbers of people. Two testing cartridges are currently used in Saskatchewan (PanBio and BD Veritor). Both are easy to administer and provide rapid results (analysis time of 15 minutes). All positive results from an antigen test require a confirmatory PCR test to be performed.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Offensive Strategy: Testing
How can physicians support our testing strategy?
• Promote and encourage symptomatic and asymptomatic PCR testing widely! • Participate in the new Test 2 Protect Strategy
• Non SHA physicians:
• Reach out to us at AntigenTestingIntake@saskhealthauthority.ca for more information on how you can help us Test to Protect in Communities
• SHA staff physicians:
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
Defensive Strategy Highlights
Dr. John Froh
Deputy Chief Medical Officer – Pandemic
John Ash
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Defensive Strategy
Key Goal: Adapt/expand to meet projected COVID-19 demand in hospitals.
Key Strategies:
• Surge acute capacity through use of surge spaces/processes. • Utilize and balance capacity across the SHA to manage the
care needs of COVID and non-COVID patients.
• Convert hospitals to Alternate Level of Care where required. • Enhanced outbreak management mitigation and response
capacity.
• Field hospitals for contingency scenario only.
Performing well across all strategies despite extremely high hospitalization rates over the last 2-3 months.
Key Factors Going Forward
Burnout of key personnel from high caseloads & extended
duration of pandemic
Availability of highly skilled personnel for
life saving care
Impact of COVID-19 variants that are highly transmissible
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Defensive Strategy: COVID-19 Testing in Acute Care
Rapid point-of-care testing is allowing the SHA:
• To provide results within 15 minutes to emergency room, surgical and admitted
patients.
• To quickly control outbreaks among patients and staff in acute care.
• To improve acute care bed capacity due to a reduction in the need for isolation
rooms.
The SHA recently deployed rapid point-of-care COVID-19
testing to all acute care facilities across the province.
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Acute Capacity - ICU
95% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% 140% 160% 180%
Moose Jaw North Battleford Prince Albert Pasqua RGH RUH St Pauls Swift Current Yorkton
Capacity by SHA ICU March 17, 2021 @ 1500
Percent Other Percent Covid
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
Physician Skills Enhancement and
Deployment Update
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Emergency Pandemic Skills Program% to Target (Target = 95 Trained Physicians)
ICU Pandemic Skills Program
% to Target (Target = 80 Trained Physicians)
Hospital Pandemic Skills Program
% to Target (Target = 160 Trained Physicians)
Red- <50%
Yellow- 50%-74%
Green- 75%+
Physician Skill Enhancement (PSE) Program Update
Express interest in PSE through Pandemic Skills Inventory!
0% 0%
Why participate?
• Share the Load! The Physician Skill Enhancement (PSE) and Deployment strategy allows us to be nimble, share the load and support one another.
• You can earn CME credits and get paid to learn!
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Physician Deployment Update
Dates Location(s)
December 31, 2020 – January 13, 2021 Weyburn
February 1 – 8, 2021 Kindersley
February 5 – 15, 2021 Kamsack
February 12 – 25, 2021 Saskatoon
Express interest in the Rapid Deployment Team (RDT) through Pandemic Skills Inventory!
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
Dr. Mark Fenton
Saskatoon Pandemic Chief of Staff
Safety Update
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Effective March 22, 2021
• Recommended that all staff, physicians and family members/support persons who interact with an unmasked patient/resident/client and are unable to maintain a two metre distance wear eye protection
• Scan the QR code for appropriate use guidelines:
• Equipment will be provided to physicians/staff/family members by SHA supply chain ONLY
• Cannot be shared between people; if damaged must be discarded
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Scan the QR code below for the
latest Safety Bulletin:
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
COVID-19
Health System Update
Jessica Richardson MSW, RSW
Clinical Coordinator, Physician Health Program
Saskatchewan Medical Association
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Establishing
Self-Compassion
• Imposter Syndrome
• I can’t
• I’m not worthy
• I’m a failure
• I’m not smart enough
• I’m incapable
• I am competent
• I can
• I am worthy and
unique
• I define my own
value
• I can achieve
anything
• I love and respect
myself
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Loving Kindness
Fostering love and compassion for yourself.
Taking care of yourself first creates space to care more for
others.
Permission
Acceptance
• Managing Anger
Care for yourself in order
to care for others.
Saskatoon, NE, NW: Brenda Senger
306-657-4553
Regina, SE/SW: Jessica Richardson306- 359-2750
Saskatchewan Medical Association
Physician Health Program
Town Hall Physician Wellness Webex Series available:
Physician Wellness and Support webpage
Health Care Worker Mental Health Support Hotline:
1-833-233-3314 8am – 4:30pm, Monday-Friday
Your Physician Health
& Wellness Supports
“A person is the product of
their thoughts. What they
think, they become.”
Adapted from Mahatma Gandhi who said,
“A man is the product of his thoughts. What he thinks, he becomes.”
www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19
Q&A
Please enter your question in the Q&A section OR
Raise your hand and we will unmute you so you can comment or ask your question live
Please respond to the live poll!
