Editor: Alison Guise-Brown Pager 515 - Department of Health · 2011. The aim of the presentation was to create awareness of Prostate ... The Mayos belong to the Midlands Child Care

The Greype-Vine Grey’s Hospital

Pietermaritzburg August 2011

www.kznhealth.gov.za/greyshospital.htm

Cultural Day at Grey’s Campus.

Tutors Miss Jaenant, Mrs. E Jacobs, Mrs. S Chandramohan and Mrs. ST Makhathini dressed up for the occasion.

Editor: Alison Guise-Brown Pager 515 Members: Mrs. A Chetty Occupational Therapy. 3200 Mrs. Y Thambiran Quality Assurance 3326 Miss K Deepnarain HRD 3308 Mr. Z Mntungwa PRO 3684 Editorial. Looking back on previous editions of the Greype-Vine I see have I have been talking about the benefits of a healthy life style for more than 5 years. I wonder if the articles and suggestions have made any difference to anyone who read this magazine. Just as many staff still use the lift to go ‘DOWNSTAIRS’, just as many are buying unhealthy junk food from our cafeterias and just as many are still smoking. I guess it is a lifestyle choice and no matter how much I ‘harp on’ about it, in the end it is your decision. So maybe it is time to choose another topic to focus on in the editorials. Hospitals are meant to be a place of caring. Those of us who work here should have a feeling for our fellow man, yet we see all categories of staff ignoring visitors who are noticeably lost instead of offering assistance. Doctors and nurses fail to talk to their patients and don’t answer questions or offer a helping hand. Diagnoses are not explained, treatment is planned without consultation with the patient and when the patient asks questions some of us are abrupt or pretend not to hear. Ask yourself; Why am I here? Is it because I want to be or is it because I am getting paid. If it is just for the salary-maybe it is time to move on and find work that is nothing more than that-WORK. Let’s look after our patients and show them the care and compassion they deserve.

……………………………………………………. What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters

compared to what lies within us.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Mental Health Awareness

As the month of July is Mental Health Awareness Month, Group 1/2008 who are presently undertaking their Psychiatric Nursing Science Module, presented a Mental Health Awareness Campaign at Northdale Hospital Outpatients Department on the 27 July 2011. Topics of concern were: Mental Health and Mental Illness; Admission Procedures and referral systems for somebody affected with Mental Illness; The Mental Health Care Act 17 of 2002; Assisting families affected by a loved one who has Mental Illness, Community Resources Available. Students acted out some sketches on Depression; Admission procedure for an acutely ill Mental Health Care User (Patient); the 72 hour assessment period, Patients Rights and Substance Abuse. Students also created awareness of the new Psychiatric Unit at Northdale Hospital (Old G Ward) which was recently opened to accommodate acutely ill MHCU for 72 hour assessment as part of District Health Care prior to admission to Tertiary Health Care (Townhill Hospital).

Student Nurses PP Mkhize, LT Mtolo and BR Cele at the Mental

Health Campaign.

Pamphlets on Depression, Bipolar Affective Disorder, Anxiety Disorders, Schizophrenia, etc were handed out to patients attending the various clinics in the Outpatients Department. As it was a cold, overcast day, students distributed cups of coffee, tea, biscuits and oranges to patients. Patients sitting in the long queues benefited and showed their appreciation by thanking the students. Student Nurse Mr. BS Khumalo

AIDS BABY JUMPER KNITTING PATTERN THESE JUMPERS ARE MADE FOR NEWBORN BABIES BORN ON THE AFRICAN CONTINENT/MANY OF WHOM ARE SENT HOME FROM HOSPITAL WRAPPED IN NEWSPAPER OR RAGS. THE GARMENT IS KNITTED ALL IN ONE FROM BACK TO FRONT OR FRONT TO BACK - WHATEVER 4 ply wool and size 6mm needles (tight knitter) or 4.5mm needles (loose knitters) Cast on 44 stitches, work 22 rows in k2 p2 rib. Knit 30 rows stocking stitch ( 1 row plain and 1 row purl) Cast on 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows and then rib 22 rows k2 p2 rib (68 stitches)

Next row: Rib 21 cast off 26 stitches. Rib 21 stitches. Next row: Rib 21 cast on 26 rib 21. Work 22 row k2 p2 rib Cast off 12 stitches at beginning of next 2 rows (44 stitches) Work 30 rows stocking stitch Work 18 rows k2 p2 rib Cast off Please stick to the pattern as it does fit the babies. Knit in any colour and also in stripes if needs be. Make and enjoy making them.

What is a mammogram?

A mammogram is an X-ray test that produces an image of the inner breast tissue on film. This technique, called mammography, is used

to visualize normal and abnormal structures within the breasts. Mammography, therefore, can help in identifying cysts, calcifications,

and tumors within the breast. It is currently the most efficient screening method to detect early breast cancer. Breast self-

examination (BSE) on a monthly basis and examination by a doctor are still important, but physical examinations typically find breast

cancers when they are much larger than those detected by mammography.

Mammography can be used to discover a small cancer in a curable stage; however, it is not foolproof. Depending on a woman's age and other factors, approximately ten to fifteen percent of breast cancers are not identified by mammography, and these cancers are often

found by physical examination. It is essential for a woman to perform monthly BSE and have a breast examination by her doctor in addition

to the mammogram in order to most effectively screen for breast cancer. For more information. The American Cancer Society

recommends that a woman obtain her first baseline mammogram between the ages of 35 to 40. After the age of 40, she should receive

a yearly mammogram. Women who are at high risk for developing breast cancer may need to obtain mammograms earlier than these recommendations and at more frequent intervals. Most medical aid

will cover the cost of mammography.

What are the risks of mammography?

Because x-ray procedures use radiation, there is some small risk of radiation side effects to the body. The amount of radiation that is

administered in mammography is exceptionally low and is approved by national and international regulatory agencies as well as the National Department of Health and Human Services. However,

patients who are pregnant or may be pregnant are advised to notify their requesting practitioner and radiology staff, because radiation

can pose a risk to the developing fetus.

How is a mammogram performed?

A brief medical history and a history of specific problems related to the breast, such as pain or a palpable lump (one that is felt), is

obtained prior to the mammogram. A small x-ray marker may be taped on the breast overlying the palpable lump. This will help in

determining whether any other special mammogram views need to be done beyond the standard views. All jewelry and clothing in the chest and breast area are removed prior to the mammogram. The

patient's breasts are then placed on a firm flat panel and a gentle, but firm pressure is applied to the breast with another panel, resulting in

compression of the breast between the two panels. This compression causes a degree of discomfort that lasts only for a few seconds. The

compression of the breast is necessary to obtain quality mammograms and spreads the breast tissue out so that the x-ray

image displays the inner breast tissue with good resolution. If compression is not used, the mammograms may be blurry, breast

tissue may not be well delineated, and small lesions can be overlooked.

Antiperspirants, deodorants, and powders should not be worn during mammography and should be removed prior to the procedure, as

these substances may make interpretation of the results more

difficult. Antiperspirants can cause the images to appear foggy, and powders can sometimes simulate the appearance of micro-

calcifications (an abnormal finding that is sometimes associated with breast cancer).

Generally, two x-rays are obtained of each breast. More views may be obtained if the breasts are large, the woman has had a breast

augmentation, or there is an area on the initial mammography views that needs to be further examined. Special magnified or localized mammograms of a specific area of the breast can then be done.

A radiology technologist is responsible for performing mammography. Once the x-ray pictures are taken, they are developed and examined

by a radiologist (a doctor who specializes in the interpretation of x-rays and other imaging studies). In most mammography centers,

these radiologists have also had extra training dedicated to interpreting mammograms.

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Cancer Awareness Day.

Staff from the Grey’s Hospital Oncology Department held a Cancer Awareness programme in Outpatient Department on 18th August

2011. The aim of the presentation was to create awareness of Prostate and Cervical Cancer amongst the community. Two dialogues were

done by members of staff, highlighting the symptoms and prognosis of these two cancers.

The morning was coordinated by Mrs. Patricia Chonco and clients in OPD were welcomed by Dr Elkoha, after which Dr Marais gave two

talks on Prostate and Cervical cancer. The Oncology Choir entertained the patients and tea and cake, kindly donated by The Howick Methodist Church, was handed out. 150 food parcels, made up by the oncology department staff, were then given to

patients.

Sr R Trigg, Caroline, Adele, Dr Asmall, Dr Elkoha and Dr Marais at

the Cancer Awareness presentation.

Oncology department choir.

Alfred and Akshay

Patricia Chonco, co-ordinator of the Cancer Awareness day, and Dr

Marais

Garcia Andrews, chief radiographer-MRI Department, and her husband, Quinton were pictured in the Natal Witness after running the

Capital Climb. Three other staff members from Radiology ran the Capital Climb.

They were Favourite Shembe, Chief Radiographer Mammography, Sandile Mthembu Chief Radiographer and Kubashnie Govender, PA

to Dr Stoker, Head Clinical Dept. Congratulations! ----------------------------------------------------

Angels in Disguise. Our heartfelt thanks goes to Mr. and Mrs. Mayo who generously

donated the new curtains in Paeds ICU, and were involved in organizing the painting of the murals on the windows. The Mayos

belong to the Midlands Child Care Initiative Programme, which helps feed poor families, especially children, living around Pietermaritzburg.

The organization is also involved in handing out food parcels and allowances to the mothers of children with tracheostomies, from the

Grey’s tracheostomy programme.

No words can describe how grateful we are for the lovely colourful décor which has brightened our ward.

Sr Y Martin-Lewis. Unit Manager. Paeds ICU.

Mrs. Mayo and the PICU staff in front of the new curtains.

………………………………………..

Grey’s Hospital Management welcomes the new Systems Manager, Ms N Njokwe. Ms Njokwe was appointed as Systems Manager from the 1st March 2011 and previously worked at Northdale Hospital as Finance & Systems Manager.

Dr Bilenge -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Benjamin F. Fairless What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career

you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be a member of the team.

Mrs. KT Mckenzie is now the Grey’s Hospital Monitoring and

Evaluation Matron. She took over her new position in July.

ABSA Bank has set up an ATM machine on the paving outside

Chatters Coffee shop. I am sure staff and patients will find it extremely useful.

Some of the Grey’s Hospital Senior Nursing Staff seen at Mrs. Du Preez’s farewell.

Miss E Gumede, Mrs. A Dlomo, Mrs. T Mathonsi, Mrs. T Hunter, Ms

T Mncibi Mrs. K Magubane, Mrs. C Sosibo, Mrs. F Du Preez.

……………………………………. I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest

significance.”

Renovations to the Admin Block. Second floor of the hospital administration block is receiving a

revamp. All staff previously working in that area have been accommodated elsewhere in the hospital while renovations are carried out. Once completed, the new area will house the Human Resources

Department and Labour relations. The old HR area will then be renovated to accommodate the finance department.

Mr. Mduduzi Amos Ndlovu is our new Night Duty Assistant Nursing Manager. He started working at Grey’s on 1st July 2011 having previously been at Merchison Hospital, in Port Shepstone. Mr. Ndlovu attended school in Durban and did his General Nurse training at King Edward VIII Hospital. He studied Midwifery at Northdale Hospital and Psychiatry at Town Hill Hospital and in December 1999 went across to England to work in Hammersmith at Charringcross Hospital as a renal nurse. There he was involved with kidney transplants, haemo and peritoneal dialysis. After 2 years he moved to

Wormwood Scrub Prison Hospital where he did the 1 year diploma in Substance Misuse at Thames Valley University. He worked there for a while before being promoted to a senior nurse in Correnbrook Detention Centre at Heathrow Airport. Here he specialized in drug cases and the detention and care of ‘drug mules’ until they had ‘passed’ the drugs they were carrying. He advised the courts about treatment and the community based sentencing of prisoners found guilty of drug trafficking. He also worked at Middlesex Hospital as a

Lead Emergency Nurse Practitioner in their Accident and Emergency Unit. In mid 2008 he returned to South Africa and became an Operational Nurse Manager at Merchison Hospital. We would like to welcome him to Grey’s and wish him a happy and fruitful stay at our hospital. His expertise and experience will be extremely valuable.

=================================== Labour Relations workshop.

Mr. M Sanyasi and Mrs. N Dimba from Labour Relations spent a very informative hour with staff from the Clinical Department, one afternoon in July. They discussed the Abscondment Procedure, Absenteeism and Disciplinary procedures. This was the second last in a series of about 20 workshops that Mr. Sanyasi and Mrs. Dimba have given to staff in various wards and departments around the hospital this year. Any member of staff wishing to organize a similar workshop with them is welcome to contact Mr. Sanyasi.

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Tribute to Mr. T Ndawonde

In memory of the Late Mr. Thami Ndawonde. (Christopher). The passing away of Mr. T.C. Ndawonde is not only a loss to his family, wife and children; but a loss to the community.

His passing has left a deep void amongst Ward B1 staff, and a huge emptiness in the Orthopaedic Department and Grey’s

Hospital in general. His dedication to his work, his selfless devotion to assisting all employees regardless of their affiliation with labour will

be missed.

Thami, you may no longer be with us but your memory will always remain with us.

Sr S.B. Pule and Ward B1 Staff.

GREYS HOSPITAL HLANZEKA

• The aim of this project is to keep our hospital hygienically clean and to meet with the National Core Standards and Six Key Priorities set out by the DOH, which includes facility cleanliness and infection prevention and control.

• The 24 newly appointed general orderlies helped to initiate this project whereby the following areas were attended to:

- Compound area under OH& S - Campus - Hospital Basement - All Emergency exit staircases - All the low hospital windows that could be reached - All Catwalks, Lifts, Passages and walls outside the wards - Assistance was given to spring clean those wards that have

had a shortage of GOs e.g. F2, NICU, C2, M2, OPD and the public toilets.

I would like to extend my thanks to the two housekeepers ( Mrs R. Swart from G2, Mrs J. Johnson from LW) and their operational managers for allowing them to assist me with the on –job training of the new GO’s, and the supervisors from CMCS for their cooperation throughout this induction phase.

Mrs K.M. Magubane. Infection Control Manager. ………………………………..

Members of the Grey’s Hospital Choir singing at Mrs.

Mtunzi’s farewell.

Sr Chule from MAW paid tribute to Mrs. Xoli Mtunzi at her farewell. She has been promoted to Chief Executive Officer of Embalenhle Clinic and will commence work there on 1st September 2011 after spending 13 years working at Grey’s.

On this special day I take the opportunity on behalf of all the Operational Managers at Grey’s Hospital to bid farewell and wish Mrs. Mtunzi everything of the best in her future endeavors I started working with Mrs. Mtunzi in 2000 in the casualty department and have fond memories of her giving me motherly advice. She has been a mentor, role model and a dear friend. I have learnt a lot working under her leadership. She is friendly, yet firm, and maintains a sense of professionalism at all times. It is because of Mrs. Mtunzi’s motivation that I have studied and obtained my degree.I would like to congratulate her and may she shine like a star and keep the Grey’s flag flying. In everything that she does may she put God first and always know that she can do all things through Christ who will give her strength.

Mrs. Xoli Mtunzi, Mrs. Ramunand and Mrs. Y Thambiran.

Robert Louis Stevenson Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds

you plant.

The CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis) Department was started at Grey’s Hospital in 2010 and we were very

fortunate to have had Dr Cullis join us from The United Kingdom. Working in the department are Sr B Crisp and Staff Nurse M Mkhize and one Professional Nurse from the haemodialysis unit-on a monthly

rotational basis. After completing my six months of training, Dr Cullis and I

performed an experiment/study, the results of which I have been invited to present at an international conference called Euro P.D. in

Brighton in England. So it is with much excitement and some trepidation that I am heading to the UK in October.

We would like to wish Sr Crisp good luck and a safe trip and look forward to hearing about her adventures when she gets back.

………………………………………………

Thandeka Moyo is a second year nurse currently doing her Student Nurse training at Hertfordshire University in

England. She was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and moved to England 5 years ago.

As part of her nursing training she has to spend 4 weeks at a hospital in another country and after looking on the internet she wisely chose Grey’s. She e-mailed Mrs. Du Preez and later Mrs. Mckenzie and arrived here in the

middle of August. She was allocated to work in Ward G2 and so has been working with Sr Sukhari and her staff. In the past 18 months she has worked at St Albans and City Hospital and Hemel Hampstead Hospital and has also spent time in the community. Her trip to South

Africa has been solely funded by herself, using money she is given monthly as a bursary, similar to that which the students are now receiving in KwaZulu Natal. Her

working hours and conditions of service in England are very similar to those we have in South Africa; she works 37 ½ hours a week, does both day and night duty and is also required to work over weekends. Student Nurses in England however do not have to buy their own uniforms

and are not encouraged to buy textbooks because the hospitals have such good libraries and the internet is

freely available. They are ‘given’ a laptop at the beginning of their training, however if they want to keep the laptop

at the end of their 3 years they have to pay for it. During their time spent in the wards they are allocated 2 mentors who monitor their progress and supervise them

in almost everything they do. ‘Supervision is the key.’ Thandeka is leaving Grey’s on 19th September and will return to her university where she will have to give a

presentation to her tutors/lecturers on all she learnt and did at Grey’s. We hope that all she has learnt and

experienced in the month she has been with us will hold her in good stead.

……………………………………..

Miss NA Hani has been appointed to Assistant Nurse Manager night duty. We would like to congratulate her

on her promotion. -------------------------------------------

Hamilton Holt Nothing worthwhile comes easily. Work, continuous work and

hard work, is the only way to accomplish results that last.

……………………………………………….

2012 SANC fees are due. Please ensure you have paid yours, received you receipt, and taken a copy to Matron’s Office

before 31st December 2011.

Napoleon Hill The best job goes to the person who can get it done without

passing the buck or coming back with excuses.

Pharmacy interns held a cake sale in MOPD as part of pharmacy week. Funds raised will be used to purchase

equipment for Khayalethemba children’s home.

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Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the

smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

Come and try our Bacon, Avo and Feta Sandwich,

Chicken Schwarma, Steak Rolls

Or variety of salads.

Telephone 033-8973274 or phone us on extension 3274 and we will have your order

ready for you to collect.

Business hours: Monday – Friday

07h00-17h00 Saturday and Sunday

08h00-14h00