Building  Cultural  Safety  in  Northern  Health  

March 2014 Presentation for the Moving Forward Conference

Presentation Overview

•  Our purpose •  Cultural safety defined •  Setting the context •  Moving forward •  Round table discussion

Workshop Questions

•  What are you doing in your organization to build a culturally safe organization?

•  What did you hear in this presentation that peaks your interest or you may want to try?

•  What role should the Health Authority play in addressing cultural and spiritual needs of patients?

•  What do you see as some next steps for your organization in terms of cultural safety?

Purpose

To explore activities that are undertaken in Northern Health that support the culturally safe delivery of services to First Nations and Aboriginal peoples residing in the north

Being in Relationship: Some Terms and Concepts

Culture adapts to changing environments and can be defined as generation-to-generation transmission of knowledge and ways of being as a result to people’s collective and personal histories and experiences

Cultural awareness (acknowledges difference)

Cultural sensitivity (recognizes the importance of diversity)

Cultural competency (skills, knowledge and attitudes of practitioner)

Cultural safety (involves self-reflection and a shift in power)

Cultural Safety …

What  is  felt  or  experienced  by  a  pa;ent  when  a  health  care  provider  communicates  with  the  pa;ent  in  a  respec?ul,  inclusive  way    (Na;onal  Health  Organiza;on  (NAHO)  of  Canada)  

Soap Berries

Fast Facts •  54 bands across the

North •  Rich diversity of

culture, language and traditions

•  17% of NH’s population (25% of BC’s Aboriginal population)

•  60% live off–reserve in NH

One of NH’s Key Strategic Directions

Partner with Aboriginal people to build a Health Care System that honours diversity and provides service in a culturally safe manner

AHIC in Nak’azdli

Aboriginal Health Services Plan 2012-2015 Strategic Directions

1.  Improving engagement and facilitating partnerships

2.  Increasing effective service delivery

3.  Increasing investment in the Aboriginal workforce

4.  Monitoring and evaluation

NH’s Aboriginal Health Team Victoria Carter

Theresa Healy

Bonnie Greer Hilary

McGregor

Margo Greenwood

Specific Initiatives and Activities in Northern Health

•  Cultural Competency •  Aboriginal Patient Experience Data •  Aboriginal Patient Liaisons •  Aboriginal Health Improvement Committees

(AHIC) •  Aboriginal Health Improvement Grants (AHIP)

Provincial Health Services Authority Indigenous Cultural Competency

•  NH doubled its seats •  18% now taken it

“Tan si” “Jaahejii!” “I teach nurses to use this as an opening conversation with their patients. Many are doing it!”

Yvonne Tupper, APL

•  local, cultural understanding

Cultural Competency

“Hospital staff are asking more questions around cultural beliefs and practices to be aware of when working with Aboriginal patients in acute care.”

Lloyd McDames, APL

Aboriginal Patient Experience Data

Cultural & Spiritual Needs

Were Spiritual and Cultural needs met?

How can we improve care?

Can we improve patient transitions?

Continuous Quality Improvement in the Aboriginal Patient Liaison Program

Improvement Activities being tested

•  Sharing the information •  ICC spreadsheet •  Awareness of APLs •  Local cultural

opportunities •  Tips for communicating

clearly •  Teach Back

•  APL and Nurse rounds •  Ask about cultural & spiritual

needs •  Whiteboards •  APLs attend Rounds •  Patient responsibility

brochure