Trillium Court wins Revera's Leaders in Skin and Wound Care award

Trillium Court Seniors' Community in Kincardine has received a national outstanding achievement award in recognition of its high-quality skin and wound care program.

Presented at the Revera National Conference, held recently in Toronto, Trillium Court received the only clinically-driven achievement award: Leaders in Skin and Wound Care for 2015, said executive director Terri Schuler. Revera operates 76 long-term care and multi-level homes, and has recognized and awarded Trillium Court's nursing care as "exceptional."

Led by Registered Nurse (RN) Vicky Ribey, a certified advanced wound care champion, and utilizing the 3M products and protocols, the skin and wound care program includes the use of specialized products, specialized adaptive wear to protect the arms and legs of the residents at risk, therapeutic surfaces including mattresses and chair cushions, nutritional supplements to enhance skin integrity and ability to heal, and of course, residents' individual needs.

Most importantly, all of the registered staff are highly trained to recognize residents who may be at risk and act immediately to minimize and eliminate these risks to the residents.

Ribey was born and raised in Kincardine and began her career as a Registered Practical Nurse (RPN) in 2007, later taking courses to become an RN and working in Toronto. She and her family moved back to Kincardine and she started working in Trillium Court's long-term care wing in May, 2011.

In September, 2013, she revamped the existing skin and wound care program, and has made great strides in reducing the number of pressure-related ulcers in the home, to zero worsening in 2015.

"I am very pleased that the Leaders in Skin and Wound Care award reflects the standards of practice that we strive for in our home," she said. "Our residents have certainly benefited, and will continue to benefit, from the education and experience I have been able to achieve over the years with Revera's continuous support and encouragement."

She noted that the interdisciplinary team that has been instrumental for the success of this program includes the front-line workers (personal support workers and registered staff), director of care Marjorie Perkins, and the regional team.

Schuler said part of the program involves managing the skin and wound problems residents are suffering from when they arrive at the home, as well as preventing the worsening of any of these conditions.

"It's taken time to get to this point," said Marjorie Perkins, director of care at Trillium Court, "Vicky is the leader in this and has a real passion for managing and preventing skin and wound problems. We've moved from fixing these concerns, to preventing them."

"That's the clinical excellence being recognized with this award," added Schuler.

"The award demonstrates the merit in all of our front-line workers doing their job," said Perkins.

In other initiatives, Schuler said Trillium Court wants to develop a Day Away program to provide respite for caregivers, as well as a weekly bus for community seniors, wheelchair accessible walkway through the grounds, and a dog park.

"We have more than 100 residents in this building, and it's important to ensure they remain connected to their community," she said. "We have the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band coming here to practise, we have experts coming in to do education sessions on a monthly basis, we have monthly-themed dinners, cooking classes, art classes, entertainment, public education sessions, blood-pressure clinics, hearing clinics, a beauty salon and meal packages.

"This is a vibrant home with a focus on our community. We are the preferred venue for the hospital foundation fund-raising event, we have space available at no cost for community events including celebrations of life, we have meeting space for community groups, an active volunteer group, and multiple fund-raising events including the Alzheimer Society, Parkinson's, Heart and Stroke, and the Canadian Cancer Society."

Trillium Court is a multi-level home, offering independent apartment living, assisted living, and long-term care, and is governed by the Ontario Ministry of Long-Term Care Act and the Retirement Home Act.