We are listening! Take 2 minutes to complete this questionnaire about our Annual Report so we can hear about what really matters to you. Results will be posted in this year’s report!
The Power of Listening – Annual Report survey
International Women’s Day – Call for nominations
Is there a women in health care who you would like to acknowledge for her role as a mentor, educator, or trailblazer? This March, as the achievements of women around the world are celebrated, Shared Health will recognize Manitoba women who have shaped (and who continue to shape) access, equity and excellence in health care.
All Staff Update: Capital Projects
Cultural Safety Lunch & Learn Series
Presented in partnership with: 
Dakota & Anishinaabe Sweat Lodge Ceremony Teachings
Friday, Feb. 19, 2025
12:00 to 1:00 pm
Virtual TEAMS – event details
This has been made possible through collaboration and financial support from the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and Health Canada.
Communities Making a difference: Learning from each other
Our second annual Share and Learn
SAVE THE DATE
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Virtual Conference – FREE
Submitted by: Healthy Living Team
Data Entry – Safety Event Report
VECTRS CONCERNS – NEW Safety Event Report Template
Patient Safety has created a Safety Event Report template for staff to document and report any VECTRS Concerns.
Please use this template when documenting an event that occurs relating to VECTRS. This way we can track this data more effectively.
If you have any questions, please contact one of the Patient Safety Coordinators.
Submitted by: Tara Roberts & Pam Gunn, Patient Safety Coordinators
For more information contact: Tara or Pam
Measles Cases
Attention All Staff:
There has been a significant rise in measles cases in many parts of the world, including recent cases across Canada. Measles is one of the most infectious viruses as it spreads via the airborne route and through close contact with respiratory secretions. It also has a significant burden of morbidity and mortality, with complications such as otitis media and bronchopneumonia occurring in about 10% of reported cases, encephalitis occurring in approximately 1 of every 1,000 reported cases, and may result in permanent brain damage or death.
With an increase of recent cases in Canada, measles has shown up in Manitoba including Southern Health-Santé Sud. With pockets of our health region having low immunization rates for measles, there is a need for extra vigilance. We want to be prepared for staff contact tracing should exposures to measles occur.
If Southern Health-Santé Sud staff are exposed to a measles case, they will be required to provide documentation of two doses of measles vaccine OR documentation of immunity to measles through bloodwork OR documented evidence of previous infection. If there is no documentation available, staff will be required to be off work from Day 5-21 following the exposure.
As such, we strongly encourage you to prepare for the following:
- For those immunized in 1988 to present, request your immunization record online at Your Immunization Record Matters
- If you do not have documentation of two doses of measles vaccination AND do not have documentation of immunity, you should be vaccinated. Contact your Health Care Provider, Public Health or Occupational Health to be vaccinated.
- If you are certain you have been immunized with two doses of measles vaccine or had a previous infection, but have no documentation, you can get serology (bloodwork) to test for immunity to measles – contact your Health Care Provider to order bloodwork and request a copy of your results.
- Keep your documentation of immunization or immunity at hand, to provide to your Site Infection Control Practitioner if required for contact tracing.
Please post the Managing Measles Presentations in your emergency departments across the region and reference the information on Measles Immunizations.
Please see information regarding Measles Cases confirmed in Manitoba.
Weekend infection control coverage will be provided to support measles outbreaks, contract tracing and consultation as required. A contact will be in place for Friday, February 7 at 1600 to Monday, February at 0800 hours as follows: Infection Control Practitioner at 204-331-8888. Moving forward, the need for weekend coverage will be assessed and communicated if deemed necessary.
Thank-you!
Submitted By: Staff Development and Infection Prevention & Control
For more info. contact: Debbie Rigaux, Director, Health Services – Staff Development and Infection Prevention & Control at 204-905-4339 or and Infection Prevention & Control Regional Coordinators, Paula Enns & Shelly Rempel
Drug Shortage: betahistine 8 mg, 16 mg and 24 mg tablets
Betahistine 8 mg, 16 mg and 24 mg tablets are on back order and supply may deplete prior to its return.
For the treatment of Meniere’s disease, a case by case assessment of alternatives and therapy will need to be discussed with prescribers.
Note: Retail pharmacies may have depleted or soon will deplete their on-hand supply. For patients receiving betahistine ensure that a supply is available at the patient’s community pharmacy prior to discharge.
Details regarding depletion of inventory will be communicated on a site-specific basis.
Thank you for your support of the ongoing efforts to manage drug supply issues. For questions, please contact your site pharmacy or Rizwan Ahmed or Libby Gair
Submitted by: Pharmacy Program
Name Change Directive: Portage Regional Health Centre
Effective immediately, all staff are asked to begin using the name Portage Regional Health Centre (PRHC) instead of Portage District General Hospital (PDGH) on all internal policies related to PDGH. This change is in preparation of the transition to the new regional health centre. For all other purposes, the existing facility will continue be referred to as PDGH. Should you have any questions or need assistance with the transition, please reach out to Lorraine Cassan, Regional Lead – Acute Care & Chief Nursing Officer. Thank you for your cooperation.
Submitted by: Regional Lead – Acute Care & Chief Nursing Officer
For more info. contact: 204-428-2742 or