Kelly Hassall RRT FCSRT MEd
Stephen Buziak, RRT MA
There were two very exciting projects that came to completion within the RTSO Leadership Committee this summer. In addition to announcing the winning designs of the T-shirt competition and launching the T-shirt sales, the Committee assisted Tony Kajnar and his team with the amazing work for the Staged Precautions for Pulmonary Diagnostic Testing During and After The COVID-19 Pandemic in Ontario. The committee would like to thank Tony and his team on creating a meaningful resource that begins to address the many nuances surrounding how to safely provide pulmonary diagnostic services during this unprecedented time. The Committee would also like to thank all of the RTSO members who not only submitted some fabulous designs for the T-shirt competition but also took the time to vote on the designs and then support the initiative by purchasing T-shirts during the first wave of sales. Congratulations is extended to Freshta Karimzad (I’ll be there for you) and Lynae Cooper (Patient-Centered PEEP) for their winning designs. An honourable mention is also extended to Eva Leek whose inspiration led to the third design that was created specifically by student artist Catherine Culgin for the RTSO (Just Breathe). The Committee would also like to thank Toronto Tees for their support in this initiative by not only offering free shipping for every order with 4 items or more but for also agreeing that $5 from every shirt sold could go directly to Feed Ontario in support of the COVID relief fund. T-shirts will continue to be available for purchase until the end of October via https://stores.torontotees.com/rtso/shop/home. In addition to the T-shirts, the RTSO Leadership Committee will also be providing RTs across Ontario the opportunity to donate to the Feed Ontario fundraising initiative directly via this link https://www.canadahelps.org/me/CxWRQkx. Donations can be made up until the end of October in recognition of RT Week.
As we move into the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the RTSO Leadership Committee has begun reflecting on what we have learned from the first wave and how we can support RTs across the province for the months to come. Work is being done to provide a guidance document for proning in spontaneously breathing and invasively and mechanically ventilated patients. The Committee is also assisting RTSO member Lisa Wilson in creating a Thank You video for the public intended to raise awareness of our profession, the role we play as RTs, as well as how grateful we are for the support of our communities. The Committee has also assisted in arranging a webinar for RT Week regarding infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures and “what we know now” that includes information on what we did not know before about COVID-19 transmission. The Committee is also supporting attendance at weekly Ministry Update calls and is supporting the RTSO Executive in addressing ongoing concerns regarding Assistive Devices Program (ADP) funding and IEAs for home oxygen, ventilator acquisition and allocation, the use of energy in the form of Ultrasound, and planning for future education and conferences.
On behalf of the entire Leadership Committee, we would like to thank everyone for all of the amazing work that you are doing every day and wish you all a very safe and happy RT Week! Thank you for all that you do for our profession and your Society!
Kelly and Steve
