In this issue:

SHA CARES - Living our Values

• A new place to connect: Adult Day Program opens in Meadow Lake
• Tiny milestones, big victories: raising awareness of the NICU journey

Turning Our Commitment into Action

• Orange Shirt Day team submissions - September 30
• Truth and Reconciliation in Social Work Practice – Moving Beyond Good Intentions to Create Meaningful Change

Staff Information

• Recruitment Responsibilities Transitioning to SHRA
• Staff engageent sessions: Saskatoon City Hospital Acute Care Expansion Project
• Code of the Month: Code Brown
• Staff Safety Talk - Climbing on Borrowed Time - Ladder Safety
• 2027 CRNS License Renewal Period now open
• Windows 11 Update – Week of October 6

Provide your Feedback

• Participate in Assessment of Provider Preference in Using Tinzaparin in Patients with Renal Dysfunction survey
• Share your feedback on In-Scope Employee Performance Reviews

Policy Reviews and Changes

• NEW: Indigenous Smudging Ceremony Policy (SHA-04-007)
• Drug Formulary Policy and Procedure revisions
• Responding to an Unwell or Injured Person on SHA Grounds Policy revisions

Clinical Documentation

• NEW: Pharmacist Authority to Prescribe Drugs and Order Laboratory Tests
• Transfusion Service Identification Number

Events and Professional Development

• Saskatchewan Operating Room Nurses Group Conference
• Saskatoon City Hospital Pancake Breakfast
• Lunch and Learn: Ebola and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers an overview and readiness update
• Annual gastrointestinal (GI) Education Conference - CSGNA Regina
• Canada West Health Leaders Conference
• Community Screening - SEWÂTSIWIN: They Are Sacred
• Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation - Breast Health Centre Silent Auction
• SHEPP Retirement Ahead Information Sessions
• Free online suicide prevention training
• Privacy Training – Foundations in MyWork
• LEAP Training Sessions
• NEW: ECHO Autism SK - Supporting Mental Health Across the School Years
• Continuing Medical Education - Webinars, Conferences, and Courses

 SHA CARES - Living our Values

Northwest Community Lodge in Meadow Lake has officially opened its Adult Day Program, providing a welcoming environment where adults can take part in meaningful activities, build social connections and receive support.

🌐 View full CARES story

Every day, Saskatchewan Health Authority Neonatal Intensive Care Unit teams provide specialized care and support to some of the province’s smallest patients and their families. The NICU teams ensure every baby gets the best possible opportunity for a healthy outcome.

For one family, that care made all the difference.

Aniya was born at just 27 weeks and two days, weighing only two pounds, three ounces. During her 75-day stay in the NICU, her parents celebrated every milestone, no matter how small.

🌐 View full CARES story

 Turning Our Commitment into Action

Orange Shirt Day team submissions - September 30

Thank you to all staff and practitioners who sent in photos from September 30 for National Day for Truth and Reconcialition. 

Truth and Reconciliation in Social Work Practice – Moving Beyond Good Intentions to Create Meaningful Change

📅October 28, 2026 🕑2:30 p.m.

Presenter: Cassie Stehanski, First Nations University of Canada

This presentation will examine the TRC and Calls to Action, highlight the importance of self-reflection, and discuss challenges and opportunities in providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive care. Participants will leave with practical tools and strategies to support meaningful reconciliation efforts in their daily practice.

Be sure to check out the SHA’s Registered Social Workers SharePoint!

If you have questions, contact Brina Down, Manager of Professional Practice, Social Work.

📄 Poster 🌐 Register 

 Staff Information 

Recruitment Responsibilities Transitioning to SHRA

The Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency (SHRA) is assuming responsibility for attraction and sourcing activities for selected health-care professions as part of the province's Patients First Health Care Plan.

Beginning September 28, 2026, the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency leads physician recruitment activities. Recruitment responsibilities for identified hard-to-recruit professions will transition gradually throughout fall and winter 2026. Over time, the Agency will also play a greater role in Indigenous recruitment activities.

SHA will continue to be responsible for physician leadership recruitment, workforce planning, interviewing, hiring, onboarding and retention activities. Recruitment and hiring support for leaders will continue through existing SHA processes and contacts.

SHA team members should continue to connect with SHA Practitioner Staff Affairs on physician recruitment needs and with SHA Human Resources or First Nations and Métis Health on non-physician recruitment needs. Practitioner Staff Affairs, Human Resources, and First Nations and Métis Health will then co-ordinate recruitment activities with the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency.

This coordinated provincial approach is intended to strengthen Saskatchewan's ability to attract health-care professionals and support safe, high-quality patient care across the province.

Staff engagement sessions - Saskatoon City Hospital Acute Care Expansion Project

The following staff engagement sessions will be held at each Saskatoon hospital in October, giving staff an opportunity to learn more and ask questions about this project and the other acute care expansion projects throughout the city of Saskatoon:

📅 Monday, October 5, 2026
🕑 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
📍 Auditorium, St. Paul’s Hospital

📅 Monday, October 19, 2026
🕑 12 to 1 p.m.
📍 Asher Auditorium, Saskatoon City Hospital

📅 Monday, October 26, 2026
🕑 12 to 1 p.m.
📍 Mall Theatre, Royal University Hospital

Code of the Month: Code Brown

October’s Code of the Month focuses on Code Brown: Chemical Spill/Hazardous Material. While some minor spills can be cleaned up safely by trained staff using the appropriate equipment and procedures, larger or more hazardous incidents require a coordinated emergency response. Being familiar with your department's procedures, the location of spill kits, and how to access Safety Data Sheets helps protect staff, patients, visitors, and the environment. Preparedness starts long before an emergencyoccurs.

Review the October Code of the Month poster for additional details.

If you have any questions, please contact the Health Emergency Management (HEM) team at SHA.HEM@saskhealthauthority.ca

📄 Poster - Code Brown

Staff Safety Talk - Climbing on Borrowed Time - Ladder Safety

Your ladder won't tell you when it's time to replace it, but it may show signs. Ladders don't come with an expiration date, but wear and tear, environmental exposure, and damage can make them unsafe. Before climbing, take a moment to inspect your ladder to ensure it is safe to use.

Read our Safety Talk for practical tips on what to inspect on your ladder.

📄 Safety Talk - Ladder Safety

2027 CRNS License Renewal Period now open

The annual CRNS license renewal period is open from October 1 to November 30, 2026.

Annual license renewal is required to practice as a Registered Nurse (RN), Nurse Practitioner (NP) or Registered Nurse with Additional Authorized Practice [RN(AAP)] in Saskatchewan. Current licenses expire on November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

To renew, sign in to the CRNS Portal and click ‘Renewal’. Check the email associated with your CRNS profile for renewal information, including important dates and helpful tips.

For more details and support resources, visit the CRNS License Renewal webpage and the License Renewal FAQs.

Windows 11 Update – Week of October 6

SHA devices running Windows 11 will be updated to Version 25H2 between 2 and 5 a.m. at the following locations:

For these locations, please ensure before leaving for the day:

• Your work is saved and applications closed as your computer restarts.
• Your computer is powered on and connected to the SHA network, either onsite or through VPN.

If missed, the update will install the next time it connects to the SHA network during the scheduled deployment window. If you are not using a Windows 11 device, no action is required.

The virtual desktop environment Windows updates began September 14.
Please contact the eHS Service Desk at 1-888-316-7446 or ServiceDesk@eHealthsask.ca for any questions or concerns.

 Provide Your Feedback

Participate in Assessment of Provider Preference in Using Tinzaparin in Patients with Renal Dysfunction survey

This survey is aimed towards physicians, pharmacists, and nurses who are actively involved in thrombosis prevention or management in adults. Your participation is voluntary and will require the completion of a 15-minute REDcap survey. If you do decide to participate, you are able to withdraw at any time before submitting your survey responses without having to provide any reason. Please review the study consent form before continuing to the survey. This study is funded by LEO Pharma Inc.

Deadline to complete is October 21, 2026.

If you have any questions or concerns about this study, please contact the primary investigator, Joshua Nurkowski.

🌐 Complete survey

Share your feedback on In-Scope Employee Performance Reviews

The In-Scope Employee Performance Review process is intended to support meaningful conversations about your contributions, strengths, goals, and development. As we continue to enhance the performance review process and website, we'd like to hear more about your experience.

We invite you to complete a short 5-minute survey to share what's working well and where improvements could be made. Feedback received so far has already helped inform enhancements to the review experience, and your input will continue to guide future improvements.

Thank you for your time. Your insights are helping us create a more effective, accessible, and user-friendly experience for employees across the SHA.

🌐 Complete In-Scope Employee Performance Reviews survey

 Policy Reviews and Changes

NEW: Indigenous Smudging Ceremony Policy (SHA-04-007)

The Indigenous Smudging Ceremony Policy (SHA-04-007) is now in effect. 

All SHA Team Members are required to review this policy and include:

• Staff;
• Practitioner Staff;
• Learners;
• Contractors;
• Contracted Individuals;
• Volunteers;
• Patient Family Partners (PFPs) and
• Knowledge Keepers

🌐 Review on e-Learn

Drug Formulary Policy and Procedure revisions

The SHA Drug Formulary Policy (SHA-08-008) and SHA Drug Formulary Procedure (SHA-08-008P1) has been revised. The following sections have been updated or added:

• New section added to the procedure – Adapting Medication Orders
• New definitions
• Clarified information throughout the policy and procedure

To review the revised policy and procedure, please login to the SHA’s e-Learn.

🌐 Review on e-Learn

Responding to an Unwell or Injured Person on SHA Grounds Policy revisions

The Responding to an Unwell or Injured Person on SHA Grounds Policy (SHA-08-013) and Responding to an Unwell or Injured Person on SHA Grounds Q and A has been revised. The following sections have been updated or added:

Policy updates:

• 3.3 updated for clarity
• Roles and Responsibilities
• 4.2 added Site Leaders and 4.3 updated for clarity

Q and A updates:

• Additional questions and answers added
• Adjustments to answers for clarity

🌐 Review on e-Learn

 Clinical Documentation

NEW: Pharmacist Authority to Prescribe Drugs and Order Laboratory Tests

Effective today, October 1, 2026, the CS CP 0097 Pharmacist Authority to Prescribe Drugs and Order Laboratory Tests bundle is live.

The procedure standardizes and enhances processes to support consistent, high quality pharmacist practice across SHA sites, reduces variability, and clarifies scope of practice for pharmacists employed within public health care institutional settings.

Documents Now Available:

• CS-CP-0097 Pharmacist Authority to Prescribe Drugs and Order Laboratory Tests
• Template-SHA-XXXX Collaborative Practice Agreement (CPA)
• CS-A-0033 Collaborative Practice Agreement Development and Authorization Guidance Algorithm
• CS-G-0470 SHA Pharmacist Prescribing of Drugs and Laboratory Test Ordering Questions and Answers

DTC Line Special Edition: Medication Order Adaptation and Formulary Policy Updates

The SHA Drug Formulary Policy, Procedure, and Formulary Document now includes Adapting Medication Orders, effective October 1, 2026. The following documents have been updated to include associated information:

• SHA Drug Formulary [Policy] (SHA-08-008)
• SHA Drug Formulary Procedure (SHA-08-008P1)
• SHA Drug Formulary (Appendix B - Adapting Medication Orders)

For more information, please contact dtcsupport@saskhealthauthority.ca

📧 Contact 🌐 Clinical Forms Catalogue

Transfusion Service Identification Number

• NEW: Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) - Operating Room Specific Instructions (CS-P-0088)
  • Operating room instructions for the removal and reapplication of the TSIN armband
  • All operating room staff should be familiar with the Transfusion Service Identification Number. Additional training on MyConnection > MyLearning:
    • Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) Education for Nursing (CS-LM-0115)
    • Transfusion Service Identification Number (TSIN) Education – Phlebotomy (CS-LM-0116)

 Events and Professional Development 

Events

Saskatchewan Operating Room Nurses Group Conference

📅October 3 🕑 7:30 a.m.  - 4 p.m.📍 Regina, SK 🌐Register 

Saskatoon City Hospital Pancake Breakfast

📅October 8 🕑 7 - 9 a.m.  📍 Saskatoon, SK 🌐Poster 

Lunch and Learn: Ebola and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers an overview and readiness update

📅October 15, 2026 🕑 12 to 1 p.m. 📍Virtual 🌐 Register

Annual gastrointestinal (GI) Education Conference - CSGNA Regina

📅October 16, 2026  🕑 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 📍Regina  🌐Register  📄Pamphlet

Canada West Health Leaders Conference

📅October 20, 21, 2026  📍Calgary, AB 🌐Learn more

Community Screening - SEWÂTSIWIN: They Are Sacred

📅October 22, 2026  📍Saskatoon, SK 🌐Register/Learn more

Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation - Breast Health Centre Silent Auction

📅October 26 - 30 🌐Poster - Donated items will be accepted until October 22

SHEPP Retirement Ahead Information Sessions

📅October 15, November 17, December 8 🌐Learn more 

Professional Development

Free online suicide prevention training

📅 On demand - 60 days to complete📍Virtual 📄 Learn more/Register

Privacy Training – Foundations in MyWork

📅 On demand 📍Virtual 📄 Learn more

LEAP Training Sessions

📅 October 20 and December 7📍Virtual 📄 Register

ECHO Autism SK - Supporting Mental Health Across the School Years

📅 October 27, November 10, 24, January 12, 26, February 9
📍Virtual 🌐 Register/Learn more

Continuing Medical Education - Webinars, Conferences, and Courses

Webinars
📅November 2026 - June 2027 - CME Webinar Series
📅October 15 - Hepatitis B
📅November 15 - Staging Syphilis
📅November 19 - Neonates Exposed to Maternal Syphilis
📅December 3 - Injectable HIV PrEP

Online Courses
📅October 15, 16 - Virtual Fetal Health Surveillance
📅October 22-24 - CanREACH-SK PPP Mini-Fellowship
📅October 24 - Substance Use Disorders (AIMS-SK) Interactive Workshop
📅November 25, 26 - Virtual Fetal Health Surveillance
📅December 5 - Coaching and Mentorship Program for Saskatchewan Physicians
📅December 17, 18 - Virtual Fetal Health Surveillance

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SHA Rounds is the Saskatchewan Health Authority's e-newsletter. Send your feedback to news@saskhealthauthority.ca