October 22, 2026

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In this issue:

Public Service Announcements and News Releases

Saskatoon Acute Care Expansion strengthens access for Saskatchewan patients
Saskatchewan observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month to highlight available screening services and program improvements
Twelve new sober living spaces open in Prince Albert

Turning Our Commitment into Action

Foundations for Anti-Racism Training - Meadow Lake
Truth and Reconciliation in Social Work Practice – Moving Beyond Good Intentions to Create Meaningful Change

Recognition and Appreciation

Health Information Professionals Week
3sHealth: New hemodialysis equipment transforming kidney care

Staff Information

Safety Talk - Canadian Patient Safety Week
Hand Hygiene Audits help teams strengthen safe care content across the SHA
Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Program process review and reminders

Policy Reviews and Changes

NEW: Indigenous Smudging Ceremony Policy (SHA-04-007)
Safe Driving Procedure renewal

Clinical Documentation

New Provincial Clinical Forms
Continuous Electrocardiographic (ECG) Monitoring
Assessment of the Lower Limb-General and Advanced

Events and Professional Development

Events

Community Screening - SEWÂTSIWIN: They Are Sacred
Saskatchewan Transfusion Symposium
Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation - Breast Health Centre Silent Auction
National Health Ethics Week Sessions

Professional Development

Free online suicide prevention training
Privacy Training – Foundations in MyWork
LEAP Training Sessions
ECHO Autism SK - Supporting Mental Health Across the School Years
Continuing Medical Education - Webinars, Conferences, and Courses

Public Service Announcements and News Releases

From left: MLA Kevin Kasun; Derek Miller, COO, SHA; Steve Shannon, CEO, SCHF; Premier Scott Moe, Honourable Jeremy Cockrill, Minister of Health; MLA Honourable Terry Jenson.

Saskatoon Acute Care Expansion strengthens access for Saskatchewan patients

Patients across Saskatchewan will benefit from increased access to hospital care with the opening of 80 new acute care beds across Saskatoon, including 20 additional medicine beds at Saskatoon City Hospital. Supported through investments from the Government of Saskatchewan and the Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation, the expansion is helping strengthen hospital capacity and improve access to care for patients across the province.

“This is not simply a response to current pressures. It is part of a broader effort to strengthen access to care, improve patient flow and ensure our hospitals are positioned to serve Saskatchewan's growing population for years to come,” said Derek Miller, Chief Operating Officer, Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The newly opened beds include 36 acute inpatient beds at Royal University Hospital, 24 acute inpatient beds at St. Paul's Hospital and 20 medicine beds at Saskatoon City Hospital. Combined with 40 medicine beds previously opened at Saskatoon City Hospital, Saskatoon hospitals have added 120 beds over the past year.

“Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation has committed $2.3 million toward the Acute Care Expansion, and we are proud to help support this important investment in our community,” said Steve Shannon, Chief Executive Officer, Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.

The opening of the additional medicine beds at Saskatoon City Hospital also marks the completion of the planned expansion to 60 medicine beds at the site, an important step in the hospital's larger 109-bed acute care expansion. The Saskatchewan Health Authority also extends its sincere thank you to the staff and physicians whose dedication, expertise and commitment to patients have helped make this expansion possible.

Seventh floor at Saskatoon City Hospital – future home of the Acquired Brain Injury Unit.

Saskatchewan observes Breast Cancer Awareness Month to highlight available screening services and program improvements

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to encourage regular screening, promote early detection and highlight the programs and services available to support breast health across Saskatchewan.

🔗 View full release

Twelve new sober living spaces open in Prince Albert

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Lori Carr today announced funding for 12 new second-stage sober living spaces in Prince Albert.

🔗 View full release

Turning Our Commitment into Action

Foundations for Anti-Racism Training - Meadow Lake

📅November 6, 13, 27 🕑12:30 - 4:30 p.m. 📍In-person 📄 Learn more

To register or if you have questions, contact First Nations and Métis Health.

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

Recognition and Appreciation

Health Information Professionals Week

October 19 to 23 is Health Information Professionals Week.

This week celebrates Canada's health information professionals who ensure vital health data remains accurate, secure, accessible, and relevant for patients and health-care providers. Thank you to all health information professionals across Saskatchewan for everything you do.

🔗 Learn more

3sHealth: New hemodialysis equipment transforming kidney care

Patients and care providers across Saskatchewan are seeing significant improvements in care following the province-wide rollout of new hemodialysis machines in late 2025.

More than 1,000 Saskatchewan residents rely on life-sustaining hemodialysis care each year to improve their quality of life. With the introduction of new machines in treatment centres across the province, those patients and nursing staff are benefiting from new technologies, improved user experience, and safer and more responsive treatment.

🔗 View full story

Staff Information

Safety Talk - Canadian Patient Safety Week

During Canadian Patient Safety Week, we are encouraged to reflect on how everyday interactions shape the experience of patients, families, care partners, and each other.

Patient safety is more than preventing harm. It is also about creating environments where people feel heard, respected, included, and supported.

View the latest Safety Talk for more details.

Hand Hygiene Audits help teams strengthen safe care content across the SHA

Across the SHA, staff continue to demonstrate their commitment to patient safety through participation in the Hand Hygiene Audit Program.

Feedback from more than 300 survey participants shows that SHA team members recognize hand hygiene auditing as an important part of delivering safe, quality care, with many describing the program as a valuable tool for awareness, education, and ongoing improvement. Team members shared that our hand hygiene program works best when auditing is supported by practical training, easy-to-use tools, and meaningful reporting. Many also highlighted the positive impact of regular conversations about hand hygiene, helping keep infection prevention and patient safety top of mind. Opportunities to strengthen the Hand Hygiene Audit Program were also identified.

Finding time to complete audits alongside patient care responsibilities remains a challenge, particularly during periods of staffing pressure and competing priorities. Respondents also suggested additional support for auditors, simplified technology, and clearer guidance to make participation easier.

The survey findings will help inform ongoing improvements to the Hand Hygiene Audit Program, ensuring it remains practical, meaningful, and supportive of frontline teams while advancing patient safety across the SHA.

Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback about the Hand Hygiene Audit Program!

Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) Program process review and reminders

As MAID referrals continue to increase across the province, we wanted to take a moment to provide a brief review of the program. We would appreciate staff sharing this information with patients and families who may be considering or inquiring about MAID.

🔗 Learn more

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

Safe Driving Procedure

The Safe Driving Procedure has been renewed for another four years. This procedure applies to the following team members:

Staff
Practitioner Staff
Contracted Individuals
Patient and Family Partners
Knowledge Keepers
Volunteers
Learners
Contractors

Staff are required to review all renewed policies and procedures in SHA’s E-Learn.

🔗 Review on e-Learn

Clinical Documentation

New Provincial Clinical Forms

New: SHA 0815 – Emergency Department Adult Assessment and Record of Care
New: SHA 0816 – Emergency Department Pediatric Assessment and Record of Care

These forms support the Triage Assessment Record – Adult (SHA 0079) and Triage Assessment Record – Pediatric (SHA 0080).

Sites may implement the new forms immediately upon release or choose to provide a training period prior to implementation. Existing regional forms will remain available during the transition period to support staff education and adoption.

Repeal of former regional documents is anticipated to occur at the end of November. An email containing the repeal list will be sent to ED educators.

An FAQ document will be released at a later date to address questions that may arise regarding the new forms.

Please contact ClinicalStandards@saskhealthauthority.ca with any questions related to the forms.

Continuous Electrocardiographic (ECG) Monitoring

Starting today, October 22, 2026, the new CS-CP-0122 Continuous Electrocardiographic (ECG) Monitoring is available for training only. Effective November 4, 2026

Establishes standardized provincial expectations for continuous ECG monitoring in acute care settings, including indications, responsibilities, monitoring practices, documentation, and escalation requirements.

Supporting resources include:

CS-G-0559 Cardiac Monitoring Lead Placement
CS-G-0560 Cardiac Monitoring Troubleshooting Guide
CS-LM-0126 Continuous Electrocardiographic (ECG) Monitoring: Lead II
CS-LM-0127 Continuous Electrocardiographic (ECG) Monitoring: Lead II Recertification

Both learning modules are currently in development and will be available in MyConnection once completed.

For more information, visit Cardiosciences Resources – Clinical Resources or contact clinicalstandards@saskhealthauthority.ca

Assessment of the Lower Limb-General and Advanced

Effective October 20, 2026, Assessment of the Lower Limb-General and Advanced is available for training purposes only. This clinical procedure outlines best practices for clinical team members in completing a comprehensive lower limb assessment, when to perform or refer for advanced assessment, and direction on appropriate interventions.

Clinical Procedure