The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) recently published an article called “What is surge planning? And what can I do to help?” Surge planning is one of the ways the health system prepares for an increase in demand for health-care services. Surges in demand for health care can be the result of an event such as a plane crash, weather event, or pandemic.

How has 3sHealth contributed to efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19? 

• 3sHealth employees with clinical backgrounds made themselves available to work in health-care facilities where they could lend their expertise; 
• The Contracting service line redeployed its Contract Specialists to work with the SHA on procurement for capital equipment needed to fight COVID-19; 
• Project managers from the Transformational Services department redeployed to the SHA to lend their skills to COVID-19 related projects;
• Some 3sHealth employees sit on the PPE Pivot Group, a group with representation across the health-care system that arose from the need to respond quickly to emerging challenges and demands on personal protective equipment (PPE); 
• Team members from Communications and Stakeholder Relations were redeployed to the SHA’s Community Engagement and Communications unit; and
• Team members from the Dictation and Transcription Services department have assisted the SHA to set up a rapid deployment process for clinicians who need to move around the province in support of outbreaks.

In addition to redeploying the organization’s talented employees to the SHA, 3sHealth’s service lines have found ways to collaborate and contribute to the provincial effort to stop the spread of the virus, such as:

• Building PPE capacity and transitioning to more sustainable PPE; 
• Continuing to implement important programs such as self-edit dictation for physicians, while also pivoting to make training easier and safer;
• Supporting health-care employees who 3sHealth serves as benefits plan members; and
• Using tools from the forthcoming Administrative Information Management System (AIMS) to meet the amplified need for accurate and timely data. 

What can I do to help?

Please help by:

• Following all public health orders diligently; 
• Practicing all of the good habits you are already familiar with, such as masking, physical distancing, and proper handwashing; 
• Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth;
• Staying home if you are feeling unwell, even with the mildest of symptoms;
• Downloading Health Canada’s COVID Alert app – it’s free, voluntary, doesn’t track location or collect personal health information, and provides digital alerts letting you know if you may have been exposed to the virus;
• Setting an example to your friends and family – model the behaviour you want to see in others;
• Staying up-to-date with the latest news from the Government of Saskatchewan and the SHA – make sure to share news from the Government and the SHA with friends, family, and social media networks; and
• Keeping a list of your close contacts and reviewing it weekly to ensure you will be able to help contact tracers in the event you are exposed to COVID-19.

Read the full story on surge planning from the SHA to learn more.