The Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety (MIPS) has paid special recognition to a seniors coordinator in Steinbach.

Pearl Buhler is Tenant Resource Coordinator at HavenGroup. Buhler recognized that if a tenant has an injury as the result of a failed wheelchair, walker or scooter, they will be reluctant to trust this equipment in the future. And, subsequently, this will restrict their ongoing efforts to be mobile.

Buhler applied for and received a grant to host a mobility clinic. With this money, she brought in a professional from Access Mobility and Healthcare Supplies to look over the equipment being used by her tenants. Buhler admits the nucleus for this idea actually came from a Community Resource Coordinator in Vita who hosted a similar event.

As a result of the clinic in Steinbach, 24 tenants required some repairs to their equipment. Buhler notes in most cases it was just a matter of some parts needing tightening or minor fixes. In one case, extra parts needed to be ordered in.

Buhler says she thinks this was an eye opening experience for tenants.

"We don't always realize when something is getting loose until it breaks," she says. "I think it was just a great way to be proactive and just make sure that these devices that they are depending on are going to work for them and work well."

Buhler says as a staff member at Woodhaven, this is something she is watching for anyway. When tenants mention to her that their brakes aren't working quite well, she tries to encourage them to get them checked out.

The money received by Buhler was through the Dr. John Wade Patient Safety Initiatives Grant. Buhler was one of two recipients in the province this year. The other was Rachel Ganaden of the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, who was awarded a grant to improve medication safety. Meanwhile, Steve Geletchuk, Manager of the Disaster and Emergency Preparedness Program for Prairie Mountain Health is the winner of the MIPS Patient Safety Champion Award.

Dr. John Wade was instrumental in the creation of MIPS and an award was established in his name. The award recognizes local excellence in the work of patient safety. The Dr. John Wade Patient Safety Initiatives Grant provides funds to encourage small projects in support of patient safety initiatives in Manitoba.

Buhler says it is nice to have her idea recognized but adds this is all about the tenants and she is thankful this clinic could be held for them.