Nurses Lorraine B. La France and Claire Babin were presented yesterday with the Care Challenge Favorites Award, an international nursing innovation practice honour, supported by Sanofi world division, as part of the "Connecting Nurses" program. The nurses who both work at Ste. Anne’s Hospital, in Quebec, were recognized at Sanofi Canada’s head office, in Laval, for their innovative project Reducing Social Isolation for Our Residents in Long Term Care via Skype, a Best Practice. Their initiative promotes intergenerational communications and reduces social isolation through the use of Skype.

The award winning project aims to help patients overcome some of the communication challenges and social isolation of residing in long term care by using Skype. In fact, some patients have reconnected with loved ones they haven’t seen in 25 years, and others are able to talk with family and friends on a regular basis. By connecting with friends and family through Skype, it has countered the negative effects that social isolation has on physical, psychological and emotional health, by bringing joy and positive health effects for patients at Ste. Anne’s.

As part of their award, Connecting Nurses produced a professional video displaying the project. To view the touching and informative video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iNTugsZZLC0