Friday, May 15, 2020
COVID-19 Update from the Department of Medicine
As of May 15, 2020 in Nova Scotia
1,034
positive tests
(885 in Central Zone)
35,375
negative tests
918
recoveries
4
currently in hospital (non-ICU)
5
currently in hospital (ICU)
55
deaths
SHORT Report
We are coming to the end of another busy week. As I look back on the last nine weeks it is quite incredible what the Department and the whole system have accomplished in this short period of time. Amongst the stress of COVID there have actually been many opportunities. We have built stronger relationships with many of the other departments we work with. In particular it has been great to work more closely with primary care. We now have a virtual platform through which we can reach out to patients and support each other in our clinical, academic and administrative work. We have reaffirmed the great services we provide and have also uncovered a number of gaps in the system and are moving toward improving care in those areas. We have created new programs that will benefit everyone long after COVID has left us. Some examples include the COVID Community Virtual Care Team (CCVCT), a virtual community support team with technology for health data monitoring in the home, and the MED-LTC Team, a medicine support team to Northwood and other long term care facilities. We are stepping outside the traditional locations and frameworks of our care models and we and our patients are reaping the benefits of this. Maybe most importantly, we have been more attentive to supporting the health and wellness of our staff and physicians. We still have challenges ahead, but we have proved ourselves to be creative and nimble in this new world we find ourselves in.

As the weather improves and we can move outdoors a bit more (socially distancing of course!), I hope you all will find some time to be good to yourselves. 

Keep Well,

Christine

Christine Short, MD, FRCP(C), FACP
Associate Professor & Head/Chief, Department of Medicine
Dalhousie University/Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health Authority
QEII COVID Pathway
BLUE ZONE
8.3 known or suspect side
YELLOW ZONE
"ILI cohort" if symptomatic 8.3 suspect side OR any floor if asymptomatic with exposure risk
GREEN ZONE
Regular ward anywhere in hospital
Version: 07May2020
Cancer Care Program
Version:
05May2020
Protected Acute Stroke Protocol
Version: 06May2020
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Version: 13May2020
Used N95 Respirators
Version: 13May2020
Return from deployment
For Healthcare workers returning from:
  • Northwood - Halifax Campus
  • Long Term Care Facilities
  • Primary or Secondary Assessment
  • Mobile Testing
  • Designated COVID-19 Units


Issued May 10, 2020
Congratulations Dr. Mulvagh
On May 10, 2020, the Canadian Cardiovascular Society (CCS) and C3I Partners, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada, Inc., BMS-Pfizer and Bayer, Inc., announced the 2020 research awardees for the:
CCS COVID-19 Challenge for Canada Initiative (CCS-C3I).

Dr. Sharon Mulvagh, Division of Cardiology, teamed up with Dr. Joshua Durbin, Dr. Amer Johri and Dr. Omid Kiamanesh on the following project:

"Accelerated Remote Cardiopulmonary Tele-POCUS by Augmented Intelligence in COVID-19 Assessment (ARCTICA)"

Project synopsis: Rapid cardiopulmonary assessment by point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has emerged as a critical, first-line imaging tool for patient management during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study evaluates the implementation of a tele-POCUS training and workflow program for non-conventional users of ultrasound first locally, and then in remote non-tertiary care communities through validation of technology that allows streaming of images, in real-time to experts in lung ultrasound and echocardiography in a ‘hub and spoke’ model. This particular information is significant for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection because it helps the treating physician identify which patients are at risk of clinical demise, require urgent therapy, or transfer, but additionally has significant applications to general non-COVID-19 practice.  

Institutions:
  • Queen's University
  • University of Toronto
  • Dalhousie University

Awarded up to $60,000 including matching funds

Your mental health is important!
START WITH YOU
If you need help, please choose the service that is right for you:

  • Take slow deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.

  • Eat healthy, well-balanced meals, be physically active, and get plenty of sleep - regularly.

  • Make time to relax by focusing on yourself and do activities you enjoy.

  • Connect with others.

  • Maintain a sense of hope and keep things in perspective.
WEBSITES
PHONE
Nova Scotia

  • Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours): 1-888-429-8167

Canada

  • Hope for Wellness Help Line (toll-free): 1-855-242-3310

  • Homewood Health Mental Health & Addictions Resources (24 hours): 1-866-585-0445
SMS / TEXT
Need immediate support?

Youth: Text WELLNESS to 686868

Adults: Text WELLNESS to 741741

Front Line Workers: Text FRONTLINE to 741741

Call 911 if you are in immediate danger or need urgent medical support.
Nominate a Hero
The Helping Healthcare Heroes site now spotlights acts of generosity and kindness from across Nova Scotia, and will feature a rotation of healthcare heroes.
If you would like to nominate a colleague to be featured, please fill out the form under “ Celebrating Heroes”. Scroll down until you see "Nominate a hero".
FEATURED OFFER
MAY 11 - 20
Mark's Work Warehouse


Online only
| 40% Off Regular Priced Merchandise
| Additional 20% Off Already Reduced Merchandise

Use Promo Code: THANKYOUFRONTLINE
Weekly update and grand rounds
Tuesday, May 19
COVID-19 Weekly Update for DoM

8 - 8:15 a.m.

To join, see email invitation from: janet.hartnett@nshealth.ca
DoM Grand Rounds
8:15 - 9 a.m.


Coronavirus Pandemic & Chronic Dialysis Care: Dilemmas and Challenges

Drs. David Clark and Karthik Tennankore
Division of Nephrology

Complete your evaluation:

Videos

NSHA / Dr. Lynn Johnston
Uploaded: March 13, 2020
Video: 10 min

NSHA / Dr. Glenn Patriquin
Uploaded: April 3, 2020
Video: 3 min
Websites to reference
Department of Medicine
Applications
Employee Health
Organizations
When you take care of yourself, you take care of others.