Update from the Department of Medicine
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As of August 6, 2020 - Nova Scotia COVID-19 cases
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1,071
total confirmed cases;
(907 in Central Zone)
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65,159
total negative tests
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0
currently in hospital due to COVID-19
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Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected by the tragic explosion in Beirut, Lebanon on August 4th.
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Hi everyone,
I hope this message finds everyone well and finding some time with family and friends this summer while following all of our COVID safety rules. It is great to be enjoying low to no new cases from week to week, but we must not become complacent. Since our last newsletter we now have an Atlantic Bubble and non-medical masks (NMM) are now mandatory in all indoor public spaces. Nova Scotia Health has taken the lead on this new policy in our hospitals and there are a few tips and FAQs below to help you and your patients determine when to wear a personal cloth mask versus a medical mask.
An urgent communication was just released from IMIT regarding issues with the Central Zone Clinical Portal and we are going to have to access older patient records a little bit differently than what you may be used to. All the things you need to access will still be available. This is hopefully temporary as they work with the vendor to try to solve the issue. Everyone needs to make sure you have access to the appropriate platforms to access needed patient information (see below).
Social media and the internet can be great tools for communicating with our patients and keeping them informed. If you have an existing webpage or are creating a new one and/or a social media account for yourself or your team, then there are a few things you need to know. If your site represents your work at Nova Scotia Health or the Dalhousie Faculty of Medicine, then your content and use of logos must be reviewed and approved. Dalhousie and Nova Scotia Health have communications departments to support this work. If you have questions can contact me or Denise Hatchette.
Reflections is the theme for our 2019-2020 annual report currently in development. While COVID marked the end of the fiscal year, we want to be sure we capture all of the great work that happened in the department before and during the initial phases of the pandemic. We will be reaching out to division heads for content for the report so please pass along any story ideas to them. Past issues, including our most recent 2018-2019 annual report, can be found at https://medicine.dal.ca/departments/department-sites/medicine/about/annual-reports.html.
Lastly, in our efforts to create more opportunities to educate ourselves and act against systemic racism, Dr. Nicole Boutilier has launched a summer book club for physicians. The first book club was in July and discussed the book, “How To Be An Antiracist” by Ibram X. Kendi. It was an excellent opportunity to learn and reflect on what it is to be truly “anti-racist” and not just “not-racist”. Dr. Kendi’s interview with Dr. Charlene M. Dukes on “How To Be An AntiRacist” can be found at the following link https://youtu.be/xr5PErnQA8g. The next summer book club is on August 24 th and the book for discussion is “The Skin We’re In” by Canadian Author Desmond Cole. I encourage all of you to attend. I think you will find it time very well spent. You can sign up for the book club here.
Keep well everyone and have a great August.
Christine
Christine Short, MD, FRCP(C), FACP
Associate Professor & Head/Chief, Department of Medicine
Dalhousie University / Central Zone, Nova Scotia Health Authority
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Memo:
From: Dr. Short
Date: August 6
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Dr. Brendan Carr, CEO Nova Scotia Health, announced the revised logo at the Nova Scotia Health Annual General Meeting on July 7.
- It was felt that Nova Scotia Health is a better representation the organization.
- The legal name remains unchanged - Nova Scotia Health Authority. The legal name will be used for contracts, letters of agreement and other official documents.
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Can I still use NSHA when referring to the organization?
Our preference is that we refer to ourselves as Nova Scotia Health and that we refrain from using the acronym NSHA wherever possible. We will not be using the acronym NSH and ask that you refer to the brand guidelines and our style guide for clarity.
Excerpts from email:
Krista Grant, Chief, Public Engagement & Communications
NS Health News - July 16, 2020
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Congratulations Dr. Tennankore
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Dr. Karthik Tennankore has been appointed the QEII Foundation Endowed Chair in Transplantation Research, for a five-year term. This appointment is effective July 1, 2020.
The QEII Foundation Endowed Chair in Transplantation Research position will help bring focus to the diverse elements of transplant research ongoing at Dalhousie University and Nova Scotia Health, as well as coordinating interactions with other transplant research facilities in the Atlantic region and nationally.
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Clinical Systems & Innovation Committee
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CONGRATULATIONS!
The Department of Medicine is pleased to announce that Dr. Jennifer Jones has been selected as the Physician Director of the Clinical Systems & Innovation Committee.
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MEMBERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The DoM is seeking membership for the new Clinical Systems & Innovation Committee.
The DoM Clinical Systems & Innovation Committee's mission is to serve as a provincial and national leader and catalyst for the development, implementation and evaluation of novel, patient-centered health system innovation in order to overcome access barriers to high quality, cost-effective healthcare and to ensure that Nova Scotians receive this care by the right person, in the right place, and at the right time.
Committee membership will be sought from:
- all divisions
- members with experience and expertise in clinical systems, implementation science and eHealth technology.
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Interested in participating on this committee?
Email Dr. Short and Janet Hartnett:
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New committee appointments
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Clinical Fellowship Committee
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Denise Hatchette is the new Chair
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Clinical Systems and Innovation Committee
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Dr. Jennifer Jones is the new Physician Director
- see call for committee membership above
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Internal Medicine Program Directors Committee
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Dr. Aaron LeBlanc is the new Associate Internal Medicine Program Director
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Internal Medicine Residency Program Committee
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Dr. Kyle McCoy is the new Simulation Chair
Dr. Chinmoy Chowdhury is the UMEC rep on RPC
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Request for interesting cases
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Have an interesting case to present at Clinicopathologic Conference (CPC) rounds?
These rounds are focused on examining the clinical reasoning and potential biases that can occur during this process. Cases that have a broad differential diagnosis, perhaps some atypical features or some other feature that could cause bias in clinical reasoning tend to work best.
If you have such a case, please contact Dr. Trudy Taylor with brief details of the case.
Dr. Trudy Taylor
Chair, DoM Continuing Professional Development Committee
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DoM Clinical Fellowship Award
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The DoM has established a Clinical Fellowship Award to foster the development and training of promising individuals as clinicians in subspecialty areas of Medicine and Internal Medicine following the completion of their residency training program.
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The Simulation Education Network Collaborative (SimEd Network) is hosting:
Title: COVID, Simulation and the Second Wave: What you need to know to prepare
Date: Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. via Microsoft teams
For more information:
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FacDev Thursdays Seminar Series (webinar)
Title: Making Lectures Matter: During COVID and Beyond
Presenter: Dr. Volodko Bakowsky
Date: Thursday, August 13
Time: 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
For more information:
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Blood Collection appointments
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Due to impacts on Central Zone (CZ) laboratory services related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a walk in same day clinic blood collection service can no longer be supported. An appointment will be required to ensure physical distancing.
Effective July 16, the Central Zone blood collection appointment booking hours have been expanded to help respond to the high volume of calls. Patients who require urgent collection must indicate at time of booking.
Central Zone
1-902-473-2074
1-833-942-2298
Due to the increased demand and backlog in the system, a patient may have to call multiple times to successfully book an appointment.
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Hours, locations and contact information:
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To book appointments at Colchester or Woodlawn:
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IN-HOME BLOOD COLLECTION SERVICES
Nova Scotia Health launched an in-home blood collection service due to impacts on public and private blood collection services in the province.
A patient’s physician or nurse practitioner can initiate the request for this service through the Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care referral process. Referred patients will be contacted by the local blood collection service to book an appointment for the in-home visit.
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This service began on Monday, April 27, and is for patients requiring urgent/time-sensitive testing for immediate diagnosis or management of chronic illness who are unable to leave their home due to illness, mobility challenges, isolation due to COVID-19, or risk of undue hardship.
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Two exceptional teams are dedicated to supporting online teaching across the university:
- Academic Technology Services (a unit of the Dal Libraries and known as ATS) and the
- Centre for Learning and Teaching (CLT).
This new site will provide information and resources in one convenient and easy-to-access place, replacing the eLearning website and the temporary Remote Teaching and Learning site that was developed in March 2020.
Dal will be launching an online learning website for students (complementing the online teaching, instructor-focused resource), with a mid-August launch date.
Excerpts from July 16, 2020 memo by:
Frank P. Harvey
Provost and Vice-President Academic (Acting)
Eric Dennis Memorial Chair of Government and Politics
Dalhousie University
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Dal's new online teaching site:
(launched July 16)
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Stay tuned for the launch of an online learning site for students in August.
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Nova Scotia Health changed the masking policy requiring patients and visitors to wear a non-medical mask when entering hospitals and other health care facilities beginning Tuesday, July 21, 2020.
This change does not apply to:
- hospital inpatients
- children under two years of age
Staff working in clinical areas are required to wear a procedure mask.
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Staff working in non-clinical areas will be required to wear a non-medical mask in public/common areas such as hallways and elevators.
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Province announces mandatory masks
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Province Announces Mandatory Masks in Indoor Public Places
Premier Stephen McNeil and Dr. Robert Strang, chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia, announced July 24 that masks are mandatory in most indoor public places effective July 31.
“As we open our economy, our schools and our communities, we must continue to be vigilant to minimize the impact of a second wave of COVID-19,” said Premier McNeil. “Wearing a non-medical mask in most indoor public places is a key part of how we protect each other and support our local businesses so they can stay open for the long run.”
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For more information on masks:
- When to wear a mask
- Exemptions to wearing a mask
- Choosing a mask
- Making a mask
- How to wear a mask
- Removing a mask
- Storing, cleaning and disposing a mask
- Help accessing a mask
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Dr. Lisa Barrett's tips on properly wearing face masks
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Infectious disease specialist Dr. Lisa Barrett shares some timely tips on wearing face masks and explain a few myths as well.
8 minutes 22 seconds
Friday, July 31, 2020
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Remdesivir approved for COVID-19
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Remdesivir approved to help treat Canadians with severe symptoms of COVID-19
Health Canada announced Tuesday that the drug remdesivir has been authorized for treatment of the novel coronavirus in patients with severe symptoms such as pneumonia, or those who require extra oxygen to breathe.
"This is a medication that works to inhibit the virus itself; many of the other therapeutics we've seen used or attempted for use in the treatment of COVID related disease have been around the immune system," infectious disease expert Dr. Lisa Barrett of Dalhousie University in Halifax explained to CTV News Channel.
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
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Remdesivir is the first drug that has been approved for treatment of COVID-19 in Canada and must be administered with doctor supervision.
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Beginning Monday, August 10, Nova Scotia Health will introduce an employee-only entrance at the QEII’s Halifax Infirmary site (Robie Street entrance).
- All Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians will be required to use the designated Robie Street staff-only entrance.
Staff can enter through the double doors on the south side of Shoppers Drug Mart, across from the parkade and follow through the blue doors to enter into the building. Directional signage will be posted. You will be required to use your Nova Scotia Health ID card to access the door.
- The new employee entrance will be well-lit and have an intercom to security and will be monitored by camera.
- Staff can exit the building using any door but will be required to re-enter through the designated entrance.
- If you need an accessible entrance, please continue to use the main entrance.
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Nova Scotia Health is surveying staff members regarding childcare needs.
This information will help us work with our provincial partners to identify how we can work together to best meet the potential childcare needs in advance of another pandemic wave.
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Survey closes:
August 7, 2020
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DISCOVER HALIFAX
Whether you’re a local looking for staycation ideas, or visiting from further away, you can rediscover the heart & soul of Halifax.
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Author: Nova Scotia Health Authority
Uploaded: July 16, 2020
Video: 1 min 33 secs
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Nova Scotia Health / Dr. Lynn Johnston
Uploaded: March 13, 2020
Video: 10 min
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Nova Scotia Health / Dr. Glenn Patriquin
Uploaded: April 3, 2020
Video: 3 min
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IMCU, MTU, SI-ED Schedule
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My Personal Directive
(Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia)
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Once completed online, it can be downloaded or emailed. Once signed and witnessed, it is valid.
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Spectrum MD
(Antimicrobial Stewardship)
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A list of some neighbourly businesses offering convenient, discounted or free services.
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NSHA healthcare workers experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, contact:
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1-833-750-0632 (Monday to Friday)
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811 (Weekends)
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Government of Nova Scotia
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World Health Organization
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When you take care of yourself, you take care of others.
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