COVID-19 Update from the Department of Medicine
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As of May 29, 2020 in Nova Scotia
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1,055*
positive tests
(905 in Central Zone)
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5
currently in hospital (non-ICU)
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3
currently in hospital (ICU)
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* May 29 is the first day that no new positive tests were reported since testing increased in March.
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Hi everyone,
Early in our journey with COVID we did a departmental survey asking how we could best communicate and stay connected in our fast changing responses to the pandemic. From this came our weekly, Department Zoom COVID updates and the newsletter. As life with COVID is settling into place, our Tuesday updates have gotten shorter, so we did a departmental survey to see if we were still meeting communication needs. Most of our respondents felt a weekly email update would meet their needs at this time. In response, we will continue with the short updates at the beginning of grand rounds each week throughout June, but will make our main communication tool for COVID the weekly newsletter. Please feel free to contact me any time if you have questions or if we are not meeting your needs.
As the weather is warming up and we are spending more time outside I have been thinking about vacation. I know many of you have cancelled vacation and other travel to dedicate time to COVID planning and care. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. You might not be able to take that trip of a lifetime this summer, but you do all need a break. Make sure you are booking your vacation or unpaid leave time in the coming months.
It is really important for all of us to take that opportunity to rest, relax and recharge our batteries. COVID is going to be a marathon not a sprint and we need this rejuvenation to be able to continue to respond to the challenges.
I hope this week’s newsletter keeps you up to date and informed.
Keep well,
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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"It is really important for all of us to take that opportunity to rest, relax and recharge our batteries."
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Clarification on expanded symptoms and testing
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On May 22, NS Department of Health and Wellness broadened the symptom criteria for when to swab individuals for COVID‐19, in efforts to maximize case finding as the province considers reopening.
Surveillance Swabbing Criteria (SSC)
This surveillance effort affects the Primary Assessment Centres (PACs) and no other clinical services in NSHA.
Has the Risk Assessment Criteria (RAC) changed?
Yes. New or worsening shortness of breath has been added to the other five criteria because it is an important symptom of moderate‐to‐severe COVID‐19.:
- new or worsening cough
- fever
- runny nose/nasal congestion
- sore throat
- headache
- new or worsening shortness of breath
A patient must still have 2 of the first 6 criteria to satisfy the RAC.
Additional symptoms used by primary assessment centres (as of May 22):
- muscle aches
- sneezing
- hoarse voice
- diarrhea
- unusual fatigue
- loss of sense of smell or taste
- red, purple or blueish lesions on the feet, toes or fingers without clear cause
Why are there two sets of criteria?
The reason for increasing the number of different symptoms that meet swabbing criteria and requiring only one symptom (rather than two) is to learn whether people with COVID‐19 are being missed with the more restricted criteria.
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View pdf document on the NSHA COVID Hub:
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Reappointment to Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education
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Congratulations to
Dr. Evelyn Sutton, Division of Rheumatology, on her reappointment as Associate Dean, Undergraduate Medical Education (UGME), for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2020.
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NSHA
- Service reintroduction is outlined by zone
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Government of Nova Scotia
Next Steps to Reopen Nova Scotia, Support for Businesses Announced
May 27, 2020 | news release
Highlights:
- June 5 - most businesses and other health providers that were required to close under the public health order can reopen with public health protocols.
- Child care - Public health continues to work with the child care sector on a plan to reopen safely. June 15 is the new goal to reopen.
- Existing public health directives around physical distancing and gathering limits remain in place. People must keep two metres apart and not gather in groups of more than five.
https://novascotia.ca/reopening-nova-scotia/
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Resident Research Supervisor database
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The Department of Medicine Resident Research Supervisor database is a list of DoM faculty who would potentially supervise a resident in a research project or case report.
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- This list is provided to current and incoming residents on July 1st to assist residents in finding a supervisor, and as well provides a snapshot of the work taking place in the divisions (there is not a match-making process, the list is for information only).
- If your information was included on the previous year’s list, Heather Fraser (domresearch@nshealth.ca) will contact you directly to confirm if you would like to have the same information displayed for the 2020-21 year.
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If you are interested in having your information listed as a potential supervisor for residents, please complete the form at:
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UIMRF - Special Circumstance grant funding
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UIMRF has opened applications for Special Circumstance grant funding, to assist in supporting departmental research activities in light of the postponement or cancelation of other grant competitions due to COVID-19.
Application deadline:
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
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Correction:
Last week, it was noted that Lindsay Christian moved to the Division of General Internal Medicine and this is incorrect.
Cristina Umayam
moved to the Division of General Internal Medicine from the Division of Cardiology. I apologize for this error.
Lindsay Christian
is now permanent with the Division of Neurology as an Administrative Assistant.
Laura MacPherson
is supporting the Division of Endocrinology as an Administrative Assistant during the COVID response period.
Cheryl Peever
joined the Division of Palliative Medicine leaving the Division of Hematology on May 25, 2020.
Natalie Burns
, Division of Cardiology, returned from maternity leave in April 2020.
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Weekly update and grand rounds
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COVID-19 Weekly Update for DoM
8 - 8:15 a.m.
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DoM Grand Rounds
8:15 - 9 a.m.
Resilience:
The Space Between Reaction & Response
Dr. Jacqueline (Jackie) Kinley
Department of Psychiatry
Complete your evaluation:
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Annual Faculty of Medicine meeting
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Tuesday, June 2
5 - 6:30 p.m.
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If joining by
teleconference,
please dial 1-437-703-4646 and when prompted enter 252 772 059#
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Meeting materials are available at:
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Tupper Band Virtual Collection
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Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the Tupper Band has searched through its four decade video archives to curate a series of performances every week, with new introductions by Dr. Bernard Badley.
Dr. Badley is a retired Department of Medicine physician.
From:
Office of the Dean Update #16
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NSHA / Dr. Lynn Johnston
Uploaded: March 13, 2020
Video: 10 min
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NSHA / Dr. Glenn Patriquin
Uploaded: April 3, 2020
Video: 3 min
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COVID 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: 1-833-750-0632
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Nova Scotia Health Authority
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Government of Nova Scotia
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When you take care of yourself, you take care of others.
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