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This week’s Vitals is 1,600 words or a 6 min read. If you only have 1 minute, here are the highlights:
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Diagnostic Imaging Delays: Our latest report confirms significant issues at DI central intake, leading to delayed diagnoses and worse patient outcomes. We have shared this report with the province and Shared Health with clear recommendations to pursue an urgent fix to this serious problem.
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Pharmacist Prescribing Expansion: The PCs’ Bill 240 would let pharmacists assess and prescribe for more than 25 common conditions, including strep throat, shingles and heartburn. We’ve heard concerns in the past about these expansions, including disconnected care, patient safety and corporate pressure. We are seeking your feedback to focus our work in this area through a short survey.
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New eConsultCX Platform Now Live: Shared Health’s eConsultCX launched October 22, replacing the BASE and Store & Forward platforms. We have orientation information, log in details, and links to register for optional 30- or 60-minute training sessions.
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Measles Outbreak Over: Manitoba Public Health declared the province’s measles outbreak over on October 16, after more than 1,000 cases since 2025. MMR vaccine eligibility has been updated as a result. Physicians should keep promoting immunization, consider measles in patients with fever and rash, and report suspected cases to Public Health the same day.
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Ambulatory Clinic EPR Webinar: Shared Health is hosting webinars on October 30 at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to demo enhanced Ambulatory Care features in Altera Sunrise 25.1, expected for clinical use in 2027.
🏒 Calling all hockey fans! The Winnipeg Jets have a special discount for you to attend three great matchups during the November 5–7 weekend. Grab your tickets today!
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Report on Diagnostic Imaging Delays
Our latest physician consultation confirms that imaging requests at Shared Health’s DI Central Intake are sitting for weeks, sometimes months, before they’re processed, and now we’ve documented the risks and harm this is causing. We’ve shared our findings with Shared Health and the Minister of Health with a clear recommendation for an urgent fix while work continues on longer-term digital solutions.
Why it matters: These delays hold up diagnoses and treatment decisions and add hours of administrative work for physicians.
📉 By the numbers: Of the more than 65 physicians consulted:
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78% reported requisitions taking longer than four weeks to be acknowledged.
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81% reported delayed patient diagnoses.
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61% reported worse patient outcomes associated with these delays.
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39% reported patients needing additional treatment that might otherwise have been avoided.
What we’re advocating for: A rapid fix to ensure non-urgent requisitions within two weeks, while work continues on a longer-term plan for closed-loop electronic ordering.
→ Read the full story
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Pharmacist Prescribing Expansion Proposed
The PCs’ Bill 240 would allow pharmacists to assess and prescribe for more than 25 common conditions, including strep throat, shingles, heartburn and Lyme disease prevention.
Why it matters: Access matters, but so does coordinated, safe care. Manitoba still lacks shared digital systems connecting pharmacies and clinics, and seemingly minor symptoms can signal serious conditions.
We want your perspective: Is Manitoba ready for more pharmacist prescribing? Your input will help inform our advocacy.
→ Fill out the confidential survey.
Read the full story.
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Nominate a Resident of the Year!
Each year, the Doctors Manitoba Awards celebrate the very best in our medical community. Now that 2027 nominations are open, we’re focusing on one award category each week.
🏆 The Resident of the Year award recognizes excellence in academic and clinical training, along with noteworthy contributions to the resident’s home program, specialty or residency program.
🩺 Previous winners: Past Residents of the Year celebrated residents who not only excelled in their training and patient care, but also in their support for one another as learners:
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2026 – Dr. Tegan Turner, an emergency medicine resident who is also a dedicated mentor and advocate.
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2025 – Dr. Alexander Sharp, a resident in General Internal Medicine who also advocates for improved access for those with addictions and complex social challenges.
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2024 – Dr. Lerly Luo, a public health resident bringing a global perspective to public health while delivering care to remote Indigenous communities.
🎉 Spotlight: Know a resident who excels in their training and service delivery and supports their learner colleagues? Recognize them with a Resident of the Year nomination and help celebrate the next generation of physician leaders.
Nominations are open until December 13, 2026.
Awards are presented at our Doctors Manitoba Awards Gala, planned for Saturday, May 8, 2027.
Learn more about nominating a colleague today!
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New eConsultCX Now Live
Shared Health’s new eConsultCX platform launched today, October 22, replacing BASE and Store & Forward and bringing all eConsult options into one place.
Access the new system: We have instructions from Shared Health on how to log in and resources on the new tool.
Get support: Optional 30-minute overviews and 60-minute training sessions are available for referring and consulting physicians on October 22, 23 and 26.
→ Read the full story for login steps, Quick Reference Guides and session registration
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Measles Outbreak Over
Manitoba Public Health declared the province’s measles outbreak over, effective October 16, 2026, ending an outbreak that affected more than 1,000 Manitobans.
🩺 What physicians need to know: Routine immunization eligibility has resumed, with the first dose recommended at 12 months or older. Infants aged six to under 12 months travelling to endemic countries remain eligible for an early dose.
Stay vigilant: Consider measles in patients with fever and rash, isolate suspected cases with airborne precautions, and report to Public Health the same day.
📉 By the numbers:
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1,038 cases reported, including 931 confirmed and 107 probable cases.
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87% of cases involved individuals who were not immunized or had unknown immunization status.
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52 hospitalizations, including six ICU admissions. Half of those hospitalized were children under 10.
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21 cases in pregnant individuals and four cases of congenital measles.
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No deaths were reported.
→ Read the full story.
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Ambulatory Clinic EPR Update
Shared Health is hosting a webinar on October 30 at 1 p.m. or 5 p.m. showcasing enhanced Ambulatory Care features in Altera Sunrise 25.1, expected for clinical use in 2027.
Who it’s for: Physicians and providers in outpatient clinics within acute care facilities.
Good to know: Outpatient clinics using other EMRs are not scheduled to switch to Altera’s EPR at this time. Sessions will be recorded.
→ Read the full story and register.
Let us know what you think by emailing practiceadvice@doctorsmanitoba.ca.
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Mentorship Festive Florals
💐Celebrate the season with colleagues over dinner, followed by a floral arrangement workshop where you’ll design a custom holiday floral arrangement to brighten your space or give as a gift.
December 10, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Doctors Manitoba, 20 Desjardins Dr.
Learn more and register.
Fall Book Club: The Road Between Us
The Winnipeg Free Press describes The Road Between Us as a “beautifully written, poetic, episodic page-turner that keeps you guessing to the very end.”
The novel is the selection for the Doctors Manitoba Fall Book Club. The author, pediatrician Dr. Bindu Suresh, will join us for the meeting via Zoom.
📚November 19 at 6 p.m. (Virtual)
Register here.
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Doctors Manitoba’s job board has 6 new practice opportunities for physicians, including for a pediatrician and OBGYN at Innovative MD Medical along with dozens more opportunities previously listed. Check it out!
Placing a job ad on our site is free – add one here.
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Here are the most-read and important recent stories, in case you missed them:
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Pressing for Cross-Canada Government Support: When health ministers met in Winnipeg, Doctors Manitoba and CMA leaders pushed to avoid cuts to federal health transfers and for better-connected digital health records. Learn how federal funding affects Manitoba’s health system.
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Alberta Physicians Ratify New Deal: Alberta Medical Association members have ratified a three-year agreement with a 3% increase in year one and 2.5% in year two. We’re watching closely as we prepare for our own negotiations. Read the full coverage from CBC.
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e-Scooter Restrictions Set for 2027: New provincial rules will require riders to be at least 16, wear helmets and stay under 25 km/h. Read the new provincial guidelines.
| | We feature events planned by Doctors Manitoba, as well as other events submitted by the medical community to share and connect with their peers. | | |
Indigenous Health Innovations: Connected Through Care — Advancing Health, October 29, 8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. RBC Convention Centre, Winnipeg. Join Indigenous knowledge keepers, youth innovators, community health care practitioners and bioscience leaders for a day of connection and knowledge-sharing. Learn more and register.
Cardiology Day 2026, October 30, 2026, 7:30 – 3:30 p.m. UM Bannatyne Campus Basic Medical Sciences Building. Cardiology Day 2026 is a comprehensive one-day educational program designed for family physicians, specialists, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, residents, and other healthcare professionals involved in cardiovascular care. Learn more and register.
Connection Evening for Female Physicians Navigating a Cancer Diagnosis, November 3, 7 p.m. In person and virtual. Doctors Manitoba is hosting a confidential, physician-facilitated evening of connection and peer support for practicing female physicians navigating a cancer diagnosis, whether recent or part of a longer journey. Learn more and register.
Leading High Performance Culture (PLI), November 20 and 21, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. Delta Hotel, Winnipeg. This two-day Physician Leadership Institute course, accredited for 13 hours, is for physicians in formal or informal leadership roles. Register by November 13. Learn more and reserve your spot.
World AIDS Day Cabaret 2026, November 27, 2026, 7:00 – 11:00 p.m. WAG-Qaumajuq. An unforgettable evening of storytelling, imagination, and magic. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Nine Circles Community Health Centre. Learn more and get tickets.
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