April 16, 2026

Changes to Masking: Nova Scotia Health Facilities

Effective April 15, 2026, masking is not required upon entry at Nova Scotia Health facilities.

Masking requirements during clinical interactions will be based on a Point of Care Risk Assessment or if deemed required by specific programs/services. Anyone who is symptomatic must don a mask to enter a facility. Signage will continue to be posted at entrances.

Those supporting patients at the highest risk of severe outcomes of infection may choose to require masking. Signage and masks in these areas should continue be placed in a visible location for patients and visitors upon entry to the unit.

Read the full update from the Emerging and Re-emerging Infections Network (ERIN). 

One Person One Record (OPOR) Program Updates

OPOR Updates This Week at a Glance:


• Validate Your Provider Practice Information Now
• Attend a Provider Readiness Hub
• Reminder: Wave Two training and practice opportunities
• Income Stabilization Plan and Webinar (April 23)
• Resources for Communicating With Patients on OPOR Hub
• Physician Renumeration Ahead of Wave 2

Note: Active network credentials for Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health are required to access links above and below, unless otherwise indicated. More information beneath.

ACTION REQUIRED NOW: Confirm your practice information

All Nova Scotia Health (NSH) providers must validate their practice information ASAP using the OPOR Provider Dictionary tool. This step ensures your in-CIS role (specialty) and any off-site practice locations are accurate. You will need your NSH login to complete this step.

Accurate information in the OPOR Provider Dictionary is critical. It ensures results, reports and communications are delivered to the right place. Outdated or incorrect details can lead to delayed or missing clinical information, misdirected communications and reporting issues that impact patient care and workflow. It can also affect the flow of information from OPOR to community fax systems and EMRs. Extra or incorrect locations increase the risk of registration errors.

Community providers are responsible for keeping their practice details up to date, including location and contact information. Updates can be made through the Physician Portal using forms on the site. We are also working with primary health care leaders to support verification via phone calls.

Reminder: Attend a Provider Readiness Hub

On-site Provider Readiness Hubs are open across Central Zone, where attendees can:

• Explore the CIS
• Connect with Provider Peer Mentors & the Provider Adoption Team
• Complete personalization in the live domain

Provider Readiness Hubs are available five (5) days a week, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until May 8. Locations include:

• Victoria General Hospital (VGH): Bethune Building, Room 831 (last day May 6)
• Cobequid Community Health Centre: Room 3421
• Halifax Infirmary Library: Room 2207
• Dartmouth General Hospital: Room 1612 (last day May 6)
• Canadian Cancer Society (South Street): Boardrooms 200 and 201

Learn more about Provider Readiness Hubs

Are you ready for Wave Two?

Wave Two is just weeks away! Providers must ensure CIS training is completed before Go-Live on May 9. Remember: CIS training = CIS access.

Additional practice following training can be done through Virtual Practice Labs, now available to those who have completed training, daily from 6:00 a.m. to midnight until May 8.

Remember, an initial adjustment period is expected for Wave Two. A comprehensive support model will be in place throughout Go-Live to support users, including:

• Real-time help through Provider Peer Mentors
• At-the-Elbow support, as well as support from internal teams and vendor partners
• Provider Corner resources on the OPOR Hub, including quick reference guides, video demos and more

OPOR Central Zone Income Stabilization Plan and Webinar

The Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) will launch an income stabilization program for physicians affected by the upcoming One Person One Record (OPOR) planned service slowdown. The program will target fee-for-service (FFS) physicians in Central Zone first, rolling out across the province along with OPOR implementation.

Doctors Nova Scotia will host a webinar with DHW representatives to review the plan in-depth, review eligibility criteria and answer questions.

🗓 Date: April 23, 2026

🕚 Time: 6:00-7:30 p.m.

💻 Location: Virtual

Register here.

OPOR messaging for patients

Resources supporting Nova Scotia Health’s communications to patients, their families and general public for Go-Live Two are now available on the OPOR Hub. This includes FAQs, scripts, messaging and other patient- and family-facing material for use by Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians. The resource page and its materials will be updated for future Go-Lives.

Physician remuneration for ahead of Wave Two

Nova Scotia Health physicians are remunerated for time in classrooms and for contribution to OPOR design before May 9. Only work that meets the criteria outlined in the remuneration policy will be paid. A reminder to submit claims within 90 days of completion of the activity. OPOR does not remunerate for activities after a site is live.

Access to content on the OPOR Hub requires active Nova Scotia Health or IWK Health network credentials. This communication is intended for Nova Scotia Health providers, clinicians and staff in relation to OPOR.

Reminder: CIS Baseline Provider and Clinician Experience Survey

As we get ready for the provincial CIS Go-Live, Nova Scotia Health's Implementation Science Team is gathering a quick snapshot of providers' and clinicians' experiences: how work is done today and what you expect to change. 

We invite providers in all Nova Scotia Health zones to take part in a short, voluntary survey (about 7 minutes). Responses are confidential and reported only in aggregate; nothing will be shared in a way that identifies individuals.

Take the survey here. Survey closes May 8, 2026.

Please note: This survey is coordinated by the Nova Scotia Health Implementation Science Team and is not connected to the CIS Change Readiness survey you may have recently completed.

Nova Scotia Coded Access Targets for Surgery (NSCATS) and Endoscopy (NSCATs-E)  

Nova Scotia Health is rolling out new and revised standardized wait time targets for both Surgery (NSCATS) and Endoscopy (NSCATs-E) to support fair, consistent and clinically appropriate access to care across the province. NSCATS and NSCATs-E were built collaboratively with surgeons and endoscopists across the province. 

Implementation dates:

• Surgeons and Endoscopists in Central Zone will go-live with NSCATS in all 13 surgical sub-specialties and NSCATs-E in Novari-ATC on May 9, 2026, alongside OPOR-CIS.
• Surgeons in Northern, Western and Eastern zones can begin using NSCATS codes on the paper-based booking form now to ensure patient equity provincially and to assure familiarity and ease of transition at the time of your zone’s Novari-ATC implementation.
• Go-live with NSCATS in Novari-ATC will take place at the time of OPOR-CIS/Novari-ATC implementation in each zone.

NSCATs-E codes went live in the paper-based booking form in Eastern, Northern and Western zones in Fall 2025. 

The following memos were circulated earlier this year, outlining this work:

• NSCATS provincial rollout memo
• NSCATs-E Central Zone memo

Resources: Visit the Physician Portal for more information and resources on NSCATS and NSCATs-E.

Reminder for Ocean Sending Providers: DI Appointment Migration starts this month

As part of OPOR-CIS Wave 2 go-live in the Central Zone, all Diagnostic Imaging (DI) appointments scheduled for May 9, 2026 and beyond will be migrated to the new system. This work will begin this month and will continue for several weeks. There is no expected impact to sending providers and no action is required. You should not receive email notifications for migrated appointments; however, if you do, please submit a ticket to www.referralsns.ca/ask

Reminder: Required ATC & MIRM Training For Central Zone Surgeons, Radiologists & Radiology Residents

Required Novari MIRM and ATC training is underway to support OPOR-CIS Wave 2 implementation on May 9, 2026. Novari ATC will support surgical and procedure waitlist management, while Novari MIRM will introduce additional workflow steps for diagnostic imaging teams.

Training applies to:

• ATC: Surgeons, gastroenterologists & provider administration - Nova Scotia Health Central Zone only
• MIRM: Radiologist and residents - Nova Scotia Health Central Zone only

Deadline for training: May 8, 2026

Where to find more information:

• Novari Access to Care (ATC) Training - OPOR CIS Wave 2 - Memo
• Novari MIRM Training - OPOR CIS Wave 2 - Memo

Questions?: NovariSupport@nshealth.ca

FK Agilia Smart Pump Drug Library Update

The FK Agilia smart pump libraries are being updated on April 17, 2026. Of important note, fibrinogen and prothrombin complex concentrate are being removed from the drug library and replaced by brand specific entries (e.g. Fibryga, Riastap, Beriplex, Octaplex) based on differing rate limits. Read the full memo here.

Nova Scotia Health Privacy and Confidentiality Reminders

As Nova Scotia Health transitions to the new clinical information system (CIS), we are reminding everyone of the importance of protecting the privacy and confidentiality of patient information (PI) and personal health information (PHI).

This is not just good practice – it is essential and required by law under the Personal Health Information Act (PHIA), the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPOP), and the Personal Information International Disclosure Protection Act (PIIDPA). Employees should only access, use or share PI/PHI as needed for your role and as permitted by Nova Scotia Health policy.  

 Here are some quick tips: 

• Always protect your screens, especially on Workstations on Wheels (WoWs). 
• Use “tap in and tap out” on Imprivata systems and log out when done. 
• Never share your username or password. 
• Sign out after use; you'll be logged out automatically after six hours. 
• Remind colleagues to follow these steps to keep information secure. 

For more details and resources, see our Privacy Page* and the NSH Privacy Notice for patients and families. Here’s a quick reference infographic to print/share with teams: High 5s for Privacy.

* This page requires Nova Scotia Health network login credentials.

Note: CIS support team members (such as At-The-Elbow staff) have signed confidentiality agreements and are authorized to assist during hyperphase. 

Enroll Today for Tap and Go Access - Central Zone

Are you a member of the clinical staff in Central Zone? Licences for tap and go, or enhanced access, are available now for staff who will be using the newly installed card readers. 

• Enroll your Nova Scotia Health access card by following the steps in the Enrollment Guide. 
• If you get an error message, request your licence through IT Self Service. 

Need support? 

• Head to the Enhanced Access site on the Compass (NSH login credentials required)
• Central Zone IT Service Desk: 902-473-3399 

Language and Interpretation Services

All Nova Scotia Health physicians, providers and staff are required to offer interpretation services to patients with limited English proficiency.

This document lays out resources, as well as expectations, for staff working within Nova Scotia Health. Kindly review, post and share with your teams.

Dr. Roop Conyers Elected CFPC Director-At-Large

Rural Family Physician and Annapolis Community Health Centre Medical Site Lead, Dr. Roop Conyers, has been elected as Director-at-Large with the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). Learn more about his work and role at the College here. Congratulations, Dr. Conyers!

Built for the South Shore: Dr. Gregory McNally on the Future of the Hospital's New Emergency Department

The new emergency department at South Shore Regional Hospital will be more than 13,000 square feet of purpose-built design, supporting modern models of care and the needs of a growing population.

“This space reflects the volume and complexity of care we’re providing,” says Dr. Gregory McNally. “It will give us the room and functionality to do our work well.”

Read about this exciting expansion and Dr. McNally's insights on what it will mean for the region.

Physician-Focused C3 Training Module Now Live

A new physician-focused Care Coordination Centre (C3) technology training module is now available to support Nova Scotia Health physicians in learning how to use C3 technology. This module provides physicians with a guided overview of how to access C3 and incorporate its tools into their daily workflow.

The link below provides physicians with direct access to the module with no login required.

Physician Learning Module for C3

“C3 is a game changer! It provides up to the minute data on patients, their potential movement and any pressures/bottlenecks that may delay care. For example, we can tell at a glance where we have ICU bed capacity, the tiles provide a provincial view of available resources for optimized bed flow planning and allows stronger collaboration across teams and sites. This becomes increasingly important as we continue to move record numbers of patients through our system that is often at more than full capacity," - Dr. Cheryl Pugh.

If you require access to the C3 applications, click here for instructions. Nova Scotia Health network login required.

Physician Learning Opportunities

Grief Education Series for Physicians: Honouring your Grief and the Grief of Others with Sarah Burm, PhD and Matt Fillier

"Honouring your Grief and the Grief of Others" is the fourth and final installation of the Grief Series for Physicians, offered through Nova Scotia Health's Medical Affairs Webinar Series and Dalhousie University's Faculty of Medicine Professional Development Webinar Series. Each webinar in the grief education series is eligible for Continuing Medical Education Accreditation.

This session explores culturally-responsive and ethically-grounded approaches to honouring grief in diverse healthcare teams, settings and communities. Participants will develop strategies for creating space for grief in clinical practice and organizational culture.

🗓 Date: April 28, 2026

🕚 Time: 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

💻 Location: Virtual

Register here.

This webinar is facilitated by Sarah Burm, PhD, Associate Professor and Education Research Scientist in the Office of Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education at Dalhousie University, and Matt Fillier, Grief Practice Lead, Palliative Care Network, Nova Scotia Health.

1-833-876-1724

If you're a physician seeking support for your practice or wishing to provide feedback, please reach out to our hotline. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you.

In the event we're engaged in another call, rest assured your voice message will be promptly addressed within one business day. Your concerns will be directed to the Medical Affairs team and our health system partners for resolution.

Our task force is committed to returning calls and scheduling meetings with practices at mutually convenient times.

Wellness resources for physicians have been migrated to an actively monitored page on the Physician Information Portal. You can access it here.

If you have an item to submit, please reply to this newsletter.