One Person One Record (OPOR) Program Updates | | |
Novari MIRM live across the province!
The Novari Medical Imaging Requisition Management solution went live across the province on Saturday, Dec. 6 with both IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health, with most users coming online on Monday.
With any technical implementation and clinical transformation, there are some bumps along the way. However, the adoption of MIRM throughout sites around the province has been impressive! With training, resources and At-the-Elbow in-person and remote support, users have the tools they need to be successful.
OPOR goes live at IWK Health!
OPOR successfully went live at IWK Health last weekend on December 6, marking an exciting step forward for healthcare across Nova Scotia. Early feedback has been positive, with physicians, clinicians and employees adapting quickly and confidently to the new system.
Primary care providers are already noticing the impact of the CIS, reporting faster and clearer communication from IWK Health about patients. In the past, critical updates or documentation could take days or even weeks to reach community providers, often slowing follow-up care. Now, with streamlined documentation, information that once arrived long after a patient’s visit is being delivered the very same day.
Behind the scenes, the OPOR team continues to work around the clock to ensure a seamless experience for all users. We’re energized by these early successes and look forward to carrying this momentum into the next implementations in 2026!
CIS training for Central Zone coming soon!
Information about OPOR training for Wave Two (Central Zone) will be released in the new year. Watch your inbox for scheduling details and stay tuned for more information on the OPOR Hub to help you get ready for the CIS!
| | C3 and Operations: A Powerful Tool and Committed Leadership Drive Results | | |
Nova Scotia Health has achieved a significant milestone in patient repatriations.
We are proud to share that over the last 10 days, there were two days that Nova Scotia Health had zero patients waiting more than 48 hours to be repatriated or nearing that 48 hour window. This milestone reflects a major step forward in improving patient access and flow across the province.
These were the outcomes we had in mind when Nova Scotia Health’s Care Coordination Centre (C3) teams began working with teams across the province to track repatriations and support the flow of patients to and from specialized care locations.
Our goal is to repatriate each patient to their home facility or zone within 48 hours. This success is a direct result of the dedication and collaboration of frontline staff and physicians, zone leaders, access and flow teams and provincial teams who have helped prioritize timely patient movement each and every day.
Achieving this level of coordination demonstrates the real impact of collective efforts to enhance patient care.
Key contributors to this milestone include:
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Zone leadership prioritizing repatriations to ensure equitable access to care.
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Daily touchpoints across zones, C3, and Access and Flow teams, to mitigate risks and maintain prioritization.
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The C3 Transfer Hub, established in July, which provides focused oversight on patient transfers, including repatriations, and supports frontline escalations.
What is a repatriation?
A repatriation is the process of transferring the inpatient/admitted patient to a Health Care Facility that is the “closest” to the patient’s home and within their Home Zone once the patient is deemed to be medically stable and/or suitable for transfer. This includes procedures such as cardiac catheterizations and specialized surgeries.
Coordinating these patient movements requires complex sequencing and collaboration among facilities, Emergency Health Services (EHS) and other partners. Historically, this process has been challenging, which could delay specialized care for other patients and the care of other patients needing hospital admissions, including patients being admitted from emergency departments and surgical patients who needed to be admitted after their procedure.
As we continue to work towards ensuring patients receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, from the right provider, we celebrate the ongoing commitment of our teams to improving access and delivering exceptional care.
Thank you and congratulations!
| | Expanded Diagnostic Imaging eReferral Services and Important Updates | | |
Four new additional Diagnostic Imaging (DI) modalities are now available in the Ocean electronic referral (eReferral) tool:
These modalities build on the existing DI eReferral options for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), and bone mineral density (BMD). This expansion supports more integrated digital referral pathways across Nova Scotia, improving access and coordination for patients and care teams.
Please note: IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health have made some changes to the way in which Ocean eReferrals are received and managed for diagnostic imaging. These changes will impact some workflows and features for both sending providers and patients. A detailed list of expected changes for sending providers and patients is provided at this link.
Reminder: CAR guidelines available
Referring providers who are using Ocean for DI eReferrals now have access to the Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) Guidelines for Clinical Decision Support. This resource gives providers instant access to evidence-based guidance through a simple dropdown search. It appears directly within the DI forms of the eReferral tool and supports appropriate test selection and improved patient care.
Not using Ocean yet? Submit your onboarding request here for primary care and specialists.
For more information, visit www.referralsns.ca.
| | How The Estimated Date of Discharge Can Help Your Team | | |
The Estimated Date of Discharge (EDD) is the date when a patient is anticipated to be discharged from the current facility, based on clinical judgment of the care team.
Have you used our new tools that have been developed to promote consistent and informed EDD settings across Nova Scotia Health?
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EDD Library Guide – provides staff and physicians with streamlined access to up-to-date EDD information, reference documents and links to related content.
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EDD Clinical Support Dashboard – provides staff and physicians with access to CIHI Expected Length of Stay (ELOS) data to use as a reference when setting a baseline EDD. Providers can now easily access this from the Compass page under Clinical Application under E, and no longer require Tableau to view this information.
Having an EDD empowers frontline staff, patients, families and the care team in several ways:
- It provides a clear goal for discharge among patients, families and care teams, ensuring everyone works toward a unified goal.
- Talking about the EDD provides a forum for understanding patient/family concerns and barriers to meeting the discharge goal. These conversations enable teams to collaborate from the point of admission, proactively identifying and addressing potential barriers.
- Recording the patient’s EDD on their patient communication board keeps this information readily available for patients, families and the care team to assist with planning for post-discharge care.
- Knowing which patients are nearing their EDD allows team members to prioritize their tasks. Physicians can focus on patients needing discharge orders, while allied health team members can prioritize their visits accordingly. Inpatient units can also use this information to help with the process of identifying patients most appropriate for nontraditional care spaces (NTCS).
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Supports SAFER-f initiatives, including improving patient flow, preventing unnecessary waiting for patients, decreasing length of stay (LOS) and improving patient outcomes.
| | Electronic Death Registration Training and Resources | | |
The team is excited to share that the new Electronic Death Registration (EDR) system is off to a great start, and they are seeing many electronic MCDs coming through.
They will be holding another virtual training session on the EDR system, where they'll walk you through the system and answer any questions you may have.
🗓 Date: December 17, 2026
🕚 Time: 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual
Register here
Check out our easy 5 step guide to quickly help you through the process of completing electronic medical certificates of death.
As always, our help page is available to you with handy resources, and you can email us at help.vitalware@novascotia.ca with your questions and feedback.
| | Holiday Schedule for Requesting FK Agilia Smart Pumps | | |
With the holiday season approaching, please note the following schedule for the Technology-Enabled Practice team:
- December 24: 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
- December 25: Out of office
- December 26: Out of office
- January 1: Out of office
All units and service areas are asked to ensure that they have an adequate supply of large volume and syringe pumps in the week before and leading up to Christmas. The team will do their best to accommodate all requests prior to December 23, no later than 2:00 p.m. Full memo here.
For questions related to FK Agilia Smart Pumps, contact smartpumps@nshealth.ca.
| | New Procedure Offers Nova Scotians Less Invasive Option for Rectal Polyp Removal | | |
After a Nova Scotia man received an abnormal result through the province’s home screening test for colon cancer, a follow-up colonoscopy revealed a large polyp in his rectum. Thanks to the expertise of Dr. Harrison Petropolis — gastroenterologist and director of the Advanced Polypectomy Program in Halifax — he was able to avoid major surgery through an innovative, minimally invasive procedure.
Read more about this first-in-Atlantic Canada procedure and how it's already improving lives in Nova Scotia.
| Hospice Beds Start Opening at Fishermen's Memorial Hospital this January | | |
Enhanced support for patients and families needing end-of-life care will be available with the phased opening of beds in the Fishermen’s Memorial Hospital hospice unit. Two of the five beds will open in January 2026, with more beds to follow as the care team is put in place.
Read more about the people and partnerships who are creating change in the Western Zone.
| | New Process for Physician Replacement and Funding Requests | |
Effective December 8, 2025, the newly established Physician Resource Committee will serve as the central body for evaluating physician replacement, funding and FTE requests, determining appropriate funding pathways while ensuring alignment with strategic priorities. This committee and new process replaces the previous MD replacement committee and processes.
The Physician Resource Committee will enhance efficiency, transparency and consistency in funding allocation, by ensuring a standardized, centralized process for physician funding and replacement.
Moving forward, all requests must be submitted for review by the Physician Resource Committee through this designated form: Physician Resource Application- NS Forms - Government of Nova Scotia
Information and forms, including an FAQ document, can be found on the Physician Portal.
Questions regarding physician funding should be directed to the Physician Resource Committee at physicianresourcecommittee@nshealth.ca.
| | Medical Affairs Podcast: What Does Effective Co-Leadership Look Like? | | |
In this episode of "Coaching Physicians: A Prescription for Leadership," hosts Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald are joined by Lynn Edwards and Dr. Tanya Munroe, Co-Leads for the Access and Flow Network (along with holding various other leadership roles at NS Health). This session explores:
- Building an effective co-leadership relationship
- Navigating challenges and leading a team collaboratively
- Leveraging different personalities, insights and expertise to strengthen leadership
Listen to this podcast on Spotify or Apple.
Note: this podcast first aired in June 2025.
| | Physician Learning Opportunities | | |
Accredited/CME Behaviour Change Counselling Development Program: Winter/Spring 2026
The Behaviour Change Counselling Development Program (BCCDP) is open for 2026 registration. Designed for Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners and Medical Residents, this award-winning program combines flexible self-directed modules with live virtual workshops to strengthen your ability to support patient self-management and behaviour change.
Certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada, you can earn up to 28.5 certified Mainpro+® credits. This free program runs from March 12 to June 4, 2026, with evening virtual practice workshops on Thursdays April 9, May 7 and June 4 from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Past participants report significant improvements in knowledge, skills and confidence—and nearly all have adapted their practice as a result.
“This has been a truly wonderful course—honestly one of the most impactful I’ve ever taken. … You’ve equipped us with tools to support our patients in making lasting, positive changes.” — Dr. Emmanuel Ajuwon, Family Physician
Learn more or register now for Spring/Winter 2026!
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Leading Through Coaching: Central Zone
Join the Physician Learning, Development and Support team for an interactive, physician leadership development workshop for Central Zone NS Health Physician Leaders.
🗓 Date: February 6, 2026
🕚 Time: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
💻 Location: Suite 201, Harbourview Boardroom, 90 Lovett Lake Court, Halifax
In this full day, in person session, participants will learn to employ coaching techniques to improve communication and leadership competencies to optimize the whole team’s potential and support operational excellence.
Facilitated by Medical Affairs' Executive Coaches Lorie Campbell & Verna MacDonald.
Register here.
| | Physician Wellness Resources | | | | |
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.
| | Physician Wellness Resources | | |
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.
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