Physician Resident Wellness Week - February 9-13 | | |
This week, we celebrate all of the amazing physician residents who lend their talents to Nova Scotia Health and patients across the province.
Visit NS Health's Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn pages to learn more about a few of these exceptional young minds making a difference right here in Nova Scotia.
| | One Person One Record (OPOR) Program Updates | | |
Wave Two training begins next week (Feb. 17)
Registration for OPOR training continues for Wave Two, which includes Central Zone and the provincial Mental Health and Addictions program. With training officially starting next Tuesday, February 17, we ask NS Health providers (physicians, nurse practitioners, residents and fellows) who have not yet registered to do so as soon as possible.
Nova Scotia Health providers can register through the OPOR Hub, either by themselves or with support from their administrative staff.
Completing the required training is essential to ensure you are fully prepared for Wave Two. Please register promptly if you haven’t already.
Tap and Go: Imprivata tap-in access coming to Central Zone
In preparation for Go-Live across Central Zone, card readers will be deployed to some devices, providing users with the ability to tap-in and tap-out of their accounts. Users may also tap-in and tap-out on a WOW (Workstations on Wheels). Username and password login will remain available, with no changes to your access or account.
Actions required
- Physicians who have not previously used Imprivata must enroll their Nova Scotia Health ID badge by tapping it on a proximity card reader and following the 'enroll card now' prompts.
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If you do not have an Imprivata license, please request one through IT Client Self-Service.
Access support through the CZ IT Service Desk at 902-473-3399 or through IT Client Self-Service (accessible on Compass).
Provider Corner
The OPOR Hub’s Provider Corner is your one-stop shop for all OPOR resources and updates for Nova Scotia Health providers. In preparation for go-live, download the Go-Live Readiness Passport—your preparation checklist for the next CIS implementation.
This communication is intended for Nova Scotia Health providers, clinicians and staff in relation to OPOR.
| | Displaying Estimated Date of Discharge in Patient Manager Tile | | |
Entering a patient's estimated date of discharge (EDD) helps with care team goal setting, provides understanding for patients/families, aids with discharge planning and enables teams to prioritize.
Learn how to display the estimated date of discharge in the patient manager tile here.
Tracking
Units can track EDD daily using the Care Coordination Centre (C3) platform. This helps ensure that both ‘predicted’ and ‘confirmed’ discharge dates are accurate and highlights any patients who have exceeded their EDD. Using C3 helps us make quicker decisions about the flow of patients into beds and helps remove barriers to discharge. To learn how to enter EDDs correctly into STAR and MEDITECH, refer here.
Monthly EDD compliance indicators can be monitored within the C3 Provincial Dashboard or EDD Dashboard on Tableau. (Tableau access is required)
Support
The EDD Library Guide and the EDD Clinical Support Dashboard are your go-to resources for tools, tips and guidance on navigating EDD patient identification.
The EDD calculator is also an important tool. Learn how to use the EDD Calculator by watching the how-to video here.
Having a baseline EDD based on CIHI information helps as a starting point for teams for discussion, and care teams can then individualize as needed.
| Reporting IV Extravasation and Infiltration Patient Safety Incidents in SIMS | | |
A new process has been developed to improve ease in reporting IV extravasation and infiltration patient safety incidents. These will now be reported in SIMS under Medication Related-> Administration -> Extravasation or Infiltration (in the image at right, this new tile is at top of screen, second from left).
Note: There will no longer be options under IV/Vascular Access Device or Diagnostic Imaging. This change will allow for the identification of the involved medication and having one place to report all incidents of extravasation, which will allow Nova Scotia Health and IWK to analyze and help identify important improvements for change and patient safety.
Learn more about IV extravasation, common agents that can cause extravasation injuries and policy governing reporting requirements for these patient safety incidents.
| | Novari MIRM Virtual Support Sessions for Radiologists | | |
The Novari team is pleased to host virtual post go-live Novari MIRM support sessions for radiologists at Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health. These sessions focus on practical tips and real scenarios to support radiologists as they continue getting comfortable using Novari MIRM. Topics are informed by radiologist feedback and support requests, with time built in for questions and discussion.
🗓 Date: Feb. 25 & March 11, 2026
🕚 Time: 5:00 p.m.–6:30 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual / Meeting ID: 260 994 199 257 46 / Passcode: gA32Vv2g
Copy and paste the session link into an Outlook calendar appointment to ensure you don’t miss your upcoming session!
We understand that these times may not work for everyone. Recordings and materials will be shared following each session on the Novari Learning Library for those unable to attend live.
Ongoing support is always available via the Health Service Desk by phone or through the IT Self-Serve desktop icon or by phone.
IWK Health: 902-470-6700 or 1-866-224-2555
NS Health Central Zone: 902-473-3399
NS Health Eastern, Western & Northern Zones: 1-866-224-2555
| | Exercise and Insulin Pumps: Clinical Insights | | |
The PHC-CDM Network, through DCPNS, is pleased to host Exercise and Insulin Pumps: Clinical Insights, sponsored by the Department of Health and Wellness through the Nova Scotia Insulin Pump Program. This 90-minute education session designed for physicians and nurse practitioners working with insulin pump technology.
🗓 Date: April 8, 2026
🕚 Time: Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; Presentation from 5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m.
💻 Location: NS Health Innovation Hub, Halifax (virtual option available)
The event will feature:
- Dr. Michael Riddell, international expert in insulin pump therapy and exercise
- Clinical insights, practical tips, and interactive Q&A
- Additional Q&A with NSIPP coordinators and Dr. Beth Cummings, DCPNS Medical Advisor
Register for the in-person event here. In-person registration is limited to 15 participants. Meal provided.
Register for virtual option by emailing info@dcpns.nshealth.ca.
Contact lindsay.mackinnon2@nshealth.ca with any questions.
| | Dignity of Risk Symposium | | |
Dignity of Risk recognizes each person’s right to make choices that may involve everyday risks—ones that can enrich quality of life, health and well‑being.
Join international leaders and researchers at the free one-day virtual Dignity of Risk Symposium as they explore challenges, opportunities and inspiring examples of supporting meaningful risk‑taking in complex care systems.
Nova Scotia Health’s Frailty and Elder Care Network will share key findings from its Dignity of Risk Program. Catherine‑Anne Murray, occupational therapist and dignity of risk team lead, will present on Nova Scotia Health’s implementation work and insights from supporting healthcare providers to integrate the Dignity of Risk into care of older adults living with frailty.
This event is designed for clinicians, managers and researchers interested in advancing dignity of risk in the practice of elder care.
🗓 Date: April 29, 2026
🕚 Time: 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual
The preliminary program is now available on the Living with Risk website.
Register before March 1 and join the movement to shift how we care for older adults living with frailty.
| Inappropriate Polypharmacy - Survey | | |
Polypharmacy represents a significant safety risk for our patients; Nova Scotia Health is forming a structured program to address it. As part of efforts to provide quality care, we are completing a brief environmental scan to better understand current polypharmacy and deprescribing practices across the system.
Physicians, nurses, pharmacists and other allied health professionals are invited to complete a brief five-minute survey. Your insights will help to improve medication safety and patient care.
Take the survey today. Survey closes March 2, 2026.
| Perioperative Highlights Newsletter - Winter 2026 | | Community Care Support for Patients - VON | | |
Nova Scotia is enhancing access to community-based nursing services through a clinic-first approach. When you refer your patient to Continuing Care, your patient will be contacted by VON for an appointment. Nurses assess the best options based on your patient’s needs, which could include clinic appointments, in-home visits or virtual consultations. For mobile clients, community clinics staffed by RNs offer services like wound care, medication administration, pain and symptom management and IV, along with benefits such as flexible scheduling, socialization, access to supplies and more. Read more about the community care supports offered through VON.
| | Cancer Clinical Trials Bring New Hope and Treatments to Nova Scotians | | |
Dr. Ashley Davidson, a Nova Scotia Health oncologist and division head of medical oncology at Dalhousie University, is leading a global clinical trial evaluating whether a medication called ribociclib can lower the risk of early-stage breast cancer returning. Patients in Nova Scotia are the first in Canada to have an opportunity to participate in this study.
“The way we increase the cure rates for early-stage breast cancer is by shrinking the number of people who experience a recurrence,” says Dr. Davidson. Read more.
| | How Health Homes are Changing Primary Healthcare | | Physician Learning Opportunities | | |
Webinar: Talking about Grief in the Clinical Environment
Join facilitators Dr. Sarah Burm and Matt Fillier to learn to identify barriers to discussing grief among physicians and within healthcare teams. A deep dive into the impact of medicine’s professional culture on expressions of vulnerability will also be explored.
🗓 Date: Feb. 24, 2026
🕚 Time: 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
💻 Location: Virtual (Zoom)
Register here.
This webinar is part of the CPDME-accredited four-part series on Grief Education for Physicians, which supports physicians in understanding the necessity and value of engaging in difficult conversations around the experience of loss.
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This activity meets the certification criteria of the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been certified by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education for up to 1.0 Mainpro+® Certified Activity credits per session.
This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education. You may claim a maximum of 1.0 hours per session (credits are automatically calculated).
Educationally approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education.
This webinar is part of Medical Affairs’ Webinar Series – Inspired Leadership for Physicians: Leading with Presence, Empathy and Purpose.
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Aspiring Physician Leader Development Program
Nova Scotia Health is exploring the development of an Aspiring Physician Leader Development Program for residents and early‑career physicians interested in leadership.
Residents, fellows and physicians in their first three years of practices are invited to complete an anonymous survey to help us better understand your interests, needs and priorities. These results will be used in aggregate to inform the design of this program.
Take the survey (will take approximately five minutes to complete)
Individuals who take the survey can enter into a draw for one of three Nova Scotia Health swag bags. Email addresses are collected separately and will not be linked to survey responses.
This survey will close on February 17, 2026 12:00 a.m.
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Last Chance to Register: Behaviour Change Counselling Development Program
This free award-winning program for family physicians, nurse practitioners and medical residents 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.
Learn more or register now for Winter/Spring 2026!
| | 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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