New Estimated Date of Discharge Resources | | |
An Estimated Date of Discharge (EDD) sets a shared goal for getting patients home safely, improving flow and outcomes, and supporting patient choice and dignity of risk. Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) data can help inform EDD estimates. An initial EDD should be based on clinical judgement guided by a patient’s presenting illness/admitting diagnosis (using CIHI data, where applicable) and the Clinical Frailty Scale score for patients 65 years of age or older.
These tools 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.
| | Electronic Death Registry (EDR) Launch | | |
Electronic Death Registration (EDR) is launching across Nova Scotia on November 24. Beneath are the main things you need to know:
| | CAR Guidelines Now Available to Referring Providers Using Ocean for DI eReferrals | | |
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.
| | Reminder: New Diagnostic Imaging Modalities Coming to Ocean eReferrals Dec. 8 | |
Four additional Diagnostic Imaging (DI) modalities will be available in the Ocean electronic referral (eReferral) tool starting Monday, December 8, including:
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, transparency and coordination for patients and care teams.
| | Code Silver Emergency Exercises – Central Zone | | |
Between November 2025 and February 2026, 12 planned Code Silver mock emergency exercises will take place across Central Zone (West Hants & the HRM Sites). Each exercise will run for 10 minutes, followed by a 50-minute debrief.
These controlled exercises allow teams to practice Code Silver procedures in a safe environment—strengthening readiness, improving coordination with clinical teams and security, and supporting compliance with emergency management standards.
A schedule of site visits is at right. More information, including what to expect, can be found here.
| | Enhancing Emergency Care for Older Adults with Senior Care Teams | | |
With older adults (65+) now making up nearly 40 per cent of emergency department visits in Nova Scotia, many living with frailty, there's an important need for tailored, coordinated care. To meet this challenge, the Frailty and Elder Care Network is testing a more collaborative approach to caring for seniors through the placement of Seniors’ Care Teams (SCT) in the emergency departments at Cape Breton Regional, Yarmouth Regional, Colchester East Hants Health Centre and Dartmouth General with follow-through in the community, as appropriate.
SCTs are interdisciplinary teams—nurses, pharmacists, social workers, care coordinators, rehab professionals and more—working together to identify frailty early, reduce complications and support transitions home. Their person-centered approach includes supporting the emergency team to conduct comprehensive assessments, medication reviews and care planning that reflect each patient’s goals and values.
Patients discharged home from emergency departments will receive follow-up and help accessing community supports, equipment and services—ensuring continuity of care and reducing readmissions.
This model strengthens emergency care for older adults, aligns with Nova Scotia Health priorities like SAFER-f, Health Beyond Hospital, Home First and promotes aging in place. By introducing SCTs in Emergency Departments and in the community, we’re improving outcomes, enhancing the patient experience and supporting long-term wellness.
| | One Person One Record (OPOR) Program Updates | | |
Important Update: IWK Health Records in SHARE Clinical Portal
Effective December 6, 2025, the SHARE Clinical Portal will no longer receive new results or records from IWK Health. This change coincides with IWK Health’s transition to the new One Person One Record (OPOR) Clinical Information System (CIS). From that date forward, any new IWK Health records that would previously have appeared in SHARE will instead be available through the OPOR Provider Portal.
To access records from IWK Health visits after December 6, please use the OPOR Provider Portal.
Please note: Older records from before January 2023 are currently only available in SHARE. Updates will follow in the coming months when pre-2023 data will be available through Provider Portal.
Provider Corner: Your go-to hub for OPOR
Stay connected, informed and ready with the Provider Corner—your hub for everything OPOR.
FutureFlow brings you live, provider-focused demos of OPOR-CIS workflows using real patient scenarios. Get a hands-on preview and see exactly what to expect before Go-Live at IWK Health. There are just four sessions left!
- Tuesdays from 6:00–7:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 12:00–1:30 p.m.
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Invites were sent via IWK and Zonal Medical Leadership. Didn’t get one? Email CMIO@nshealth.ca
All sessions are recorded. Watch what you missed or review topics that matter most to your role.
One Person One Record (OPOR) is a clinical transformation that will improve the delivery of healthcare for patients in our province. Regardless of where a patient accesses care, if they are adults or children, they will benefit from their care teams using consistent, standardized, best care practices, and having real time access to their health information. To learn more about OPOR, please visit the OPOR Hub for the latest information and resources.
| Recording Now Available: Emergency Department Sepsis Improvement Package | |
Please note that the recording for the Emergency Department Sepsis Improvement Package is now available on the Physicians Portal here.
| World Antimicrobial Awareness Week | | |
🦠 World AMR Awareness Week (WAAW) is November 18–24.
Nova Scotia Health joins the global community in marking WAAW — World Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Awareness Week — a time to reflect on how we use antibiotics and other antimicrobials responsibly.
This year’s theme, “Act Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future,” highlights the urgent need to preserve the effectiveness of these life-saving medicines. Health care providers play a vital role by practicing antimicrobial stewardship, following infection prevention and control measures, and educating patients when antibiotics are not necessary.
Washing your hands before and after every patient encounter, maintaining up-to-date immunizations, and reinforcing the importance of hand hygiene and vaccination all help prevent infections and keep everyone safe.
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AMR Champion:
Dr. Kris Srivatsa, an internal medicine physician at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, has long been a dedicated advocate for the responsible use of antibiotics. He emphasizes thoughtful prescribing to protect patients and reduce the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Learn more about Dr. Srivatsa's work here.
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AMR Resources:
- Explore resources and best practices to support the safe and effective use of antimicrobials for Nova Scotia Health patients here: Home - Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) - LibGuides at Nova Scotia Health
- Check out AMR Awareness Canada resources, webinars and more here.
- The Firstline app is a point of care tool to aid in assessment and prescribing for infections, tailored to Nova Scotia’s antibiogram and resistance patterns. The NS Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Program is consistently updating the app to include new content for community and inpatient guidelines. Firstline is available for use on NS Health computer desktops and is downloadable on mobile devices.
| | Renew Your Medical License Before Dec. 1 | | |
Each year, physicians must renew their medical license.
If physicians practice within a corporation for which they are listed as a medical director, they must also renew their corporation permit.
Please renew and avoid paying a late fee starting December 1.
| | Physician Retirement Fund Update | | |
The Nova Scotia Physician Retirement Fund is returning for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.
Doctors Nova Scotia, on behalf of Physician Services at the Department of Health and Wellness (DHW), recently sent an email with full details. In case you missed it, here’s a summary of the key details:
- The program will continue with the same contribution structure, ranging from $5,000 for physicians with 0-5 years of practice to up to $15,000 in matching contributions for those with 15+ years.
- DHW will determine a physician’s individual eligibility amount based on their years of service and full-time/part-time status.
- Eligible physicians will receive personalized notifications of their eligibility amounts in mid-January 2026.
- The contribution and opt-in deadline is March 31, 2026, and reimbursements will be issued by Medavie between May and June 2026.
- Physicians maintain full choice of their retirement vehicle, including RRSPs, TFSAs or third-party pension plans, and more.
- The fund is available to full-time and part-time physicians delivering patient-centred and/or patient-facing services in Nova Scotia between April 1, 2024 and March 31, 2025.
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To ensure future communications are emailed to you, including your notice of eligibility, please complete this form to add your current contact information.
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For more information and updates, please refer to the new Retirement Fund webpage here https://msi.medavie.bluecross.ca/physician-retirement-fund/.
Personalized eligibility notices, as well as updated FAQs, will be available in January. If you have any questions in the meantime, contact retirement.fund@novascotia.ca.
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Courtney Mazeroll:
Doctor by Day, Bodybuilder by Night
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Digby General Hospitalist Dr. Courtney Mazeroll's physical fitness journey is nothing short of inspirational.
Fitness had always been an important part of Courtney's life. She had taken a break in the late 2010s, focusing her time on medical school and raising three young children. But when she started working out again during the pandemic, her passion was reignited. She set a goal of competing in a bodybuilding show as her 40th birthday approached. Now, seven shows later, she is still at it!
Read about Courtney's inspirational journey and learn how you, too, can take on challenges that may seem scary or impossible.
| | Connecting the Dots with Falls Prevention Webinar | | |
November is Fall Prevention Awareness Month. The Frailty and Elder Care Network invites you to join them for a webinar to explore the difference between fall precautions and fall prevention.
🗓 Date: Monday, November 24
🕚 Time: 12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.
💻 Location: Online
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During this session, participants will learn about modifiable risk factors and how we use clinical judgment to optimize care planning.
Register for this event by using the QR code at left or the link here.
| | 2026 Winter/Spring Physician Learning Calendar Now Available | | |
Medical Affairs’ Physician Learning, Development and Support team is pleased to announce the release of the 2026 Winter/Spring Physician Learning Calendar.
We are offering a range of professional development opportunities designed to fit your schedule and learning preferences:
- Asynchronous online modules for flexible, self-paced learning
- Interactive webinars and podcasts to engage with peers and subject matter experts
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In-person workshops for skill building and networking
Featured Topics:
- Leadership development for physician leaders
- Effective communication strategies
- Conflict management in clinical and organizational settings
- Greif and trauma education designed for physicians
All programming has been thoughtfully developed to support physicians and physician leaders in their professional growth and to address the evolving needs of medical practice.
| | 2026 Doctors' Lounge Community of Practice Now Fully Accredited | | |
Medical Affairs' Learning, Development and Support team is pleased to advise that the 2026 Doctors’ Lounge Community of Practice programming is now fully accredited for Section 1 and Section 3 of the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, as well as 1.0 Mainpro+® and 1.0 Mainpro+ Certified Activity and Certified Assessment Activity credits with the College of Family Physicians of Canada with up to 1.0
With the aim of growing our physician leadership community, all physicians in formal leadership roles within NS Health are invited to participate in the 2026 Doctor’s Lounge Community of Practice.
This is a virtual forum covering a series of facilitated topics, with accompanying interactive programming modules on each topic housed in our learning management system (LMS). Physician leaders across the province can connect and build skills, competencies and confidence around complex leadership topics. The Doctors Lounge- Community of practice provides leaders with the opportunity to build a network of support through colleagues and other experts in leadership development, workplace conflict and resilience.
Overall Program Objectives:
Participation in the program will provide participants the opportunity to:
- Develop skills to prepare for, facilitate, and follow up after meetings concerning conflict and discord in the workplace.
- Understand ways to navigate as leaders in a hierarchical system
- Develop ways for effective communication in high stress environments
- Use trust building as a strategy for moving conflict into collaboration
- Learn strategies to strengthen civility in teams, foster respect, engagement and burnout prevention
- Learn how to design meaningful alliances
- Support team wellness through building resilient and supportive teams
- Understand how to create psychologically safe spaces
- Refresh your knowledge around the LEADS framework for Physician Leaders
- Identify the fundamentals of conflict resolution, including the dynamics of conflict and effective strategies for resolution.
- Engage with fellow participants to develop a deeper understanding of systems contexts.
- Focus on capacity-building around peacebuilding and conflict navigation efforts.
The live session schedule is available on the portal here.
To learn more, please reach out directly to:
Jane Bolivar, Manager, Physician Learning, Development and Support
Janee.bolivar@nshealth.ca
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 and up to 1.0 Mainpro+ Certified Assessment Activity credits.
This activity is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) and an Accredited Self-Assessment Program (Section 3) 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 Section 1: Group Learning hours and 1.0 Section 3: Self-Assessment Program hours (credits are automatically calculated).
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Educationally approved by Dalhousie University Continuing Professional Development and Medical Education.
| | LEAP Core Online – Free Accredited Palliative Care Training | | |
Do you care for patients living with serious illness? Strengthen your skills and confidence in providing compassionate, team-based palliative care with LEAP™ Core Online – a free, accredited learning opportunity offered by the Palliative Care Network for Nova Scotia Health staff.
This flexible, evidence-based program combines short, self-directed modules with interactive webinars led by expert facilitators. You’ll learn practical approaches to managing symptoms and supporting patients and families through complex healthcare decisions.
Benefits
- Earn up to 24 Mainpro+ credits or 12 CPD hours
- Gain confidence in applying a palliative approach to care in your role
- Strengthen collaboration and continuity of care for patients and families
- Learn at your own pace and connect with peers through live discussions
Winter 2026 sessions
- January 14–15, January 24, February 2–3, February 28, March 4–5, March 10–11
Seats are limited. Complete the Expression of Interest | LEAP™ Core Online Form to secure your spot.
The Palliative Care Network Practice Support Program supports healthcare providers and volunteers across Nova Scotia Health with education, mentorship and resources to deliver high-quality palliative and grief care.
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The Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course teaches trauma care professionals how to assess a patient's condition, resuscitate, stabilize, and arrange inter-facility transfers in our trauma system. Open to physicians, residents, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants.
The Nova Scotia Trauma Program has two upcoming 1.5-day ATLS courses:
- December 12, 2025 (8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) & December 13, 2025 (9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.)* at the Collaborative Health Education Building, Dalhousie Halifax Campus, 5793 University Avenue, Halifax, NS
- January 25, 2026 (9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) & January 26, 2026 (9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.)* at the Collaborative Health Education Building, Dalhousie Halifax Campus, 5793 University Avenue, Halifax, NS
Register for either course at: Advanced Trauma Life Support® (ATLS®) Registration
*Exact course times are subject to change based on registration and course schedule requirements; exact course times will be confirmed no later than two (2) weeks before the course.
For more information, please visit: EDUCATION | trauma-ns
| eServices Bulletin: Fall 2025 Edition Now Available | |
The eServices Bulletin shares helpful information, updates, reminders, resources and practical tips to help eReferral users get the most out of electronic referrals—for both patients and health care teams.
Brought to you by the Nova Scotia eServices Program, the bulletin highlights ongoing work to support providers, optimize and expand eReferral use, and align these efforts with broader digital health solutions.
The Fall 2025 edition is out now. Read it 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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