Canadian Patient Safety Week: October 27-31, 2025 | |
Nova Scotia Health is marking Canadian Patient Safety Week. The week celebrates collaboration, reflection and shared responsibility in creating a culture of safety across all aspects of healthcare. I'm pleased to share my thoughts on this year’s theme, “All Voices for Safer Care" beneath, which includes:
- Information on how we can take part, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and open dialogue for safer care.
- Interactive activities like the “Trick or Treatment” game and Patient Safety Trivia.
- Spotlights on patient safety leaders Trina Peters and Lianne Nixon.
- An interview with Dr. Andre Bernard on One Person One Record (OPOR).
- Recognition of this year’s Patient Safety Champions who go above and beyond to improve care.
Read the full message here.
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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.
Your checklist to prepare for your license renewal is now available.
| Pharmacare Exception Status Drug (ESD) Form Digitization Pilot | |
Nova Scotia is piloting a modernized Pharmacare Exceptional Status Drug (ESD) request process with the launch of a single, standardized, searchable digital form in Ocean. This replaces more than 50 separate PDF forms, streamlining requests for more than 100 medications.
Through this six-month pilot, providers who already have an Ocean account can request coverage for ESDs by submitting the digital form in Ocean.
Why participate in the pilot?
- Save time – instead of searching for the right form to fill out, simply type the name of the requested medication and the appropriate form will be displayed.
- Reduce administrative burden – the digitized form will only display the fields relevant to your request.
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The start of continued improvement – the pilot is a proof-of-concept for what can become a modernized ESD request process.
Learn more about the pilot and how to submit the digitized form at Pharmacare ESD Pilot.
| Update: Electronic Death Registration (EDR) Systems Launch Training | | |
Over the past two weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to connect with many of you through our Electronic Death Registration (EDR) system training sessions. The feedback we received was both insightful and invaluable. Thank you for your openness and engagement.
Based on this feedback, the go-live date has been adjusted from November 3 to the week of November 24. The exact launch date will be confirmed closer to the November 24 date.
This change reflects our shared goal of delivering an EDR system that truly supports your work by streamlining processes, reducing administrative effort and working seamlessly from day one. Thank you for your partnership as we make final refinements to ensure it is efficient and easy to use.
Questions? Contact Help.Vitalware@novascotia.ca.
| | Nova Scotia Health Quality & Patient Safety Rounds: Earn 1.5 CME Credits | |
Nova Scotia Health Emergency Department Sepsis Improvement Package
Thursday, November 13
6:00 to 7:30 p.m. via Zoom
By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to:
- Access and employ the Nova Scotia Health Emergency Department (ED) Sepsis Improvement Package (Scholar).
- Identify key changes ideas including ED sepsis care directive, order set, patient discharge summary, nurse/paramedic sepsis champions, sepsis kits, cognitive aids and more (Leader; Collaborator).
- Describe how Nova Scotia Health will monitor, track and react to performance data using a customized provincial audit plan and scorecard (Leader; Scholar)
- Recognize how Nova Scotia Health is leading on a complex system problem through co-design and improvement methods (Leader; Health Advocate; Collaborator).
Presenters:
- Dr. Vanessa Sweet, Anesthesiologist and Provincial Sepsis Co-lead
- Dr. Valerie Ross, Department Head, Emergency Medicine at Cobequid Community Health Centre
- Erin Leith, Director, Quality Improvement & Safety for Central Zone and Provincial Sepsis Co-lead
Register here. Full event details can be found here.
| IV Manual and Smart Pump Update:
effective November 12 | |
The IV Drug Therapy Manual website and smart pump libraries are being updated on November 12, 2025. Refer to this memo for details. Four (4) monographs are included beneath for educational purposes.
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New podcast
Coaching Physicians: A prescription for leadership – When in conflict, it's about problems, not people
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In this episode, executive leadership coaches Lorie Campbell and Verna MacDonald sit down with Scott Furlotte, conflict support consultant at Nova Scotia Health and faculty member at both Nova Scotia Community College and Acadia University, to explore the complex nature of conflict.
Together, they dive into how self-awareness, interpersonal dynamics and cultural influences shape our experiences of conflict.
The conversation will touch on the impact of the many losses of human-to-human connection since COVID-19 which negatively contribute to conflict scenarios. Scott will recommend the value of two helpful tools to practice for conflict resolution and how these elements can spark deep, transformational conversations.
Listen to the podcast episode here: Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
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Clinical Currents:
A New Podcast from Dalhousie's Department of Medicine
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Stay connected with the latest in internal medicine across the Maritimes with Clinical Currents – a new continuing professional development podcast by Dalhousie's Department of Medicine.
Hosted by Dr. Meredith Chiasson and Dr. Peter Gregory, episodes are released monthly exploring timely, practice-relevant topics through lively discussion with experts from across the region.
Clinical Currents is designed for internal medicine physicians of all subspecialties, but it can also offer meaningful insights for primary care physicians and other practitioners who support continuity of care and want to stay current on internal-medicine perspectives, clinical innovations and interprofessional approaches that strengthen collaboration.
Learn more at Clinical Currents Podcast - Department of Medicine - Dalhousie University, and listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts!
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Grief Foundations PLUS is a new, full-day, in-person education event delivered by the Palliative Care Network Grief Practice Support Program. Building on the pilot sessions, which included more than 55 participants from diverse care areas across the province, this education offering is for Nova Scotia Health providers who provide supportive counselling as part of their role, and who have previously completed the Grief Foundations session.
In the Grief Foundations PLUS session, participants will learn how to:
- Practice supportive counselling approaches used in one-on-one grief care
- Help clients manage strong emotions and difficult thoughts
- Recognize and support grief among colleagues and team members
Upcoming Grief Foundations sessions:
- Port Hawkesbury: November 26, 2025 (8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
- Dartmouth: February 11, 2026 (8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
- Kentville: April 29, 2026 (8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
- Truro: May 13, 2026 (8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.)
Save your spot!
Register now for an upcoming Grief Foundations PLUS session in your area by visiting the program portal: NSH Grief Foundations PLUS
Learn more about this session and other grief practice supports offered through Nova Scotia Health at NSH Grief Practice Support Program
| | From Hospital to Home: A Journey Through Continuing Care | | |
The presentation deck for the October 22 webinar, "From Hospital to Home: A Journey Through Continuing Care," is now available on the Physicians portal here.
| | Care by Design Conference inspires collaboration and compassion in long-term care | |
On October 24, the annual Care by Design Long-Term Care Conference celebrated the kind of collaboration that continues to transform long-term care in Nova Scotia. Read more about the successful event.
Interested in joining Care by Design? Learn more about the program and how you can make a difference in long-term care in Nova Scotia.
| | LEAP™ Core Online | Free Winter 2026 Sessions | | |
The Palliative Care Network is offering free LEAPTM Core Online sessions to healthcare professionals at Nova Scotia Health who are interested in developing competencies in adopting a palliative approach to care in their daily clinical practice. Registrants must make a commitment to complete the pre-course work, which includes 17 self-directed online modules to be completed prior to the online dates (approximately eight hours of work). The webinar portion is delivered over two days in three-hour blocks or one six-hour day that must be attended in full.
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This two (2) credit-per-hour Group Learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada for up to 24.0 Mainpro+ credits.
- This event 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 the University of Ottawa’s Office of Continuing Professional Development. You may claim a maximum of 12 hours.
Winter 2026 session dates:
- January 14 & 15 (Wednesday, Thursday), 5-8 p.m.
- January 24 (Saturday), 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:00-3:00 p.m.
- February 2 & 3 (Monday, Tuesday), 5-8 p.m.
- February 28 (Saturday), 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 12:00-3:00 p.m.
- March 4 and 5 (Wednesday, Thursday), 5-8 p.m.
- March 10 and 11 (Tuesday, Wednesday), 5-8 p.m.
Space is limited. Seats will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Please complete this Expression of Interest to confirm there are seats remaining in your preferred session(s) and obtain the registration information.
| Physician Leader: Leading the Way in
Trauma-Informed Care | |
If you were not able to attend the recent Medical Affairs webinar, Physician Leader: Leading the Way in Trauma-Informed Care, we are now pleased to offer a module on this important topic. In collaboration with the Palliative Care Network, and the team at Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness, this learning resource provides an asynchronous version of the presentation that can been accessed in your own time, on any device.
Exploring the Essentials of Empathic Strain and Secondary Traumatic Stress
Presenters: Dr. Aaron Smith, Matt Fillier (Palliative Care Network), Rachel Askett (OHSW), Luke MacMillan (OHSW)
| | One Person One Record (OPOR) program updates | | |
Patient Safety Week spotlight: Dr. Andre Bernard
This Patient Safety Week (October 27-31), we’re highlighting how One Person One Record will help to make patient care safer and more consistent across Nova Scotia.
By bringing patient information together in one secure, up-to-date system, OPOR will reduce errors, improve communication and ensure providers have the right information at the right time.
In a recent Q&A spotlight, Dr. Andre Bernard describes his role with OPOR and how the new system will support safer, more coordinated care. Read more.
Are you included in Wave One for OPOR?
Are you a radiologist? If so, you’re included! Do you practice at IWK Health? If so, you’re also included!
Wave One of the OPOR implementation is just around the corner, launching at IWK Health on December 6. It is important to note that Wave One includes not only the OPOR Clinical Information System (CIS) at IWK Health, but also the Novari Medical Imaging Requisition Management (MIRM) solution for both IWK Health and Nova Scotia Health.
Who at Nova Scotia Health needs training:
Radiologists and radiology residents require Novari MIRM training, as that is a provincial implementation.
OPOR has engaged with department and division leadership across IWK and Central Zone to ensure physicians who provide care at IWK Health and absolutely need OPOR-CIS training prior to Wave One are offered sessions. You only need training now if you anticipate being called to see a patient (including a patient in Women’s Health) between December 6 and the end of February. If this is not likely for you, hang tight and get your training with the Central Zone Classrooms beginning in February!
Without completing OPOR training, you won’t have login access to document, order or review patient information in the new system.
What to do:
If you’re likely to provide care during this period, and your department and division leadership agree, register now in LMS for the appropriate course. (Training for Nova Scotia Health clinicians in the Central Zone will begin in February 2026).
Need help?:
Email OPOREducation-GL1@nshealth.ca or book office hours via OPOR Classroom Registration Support
Important update for Radiologists and Radiology residents!
Novari MIRM training for Radiologist and Radiology Residents will now be offered virtually!
The sessions will remain synchronous and instructor-led, meaning participants will join a live-facilitated session. The virtual format will allow our radiologists to attend from home (via Virtual Desktop) or from an on-site workstation in their office or usual workspace.
The Education and Learning Team will update the LMS postings to reflect this change and will connect with currently registered physicians.
| | Medical Affairs Team Update –
Communications and Marketing | | |
We're pleased to welcome Krista Armstrong, new senior communications advisor, Medical Affairs and Physician Relations.
In her role, Krista will support and advance Medical Affairs priorities, including physician engagement, physician leadership development, recruitment and retention, health system transformation initiatives, quality rounds and more.
She will also be responsible for various physician communications channels and tools, including the weekly Physician Newsletter, the Physician Information and Wellness Portal, Recruitment Update newsletters, and leadership development podcasts.
Krista recently returned from Calgary, where she held senior positions at the University of Calgary's Cumming School of Medicine and United Way of Calgary and Area. Prior to relocating, she worked at Dalhousie University across the advancement and communications portfolio. She holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of King's College and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) from McGill University.
Welcome, Krista!
| | Physician learning opportunities | | The Medical Affairs Physician Learning, Development and Support Team is pleased to share upcoming opportunities designed to support all physicians and physician leaders in their growth and practice. To learn more and register for sessions, click here. | | |
Medical Affairs Webinar Series: Inspired leadership for physicians: Leading with presence, empathy & purpose
November 3, 2025 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Online
Why healthcare leaders need to care about planetary health with Dr. Nabha Shetty
Physician accreditation organizations such as the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada as well as the Association of Faculties of Medicine in Canada, have formally acknowledged that contributing to planetary health is an important objective in healthcare. All centers need to reduce their carbon footprint as part of their strategic and operational excellence planning. There is a movement afoot among inspired healthcare professionals to unite and have a voice in making planetary health a priority. This webinar will get participants ‘up to speed’ on what is happening in this important realm.
About Dr. Nabha Shetty
Dr. Nabha Shetty is a member of the Department of Medicine at Dalhousie University with a specialty in General Internal Medicine, with an academic focus on Quality Improvement and clinical expertise in Obstetrical Medicine. An active researcher, presenter and advocate, Dr. Shetty focusses on Planetary Health, Systems Transformation and Quality Improvement on the Medicine Teaching Unit (MTU).
Register for the webinar here.
| | New Dates: 2026 Physician Leadership Development Program | | |
The Physician Leadership Development Program is aimed at physician leaders with at least 3-5 years of progressive leadership experience who wish to improve their leadership effectiveness. Please note the dates from this program have been updated, as beneath.
New Dates
Session 1: April 22nd 2026 5:00–8:30 p.m. (in person; location TBD*)
Session 2: May 6th 2026 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Session 3: May 20th 2026 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Session 4: June 3rd 2026 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Session 5: June 10th 2026 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. (in person; location tba)
Session 6: Sept 16th 2026 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Session 7: October 1st 2026 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Session 8: October 14th 2026 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Session 9: October 28th 2026 5:00 – 8:30 p.m. (in person; location TBD*)
*Dinner is included for in-person sessions.
More information on the program can be found here.
Please submit your Expression of Interest here:
https://surveys.novascotia.ca/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=l3LLnom30. Application deadline is February 13, 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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