Dr. Norman Pinsky is a retired physician who now connects with patients from the comfort of his living room. Since answering the call to support Nova Scotians, he has completed over 5,000 virtual consultations. Watch the video below to learn more about Dr. Pinsky's virtual care practice!

VirtualCareNS is continually enhancing its platform to benefit both patients and healthcare providers like Dr. Pinsky. If you're interested in joining the VirtualCareNS team, please contact us at VirtualCareNSAdmin@nshealth.ca.

~shared on behalf of the Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Program

Extended release formulations of nitrofurantoin 100 mg capsules (i.e. generics for Macrobid^Ò) are currently not available.  NS Health supply is low and access in the community is also limited. There are two manufacturers. PMS’s resolution date is January 2025; Auro’s is later in September however, this has already been subject to multiple delays.

As always, judicious use of antimicrobials for treatment of uncomplicated UTI is advised. If extended release nitrofurantoin is unavailable, the NS Health Antimicrobial Stewardship program preferentially suggests the following as alternatives:

• Nitrofurantoin (regular release) 50-100 mg QID OR
• Fosfomycin 3 g orally as one dose as alternatives to Macrobid

Nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin are preferred for uncomplicated UTIs over amoxicillin-clavulanate since both concentrate in the urine and have narrower spectrums of activity. Both are usually more active than cephalexin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for urinary pathogens. 

Nova Scotia Pharmacare will be changing their exception status criteria to allow the use of fosfomycin as a first line agent for uncomplicated UTIs in the community.

Updates for this shortage will be posted in the Drug Shortages - Home (nshealth.ca) website.

If you have any questions or need help with antibiotic selection, please contact pharmacy or a member of the AMS team. 

The OPOR Clinical Information System (OPOR-CIS) design decisions are now 92 per cent complete!

As we near the completion of the design and build of the CIS, testing and validation work has begun. System testing has been ongoing since the spring, and this fall we will begin integration testing for the first CIS Go-Live. The OPOR Team works closely with Oracle Health on the testing once workflows are approved.

System testing is based on patient scenarios and focuses on the testing of a single department’s workflow and system use. In addition to the CIS, other applications and system interfaces may be tested as well.

The purpose of integration testing is to validate the complete integrated system build of the CIS. This validates that the system functions correctly as designed for the future state workflows.

Prior to each Go-Live Wave, additional integration and regression tests will be done based on specific requirements. This will allow OPOR to learn and grow from each implementation.

Learn more about the OPOR Program and the OPOR-CIS, at opor.nshealth.ca

Heart valve disease is common, serious but treatable. Breathlessness, dizziness, and fatigue are all signs of have heart valve disease. But some people have no symptoms at all. A simple stethoscope check is the first step to detect heart valve disease.

One in eight people (or 12.5%) over the age of 75 are thought to be living with heart valve disease.

In support of Heart Valve Disease Awareness Week, Nova Scotia Health is partnering with Heart Valve Voice Canada and The Canadian Cardiovascular Society to host “Listen to Your Heart” a free stethoscope check event where a Nova Scotia Health healthcare provider will listen for a heart murmur with a stethoscope—the first step in detecting valve disease.

This event is taking place on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the North End Pharmacy/Mentor Health Clinic (2751 Gladstone St., Unit 100. Halifax).

Walk in's welcome, no appointment required. 

Click here for more information about Heart Valve Disease.

Download the poster to print and share with your colleagues, clients and patients.

On October 18 at 9:30 a.m. ET, the Palliative Care ECHO Project, led by Pallium Canada, is hosting the world’s largest #PalliativeCare ECHO session virtually and in-person at the McGill International Palliative Care Congress – and you’re invited!

Join thousands of health care professionals from around the world to explore innovative approaches and discuss the future of primary palliative care.

Featuring a panel of international palliative care experts and simultaneous live interpretation in French, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Arabic, don’t miss your chance to be a part of a global palliative care movement.

Register today!

Our Medical Affairs team is growing. This is a new section that will introduce the Medical Affairs team members each week so that physicians can see the many people contributing to a better organization for you.

Meet Christy Pippy, Manager of Physician Learning, Development & Support

Christy Pippy is a Human Resources and Learning and Development professional with 15 years of experience in leadership development, personal growth, and skill enhancement. Her diverse background spans the aerospace and defense, public education, and retail sectors, where she has successfully empowered leaders and nurtured employee development. Christy is dedicated to lifelong learning and delivering collaborative and impactful support services.

Every day in homes across Nova Scotia, people are stepping forward to care for family members and friends of all ages so they can remain in their homes and communities as long as possible. However, caring for someone else can leave caregivers physically and emotionally drained. They may need an opportunity to rest and reset to be able to continue with their caregiving responsibilities.

Jodi Bishara is one of those dedicated, compassionate Nova Scotians caring for her nearly 93-year-old Mom at their family home in Yarmouth. As the primary caregiver for her mom, Barbara, Jodi has taken steps to care not only for her mom, but also for herself by contacting Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care to request an assessment of Barbara’s care needs. Read more about Jodi and Barbara's experience with respite care here.

For more information on Respite and Caregiver Support, please click here.

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.