National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
~a message shared on behalf of Karen Oldfield, Interim President and CEO at Nova Scotia Health
On Monday, September 30, Canada will pause to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This is a day for reflection, but more importantly, it is a day that calls us to action as we collectively pursue meaningful reconciliation.
At Nova Scotia Health, we acknowledge this history and commit ourselves to the ongoing work needed to heal and repair relationships with Indigenous peoples. It is our duty to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action particularly those that focus on healthcare access, equity, and improving the overall health outcomes for Indigenous populations. Learn more about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission here.
As a healthcare organization, our role is pivotal. Accountability is not just a value we uphold, but a promise to ensure Indigenous patients receive the care, resources, and support they deserve. I urge you to take time to review the Calls to Action and consider how, both personally and professionally, you can contribute to this critical work. Expanding our knowledge and understanding the experiences of Indigenous peoples is not just an exercise in learning—it is a pathway to providing better, culturally safe care.
Observing this day is just one small step. The work of reconciliation requires ongoing commitment. At Nova Scotia Health, we are dedicated to ensuring that our actions are not just symbolic but rooted in real, tangible changes that benefit Indigenous patients, their families, and their communities. One such way is in hiring Indigenous Patient Navigators, like Jennifer Crossman of Paqtnkek First Nation. We welcomed Jennifer earlier this year and are so excited to have her as part of the Nova Scotia Health team.
We encourage all Nova Scotia Health team members working on September 30 to wear orange that day, and if you are not working on Monday, we encourage you to wear orange at work on Friday, Sept. 27. If you have limitations to your uniform or work clothing, consider wearing a pin purchased from an indigenous maker or organization, or another small orange accessory to promote awareness and support. Learn why we wear orange here.
As we reflect on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, let us also look ahead to the important opportunities for learning and engagement in the coming weeks, including Mi’kmaq History Month in October and Treaty Day on October 1.
Together, we can create a healthcare system that reflects our shared commitment to reconciliation.
Kind regards,
Karen
2024-25 Publicly Funded Respiratory Virus Immunization Campaigns
~A Message from the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health
Please review the following information to support awareness and provider practice.
The attached memo from Dr. Shelley Deeks, Deputy Chief Medical Officer of Health provides an overview of the upcoming respiratory virus immunization campaigns that will begin in October.
Publicly Funded Respiratory Virus Immunizations: Information for Health Care Providers: This document contains immunization information for health care providers in preparation for respiratory virus immunization campaigns.
High risk program for Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) immunization: New this year, a high risk Respiratory Synctial Virus (RSV) immunization program is being implemented for long term care. Residents of licensed long term care facilities who are 60 years and older and hospital inpatients 60 years and older who are awaiting placement will be eligible for immunization when the program begins in November. The Publicly Funded Vaccine/ Immunoglobulin Eligibility Policy and the Publicly Funded Vaccine Eligibility for Individuals at High Risk of Acquiring Vaccine Preventable Diseases Appendix A have been updated.
Influenza immunization: New this year, individuals 65 years and older will be offered an adjuvanted trivalent vaccine, Fluad®. This is an enhanced influenza vaccine that has been shown to be more effective than standard dose vaccine in this population.
COVID-19 immunization: New this year, all primary care providers can offer COVID-19 immunization in addition to local pharmacies, Public Health offices and Public Health Mobile Units.
Please note, the current versions of the above linked documents are posted online, and previous versions should be discarded.
Please note: Emails from OCMOH are distributed to key partners. We ask that materials be reviewed and disseminated by recipients within their organizations/networks as appropriate for wide distribution of materials.
eReferrals Update – Patient Survey Launching Soon!
We will soon be sharing an eReferrals update highlighting some milestones for our eReferrals initiative and our plan to begin surveying patients referred in the tool, to understand their experience with eReferrals.
We wanted to give you a heads up on these plans and have included survey details below, along with an update on our ongoing efforts to enhance the eReferral tool and forms for users.
We have also included some reminders about the important role you can play with eReferrals to support improved access to care and improved communication with your patients and colleagues.
About the patient survey:
- Brief and anonymous on-line survey will launch at the beginning of October.
- Patients who provided an email address at the time of their eReferral, will be invited to take part in the survey.
- The survey invite and link will be included within the automatic email notification they receive when appointments for surgeon consults, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are entered within the eReferrals tool.
- When a patient confirms their appointment from the email notification, they will also be reminded to complete the survey, if they have not already done so.
- Nova Scotia’s new eServices Program, which is supporting the ongoing use, optimization, and implementation of eReferrals, will compile and review survey results on a quarterly basis.
- Survey results will be shared with users and patients, clinical advisory groups, and others and will help inform ongoing planning and improvements.
- At this time, we are only surveying patients who provided an email address with their referral.
Improving the eReferral experience for our users:
Our new Enhancements News page on the Referral Resource Hub highlights changes that have been made based on direct feedback from users. These include enhancements to the tool, its integration with EMRs and multiple form changes.
Improving communication related to referrals:
Information entered within the eReferrals tool (e.g., anticipated wait times, appointments, etc.) and the automatic email notifications generated by these actions, can help keep patients and referrers up-to-speed, giving them reassurance and peace of mind that their referrals are being managed. By including patient emails with referrals and updating referrals within the eReferrals tool healthcare providers can also reduce calls to their offices.
Key points for referrers:
Please speak to your patients about their eReferral options:
- Invite them to include their email address with their referral so they can receive automatic email notifications about their referral.
- Ask them about their preferences. Do they wish to receive care close to home or would they be willing to travel outside of their community, if it led to faster care. For surgical consults, it important to remind patients that this would include travelling for the initial appointment with the surgeon, their surgery, as well as other pre and post-operative care.
Key points for receivers:
- Please add information within the eReferrals tool as soon as possible, such as anticipated wait time and appointment details.
- This supports compliance with the College of Physicians and Surgeons Referral and Consultation Standard, and by helping keep patients and referrers in the loop, can reduce calls to your office. (Five key eReferrals steps for Surgeon Offices).
Nova Scotia Health’s Early Mobility Program Celebrates One Year of Helping Older Adults Stay Mobile While in Hospital
This October during Seniors’ Week (Oct. 2-9), Nova Scotia Health is marking the first year of its Early Mobility Program being available at the nine regional hospitals across the province. October 1 also marks the first Frailty Awareness Day in Nova Scotia and the first in Canada. Thanks to Nova Scotia Health’s Early Mobility Program, patients are walking the halls of hospitals to take steps to make their way back home. One of the leading complications of hospitalization in older adults is functional decline, especially those who live with frailty prior to admission. To reduce the risk of people becoming frailer in hospital and enhance how Nova Scotia Health services support older adults in aging well, the organization’s Frailty and Elder Care Network introduced the Early Mobility Program. Western Zone was the first to roll out the Program in August 2023 and the rest of the province came on board by the end of October. Since its inception, 4,400+ patients (65+) have been referred to the program. Learn more: Nova Scotia Health's Early Mobility Program celebrates one year of helping older adults stay mobile while in hospital | Nova Scotia Health or visit https://www.nshealth.ca/clinics-programs-and-services/early-mobility-program
Patient mobility is everyone’s role! Better identification and understanding of frailty and how to support older people to live well with frailty is one of the key challenges for our health system. The Nova Scotia Health Clinical Frailty Education Module will help front-line teams learn to identify and manage frailty. Through this 90-minute course, learners can develop a crucial understanding of how a patients’ frailty score can guide care planning and improve the quality of care and patient outcomes. To get started, sign into https://elearning.nshealth.ca/, search Frailty and Add to My Learning.
OPOR Spotlight Series: Subject Matter Experts
The One Person One Record Clinical Information System (OPOR-CIS) represents the most significant, transformative change to healthcare delivery ever experienced in our province.
One of the many important aspects in the development of the OPOR-CIS is that while following the Cerner Canadian Reference Model as a guide, the new system is being designed by Nova Scotians, for Nova Scotians.
Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) participate in Design Workshops during which they lend their expertise to making design decisions for the new OPOR-CIS. There is a mix of clinical and non-clinical healthcare workers who have given their time to ensure the system meets the needs of physicians, providers, employees, and patients across the province.
We are excited to continue our series of interviews featuring some of the hundreds of SMEs from different care areas and work streams.
Click here to meet Dr. Sabina Abidi, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, IWK Health.
NS Health D&T Decisions Newsletter #78 (Sept. 25. 2024)
The latest edition of the D&T Decisions newsletter announcing recent changes to the NS Health Hospital Formulary and approved Policies is now available here.
Read the full newsletter here.
