Category Archives: News
Cyclospora Outbreak in BC
BC is experiencing an outbreak of Cyclospora infection with 6 locally-acquired cases reported since May 1.
Cyclospora cayetanensis is a parasite which causes a prolonged gastrointestinal infection. Symptoms include frequent watery diarrhea, anorexia, abdominal cramps and bloating, nausea and flatulence. Symptoms typically last several weeks to over a month and wax and wane in intensity. People are infected by ingesting contaminated food or water. The infection is not spread from person-to-person. See here for more details on Cyclospora infection: http://www.bccdc.ca/health-info/diseases-conditions/cyclospora-infection
Cyclospora is not endemic in Canada. Most people are infected when visiting an endemic country in Latin America or South East Asia in the spring and early summer. When cases occur in Canadians who did not travel, an outbreak investigation is launched. Most outbreaks occur in the spring and early summer and are due to imported produce such as berries or herbs.
Cyclospora infection is diagnosed by a stool ova and parasite (O&P) examination. A special request must be made for Cyclospora diagnosis to ensure the appropriate stain is used by the lab. See here for BC Guideline for Ordering Stool Specimens: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/practitioner-professional-resources/bc-guidelines/infectious-diarrhea
If patients present with Cyclospora-compatible symptoms between now and August, please request a stool O&P and indicate on the lab requisition “Cyclospora diagnosis”. This will help accurately diagnose the infection and assist the outbreak investigation.
Dr. Jeff Brubacher receives the Noni MacDonald Award
The Noni MacDonald Award recognizes an article in the Paediatrics & Child Health journal that has positively affected paediatric medicine. This year’s prize goes to the lead author, Dr. Jeff Brubacher of the article published in the May 2016 issue of the journal, titled “The impact of child safety restraint legislation on child injuries in police-reported motor vehicle collisions in British Columbia: An interrupted time series analysis”.
Emergency Department Wins at People First Awards!
Congratulations to all of the People First Winners!
Award of Excellence in Innovation:
- Dr. Kendall Ho, Emergency Physician, Vancouver General Hospital & TEC4Home Lead
Award of Excellence in Teamwork and Collaboration :
- Mobile Medical Unit Deployment Team, Vancouver Acute & Vancouver Community:
Lori Korchinski, Afshan Nathoo, Miranda Compton, Dr. Eric Grafstein, Michelle de Moor, Dr. Keith Ahamad, Dr. Annabel Mead, Caitlin Etherington, Dr. Stan de Vlaming, Tim Chu, Ross Maguire, Marsha Simons, Joe Acker, Peter Hennecke, Krista Golden, Nathanial Lim
Award of Merit in Teamwork and Collaboration :
- Chest Pain Working Group, Emergency, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver Acute:
Lori Korchinski, Jaime Gallagher, Susan Harrison Salt, Sarah Turner, Lori Quinn, Cassie Wright, Sean Freeze, Bruce Hartnett, Dr. Heather Lindsay, Dr. Tong Lam, Dr. Chad Kim Sing, Erin Collins, Liz Crane, Darlene Davelaar, Christine Davie, Carole Dion, Michelle Dodds, Suzanne Fayle, Tracy Johnson, Tony Kumar, Gertrude Lee, Scott Maher, Penny Merletti, Trang Nguyen, Simona Pavlikova, Suzanne Pell, Evangeline Portillo, Jean Power, Gosha Roman, Sinead Ryan, Joanne Scott, Heather Sengara, Alexia Simeoni, Lindsey Bott, Angela Tait, Lindsay Tarasoff, John Tino, Veronica Tsang, Cindy Vanderbyl, Tracy Visser, Adrienne Zawyrucha, Carole Stevens, The Heart Services Cardiology Technologist team
What Matters To You?
Tomorrow is “What Matters to You?” Day in the VGH ED.
“What Matters to You?” Day started in Norway in 2014, with the simple goal of encouraging meaningful conversations between patients, caregivers, and families, and their health care providers.
On June 19, 2017, health care providers in the VGH ED are being challenged to add one simple question to every patient interaction, in order to improve care. That question is, “What matters to you?” Anyone who works with patients in health, social, or community care is invited to participate.
VGH EPs win inaugural Health Professional-Investigator Awards
Congratulations to DEM faculty members Dr. Jeff Brubacher and Dr. Kendall Ho for each being granted one of the 11 inaugural 2017 Health Professional-Investigator Awards from the Michael Smith Foundation for Health Research (MSFHR). This success is a major achievement, both for Drs. Brubacher and Ho, and for the DEM as a whole. The MSFHR Professional-Investigator Award provides funding to support exceptional health professionals focused on answering questions derived from their practical experience and clinical expertise.
Dr. Brubacher was recognized for his study titled: “Health related quality of life following road trauma: An emergency department inception cohort study”.
Dr. Kendall Ho was recognized for his study titled: “TEC4Home: Telehealth for emergency-community continuity of care connectivity via home monitoring”.
The recipients of this award represent health professions ranging from emergency physicians to midwives and psychologists across BC. More information on this award, and well as a full list of the 11 recipients, is available on the MSFHR website.
VGH Fitness Centre Open House
Did you know VGH has its own fitness centre? It’s located in the Heather Annex and open 5am to 11pm every day. It costs $150 for a 6 month membership ($25/mo).
Feel free to check it out at the VGH Fitness and Wellness Centre Open House on Wednesday, May 24th from 11:00-2:00 PM.
A few key highlights of the Open House this year:
- Free demo group fitness classes, including NIA, which is a delicious movement practice, combining dance, martial arts and mindfulness.
- Enjoy some complimentary refreshments
- A chance to win door prizes including $75.00 gift card from Rackets and Runners, 3 month, 2 weeks or 1 week membership at the VGH Fitness Wellness Center
- Most of all this is a great opportunity for you and your friend to check out the VGH Fitness and Wellness Center and the services we offer!
VGH ED well represented in People First Awards
VCH released their list of People First Award winners. Many of our colleagues were nominated and selected for awards in multiple categories. Congratulations to everyone who was recognized!
Marijuana and Road Safety
Our own Dr. Jeff Brubacher was featured in VCH featured “Ask an Expert”. Read the full article here.
New ED Sepsis Guidelines Released
The BC Sepsis Network has updated its Emergency Department Sepsis Guidelines to align with the new Surviving Sepsis Campaign Guidelines.
Highlights include:
- Removal of CTAS guidelines
- Integration of qSOFA
Visit the BC Sepsis Network website to access the new ED guidelines, new ED algorithm and a helpful table comparing the 2012 and 2017 BCSN ED Guidelines.