What’s new?

To monitor data on a daily basis, see the Nova Scotia and Canadian data pages.

• Nova Scotians can receive COVID-19 exposure alerts directly on their smartphones with Health Canada’s free COVID Alert app. Learn more
• Nova Scotia Health has reached an agreement with PRAXES Medical Group to support COVID-19 testing for people who require proof that they do not have the virus for work or travel. PRAXES will begin COVID-19 testing, at a cost of $250 plus HST, starting Oct. 15. Testing will only be provided for:
  • Urgent, work-related travel that requires a negative COVID-19 test before departure
  • Students or migrant workers who require a negative COVID-19 test before returning to their home countries
  • Travel to visit a vulnerable, ill or elderly relative, attend a funeral or for other events on compassionate grounds when required by other provinces or countries
• Home screening kits for colon cancer are back in the mail after a six-month program suspension due to the pandemic. Learn more
• Government released guidance for trick-or-treating and Halloween gatherings, reminding the pubic of public health guidelines. Learn more
• There was a potential COVID-19 exposure on Air Canada flight 626 on Sept. 30 from Toronto to Halifax. It left Toronto at 9 p.m. and arrived in Halifax at 12:14 a.m. on Oct. 1. Passengers in rows 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, in seats D, E and F are more likely to have had close contact

Organ and tissue donation webinar – understand your responsibilities
Beginning in January 2021, physicians will be required to talk to patients and families about their organ and tissue donation wishes. Join a webinar with Dr. Jennifer Hancock, adult intensivist and medical education lead critical care organ donation and Legacy of Life, and Dr. Robin Urquhart, affiliate scientist, cancer outcomes research and LEADDER researcher. They will discuss the changes to Nova Scotia’s Human Organ and Tissue Donation Act (HOTDA) and its impact on clinicians and patients. Learn how to identify and refer potential donors to Legacy of Life, provide guidance on conducting conversations with families and substitute decision-makers, and discuss barriers to implementing HOTDA in your practice. When: Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 7 – 9 p.m. Register today

Shortage in pediatric neurology
Wait times for both new and follow up visits are being impacted by the current shortage of pediatric neurologists at the IWK Health Centre. See the attached memo from Drs. Paula Brna and Andrew Lynk, which asks colleagues to be aware of the challenges and to ensure reasonable expectations and understanding regarding potential delays to consultation. Learn more

Reminders

CMPA guidance for drive-in or drive-through flu shot clinics

• Any complaint arising will be evaluated by the College in the context of COVID-19
• Patients must be supervised for an appropriate time after injection and must not leave the parking lot/drive-through area
• Consider creating private space (e.g., screen) for patients during injection
• Physicians should be careful to delegate responsibility to other health professionals only as appropriate
• Physicians should record patient consent to the vaccine in a non-traditional setting in their patient record

Shoulder injury risk in drive through flu vaccine clinics
Public Health has advised of a rare vaccine administration complication resulting from vaccine being injected too high in the shoulder joint. This can cause shoulder pain and restricted range of movement. Symptoms may begin at the time of injection and can last weeks to years. Bursitis is the most reported diagnosis. To minimize risk, expose the entire upper arm so landmarks are easily discernible to find the correct injection site.

Webinars

Family medicine in the new normal
Reopening a family practice safely can be daunting. In this session, infectious disease experts Drs. Lynn Johnston and Jeannette Comeau will discuss what is known about COVID-19 in both adults and children, how COVID-19 is the new normal and considerations for safe care of patients in person. When: Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 7 – 9 p.m. Register today

COVID, Simulation and the Second Wave: What you need to know to prepare
This webinar is presented by The Sim Ed Collaborative as part of the Faculty of Medicine FacDev Thursday Seminar Series. When: Thursday Oct. 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Join here

DNS webinar recordings
Did you miss a webinar? Recordings are available, here are the most recent:

• Oct. 14: Preventing COVID-19 transmission in schools
• Oct. 6: Seasonal flu and COVID-19

Check out recordings of previous webinars on the DNS COVID-19 info hub.

ICYMI

Free personal protective equipment extended to Oct. 31
Click here to submit a request to the Department of Health and Wellness for personal protective equipment for physicians and their staff. Your organization will be notified by email of the approved supply and instructions for online ordering. For more information, email PPErequest@novascotia.ca.

Physician resilience COVID-19 study 
Drs. Jackie Kinley and John Chiasson provided daily support sessions and webinars to help physicians cope during the COVID-19 pandemic. Physicians are invited to complete a brief survey about the experience to help guide the response for the next wave of COVID-19. Take the survey

DNS staff, meetings and events
All DNS meetings and events have moved to a virtual format. You may reach staff by email or by calling 902-468-1866 or toll free at 1-800-563-3427.

Resources

Note: See the DNS COVID-19 hub for a complete list of COVID-19 resources.

• Navigating work exemption requests during COVID-19
• Medical appointments for rotational workers
• CMA Physician Wellness Hub
• Nova Scotia Health’s Addictions Medicine Consult Service FAQ or information card 
• COVID-19 Signs, Symptoms and Severity of Disease – A Clinician Guide – June 18, 2020
• Nova Scotia Health guidelines for re-introduction of in-office primary care
• Updated: Guidance for physician employers (legal information)
• Medical students provide companionship to isolated patients - The Rural and Isolated Support Endeavor (RISE)

Information hubs to watch

• Nova Scotia Health updates and service cancellations
• IWK updates and service cancellations
• Doctor Nova Scotia updates and information
• Dalhousie CPD COVID-19 webpage
• Department of Health and Wellness
• 811 assessment – when to call
• Government of Canada
• Canadian Medical Association
• Canadian Pediatric Society COVID-19 resources for the care of children