When a patient arrives in the hospitals with a health issue, it can take hours to establish, through tests, where the problem lies. However, this can be expedited if hospitalists can perform ultrasounds at a patient’s bedside. Using Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) as part of the clinical examination, much […]
Read moreGood communication and relationships are key to effective medicine – between providers and patients as well as amongst providers. In order to strengthen the connections between palliative care and cardiology to assist patients living with end-stage cardiac disease, Dr. Jody Anderson from Palliative Care, and her cardiologist colleague, Dr. Daisy […]
Read moreDr. Jennifer Balfour, Dr. Cullen, and their colleagues wanted to find a better way to care for pediatric patients who came through the emergency room and required further follow up. They also knew that undergraduate and post graduate trainees needed to see patients in an environment where they could learn […]
Read moreRecognizing the need to update and disseminate a Clinical Order Set (COS) used for treating patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a group of hospitalists, led by Drs. Megan Milliken, Anne McHale, Jean Maskey, and Shauna Tierney set out to work on the order set in consultation with Respirology, […]
Read moreSuspecting that malignant and pre-malignant skin lesions occur commonly among nursing home residents, radiation oncologist Dr. Jan Lim set about to pilot an approach to improving the delivery of early cancer detection and treatment to these residents. Dr. Lim wanted to bring expertise in detecting cancerous skin lesions to residents […]
Read moreVancouver Island is a leading center for the provision of Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD) in the country. However, at the same time as Victoria’s relatively older population has been becoming increasingly aware of the possibility of medically-assisted death at the end of life, the number of MAiD providers has […]
Read moreDr. Denis Petrunia, Dr. Alan Buckley and their gastroenterology colleagues wanted to improve access and availability of endoscopic (ERCP) procedures at Victoria General Hospital. This was a seemingly complicated task involving radiology, gasteroenterology and the surgical day care staff, with implications for patient transfers between RJH and VGH, nursing overtime, […]
Read moreThis article was originally published on the Island Health intranet, reposted here for your enjoyment! When a person experiences cardiac arrest, paramedics and first responders may use an Automated External Defibrillator to help “re-set” the heart rhythm. Not all cardiac arrests receive a shock, but all AEDs collect important heart […]
Read moreDr. John Samphire wanted to get lung cancer patients into the OR sooner. Inefficiencies in the transfer of patients between the initial abnormal CT scan, further diagnostics with specialists, and scheduling the surgery can create harmful delays in treatment. Using his grant from the South Island MSA, Dr. Samphire wanted […]
Read moreTo support patients with Crohn’s Disease, Dr. Dustin Loomes created an evidence-based resource package and program for those who are also smokers. Before launching the work, though, Dr. Loomes sought formal input from colleagues, Island Health, gastroenterologists, respirologists, IBD nurses, and research assistants, in order to ensure a robust, comprehensive […]
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