No Images? Click here In This Issue - May 2019
REVIEW: Tips for Managing Tick Bites Identify the species of tick Ticks can be submitted to Niagara Region Public Health where a public health inspector will determine the type of tick (e.g. blacklegged/deer tick, American dog tick, lone star tick). Once the tick has been identified, your patient will be notified by Niagara Region Public Health. Consider post-exposure prophylaxis Routine use of antimicrobials or serologic testing is not recommended for clients exposed to a tick bite. The Infectious Disease Society of America guidelines recommend that the client should be assessed clinically and if there is no clinical evidence of Lyme disease, prophylaxis can be considered if all of the following criteria are met
Assess the client for symptoms of Lyme disease Lyme disease has an incubation period of approximately 3-30 days. Symptoms of early localized disease include
Lyme disease is reportable to the Medical Officer of Health under the Health Protection and Promotion Act. If you have a suspected and / or laboratory confirmed case of Lyme disease, please report it to Public Health. Diagnostics and/or treatment for Lyme disease
Resources REVIEW: Shared Care – Psychiatrist and Primary Care Niagara Region Mental Health (NRMH) has several services available that provide consultation from a psychiatrist
Open communication between the consulting psychiatrist and the primary care provider is important and encouraged when it comes to the client’s mental health. This communication and partnership of shared care can remove the risk of treatment disruption and will ultimately provide the best care when managing the patient’s mental health. For example
The NRMH psychiatrist is available to consult with you regarding any of the following reasons
To make a referral use the online form or download to print and fax. NOTE: For the Telemedicine program ONLY, please use this online form or download to print and fax. If you have questions about any of our Mental Health programs, or to connect with the NRMH psychiatrist regarding your patient that is enrolled in our program, please call 905-688-2854, ext. 7262. REVIEW: Hepatitis B & Returning Influenza Vaccine Grade 7 Program Hepatitis B (HB) Routine publicly funded HB vaccination series is only indicated for individuals who are currently in Grade 7. Please note:
Students who have started grade 9 and still require doses of HB vaccine will need a prescription so they can purchase the remaining doses privately. Influenza Vaccine Return All unused influenza vaccine needs to be returned to public health by the end of this flu season. Also, please ensure you are sending back only our vaccine products and not old medications or samples from your office with your return. If you have any questions, please contact the Vaccine Preventable Disease program at 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7396. FOR YOUR PATIENTS: Have That Talk In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Week in May, Niagara Region Public Health is highlighting the programs we have to support mental wellbeing with the goal of increasing opportunities for people to talk about mental health. Mental health is more than just mental illness – we believe in a mentally healthy Niagara where together we live, learn, work and play. Have That Talk (HTT) is a program for patients that offers interactive activities, including a video series with five modules, that help to raise awareness about the importance of mental health in all areas of life. Through this program, patients will
Niagara Region Public Health is offering this free 5-week program for your patients. For more information and to coordinate a HTT session, please click here. UPDATE: Ages and Stages Questionnaire - Pilot Project in Niagara Since 2015, through a pilot project in partnership with the Infant Mental Health Promotion program at SickKids Toronto, a number of agencies working with young children in Niagara have been trained to use, and have begun implementing developmental screening using, the Ages & Stages Questionnaire(s) (ASQ) and accompanying Hand in Hand developmental support plan. With approximately 30% of children in Niagara showing vulnerability on at least one developmental domain on the Early Development Instrument (EDI) by kindergarten, and the emotional maturity domains showing the greatest increase in vulnerability, the need for early identification and intervention is evident (see map below). Primary care providers are often identified by parents as the most trusted source of information about their child’s development and/or parenting issues. If a family presents to your practice to talk about their child’s ASQ results and/or general concerns regarding the child’s development, please refer to the following for more information
UPDATE: Re-Imagining Health Symposium - Oct. 16 & 17, 2019 Registration is now open for the Re-imagining Health Symposium presented by Brock University. This collaborative and catalyzing event will bring together health-focused researchers, practitioners, educators, health industry leaders, and policy makers to discuss the future of health care. This exciting symposium has been designed very differently than traditional research conferences to highlight current evidence-based practices, and the promising-practices of today and tomorrow. Learn more about this exciting event and register early. SURVEILLANCE UPDATE: Influenza A Dissipating Public Health Ontario’s most recent respiratory laboratory surveillance data (May 18th, 2019) indicates that
MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS: May 2019 MEDICAL ADVISORY: Measles Case in Niagara, May 8, 2019 MEMO: Drug-resistant Salmonella entericaserotype Typhi (XDR S. Typhi), May 28, 2019 MEMO: Anticipate Possible Increase in Appointments for Missed Vaccines, May 28, 2019 NOTE: You can now receive Medical Advisories and Memos electronically from Niagara Region Public Health - subscribe here. |