No images? Click here In This Issue - January 2021
Physicians' CornerHappy New Year! I would like to welcome you to our first Physicians Newsletter and Physicians' Corner of 2021. It is no doubt apparent to everyone that we are currently in an intense phase of this pandemic. Although vaccines beginning to roll-out in Niagara this month are a harbinger of better days ahead, it will likely be at least another couple of years before the pandemic is truly over. Fortunately, it will likely be much less intense by the latter part of this year and as we move into next year. In partnership with Niagara Health, we have successfully immunized thousands of residents and front-line health care workers in long-term care and high-risk retirement homes here in Niagara. This work will continue in the month ahead.
As part of Niagara’s response to the ongoing pandemic, the Community Coordination Task Force for COVID-19 Vaccination has been formed. As Niagara’s vaccination strategy evolves and progresses, the task force will also consult and collaborate with other groups, organizations and sectors as required. The group is expected to remain active until Dec. 31, 2021. As a special edition to the physicians' corner broadcast this month, below you will find the video recording of the COVID-19 status update that was provided to Regional Council this past Friday, January 22. ____ If you have any questions, please review our FAQs for health care professionals or call our COVID-19 Health Care Professionals information line at 905-688-8248, press 7 then press 1. Note: Having trouble viewing the video? Right click on the top of the email and select "download pictures" or view the email in your web browser. UPDATE: Influenza Vaccine ProductsThe flu vaccine remains an important defense against acquiring and spreading the influenza virus, helping to save lives and reducing the strain on our health care system. Although influenza case counts to date are low, it is still important to vaccinate against the flu to prevent infections given the current strain on our health care system as a result of COVID-19. If you'd like to place an order for additional influenza vaccine please complete the Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Order Form. Due to high demand for the influenza vaccine, the province procured additional influenza vaccine products. As a result patients may report receiving publicly funded FluMist from a pharmacist. Expanded Scope of Practice for Pharmacists: Influenza Immunization: As of December 11, 2020, pharmacists working in community pharmacies participating in the Universal Influenza Immunization Program (UIIP) can administer publicly funded influenza vaccines to individuals two years of age and older. Previously, pharmacists were only able to vaccinate children five years of age and older UPDATE: Prenatal ServicesNiagara Region Public Health continues to offer a variety of prenatal services to support families. Healthy from the Start (new program!)
Free Online Learning
One-on-One Appointment with A Public Health Nurse
Home Visiting Program
Make a direct referral for any of Public Health's prenatal services using the Child and Family Health Supports Referral Form. For more information on these programs, visit the Maternal, Child webpage for Health Care Professionals. Order the Niagara Parents prenatal services rack card or the Niagara Parent tear-pads for your office (Order Resources - Maternal, Child Health). REVIEW: Respiratory SurveillanceSurveillance Update: Influenza Activity Low
For more detail or the most recent data, please visit Public Health Ontario’s page for the Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin. REVIEW: Syphilis Rates on the Rise in NiagaraRecent data shows that syphilis is increasing in Niagara:
Please be familiar with risk factors and clinic manifestations of primary, secondary, latent and tertiary syphilis when screening patients.
For consult regarding syphilis infection or to order medications, call 905-688-3817 or 1-800-263-5757 ext. 7723 (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) and request to speak to a nurse. REVIEW: Niagara Parents - Supporting Families during COVID-19After the initial lockdown, the Ontario Parent Survey found almost 60% of parents in Niagara are interested in receiving parenting information during the COVID-19 pandemic. Niagara Region Public Health continues to offer the following services to families (virtually):
Refer your patient to our program using the online referral form. Questions? Connect with a public health nurse at Niagara Parents Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. by calling 905-984-7555 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7555. Fluoride Varnish and Primary Care Although Public Health’s dental clinics are closed, children can receive free fluoride varnish treatments at participating primary care offices through our fluoride varnish program. To learn how your practice can participate in this program, please contact your Primary Care & Stakeholder Engagement Advisor. FREE CME TRAINING: Connecting to Hope - Addressing Suicide with Your Patients Family physicians and allied health professionals are invited to attend this virtual (Zoom) event! Feb. 24, 2021 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. In Niagara, someone dies by suicide approximately every 9 days. Health care providers can play an integral role by actively addressing suicide with patients. Join Niagara Region Public Health to learn from keynote speakers Dr. Paul Links and Dr. Kelly Posner on assessing and managing suicide risk in primary care settings and using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale with patients. Learning objectives:
Register online or call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7192 by Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. This Group Learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 1.75 Mainpro+ credits. Centre for Effective Practice Questions about COVID-19 Vaccines? Need help managing your Type 2 diabetes patients? The Centre for Effective Practice can help! The Centre for Effective Practice (CEP) is a not-for-profit organization with no industry funding. COVID-19 Vaccine Information Primary care providers are encouraged to visit CEP’s continuously updated COVID-19 resource for the latest up-to-date information on the COVID-19 vaccines. Support for Managing your Type 2 Diabetes Patients Free, Mainpro+ accredited, virtual educational visits (academic detailing) with a clinical pharmacist are now available to Niagara family physicians on Type 2 diabetes: Non-insulin pharmacotherapy and providing diabetes care during the pandemic. Your academic detailer can discuss:
Sign up today by contacting your local academic detailer and clinical pharmacist Silvana (silvana.ferrara@cep.health; 905-329-8178). MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS Review previously issued medical advisories or memos online! Not yet subscribed? Receive medical advisories and memos electronically from Niagara Region Public Health - subscribe here. |