No Images? Click here In This Issue - September 2019
MESSAGE FROM THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH: A Time of Provincial Changes Colleagues, You likely already know that the Ontario government is planning changes to public health. I’d like to briefly share what we know and what we do not about this. There are two changes announced by the province:
Currently, public health is funded 75% by the province and 25% locally. The province is changing this ratio to 70%-30%. Initially, they announced a further change to 60%-40%. However, they have stopped mentioning this further download. We don’t yet know if this is off the table , under review, or just not being mentioned. After reorganization, it is planned that Niagara Region Public Health will be in an “entity” with Hamilton, Haldimand-Norfolk, and Brant County. The word “entity” is interesting—it is unclear if this will be a large new agency, an umbrella for the existing local agencies, or something in-between. In the last month, the Province has pulled back from their aggressive timeline for these changes (originally it was to have been completed in March 2020) and is now planning to bring in an expert advisor to lead consultations. This new timeline is due in part due to strong advocacy from our health care colleagues such as yourself. Thank you so much for what you have done to speak up about the value of public health. In the meantime, our goal in Public Health is to prevent these politics from becoming a distraction, and stay focused on serving our community, in many cases, through working with partners such as you. Please do continue to reach out and work with us as usual. And thank you for your ongoing support of Public Health! Sincerely, M. Mustafa Hirji WELCOME: New Family Physicians and Specialists in 2019 Welcome to Family Practice Dr. Maria Cescon, Lincoln Dr. Amir Naeeni, Niagara Falls Dr. Whitney Dillon, Niagara on the Lake Dr. Joseph Fraelic, Port Colborne/Fort Erie Dr. Laura Walmsley, Smithville Dr. Adewale Aromolaran, St. Catharines Dr. Amanda Butera, St. Catharines Dr. Stephanie Yurkewich, St. Catharines Dr. Sarah Ollier, Welland Welcome New Specialists Community Specialists Dr. Mazid Alsahli, Endocrinologist, St. Catharines Niagara Health Specialists Dr. Alexander Freytag, Anesthesiologist Dr. Ekta Khemani, Anesthesiologist Dr. Gabriel Chan, Emergency Medicine Dr. Hiba Chehade, Emergency Medicine Dr. Justin Powers, Emergency Medicine Dr. Andre Maddison, General Internist Dr. Gavin Mazzetti, General Internist Dr. Joyce Lam, Intensivist Dr. Cameron Phillips, Medical Oncologist Dr. Kathleen Quinn, Nephrologist Dr. Alicia Mattia, Neurologist Dr. Emily Baker, Obstetrician & Gynecologist Dr. Heather MacDonald, Obstetrician & Gynecologist Dr. Christopher McLaughlin, Ophthalmologist Dr. David Dudok, Ophthalmologist Dr. Adam Katchky, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Britton Tisdale, Urologist Dr. Mohamad Salkeni, Hematologist Dr. Robert McCloy III, Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Roveena Sequeira, Emergency Medicine Dr. Stephanie Paolone, General Internist Dr. Winnie Chan, Cardiologist UPDATE: Chickenpox Reporting Did you know that chickenpox (varicella) infection is reportable to Public Health? Even with the decreased incidence over the last two decades, chickenpox remains a disease of Public Health significance. The following cases should be reported to NRPH for case and contact management: Within one business day:
By the end of the month:
Please report by calling the Infectious Disease program at (905)688-8248 ext. 7330 Monday to Friday from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m. UPDATE: Vaping and E-Cigarettes Advisory Health Canada, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have each issued an advisory related to the use of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) products. At the time of writing this, CDC has received complete data for 373 of 530 reported confirmed or probable cases: 72% cases are male, 67% of cases are between 18 to 34 years old, 16% are under 18. All cases have a history of e-cigarette use with either THC, nicotine, or both, in the 90 days prior to illness. At this time, nothing more specific has been found in terms of risk factors or causal agents. There are now reportedly 4 investigations in Canada related to probable or possible vaping and severe pulmonary illness. We expect all of these numbers to change frequently. Health Canada states that e-cigarette use can cause nicotine dependence; in children/youth it can affect the memory/concentration, alter brain development, reduce impulse control, and cause cognitive/behavioral problems. Long-term effects of e-cigarette use are unknown. This acute illness is an additional, very serious concern. Public hospitals are now required to provide statistical, non-identifying information about vaping-related Severe Pulmonary Disease (SPD) to Ontario’s Chief Medical officer of Health. The case definitions include a history of vaping or dabbing within 90 days prior to symptoms and pulmonary infiltrate with no other plausible diagnosis. Health care professionals with patients presenting with respiratory symptoms (with an unclear cause) such as shortness of breath, cough and chest pain, should ask patients about their use of drugs from any source, including e-cigarette products/devices, liquids, refill pods and/or cartridges. Health Canada is requesting that adverse reactions related to vaping be reported. FOR YOUR PATIENTS: Contraceptive Updates Our Sexual Health Centres are no longer offering the following brands of birth control pills
Also, we now offer Ella, a prescription emergency contraceptive for $17.00. Ella, similar to Plan B, reduces the chance of becoming pregnant if birth control fails or if someone has unprotected sex. For more information, please contact the Sexual Health program at 1-888-264-5757 or 905-688-3817 during office hours Monday to Friday 08:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. FOR YOUR PATIENTS: FIT Update from Dr. Meghan Davis Thanks you for making the FIT launch on June 24th a success with over 200,000 requisitions submitted across the province to date! Reminders
For more FIT resources click here or email Dr. Davis. REVIEW: Motivating Parents re: Flu Vaccine Laboratory confirmed cases of influenza disproportionately affect young children in Niagara. The flu vaccine can prevent hospitalization in children. Yet in Niagara influenza is the number one reason children under 10 visit the emergency department. Research shows parents have misconceptions about the need for and efficacy of the flu vaccine, leading to lower uptake. There is now evidence-based guidance around how to increase vaccine uptake. To motivate parents to get their child vaccinated, try:
Resources NOTE: We expect vaccine availability timelines to be similar to other years. FREE TRAINING: Breastfeeding - Making A Difference (Level One) Niagara Region Public Health is hosting a three day workshop series for healthcare providers working in Niagara: Breastfeeding - Making a Difference, Level 1. Join Kathy O’Grady Venter, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, BFI Assessor for the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, and Educator for Quintessence Foundation for this opportunity on November 21, 28 and December 5, 2019. Note: participants must attend all three session dates. Those will attend the workshop are eligible for 18 L contact CERPS (Continuing Education Recognition Points). Register before November 1, 2019. SURVEY: Concussion Care and Management Niagara Region Public Health, Brock University and local physicians are partnering to survey local healthcare providers on concussion care and management in Niagara. Please take a few minutes to fill out the survey if you work with patients with concussions. MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS: September 2019 You can now receive Medical Advisories and Memos electronically from Niagara Region Public Health - subscribe here. |