Doctors to Ontarians – Please take COVID rise seriously, stay home and physically distance
TORONTO, Nov. 13, 2020 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors say we all need to resume the good hygiene practices and physical distancing we embraced last spring to stop the record numbers of people getting sick with COVID-19.
Doctors are worried about projections there could be 6,500 cases a day in the weeks before Christmas. Flattening the curve is a shared responsibility and we all need to take this pandemic seriously.
"We know that everyone is weary of being cooped up in their homes and missing friends and family, especially as the holiday season approaches," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "As Premier Ford has said, to defeat this pandemic, we need to all work together – patients, doctors on the front line and the government. This pandemic will pass. The decisions we make and the actions we take will determine who will be alive and what our society will look like then. Together we can create a better future and frankly we must."
Take your doctor's expert advice and do these five things to reduce the spread of COVID:
Wash your hands regularly.
Wear a mask or face covering at all times unless you are at home with housemates or outdoors with guaranteed two metres distance from others.
Stay away from crowded places.
Celebrate or gather only with members of your household. Don't invite others into your home.
Prepare for contact tracing if you get COVID. Download the COVID-19 app and/or keep track of where you go and when.
Ontario's doctors are also calling on the government to fix the new framework for when regions can tighten and loosen pandemic restrictions. The framework allows too many businesses to remain open even when many people in their communities have the virus. We strongly recommend regions in the "restrict" and "control" categories should close bars and indoor dining altogether.
Hotspots, particularly Toronto and neighbouring Peel Region, should stop all non-essential services including all public events to gain control of the spread while strengthening public health measures. The government need to ensure testing, contract tracing and isolation.
"We appreciate that the government is trying to balance managing the pandemic and the economy, both of which impact everyone's health and livelihoods," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "The OMA shares Premier Ford's objectives. All Ontarians are in this together."
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
HELL OR HIGH POMEGRANATE FIRESIDE CHAT -- WINTER SPICED ALE Ring in the Holiday Season with 21st Amendment Brewery's New Winter Beers Brewed with Real Pomegranates (Hell or High) and Special Spice Blend with TCHO Cocoa Nibs (Fireside Chat) *** #1 of the 10 Best Christmas Beers 2020: Fireside Chat-Men's Health
San Francisco, Calif. -- Friday, November 13, 2020 -- 21st Amendment Brewery rings in the 2020 holiday season with two seasonal stunners ready to entice tastebuds with the sweet, mouth-puckering tartness of Hell or High Pomegranate (4.9% ABV, 12 oz. cans in 6-Packs, Draft) and special 10th Anniversary release of the annual winter spiced ale, Fireside Chat (7.9% ABV, 12 oz. cans in 6-Packs, Draft). The beloved Hell or High Watermelon Wheat summer seasonal now has a wintertime companion for chilly nights and holiday-themed dinners with the launch of Hell or High Pomegranate. Fireside Chat cozies up close to the burning embers with aromas of chocolate malt, spices, and cocoa nibs filling the air. The holidays will certainly be different in 2020. Families and friends will be brought together for joyous celebrations -- though many will use the digital world to connect. What's remained consistent over the past two decades is the 21st Amendment Brewery's dedication to brewing innovative limited-edition holiday beers for people to enjoy and be a part of unforgettable memories. For detailed beer descriptions and suggested food pairings for Hell or High Pomegranate and Fireside Chat, please read below: Hell or High PomegranateAn iconic woman symbolizing values of freedom and inclusivity, the Statute of Liberty now graces in all her glory the Hell or High line's packaging and cans year-round for all three offerings: Watermelon, Mango, and Pomegranate. Brewed with real pomegranates, Hell or High Pomegranate reflects the joy of the holidays with its burgundy-red color and luscious sweet/tart flavors. Hell or High Pomegranate fits snuggly into winter with notes reminiscent of cranberries and the light biscuity characters of a true handcrafted American wheat beer. At only 4.9% ABV, beer lovers can comfortably drink more than one. Holiday Food Pairing Suggestions with Hell or High Pomegranate:Grilled Apple Brined Pork Chops; Roast Turkey with Cranberry Gravy; Roasted Winter Root Cellar Vegetables with a Honey Glaze; Pan Broiled Miso-Glazed Salmon; and Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Fireside Chat -- Winter Spiced AleChristmas comes a little early every year with the much-anticipated November 2020 release of Fireside Chat. A flagship beer recipe of 21st Amendment's San Francisco brewpub that's evolved into an annual limited-edition winter warmer favorite, Fireside Chat is the perfect sipper at the Thanksgiving dinner table or while nestled up fireside with loved ones. Lush and flavorful cocoa nibs from TCHO Chocolate (San Francisco, Calif.) add a deep layer of texture to the beautiful malt character of eight different malts. The English-style strong ale is well-balanced by Shaun O'Sullivan's (Co-Founder and Brewmaster, 21st Amendment Brewery)selection of spices. It's no wonder Fireside Chat took home a Silver Medal from Great American Beer Festival, and Men's Health magazine ranks it #1 of the "10 Best Christmas Beers 2020" (LINK). O'Sullivan notes, "Fireside Chat has a great amber color, a toffee foam head, soft spice profile and rich chocolate flavor on the finish that most beer drinkers will enjoy. Also, the packaging features FDR having a fireside conversation with a holiday Elf. It doesn't get much better than that." Holiday Food Pairing Suggestions with Fireside Chat:Hearty Beef Stew; Oven Roasted Turkey; Creamy Risotto; Apple Crumb Pie; Pumpkin Cheesecake; and Tiramisu. Hell or High Pomegranate and Fireside Chat are available now in all 30 states where 21st Amendment distributes. For more information and to find some using our beer finder, please visit www.21st-Amendment.com.
Almost half of working Canadians say they need mental health support
Morneau Shepell's Mental Health Index™ for October continues to trend well below the pre-pandemic benchmark with a decline in work productivity
TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell, a leading provider of total wellbeing, mental health and digital mental health services, today released its monthly Mental Health Index™ report, revealing a consistent negative mental health score among Canadians at the seven-month mark of the pandemic. The findings show the impact of this extended period of strain and the presidential election in the United States are major contributing factors.
The Mental Health Index™ score is -11.4, representing a decline from September (-10.2). This decline puts working Canadians back to near the lowest point in April 2020, when the mental health score was -11.7. The score measures the improvement or decline in mental health from the pre-2020 benchmark of 75. The Mental Health Index™ also tracks sub-scores against the benchmark, measuring financial risk (2.5), psychological health (-2.5), isolation (-11.5), work productivity (-12.6), depression (-12.9), optimism (-13.0) and anxiety (-13.4).
Given the prolonged period of increased strain, nearly half (48 per cent) of respondents reported needing some form of mental health support. The most commonly reported source of mental health support is from family members (24 per cent), followed by support from friends or co-workers (20 per cent) and support from a mental health professional (eight per cent). Additionally, nine per cent of individuals reported needing support, but have not sought it. This group has, by far, the lowest mental health score (-33.9).
Both work productivity and savings have declined after a brief period of improvement The score of -12.6 for work productivity is a decline that reverses modest gains over the summer, and brings us below where we were in June 2020 (-12.1). Another negative trend is evident in financial risk. For the second consecutive month, financial risk showed further decline after several months of improvement.
"COVID-19 continues to take a toll on the mental health of Canadians, and we are now approaching a point in the year when feelings of isolation, stress and anxiety will likely get worse," said Stephen Liptrap, president and chief executive officer. "The restrictions imposed to combat the second wave of the pandemic and the approaching cold weather are keeping Canadians indoors for longer periods of time. Organizations need to make a conscious effort to check back in with employees and review their mental health strategies, or risk detrimental and long-term impacts on business performance."
The research found that the majority (41 per cent) of respondents indicated that they are putting in more effort at work when compared to before the pandemic. These individuals also reported a lower mental health score (-12.0) than those who reported no change in work effort and those who put in less (-11.9 and -9.3, respectively). The increased effort is linked to the emotional strain that makes it harder for people to be as productive as they would have been otherwise.
"New workplace dynamics are influenced by what people are experiencing personally, now more than ever. The pandemic has had a significant impact on employees' home, family and personal dynamics and work is impacted as well. Canadians have had to adapt to substantial changes in their routine and concerns about job and economic security, while at the same time finding news ways to keep a healthy work-life balance," said Paula Allen, senior vice president of research, analytics and innovation. "At a minimum, each individual psychologically needs several things each day: a sense of accomplishment, social contact, fun, laughter and physical movement. Employers have a tremendous opportunity to encourage and support these healthy practices, which are part of building the resilience needed now and ongoing."
Divisive U.S. presidential election taking a toll on Canadians' mental health The impact of the 2020 presidential election has extended north of the border in recent months, with Canadians feeling an impact on their mental health. Almost four in ten (38 per cent) felt that the U.S. election had a negative impact on their mental health, with this group also reporting the lowest mental health score (-16.7) across respondents. In contrast, only nine per cent of employees felt the election had a positive impact on their mental health. The mental health score for this group was significantly higher (-8.3) than the first group.
Prolonged uncertainty and information overload continue to contribute to Canadians' mental strain, which is taken to a new extreme when factoring in political tension. Canadians understand that the presidential election will have a far-reaching economic and social impact on neighbouring countries, creating an added layer of stress for a population that has seen its collective mental health negatively impacted due to the COVID-19 health pandemic.
About the Mental Health Index™ The monthly survey by Morneau Shepell was conducted through an online survey in English and French from September 28 to October 19, 2020, 2020, with 3,000 respondents in Canada. All respondents reside in Canada and were employed within the last six months. The data has been statistically weighted to ensure the regional and gender composition of the sample reflect this population. The Mental Health Index™ is published monthly, beginning April 2020, and compares against benchmark data collected in 2017, 2018 and 2019. The full Canada report can be found at https://www.morneaushepell.com/permafiles/93109/mental-health-index-report-canada-october-2020.pdf.
About Morneau Shepell Morneau Shepell is a leading provider of technology-enabled HR services that deliver an integrated approach to employee wellbeing through our cloud-based platform. Our focus is providing world-class solutions to our clients to support the mental, physical, social and financial wellbeing of their people. By improving lives, we improve business. Our approach spans services in employee and family assistance, health and wellness, recognition, pension and benefits administration, retirement consulting, actuarial and investment services. Morneau Shepell employs approximately 6,000 employees who work with some 24,000 client organizations that use our services in 162 countries. Morneau Shepell is a publicly traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.
SOURCE Morneau Shepell Inc.
CCRM and McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) Partner to Build and Operate Biomanufacturing Campus
CCRM AND MIP ANNOUNCE THEY HAVE EXECUTED A LETTER OF INTENT TO PARTNER IN THE DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF A BIOMANUFACTURING CAMPUS AT MCMASTER INNOVATION PARK
CCRM TO LEVERAGE MIP-MCMASTER UNIVERSITY ECOSYSTEM, SOUTHERN ONTARIO LIFE SCIENCES INNOVATION CORRIDOR
MIP TO LEVERAGE CCRM AS A NEXUS OF MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY AND COMMERCIALIZATION WITHIN THE GLOBAL REGENERATIVE MEDICINE ECOSYSTEM, INCLUDING CELL & GENE THERAPIES
HAMILTON, ON and TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - CCRM, a leader in developing and commercializing regenerative medicine-based technologies and cell and gene therapies, and McMaster Innovation Park (MIP), Canada's Premier Innovation Park, announce they have signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) to partner in the development of a biomanufacturing campus at MIP focused on regenerative medicine-based technologies and cell and gene therapies. The LOI advances a months-long relationship between CCRM and MIP, and formalizes their intent to co-develop a business case around the construction and operation of what is envisioned to be Canada's largest and most advanced Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO). The envisioned facility will enable CCRM to scale its operations and provide critical space, services and support to cell and gene therapy focused ventures from across Canada and the world.
The agreement, which is focused on an initial CDMO facility to produce cells and viral vectors for Phase III clinical trials and commercial-scale manufacturing, represents the first phase of a long-term initiative to develop a biomanufacturing campus at the innovation park, and thus form the western anchor of the emerging life science corridor spanning from Hamilton to Toronto. The short-term priority is to develop a costed facility design and an investment thesis that the parties will use to secure industry, regulatory and government support, along with the funding necessary for its construction and operation.
"Our partnership with MIP is about more than building a facility," explained Dr. Michael May, President and CEO, CCRM. "This is about building domestic manufacturing capacity within the region for the next generation of medical advances. Our expectation is that the biomanufacturing campus within MIP, and the CDMO, will result in jobs, economic stimulus for the region and, most importantly, life-saving products for patients. For Canada, our opportunity to be amongst the global leaders in cell and gene therapy is of strategic significance." CCRM will retain its current Toronto offices, research facilities and manufacturing facilities in the MaRS Centre.
Ty Shattuck, CEO of McMaster Innovation Park, commented, "The introduction of CCRM to MIP's innovation ecosystem is in the context of MIP's 2.8 million sq. ft. Life Sciences 'MegaHub', announced earlier this year. CCRM will be an anchor within the MIP, and because they will retain their research facilities within MaRS, it will act as an ongoing and active connection between two of the most advanced life science ecosystems within Canada." He added, "Today, entrepreneurs, leading global companies and investors in the life sciences increasingly see the Toronto-GTA-Hamilton area as a global-calibre life sciences corridor. This region has established itself as a prolific global leader in life sciences innovation. MIP plays an important and growing part in that success, working with exciting organizations like CCRM."
About CCRM CCRM is a global, public-private partnership headquartered in Canada. It receives funding from the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, and leading academic and industry partners. CCRM supports the development of regenerative medicines and associated enabling technologies, with a specific focus on cell and gene therapy. A network of researchers, leading companies, strategic investors and entrepreneurs, CCRM accelerates the translation of scientific discovery into new companies and marketable products for patients, with specialized teams, funding, and infrastructure. CCRM is the commercialization partner of the Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the University of Toronto's Medicine by Design. CCRM is hosted by the University of Toronto. Visit us at ccrm.ca.
About MIP
McMaster Innovation Park (MIP) is Canada's premier research park based in the heart of southwestern Ontario and home to over one hundred companies in the Life Science, Engineering & Advanced Manufacturing and high-tech sectors. MIP's proven ability to support and grow mid-market / SME enterprises results in faster, more economically impactful, and lower risk investments for government and private investors alike.
SOURCE CCRM
Medicago and GSK announce start of Phase 2/3 clinical trials of adjuvanted COVID-19 vaccine candidate
The COVID-19 vaccine candidate will contain GSK's pandemic adjuvant
Phase 3 part of clinical trial to enroll over 30,000 volunteers worldwide
QUEBEC CITY and LONDON, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ - Medicago, a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Quebec City, and GSK are pleased to announce the start of Phase 2/3 clinical trials of its plant-derived vaccine candidate for COVID-19 to evaluate its efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity. Based on the positive Phase 1 results and the approval of Canadian regulatory authorities, Medicago has decided to launch the Phase 2/3 clinical trial with GSK's pandemic adjuvant.
"Our Phase 1 results of the adjuvanted vaccine candidate were very encouraging and fully support further clinical evaluation," said Nathalie Landry, Executive Vice President, Scientific and Medical Affairs at Medicago.
Thomas Breuer, Chief Medical Officer GSK Vaccines said, "This is the first of several GSK COVID-19 vaccine candidate collaborations to start Phase 2/3 clinical testing and an important step forward in our contribution to the global fight against the pandemic. We are delighted with the very promising Phase 1 results of Medicago's COVID-19 vaccine candidate in combination with GSK's pandemic adjuvant. Proven dose-sparing and a high immune response due to GSK's adjuvant make us confident of delivering an efficacious vaccine with an acceptable safety profile in collaboration with Medicago."
The Coronavirus-Like Particle COVID-19 vaccine candidate (CoVLP) is composed of recombinant spike (S) glycoprotein expressed as virus-like particles (VLPs).
The study is a multi-portion design to confirm that the chosen formulation and dosing regimen of CoVLP (two doses of 3.75 µg CoVLP combined with GSK's pandemic adjuvant given 21 days apart) has an acceptable immunogenicity and safety profile in healthy adults 18-64 years of age and in elderly subjects aged 65 and over.
The Phase 2 trial part is a randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the adjuvanted recombinant COVID-19 plant-derived vaccine candidate in subjects aged 18 and above. It will be conducted in multiple sites in Canada and, upon FDA allowance, in the United States and on a population composed of healthy adults (18-64y) and elderly adults (over 65y). Each age group will have over 300 subjects randomized 5:1 to receive the adjuvanted CoVLP vaccine candidate: placebo and with 2:1 stratification in older adults (65-74 and ≥75). All subjects will be followed for a period of 12 months after the last vaccination for the assessment of safety and durability of the immune responses to the vaccine candidate.
The Phase 3 part of the study should start before the end of 2020 and is an event-driven, randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled design that will evaluate the efficacy and safety of the CoVLP formulation, compared to placebo, in over 30,000 subjects in North America, Latin America and/or Europe and within the same population, or – alternatively – amongst a broader one pending approval by regulatory authorities.
About Medicago
Medicago is a biopharmaceutical company and pioneer in plant-derived therapeutics. Founded in 1999 with the belief that innovative approaches and rigorous research would bring new solutions in healthcare.
Our mission is to improve global health outcomes by leveraging innovative plant-based technologies for rapid responses to emerging global healthcare challenges. Medicago is committed to advancing therapeutics against life-threatening diseases worldwide. Our team includes over 450 scientific experts and employees in Canada and the United States and academic affiliations in Europe and South Africa.
Medicago has previously demonstrated its capability to be a first responder in a flu pandemic. In 2009, the company produced a research-grade vaccine candidate against H1N1 in just 19 days. In 2012, Medicago manufactured 10 million doses of a monovalent influenza vaccine candidate within one month for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), part of the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2015, Medicago also demonstrated in principle that it could rapidly produce an anti-Ebola monoclonal antibody cocktail for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
To learn more about our plant-based technology: Video / Website
About GSK and its commitment to tackling COVID-19
GSK is a science-led global healthcare company with a special purpose: to help people do more, feel better, live longer. For further information please visit www.gsk.com/about-us.
GSK is collaborating with companies and research groups across the world working on promising COVID-19 vaccine candidates through the use of our innovative vaccine adjuvant technology. The use of an adjuvant is of particular importance in a pandemic situation since it may reduce the amount of vaccine protein required per dose, allowing more vaccine doses to be produced and therefore contributing to protecting more people. GSK does not expect to profit from COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic phase, and will invest any short-term profit in coronavirus related research and long-term pandemic preparedness, either through GSK internal investments or with external partners.
SOURCE Medicago
Canadian tech company EAIGLE gives free COVID-19 assessment technology for government, health-care and non-profit sectors
In light of the ongoing pandemic, EAIGLE hopes to help organizations screen individuals for coronavirus
MARKHAM, ON, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - From Nov. 11 until the end of 2020, EAIGLE, a local Canadian Artificial Intelligence (AI) company specializing in COVID-19 solution technology, is providing all government, health-care, senior care providers and non-profit organizations with a digitized coronavirus assessment system at no cost.
"We've received so much support from multiple levels of government in Canada - we really thought this would be a good way to give back," said Amir Hoss, the CEO of EAIGLE. "We want to be an active player in helping Canadians mitigate the spread of the virus, recover from the difficulties it caused and build back even better."
A recent installment in their COVID-19 technological solutions, EAIGLE's COVID-19 assessment technology, following provincial screening guidelines, enables organizations to automate the screening process by digitally screening employees and visitors. EAIGLE offers flexible, accessible and no-contact questionnaires using online methods such as QR codes and website links to organizations looking for a seamless coronavirus declaration process. Beyond helping facilities implement COVID-19 screening procedures, EAIGLE stores all information securely for organization, reference and contact tracing purposes.
"Our system helps organizations save time and labour costs that normally would be dedicated towards having someone manually screen every individual entering a facility," said EAIGLE CTO Mahdi Marsousi. "There's no room for the mismanagement of information, or the worry of misplacing someone's screening results. Everything stays safe and secure."
EAIGLE pivoted from crowd monitoring tech into the COVID-19 solutions space during the onset of the pandemic, once realizing their AI and computer vision technology could be used to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Now offering crowd thermal screening, mask detection, live social distance measurements, people counting and space optimization technology, EAIGLE helps dozens of organizations around the country arm their facilities for a new pandemic-aware world.
"We perform over one million thermal scans a month," said Hoss. "Our technology has stopped COVID-19 cases from spreading further into workplaces and facilities. We know our technology makes a difference and we want people to know that we're here to help."
If your organization operates in government, long-term care, retirement services and nursing homes, non-profit or health-care sectors, contact the EAIGLE team at contact@eaigle.com or visit www.eaigle.com/covid-screening-questionnaire-solution/ to learn more about your free digital COVID-19 questionnaire system.
SOURCE EAIGLE
Ontario doctors advise Premier Ford to increase restrictions in new COVID framework
TORONTO, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - Ontario's doctors say the new framework for when regions can tighten and loosen pandemic restrictions is insufficient at a time when the province is reporting record numbers of COVID cases and called on Premier Doug Ford to fix it.
Doctors working on the front lines of the pandemic support the idea of a framework but say this one is too lax and allows too many businesses to remain open even when many people in their communities have the virus.
"Doctors are worried. It is clear the new tiered framework is not enough to control the virus, which is spreading among more and more people," said Dr. Samantha Hill, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "We must do more to protect the people of Ontario, especially those weaker than ourselves. That is why we are advising our partners in care, Premier Ford and Ontario mayors, to fix this framework and put more resources into testing and contact tracing in the meantime. You have the support of doctors to do it."
The new framework places each of Ontario's public health units in a green, yellow, orange, red or lockdown category based on a series of trends such as how many people are testing positive or being hospitalized.
Ontario's doctors recommend those trends, or thresholds at which regions move from tier to tier, should be much lower, in some cases 50 percent lower. We strongly recommend locations in the "restrict" (yellow) and "control' (red) categories should close bars and indoor dining altogether.
And for hotspots such as Toronto, Peel and Ottawa, which are all close to lockdown, Ontario's doctors strongly recommend stopping all non-essential services including all public events to gain control of the spread while strengthening public health measures.
We also applaud the local medical officers of health in Toronto and Peel Region for doing the right thing and increasing local measures beyond what the framework requires.
"Ontario's doctors want to work with Premier Ford to make our province as safe as possible for as many people as possible," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "We can't have a healthy economy without healthy people. Following the recommendations of Ontario's doctors will stop the spread and support a safe reopening."
About the OMA
The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000-plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.
SOURCE Ontario Medical Association
Baxter Canada Announces First Regulatory Approval of New Novum IQ Infusion Platform
Pioneering platform offers both large volume and syringe infusion pumps, is foundational for continued innovation in medication delivery and management
Integrates Baxter's decades of leadership in infusion therapy with advanced digital health solutions, including the Dose IQ Safety Software—a web-based drug library software—and the IQ Enterprise Connectivity Suite, to build on the company's proven technology for protecting infusions from medication error
Offers both English and French language options to meet the needs of healthcare professionals across Canada
Health Canada approval represents first regulatory clearance in a series of planned submissions globally
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - Baxter Canada, a leader in innovative technology for medication delivery, today announced Health Canada marketing authorization of its new Novum IQ Infusion Platform. Building on the company's decades of experience at the patient bedside, Novum IQ is the foundation for Baxter's continued innovation in medication delivery and management. The marketing authorization in Canada includes Novum IQ large volume (LVP) and syringe infusion pumps as well as the company's Dose IQ Safety Software, representing Baxter's latest developments for infusion therapy and medication safety. Novum IQ is expected to be available to Canadian customers in the coming weeks.
"We are excited to introduce Novum IQ, our newest infusion pump platform designed to provide personalized therapy and help prevent harm to patients." said Anne-Marie Carli, head of Baxter's Medication Delivery business in Canada. "The integrated platform provides for both large volumetric and syringe infusion pumps adding another option for Canadian hospitals to provide high-quality infusion therapy for patients. Novum IQ is a full-suite package offered in both English and French."
Protecting More Infusions with Advanced Technologies
Advancing the safety and efficiency of medication delivery and management is critical, as data continues to show the harmful burden of errors on patient safety.1,2 In addition to offering both LVP and syringe infusion pumps, Novum IQ utilizes intuitive technologies built to protect infusions.
Novum IQ features Baxter's Dose IQ Safety Software, a web-based, customizable drug library and dose error reduction system. A well-managed drug library is a key safety feature of smart infusion pumps to assist clinicians in reducing the occurrence of potential dosing errors. Dose IQ helps hospitals by:
Helping ensure pumps are up-to-date with the latest dose information through centralized access to drug library files
Working across LVP and syringe pumps with the ability to differentiate enteral delivery on the syringe pump through designated screen colors
Novum IQ fully integrates with hospital electronic medical records (EMRs) through Baxter's IQ Enterprise Connectivity Suite – a software which also:
Enables over-the-air drug library and software updates to all Novum IQ pumps connected to a hospital's network
Provides clear visualizations of infusion data across a hospital system, allowing efficient identification of safety and process issues at every level of care
Based on clinical setting and patient need, hospitals benefit from having access to both LVP and syringe pumps. As LVPs deliver fluid from intravenous (IV) bags and syringe pumps from a syringe, LVPs typically administer higher volumes of fluid at faster rates. Syringe pumps are often used to precisely deliver small amounts of fluid at low rates, often in pediatric, neonatal or anesthesia care settings. The Novum IQ Infusion Platform integrates user experience across its LVP and syringe pumps, with shared safety features, advanced connectivity and a consistent, intuitive interface.
About Baxter Canada
Every day, millions of patients and caregivers rely on Baxter's leading portfolio of critical care, nutrition, renal, hospital and surgical products. In Canada, we've been operating at the critical intersection where innovations that save and sustain lives meet the healthcare providers that make it happen for 83 years. With products, technologies and therapies available in more than 100 countries, Baxter's employees worldwide are now building upon the company's rich heritage of medical breakthroughs to advance the next generation of transformative healthcare innovations. Baxter Canada and its over 1,200 employees are located primarily in Ontario at the Head Office, CIVA Admixing and Technical Services Centres in Mississauga, and in Alliston – where Baxter operates Canada's only large-scale manufacturing plant producing life-sustaining intravenous and dialysis solutions. To learn more, visit www.baxter.ca and follow Baxter on LinkedIn
For safe and proper use of this device, refer to the Operator Manual.
Indications for Use:
Novum IQ Large Volume Pump
The Novum IQ LVP is intended to be used for the controlled administration of fluids. These include parenteral pharmaceutical drugs, nutrition, blood and blood products.
The Novum IQ LVP is intended to deliver an infusion through clinically acceptable routes of administration: intravenous, arterial, subcutaneous, and epidural.
The Novum IQ LVP is intended to be used in conjunction with legally marketed and compatible intravenous administration sets, and medications provided by the user.
The Novum IQ LVP is suitable for patient care in hospitals and outpatient health care facilities.
The Novum IQ LVP is intended for use on adults, pediatrics and neonates.
The Novum IQ LVP is intended to aid in the reduction of operator interaction through guided programming, including a way to automate the programming of infusion parameters and documentation of infusion therapies. This automation is intended to aid in the reduction of programming errors.
The Novum IQ LVP is intended to be used by trained healthcare professionals.
Novum IQ Syringe Pump:
The Novum IQ Syringe Infusion Pump is intended to be used for the controlled administration of fluids. These include parenteral pharmaceutical drugs, nutrition, blood and blood products, and enteral nutrition.
The Novum IQ Syringe Infusion Pump is intended to deliver an infusion through clinically accepted routes of administration: intravenous, arterial, enteral, and subcutaneous.
The Novum IQ Syringe Infusion Pump is intended to be used in conjunction with legally marketed and compatible administration sets, syringes, and medications provided by the user.
The Novum IQ Syringe Infusion Pump is suitable for patient care in hospitals and outpatient health care facilities.
The Novum IQ Syringe Infusion Pump is intended for use on adults, pediatrics and neonates.
The Novum IQ Syringe Infusion Pump is intended to aid in the reduction of operator interaction through guided programming, including a way to automate the programming of infusion parameters and documentation of infusion therapies. This automation is intended to aid in the reduction of programming errors.
The Novum IQ Syringe Infusion Pump is intended to be used by trained healthcare professionals.
Baxter, Novum IQ, Dose IQ and IQ Enterprise are registered trademarks of Baxter International Inc.
St. Joseph's Health System, Niagara Health launch new innovative care model COVID Care @ Home
HAMILTON, ON, Nov. 12, 2020 /CNW/ - COVID Care @ Home is a new model of care delivered by St. Joseph's Home Care (SJHC), in partnership with St. Joseph's Health System (SJHS), Niagara Health and community partners that connects patients to care wherever they are, whenever they need it.
Starting at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton and Niagara Health, with rapid expansion to Kitchener, this new model of care for COVID patients will provide 24/7 access to high-quality care from one integrated team in the home and in community settings like retirement homes, shelters and hospices.
COVID Care @ Home is a uniquely designed program intended for those with a confirmed COVID diagnosis who do not require hospitalization. Complimenting existing local COVID initiatives, the program will support integrated care at home, early discharge from hospitals with supports and help to prevent hospitalization. It will also help to prevent outbreaks by providing Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) and coaching support for community congregate settings.
Patients will be assessed to determine what level of service will be provided. Vulnerable patients who are at risk of hospitalization and who require additional supports and services will have access to an integrated clinical care team, remote monitoring and at-home and virtual visits to support a safe recovery at home. This same model of care will be available to patients discharged from hospital so they can safely return home sooner.
This innovative, flexible model would provide COVID patients access to services that may not typically be within the scope of traditional home and community care supports. Patients will be cared for by one integrated team representing a variety of providers whose clinical decisions are empowered through the use of a single electronic patient record to support patients in the following ways:
Virtual Care (phone, video and remote patient monitoring)
One number to call 24/7
One clinical team
One electronic record
System navigation / connection to social supports
Access to specialists
IPAC Support
St. Joseph's Home Care will lead this innovative transformation to connect home care to a broad range of services for COVID patients and work in collaboration with other service provider organizations and primary care.
SJHS is one of the largest healthcare organizations in Canada, and the only system in Ontario delivering a full continuum of integrated health care services.
"We've learned a tremendous amount about COVID-19 over the last several months," said Tom Stewart, St. Joseph's Health System President and CEO and CEO of Niagara Health. "This new program builds on partnerships and learnings by increasing our focus on virtual care and specialized COVID care teams that crosses normal silos of care. This will help us through the second and future waves of the pandemic as well as prepare us for system transformation needed in healthcare."
The program is designed to support older adults who are at greater risk of physical and mental health decline. Patients will be enrolled by the clinical teams at the time of their COVID 19 diagnosis.
The new model will also help to protect capacity in hospitals by expanding supports and services in the community through a dedicated team that will facilitate care at home, support safe discharges from hospital and limit unnecessary Emergency Department visits. This will help hospitals to maintain capacity and services during a second wave as well as continuing scheduled surgeries to reduce wait lists and backlogs.
Since 1921, St. Joseph's Home Care has provided high quality, values-based home and community services in a spirit of compassion and dedication. We have evolved from a nursing agency to offering a much broader range of services, and our steadfast commitment to delivering exemplary client-focused care to the Hamilton community continues.
About St. Joseph's Health System
St. Joseph's Health System (SJHS) is one of the largest healthcare organizations in Canada, and is the only system in Ontario delivering a full continuum of health care services. SJHS is a globally recognized leader for innovation in models of patient-centred integrated care. SJHS has a unique partnership with Niagara Health to leverage each organization's strengths to bring better care to the people in the communities we serve.
About Niagara Health:
Niagara Health is a regional healthcare provider with multiple sites and a growing network of virtual and community-based services. We provide a wide range of inpatient and outpatient services to more than 450,000 residents across Niagara, including Acute Care, Cancer Care, Cardiac Care, Complex Care, Emergency and Urgent Care, Kidney Care, Long-Term Care, Mental Health and Addictions, Stroke Care and Surgical Care.
About St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
As a premier academic and research healthcare organization, St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton is committed to making a difference in people's lives and creating a lasting future for our community through integrated health services and internationally recognized programs. Our threefold mission is to provide dynamic research, revolutionary methods in health sciences education and the highest standard of clinical care in a spirit of compassion, innovation and commitment.
SOURCE St. Joseph's Health System
NBC Public Health Analyst: Invest in Our Children Now for the Sake of Our Country’s Future
New York, NY, November 12, 2020 — NBC public health analyst, pediatrician and activist Dr. Irwin Redlener has a powerful message for all of us: too many American children face insurmountable obstacles that keep them from achieving their dreams, and this “reflects a moral failure” and threatens our country’s economic viability and international influence going forward.
"I think of the children who dream big, who aspire to the same life goals as my own grandchildren, and who deserve to have the pathways and possibilities for their lives wide open,” writes Dr. Redlener in his poignant memoir and inspirational call to action, The Future of Us: What the Dreams of Children Mean for Twenty-First-Century America.
Inadequate education, barriers to health care and crushing poverty make it overwhelmingly difficult for many children to realize their dreams. Finding ways to alter these trajectories is serious, grown-up business, Dr. Redlener emphasizes, and it’s time for us to act.
In The Future of Us, Dr. Redlener draws upon his four decades of professional experiences to examine our nation’s health care safety nets and special programs that are designed to protect and nurture our most vulnerable kids, but that too often fail to do so.
The book follows Dr. Redlener’s long, colorful career, from his work as a pediatrician in the Arkansas delta, to treating child abuse in a Miami hospital, to helping children in the aftermaths of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. He has served on the board of USA for Africa, cofounded the Children’s Health Fund with Paul Simon (and persuaded Joan Baez to play a benefit concert) and dined with Fidel Castro. He once sat across the table from Michael Jackson, and he has traveled with presidential candidates. But his most powerful source of motivation remains the children who face terrible adversities yet dream of becoming paleontologists, artists and marine biologists. Their stories are his springboard for discussing larger policy issues that hinder us from effectively eradicating childhood poverty and overcoming barriers to accessible health care. Persistent deprivation and the avoidable problems that accompany poverty ensnare millions of children and impact the health, prosperity and creativity of the adults they become. Dr. Redlener argues that we must drastically change our approach to meeting the needs of children ― for their sake and to ensure America’s resiliency and influence in an increasingly complex world.
It is Dr. Redlener’s hope that readers will emerge optimistic about our future, with a deeper understanding of how investing in children today will increase our chances of a successful tomorrow. Fighting for our nation’s children is far from a lost cause, and nothing could be more important.
Author Irwin Redlener, M.D., is a pediatrician and founding director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia University’s Earth Institute, which works to understand and improve the nation's capacity to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. In 2020, Dr. Redlener created the Pandemic Resource and Response Initiative at Columbia. He is a public health analyst for NBC and MSNBC, and recently partnered with Cher in CherCares, a new program that assists communities struggling with COVID-19.
Dr. Redlener is also President Emeritus and Co-Founder of the Children’s Health Fund, a philanthropic initiative that he created with singer/songwriter Paul Simon and Karen Redlener to develop health care programs in 25 of the nation’s most medically underserved urban and rural communities. He currently serves as a special advisor on emergency preparedness to New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, and regularly communicates with leadership in U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services, as well as Homeland Security.
He is also the author of Americans at Risk: Why We Are Not Prepared for Megadisasters and What We Can Do Now. For more information, please visit www.irwinredlener.org.
The Future of Us: What the Dreams of Children Mean for Twenty-First-Century America
