Kent Imaging's Breakthrough Medical Imaging Device Licensed with Health Canada

SOURCE Kent Imaging

Think Research to deliver comprehensive healthcare solutions on the IBM Cloud

TORONTO, Nov. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Think Research, a leading digital healthcare platform provider, today announced that it has partnered with IBM to drive further scalability for their suite of cloud-based clinical decision support tools using IBM Cloud.

To address modern medical challenges, health providers need access to the best clinical knowledge in easy-to-use and well-designed tools. Think Research provides this executable knowledge through a broad collection of health care applications, including Patient Order Sets, eForms, medication reconciliation, progress notes, eReferrals and more.

"We're dedicated to using modern tools to bring transformational change to the healthcare industry," said Saurabh Mukhi, Chief Technology Officer at Think Research. "Our suite of health care applications provide solutions across the health care spectrum. From primary providers and acute care settings through to long-term care facilities, we know their diverse needs demand the best infrastructure technology available."

To support their expanding global customer base, Think Research partnered with IBM to help deliver the robust technical infrastructure their highly-regulated customers' demand, while maintaining world-class security. IBM Cloud will help Think Research scale with success without compromising privacy concerns.

"Healthcare organizations need efficient and sustainable solutions to address this industry's challenges in new and innovative ways," said Nathalie Le Prohon, vice president of IBM's healthcare industry in Canada. "IBM Cloud provides a secure and reliable platform for healthcare companies, such as Think Research, to deliver better outcomes and drive much-needed transformation."

About Think Research

Think Research's mission is to organize the world's health knowledge so everyone gets the best care. The company takes the ever-growing body of clinical evidence and health care algorithms to create software applications that drive high quality clinical decision making.  Think Research's solutions are provided through a secure, multi-application platform that is used by clinicians and patients at the point of care, and is deployed in over 1,000 facilities in Canada, the US and the EU, with millions of patients being impacted annually.

SOURCE Think Research

Advancing research to reduce the cancer burden at the Canadian Cancer Research Conference

VANCOUVER, Nov. 6, 2017 /CNW/ - Researchers from across Canada will share discoveries at the 2017 Canadian Cancer Research Conference (CCRC), Canada's only national forum showcasing the entire spectrum of cancer research. The conference, hosted by the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance will be at the Vancouver Convention Centre from November 5–7. It is made possible by the supportership of several organizations, including cancer research funders and industry.

"Research is the only way through which the knowledge needed to decrease the death and suffering from cancer can be gained," said Dr. David Huntsman, Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The University of British Columbia and staff pathologist at the BC Cancer Agency. "The CCRC provides an opportunity for cancer researchers to learn about novel ideas, tools and approaches, liaise with patients, inspire new investigators and trainees, and continue to make progress in our efforts to understand the inherent complexities of cancer."

Planning of the scientific program was led by three notable cancer scientists: Drs. Gerald Batist (Segal Cancer Centre and McGill University), Shoukat Dedhar (BC Cancer Agency and The University of British Columbia) and Christine Friedenreich (Alberta Health Services and The University of Calgary). This year's meeting will feature several important plenaries on topics as diverse as the burden of cancer from the epidemiological, economic, and psychosocial perspectives, the bold new world of cancer immunotherapies, and our growing understanding of the key metabolic changes at play in cancer cells. A slate of research leaders from Canada and abroad will be speaking at the 1,000-delegate conference. Nearly 600 posters will be presented over the three days.

In addition to the scientific program, the conference will host its inaugural Patient Involvement in Cancer Research Program, where patients and caregivers interested in advancing the cancer research agenda by incorporating the patient voice, will learn about the research process, their prospective roles in it, and interact with scientists in the spirit of mutual learning.

The "Celebration of Science" lecture will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. PT on Monday November 6. This public event will showcase the achievements of Dr. Connie Eaves, Distinguished Scientist at the Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency and Professor of Medical Genetics at The University of British Columbia. Dr. Eaves will share her personal journey as a cancer researcher, her own world class research in normal and cancer stem cell biology, and her observations on how our understanding of cancer has evolved over the past half century.

Access the scientific program here:  http://conference.ccra-acrc.ca/.

Learn more about the Canadian Cancer Research Alliance (CCRA), visit: http://www.ccra-acrc.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Research Alliance

Online community brings innovation offering to more than 2 million Québec caregivers

SOURCE Huddol

The Ontario Produce Marketing Association Partners with Student Nutrition Ontario to Implement the "New Fast Food" Initiative in Over 1,000 Schools Across the Province

SOURCE Ontario Produce Marketing Association

Ebates Holiday Survey: Apple’s iPhone X vs. Samsung Galaxy

Survey reveals that age matters when it comes to smartphone preferences

SAN FRANCISCO—November 8, 2017—In the battle between Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy, American teens and adults are split on which one they want as a holiday gift. Over a third (35 percent) of teens said they either want the pricey iPhone X or the Apple iPhone 8. Only 20 percent of adults want the iPhone X, with a slightly higher percentage (22 percent) wanting the iPhone 8. Overall, adults said the Samsung Galaxy S8 is the smartphone they’d prefer to unwrap (38 percent). The national survey was fielded among 1,034 adults and 507 teens by Propeller Insights on behalf of Ebates, a leader and pioneer in cash back shopping and subsidiary of the global internet services company Rakuten.

The Trendy Teen Gifts Are…

If you’re planning to buy your teen a pair of Beats wireless earbuds, as 28 percent of American parents are, you’re in luck—at 44 percent, it’s the number one trendy teen gift that teens most want to receive.

Teen boys also want a drone (47 percent), while girls want a Polaroid camera (52 percent). Other trendy teen gifts for both teen boys and girls are:

However, while 27 percent of parents think that fidget spinners are still a hot gift for teens, only 15 percent of teens put this on their wish lists.

Non-Electronic Gifts Are Popular, Too

When asked which non-electronic gift Americans most want to receive, the most popular choice was a gift card—for both adults and teens (both 77 percent). Adults also put clothing (49 percent), shoes (35 percent) and accessories (31 percent) at the top of their list. Teens agreed and also listed clothing (63 percent), shoes (55 percent) and accessories (44 percent) as their most desired gifts.

Getaways were also a popular choice for Americans (32 percent). In fact, almost three- quarters—72 percent—would forego a gift in exchange for a holiday getaway.

When it comes to which type of gift card Americans would most like to receive, money in the form of a Visa, Amex or Mastercard (72 percent) was the top choice. This is followed by a gift card to a restaurant (59 percent), a retailer (51 percent) or for travel.

And men should take note: one-third of women also selected a gift card for a spa treatment (35 percent).

One-in-five Americans also plan to spend between $250-$500 on holiday gifts this year, and almost as many will spend more than $1,000 (18 percent) or $750-$1,000 (17 percent).

"Our holiday survey found that, when it comes to holiday gifts, you can’t go wrong with a gift card—although a laptop or earbuds are also safe choices,” said Amit Patel, CEO of Ebates. “At Ebates, we want to make it as easy as possible to purchase all your gifts and save money while doing it. From gift cards to fidget spinners, our retailers have you covered.”

From now through Christmas, shoppers can receive up to double cash back on select retailers via Ebates. For more details on specific retailers participating in the special offer, visit Ebates.com. Shoppers can also download the free Ebates.com app at Google Play and the AppStore.

About Ebates

Ebates rewards members with cash back on purchases while also providing access to thousands of coupons, discounts, promotions and special deals, including free shipping. Free membership allows consumers to shop online at over 2,000 of their favorite top-name retailers while earning a percentage of every purchase they make. To date, Ebates members have earned nearly $1 billion, paid out quarterly in the form of a “Big Fat Check” or via PayPal. Because shopping with Ebates is hassle-free—no rebate forms to fill out and no points or miles to redeem—the site supports a strong community of savvy shoppers across the country and around the world. Founded in 1998 and acquired by Rakuten, Inc. in 2014, Ebates is headquartered in San Francisco.

Exercise Shy? How to Improve Your Health Without Exerting Yourself Too Much

Exercise isn’t for everyone, and improving your health without breaking a sweat is still possible. It’s important, however, that you at least get some movement to preserve your well-being. If you’re exercise shy, these four methods will help you stay healthy without overexertion.

Try Aerial Yoga

Aerial yoga will give you the sensation of floating and help you forget that you’re even exercising. As explained by the Huffington Post, aerial yoga involves the use of a large silk hammock. This hammock is attached to a ceiling to suspend your body off the ground. While suspended, you’ll be performing different twists and stretches to work out your body. This form of yoga is also great for relieving stress.

Eat More Fish

Fish actually has the power to burn belly fat and help slim your figure. Fish is rich in protein, which burns calories when digested. The protein in fish can also help you stay fuller longer and prevent you from snacking on unhealthy foods. The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish further benefit you by stimulating protein synthesis. Salmon, halibut and sardines are among the best types of fish to eat for protein. Fish oil supplements are also known to increase protein synthesis and help with weight loss.

Soak in a Hot Tub

Believe it or not, the simple act of sitting in a hot tub has its health benefits. A Fox News article states that regular hot tub soaking for one hour at a time emulates the health effects of an hour-long, moderately difficult workout. The soothing hot water is able to reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar levels. These benefits can help with weight loss. If it is no longer working, have your hot tub repaired with the right parts to start using it again.

Enjoy Spa Treatments

In addition to being relaxing, certain spa treatments can improve your overall health. CoolSculpting is a revolutionary treatment that’s designed to freeze fat cells and give you a slimmer physique. Some excess water weight may be eliminated with a body wrap. Aromatherapy using scents like vanilla, grapefruit and lemon can reduce unhealthy food cravings and help keep off the extra pounds. You can enhance your skin quality by getting a facial or salt scrub.

Living a healthy lifestyle while avoiding heavy workouts is possible with the right methods. Learning how to be good to your body without exercising a lot can help you live a more fulfilling life.

Digital Health Transformation in Action at HealthAchieve

The Intelligent Health Pavilion introduces four new partners

TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2017 The Ontario Hospital Association's annual signature event, HealthAchieve, is taking place next week on November 6 and 7 in Toronto. A unique learning and engagement experience for health care leaders, this year's event truly focuses on the future of health system transformation – where digital health is a key driver. With this in mind, we are introducing the Intelligent Health Pavilion (IHP) in partnership with the Intelligent Health Association (IHA).

"The Pavilion creates a platform for education and an opportunity for our health system partners to raise awareness around the adoption of new technologies in the health and wellness community," says Isabella Wai, Director, Commercial Partnerships, HealthAchieve. "We have 30 partners who are here to showcase how technology is improving patient care and safety while reducing costs."

HealthAchieve and the IHA are delighted to feature four new partners:

• Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN) will display their innovative, new models of care in the home by way of the iHome Pavilion;
• Mi2 will share Mackenzie Health's journey to the smart hospital;
• Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) will showcase their digitally connected hospital and home,  where they are working hard to extend the hospital beyond the four walls of their sites; and finally,
• Mohawk College, one of the leaders in mHealth, together with MEDIC, will present Apps Alley.

"Our partners will also take to the stage in the Pavilion's Leadership and Innovation Theatres for several speaking sessions throughout the two days," says Harry P. Pappas, Founder & CEO, Intelligent Health Association. "Learn how these technologies are being seamlessly integrated to support caregivers and patients at each step of the health care journey."

None of this would be possible without the Intelligent Health Association, which is designed to showcase revolutionary technological advancements. We hope to see you at this world-class Pavilion where you can experience how technology is driving the future of patient care.

About HealthAchieve
HealthAchieve is more than an annual conference and trade show. It's an agent of change that drives the evolution of the health care system by focusing on the future. Global health care and business leaders come to HealthAchieve to be empowered by the potential that change holds. They seek new ways to push boundaries that move the health care system forward, to learn from and collaborate with industry leaders and innovators, and, ultimately, to change lives by helping to create a high-performing health system that is truly focused on putting patients first. Learn more about HealthAchieve online at www.HealthAchieve.com.

About the Intelligent Health Association
The Intelligent Health Association (IHA) is a not-for-profit, global organization founded to elevate awareness and to educate the life sciences community on the adoption of new technologies. Educationally focused, IHA is a vendor-neutral, technology and frequency agnostic association dedicated to promoting the use and adoption of auto-ID, NFC, RFID, RTLS, sensors and wireless technologies in the health care, assisted and independent living and nursing home industries. For more information, please visit: www.ihassociation.org.

SOURCE Ontario Hospital Association

Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk With Healthy Food Options

Does what you eat make you more likely to develop prostate cancer? If you have prostate cancer, are there foods that help fight it off and keep it from coming back? November is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, a good time to focus on preventing one of the most common types of cancer in men around the world. Experts estimate that in the next 10 years, prostate cancer will be even more common than lung cancer. Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms, so regular screening is important. Here are some things you can do to assess and reduce your risk.

Are You at Risk?

Men with a family history of prostate cancer are more likely to develop the disease. African American men are 1.6 times more likely than Caucasians to be diagnosed. Asian-American men and men who are Hispanic or Latino are less likely to develop prostate cancer.

The World Cancer Research Fund International conducted extensive studies on risk factors. They studied how diet, weight, and activity level affected risk. Here’s what they found.

• Strong evidence exists that men who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop prostate cancer.
• There is strong evidence that developmental factors contribute to increased risk. For example, the taller a man is, the higher his risk of developing prostate cancer.
• Beta-carotene was thought to reduce risk, but studies show that consuming large amounts of it has no effect on risk.
• Age is a factor. Men under 40 rarely develop prostate cancer, but the risk rises gradually after men reach 50.
• Geography matters. Men in North America, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean islands are more likely to develop prostate cancer than men in Asia, Africa, and Central and South America are. Lifestyle differences such as a diet low in processed foods likely account for the difference.
• Diet plays a role. Men who eat a lot of red meat and high-fat dairy have a higher risk. These men also typically eat fewer fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Foods That Might Cause Prostate Cancer

Foods that are packaged and processed are often high in fat and calories. If you get it from a drive-through, it probably isn’t going to help you maintain a healthy body weight. Those foods aren’t just bad for your waistline; they might make you more likely to develop prostate cancer.

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle studied men between the ages of 35 and 74. They found men who ate French fries, fried meats, or fried doughnuts once a week or more had a 30 to 37 percent higher risk of developing prostate cancer. Men with the lowest risk ate fried foods once a month or less. Saturated fats have been linked with heart disease, so avoiding them kills two birds with one stone.

Red meat contains heterocyclic amines (HCAs), carcinogens linked to several cancers. Stay away from processed beef, pork, lunch-meat, hot dogs, and sausage.

Prostate Protection Diet

Even if you only have one or two risk factors, healthy nutrition can help you prevent prostate cancer. Being overweight or obese is one of the biggest contributing factors to developing prostate cancer. Eating right and staying physically active helps keep your body mass index within a healthy range. Replace unhealthy foods with these options.

Nuts – Selenium is good for prostate health, and Brazil nuts contain 10 times your recommended daily allowance. Nuts also contain high levels of zinc, another mineral important to maintaining a healthy prostate. Nuts are high in protein, magnesium, and thiamin, all of which have health benefits.

Broccoli – Broccoli fights cancer. It is rich in sulforaphane, which helps the body detoxify itself and eliminates outside elements that may cause cancer. It also contains indole-3-carbinol, which suppresses cancer cell growth and lowers the production of protein specific antigen. One trial found men who eat broccoli more than once a week had a 45 percent less chance of developing advanced prostate cancer.

Cayenne – This bright red chili pepper contains capsaicin, which reduces pain and kills cancer cells. Capsaicin attacks cancer cells and causes them to self-destruct. It also fights atherosclerosis, prevents ulcers, and helps reduce your risk of diabetes.

Green tea – Men who drink at least three cups of green tea a day have a lowered risk of prostate cancer.

Pomegranates – Pomegranate extract slows prostate cancer cell reproduction and stops blood vessels from nourishing prostate tumors. Pomegranate juice is a great way to get it in.

Fish – Omega-3 fatty acids in fish both prevent prostate cancer and slow prostate tumor development. Eating fish can reduce your risk even if you’re genetically predisposed.

Fight Prostate Cancer and Make Money

It can be hard to eat healthy with today’s busy lifestyles. You can’t always find food that’s good for you. Vending machines offer convenient snacking, but they’re often full of the worst foods. Consider installing a Naturals2Go healthy vending machine at your office. Operators select inventory based on what their customers want and their own nutritional needs.

Offer nuts, bean chips, and all-natural fruit snacks in place of cookies and candy bars. Keep healthy options handy for yourself and those closest to you, and make money doing it. Contact us today to find out more about our machines.

New poll reveals Ontarians trust pharmacists with safe dispensing of medicinal cannabis

Pharmacist counselling of medicinal cannabis key to patient safety

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2017 /CNW/ - With new polling data revealing Ontarians overwhelmingly trust their pharmacists to dispense medicinal cannabis in the province, the Ontario Pharmacists Association (OPA) is calling on the Government of Ontario to work with the federal government to update existing regulations to allow pharmacists in community pharmacies to safely dispense medicinal cannabis.

Polling commissioned by the OPA and conducted by independent polling firm CICIC Research, with a sample size of 800 respondents, reveals the following:

• A clear majority of adult Ontarians (70 per cent) agree medicinal cannabis should be dispensed by pharmacists;
• A majority of adult Ontarians (56 per cent) prefer that medicinal cannabis be dispensed by pharmacists, as opposed to other delivery methods; and
• Three-quarters of adult Ontarians agree that patients should be able to obtain medicinal cannabis products from pharmacists, so they can receive counselling and advice and can ask questions before receiving the product.

"I'm pleased to see Ontarians once again voice their trust in pharmacists to do more as trusted healthcare partners, this time by supporting pharmacists' ability to dispense medicinal cannabis to those who require it," said Andrew Gall, Chief Executive Officer of the OPA. "Local pharmacists in neighbourhoods across the province are highly trained and best positioned to provide face-to-face counselling to ensure the safe, appropriate and discreet access to medicinal cannabis."

A Role for Ontario's Pharmacists

Under existing regulations, a patient needs to be assessed by their healthcare provider and provided with a medical document for medicinal cannabis, after which they register directly with a licensed producer who processes their request and mails the product to the patient's home.

Unlike with other prescriptions, patients currently cannot access medicinal cannabis products at their local pharmacy. For Ontario's patients and the broader healthcare system, this is a missed opportunity and potential safety risk for a number of important reasons:

• Pharmacies are secure health centres that can monitor usage in real-time and properly store and handle sensitive products and controlled substances, such as medicinal cannabis. While mailing medicinal cannabis products directly to patients' homes seems convenient, safe and secure, pharmacies are found in practically every community across Ontario and remove any delays that mail-order introduces.
• As trusted healthcare professionals, Ontario's pharmacists can best support patient safety and education, and ensure appropriate access to medicinal cannabis. As medication experts within the patient's circle of care, pharmacists are in a unique position to help mitigate real or potential risks associated with medicinal cannabis, including identifying potential drug interactions and contraindications, and to suggest alternative therapies where appropriate.

Ontario's pharmacists are natural partners in the development of a patient-focused framework for the dispensing, tracking and monitoring of medicinal cannabis use and its effectiveness. The OPA will continue to advocate for enhancing patient safety, education and appropriate access to medicinal cannabis on behalf of its members.

Methodology:

Through independent research firm CICIC, OPA surveyed 800 respondents who self-selected to participate. An N of 800 is the typical sample size used for Ontario, and is absolutely considered reliable. Interlocking quotas based on age, gender and region were applied to ensure a representative sample of adult Ontario residents (age 18+).

Although telephone surveys are still being conducted, online research using self-selected participants is widely accepted as being valid research. It is an approach that is used by virtually every company in the industry. The margin of error for a sample of this size - if it were a probability (non-online) sample - would be +/- 3.5. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to multiple sources of error, including but not limited to, sampling error, coverage error and measurement error.

About the Ontario Pharmacists Association

The Ontario Pharmacists Association is the largest advocacy organization, continuing education, and drug information provider for pharmacy professionals in Canada.

We are dedicated to working on behalf of patients, pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy technicians across the province to evolve the practice of pharmacy and advocate for the highest standards of professional excellence and fair compensation.

We believe that by leveraging the unique expertise of pharmacy professionals, by enabling them to practice to their fullest potential, and by making them more accessible to all Ontarians, we will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the province's healthcare system.

SOURCE Ontario Pharmacists Association