Wait times down in emergency, but still long for some patients
Population growth and aging strain capacity of Ontario's emergency departments
TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2016 /CNW/ - People are seeing doctors more quickly when they arrive in Ontario's emergency departments (EDs) and overall their visits are shorter. This is despite an ever-increasing flow of patients who are becoming collectively older and sicker. Most Ontario residents are also satisfied with the care they receive in emergency.
But emergency departments are under a great deal of pressure. While progress has been made in overall performance, an emergency department could be strained by a bad flu season, or if a hospital nearby has to temporarily close its emergency department.
Those are the findings of Under Pressure: Emergency Department Performance in Ontario, a report released today by Health Quality Ontario, the provincial advisor on health care quality.
The good news includes a 10% drop over the last seven years in the maximum amount of time nine out of 10 patients spent in the ED – to 7.8 hours from 8.7 hours. There was also more than a 16% decrease in the maximum amount of time nine out of 10 patients waited in the emergency department to see a doctor – to 3 hours from 3.6.
However, the data also show that urban residents spend longer in the emergency department and wait longer to see a doctor in emergency than people living in rural areas. As well, many of the sickest patients in the province – those who need to be admitted to hospital – have to wait a long time in the emergency department for a bed in an inpatient ward. This is often because patients who should be receiving more appropriate care in other settings such as long term care remain in hospital. This is called alternate level of care and can impact the ability of hospital to move patients from the EDs to an inpatient ward.
"Patients may spend hours and sometimes even days lying on stretchers in emergency examination rooms or hallways," said Dr. Joshua Tepper, President and CEO of Health Quality Ontario.
Overcrowding can lead to poor quality of care, increased distress, illness and mortality among patients, and increased risk of medical errors by overworked staff. Under Pressure finds these stressors and others are likely to continue to affect emergency departments for many years to come as the province's population both grows in size and ages overall.
The report shows growth in emergency department visits is outpacing population growth. Over the past seven years, the number of annual visits to Ontario's emergency departments increased 13.4% – more than double the 6.2% increase in the province's population.
Patients are also sicker overall. Visits by more seriously ill or "high-acuity" patients who were not admitted to hospital increased by 44.1%, and visits by patients who were admitted rose 17.5%.
Some of this increase in patient acuity can be attributed to a rise in visits by older patients, who tend to require more complex care. There was a 29.1% increase in visits by people aged 65 and over.
The report also outlines some of the programs and strategies that have been implemented to relieve the pressure on emergency departments in the province. These include the Emergency Room Wait Time Strategylaunched in 2008, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care's Patients First action plan, and Health Quality Ontario's Emergency Department Return Visit Quality Program.
"Even with the demographic challenges the province is facing, the concerted efforts made by government, hospitals and others to improve the performance of Ontario's emergency departments have brought many positive changes," said Dr. Tepper. "But it's clear that much work still needs to be done to make emergency departments work better for all patients."
OTHER KEY REPORT FINDINGS:
More emergency visits are meeting overall provincial targets for length of stay and wait to see a doctor. Between 2008/09 and 2014/15:
The proportion of visits completed within the four-hour target for non-admitted low-acuity patients increased to 89.9% from 84.6%, and the proportion of visits completed within the eight-hour target for high-acuity patients and admitted patients taken together as a group rose to 85.7% from 79.8%
The majority of people in Ontario appear to be satisfied with the emergency care they receive. In a 2014/15 patient experience survey:
72.6% of respondents reported receiving excellent, very good or good care, with the other 27.4% rating their care as fair or poor
Some admitted patients spend a long time in emergency. In 2014/15:
The maximum amount of time nine out of 10 admitted patients spent in emergency – was 29.4 hours
Some patients who are more seriously ill wait longer to see a doctor than less seriously ill patients. In 2014/15:
The maximum amount of time nine out 10 patients waited in emergency to see a doctor was 3.1 hours for admitted patients and 3.2 hours for high-acuity discharged patients, compared to 2.7 hours for low-acuity discharged patients
Urban residents spend more time in emergency and wait longer to see a doctor. In 2014/15:
The maximum amount of time nine out of 10 urban residents spent in emergency was 8.3 hours, compared to 5.6 hours for rural residents
The maximum amount of time nine out of 10 urban residents waited in emergency to see a doctor was 3.1 hours overall for all acuity levels, and 2.6 hours for rural residents
Many patients visit the emergency department for less serious health issues. In 2013:
47% of adult Ontarians reported going to emergency for a condition they thought could have been treated by their primary care provider, if that doctor, nurse practitioner or other provider had been available. This rate was higher for Ontario than for its socioeconomically similar international counterparts, with Switzerland coming in at 36% and France lowest at 24%.
Health Quality Ontario (HQO) is the provincial advisor on the quality of health care. HQO reports to the public on the quality of the health care system, evaluates the effectiveness of new health care technologies and services, and supports quality improvement throughout the system. Visit www.hqontario.ca for more information.
Finding that perfect holiday gift for everyone on your list can add an unnecessary stress to the already hectic holidays. HelloFresh is delicious gift that can be delivered to everyone on your list, including:
- Parents, grandparents and in-laws who enjoy cooking and could use a new and refreshing recipe.
- Practical people who want a gift that has use, like ingredients to make a delicious dinner!
- Fit foodies who like delicious and satisfying meals that are also nutritious.
- Couples or significant other who you’re not sure what to give but cooking dinner together is a great way to bond.
- Friends you forgot who deserve a great gift and don’t want to show it was purchased last minute.
For everyone on your shopping list, HelloFresh offers the opportunity to enjoy healthy home-cooked meals without the hassle! Eliminating the need to plan or shop, HelloFresh delivers delicious and satisfying meals that are easy and fun to make in just about 30 minutes. Gift cards are available at HelloFresh.ca.
So much more than a gift, the benefits of cooking a HelloFresh meal at home are endless, from building healthy eating habits to learning new cooking techniques and bonding over creating a meal together.
As the holiday season’s spirit and cheer kick in, it can be hard to imagine feeling glum.
But for the 3.3 million Americans suffering from anxiety -- plus millions more suffering from related conditions like depression and OCD -- the expectations of joy and merriment can backfire, triggering hopelessness and causing symptoms to flare.
That’s because the mere thought of trying to meet these expectations can be overwhelming, Maggie explains. People with anxiety and related mental health conditions imagine that others have found “perfection” in a special day, meal, gift or moment and that they are experiencing immense, unbridled joy.
Not experiencing this joy themselves, those suffering feel frustrated, flawed, ashamed and left out. Which in turn aggravates the symptoms of depression, anxiety and OCD.
Unfortunately, as is often the case with what NPR has called this silent epidemic, the result is a dangerous downward spiral where the individuals suffering say nothing about what they’re going through -- and nobody around them thinks to ask. Feeling isolated, they prefer to be alone when in fact withdrawing will only make the situation even worse.
But there’s a way to help, Maggie says:
Be aware
In the frenzied lead-up to the holidays, it’s easy for all of us to forget about anything other than our own to-do list. So it’s more important than ever to intentionally think about those we know are struggling, and to be aware of the challenges this season brings them.
Step Forward
Don’t wait for your loved one to talk to you about what they’re experiencing. On top of feeling unwell, they may also be feeling shame at the idea of putting a damper on your good time if they open up. Start a dialogue. Mention you’ve noticed they’ve been staying in the house more often. Let them know you care.
Keep Engaging Them
Keep your loved one engaged and involved as much as they are willing to be. It will help them feel supported and included. Invite them to bake cookies, go shopping or talk a walk. Even if they refuse, it still gives them an opportunity to feel connected and to know you care.
Schedule Some Exercise
It may sound strange, but exercise can seriously help augment difficult feelings and compulsions during the holidays. With the boost in serotonin that just a short jog can illicit, most people who are suffering are brought at least some relief. Start a weekly exercise plan with your loved one in order to prevent a severe dip in their emotional landscape.
About Maggie Lamond Simone
Maggie Lamond Simone is an award-winning columnist and author. With two titles already to her name, her third book, Body Punishment: OCD, Addiction and Finding the Courage to Heal (Central Recovery Press) was released in April 2015. It traces Simone’s journey struggling with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, and depression. Her writing has been featured in multiple publications and collections, including From Beer to Maternity (2009), Cosmopolitan Magazine, The Zen of Midlife Mothering (2013), Not Your Mother’s Book on Do-It-Yourselfers (2013), P.S. What I Didn’t Say (2009), and Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Resolution (2008). Simone has been a guest on NPR and is a regular blog columnist for the Huffington Post. An an adjunct professor in the department of communications at SUNY Oswego and Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, she lives in Central New York with her husband and two children.
About Body Punishment
For as long as she can recall, Maggie Lamond Simone has been plagued by self-loathing and urges to harm herself physically while emotionally sabotaging her life. In Body Punishment: OCD, Addiction and Finding the Courage to Heal (Central Recovery Press, April 2015), she reveals it all. The obsessive thoughts that drove her to cut, starve, pick, drink, pluck, purge, and otherwise hurt herself. The profound shame, the utter despair and the confusion over her own inner workings that prevented her from establishing stable, long-term goals and healthy relationships. Through this poignant story of her painful, eye-opening journey she explores the issues of substance abuse, anxiety, and depression that commonly occur with OCD, all in an effort to further the dialogue around mental illness and eliminate the shame and help others find a way forward toward healing.
ExamOne joins Manulife Vitality to provide free annual wellness checkup
"Vitality Check" provides another opportunity to earn Vitality Points
Manulife today announced that ExamOne has joined the Manulife Vitality program as a provider of Vitality Check, a physical fitness checkup for Manulife Vitality members. The goal of this free service is to give members an update on their general health and health risks. Manulife Vitality members who choose to participate in this optional service will also earn Vitality Points toward their Vitality Status, which can lead to rewards including discounts on their life insurance premiums.
Manulife Vitality members choosing to have a Vitality Check can do so through their preferred health provider (accredited medical practitioner/doctor) or by ExamOne, in a location of the member's choice.
"Vitality Check provides an additional level of insight into one's overall health," said Blake Hill, Head of the Manulife Vitality program. "Not all provincial health care systems cover the requirements and cost of a health review equivalent to Vitality Check so we have joined with ExamOne to provide it free of charge to Manulife Vitality members."
Vitality Check includes a collection and reporting of members' blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and body mass index, and provides members with personal health information they can use to better understand their overall health and to make informed choices about their health care. Manulife Vitality rewards members with Vitality Points for simply choosing to complete a Vitality Check and learning about their health. Members can be further recognized with additional Vitality Points if their biometric measures are within healthy ranges.
Members connect with ExamOne through the Manulife Vitality secure member website, and will be connected with a local paramedical professional. The ExamOne representative will arrange for the checkup in a location of the member's choice, including their home or workplace. Results are only provided to the member and to The Vitality Group Inc., the administrator of the program in order to award the Vitality Points.
Manulife Vitality is a whole new approach to life insurance. It is a personalized wellness program that offers rewards when you make choices to live a healthier life. You can accumulate Vitality Points for routine activities you may already be doing to stay healthy. With Manulife Vitality, your life insurance has the potential to save you money and reward you for living a healthier life. Members of the Manulife Vitality program earn Vitality Points when they complete healthy living activities, such as health education courses, exercising, getting an annual health checkup, or even a flu shot. The number of Vitality Points a member accumulates over the course of a year determines their Vitality Status level. The greater the status that the member attains in the Manulife Vitality program the more they can enjoy the program rewards and benefits.
About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services group providing forward-thinking solutions to help people with their big financial decisions. We operate as John Hancock in the United States, and Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups and institutions. At the end of 2015, we had approximately 34,000 employees, 63,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving 20 million customers. At the end of September 2016, we had $966 billion (US$736 billion) in assets under management and administration, and in the previous 12 months we made more than $24.4 billion in benefits, interest and other payments to our customers. Our principal operations are in Asia, Canada and the United States where we have served customers for more than 100 years. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. Follow Manulife on Twitter @ManulifeNews or visit manulife.com or johnhancock.com.
About Vitality The Vitality Group is a member of Discovery Ltd., a global financial services organization offering an incentive-based health and well-being program to employers, as part of their benefits program, and to insurers. With a foundation based on actuarial science and behavioral economic theory, Vitality encourages changes in lifestyle that reduce healthcare costs, both in the short run and long term, by rewarding members for addressing their specific health issues. Vitality well-being programs serve companies in a wide range of sizes and industries, improving individuals' health and wellbeing as well as employers' bottom lines.
Vitality brings a global perspective through successful partnerships with large employers and best-in-class insurers around the world, in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, South Africa, China, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, and the Philippines. Additional information can be found at thevitalitygroup.com.
New V-log Posted To The Train It Right Youtube Page
Train It Right - Alicia Bell
Working my butt off for an upcoming figure show - vlog002
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Last month I had the opportunity to model for Albedo100. It is a reflective spray that you can put on any clothing and stay safe running/walking etc at night time. This is me below in the photo:
Albedo100 was ranked #5 of the top 17 must have items for Canadian Winter ahead of winter coats, hats, slippers, touchscreen gloves, snow boots, winter tires, Advil and Netflix!
Blood test may help identify fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, research shows
(COLLEGE STATION, Texas) — Researchers at the Texas A&M College of Medicine, the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and the Omni-Net Birth Defects Prevention Program in Ukraine have identified a blood test that may help predict how severely a baby will be affected by alcohol exposure during pregnancy, according to a study published today in the journal PLOS ONE. The findings could facilitate early intervention to improve the health of infants and children who were prenatally exposed to alcohol.
Fetal alcohol syndrome is a severe form of a spectrum of mental and physical disabilities, called fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), that can affect children’s development with long-lasting consequences. In the United States and Western Europe, it is estimated that 2 to 5 percent of school-age children are affected by FASD. In some parts of the world, that number is even higher. Children and adults affected by FASD may have a range of symptoms, from physical changes like a small head and subtle differences in the face, to learning difficulties and behavioral issues.
Despite widespread prevention guidelines, drinking during pregnancy still occurs. This is partly because about half of pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, and therefore many women might not realize that they need to stop consuming alcohol before the damage is done.
“It’s a huge problem,” said Rajesh Miranda, PhD, professor in the Texas A&M College of Medicine and co-senior author of the article, “but we might not realize the full scope because infants born with normal-looking physical features may be missed, making many cases difficult to diagnose early.” Consequently, there is a need for early biomarkers that can assist with predicting infant disability.
Utilizing a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) as part of a consortium known as the Collaborative Initiative on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (CIFASD), the researchers looked at birth outcomes for 68 pregnant women enrolled in the study at two perinatal care clinics in western Ukraine. The team obtained detailed health and alcohol consumption histories and second and third trimester blood samples from each woman. The results indicated that moderate to high levels of alcohol exposure during early pregnancy resulted in significant differences in some circulating small RNA molecules, termed microRNAs (miRNAs), in maternal blood. These differences were particularly notable in those mothers whose infants showed some physical or neurobehavioral signs of alcohol effects in the first 12 months of life.
“Collectively, our data indicate that maternal plasma miRNAs may help predict infant outcomes and may be useful to classify difficult-to-diagnose FASD subpopulations,” Miranda added.
-more-
Page 2 – BLOOD TEST MAY PREDICT FASD
Part of the reason FASD may be difficult to diagnose is infants exposed to the same amount of prenatal alcohol may have vastly different outcomes.
“Although it is generally true that binge-drinking during pregnancy presents the greatest risk, not all women who consume substantial amounts of alcohol in pregnancy will have a child who is clearly affected,” said Christina Chambers, PhD, professor of pediatrics at UC San Diego School of Medicine, principal investigator on the Ukraine project and co-senior author on the study. “That’s why we examined specific biomarkers in the mother’s blood in the second and third trimester of her pregnancy to determine if they are useful in identifying children who could benefit from early interventions.”
Although FASD cannot be cured, early diagnosis is vital. “Early diagnosis is important because it permits early intervention to minimize the harm due to prenatal alcohol exposure,” added Wladimir Wertelecki, MD, the research team leader for the study investigators in the Ukraine. “Good nutrition, better perinatal health care, lowering stress levels and infant care interventions can all improve the outcome of alcohol-affected pregnancies.”
The team’s next steps include repeating this work in other and larger samples of mothers and infants, and determining if these early markers are predictive of longer term developmental outcomes for children exposed to alcohol.
“If we can reset developmental trajectories earlier in life, it is a lot easier than trying to treat disabilities later in life,” Miranda said. “We hope this work will lead to a test that can allow health care providers to identify the mothers and infants most at risk and provide them with extra care for the best outcome possible.”
About Texas A&M University Health Science Center Texas A&M University Health Science Center is transforming health through innovative research, education and service in dentistry, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, public health and medical sciences. As an independent state agency and academic unit of Texas A&M University, the health science center serves the state through campuses in Bryan-College Station, Dallas, Temple, Houston, Round Rock, Kingsville, Corpus Christi and McAllen. Learn more at vitalrecord.tamhsc.edu or follow @TAMHSC on Twitter.
About UC San Diego Health
University of California San Diego Health Sciences comprises clinical and academic entities – UC San Diego Health system, the region’s only academic health system; UC San Diego School of Medicine, one of the nation’s top research-intensive schools of medicine; and the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Part of the University of California system, UC San Diego – founded in 1960 – is renowned for collaborative and cross-disciplinary research that transcends traditional boundaries in science, engineering and the humanities.
Medtronic the first to offer complete portfolio of full-body MR conditional neurostimulation systems for chronic pain in Canada
Medtronic SpecifyTM SureScanTM MRI Surgical Leads Rounds Out Exclusive Portfolio Designed for Access to Full-Body MRI*
BRAMPTON, ON, Nov. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - Medtronic Canada, a subsidiary of Medtronic plc (NYSE:MDT), announced the Health Canada licence and the first Canadian implants of the new Specify™ SureScan™ MRI surgical leads, which are indicated for use as part of Medtronic's implanted neurostimulation systems (also known as spinal cord stimulation, or SCS) for chronic pain. In 2013, Medtronic introduced the first implantable neurostimulation systems for use in the treatment of chronic, intractable back and/or limb pain that are licenced for full-body Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans under specified conditions. The licencing of Specify SureScan MRI surgical leads establishes Medtronic as the only company in Canada with a full portfolio of SCS systems licenced by Health Canada for full-body MRI.* This means physicians in Canada can now offer a Medtronic full-body MR Conditional SCS system best suited for their patients regardless of the type of neurostimulator (rechargeable or non-rechargeable) or lead type (percutaneous or surgical).
"The majority of patients implanted with SCS devices will need MRI studies in the future, and until now they have either undergone other more invasive examinations or had the SCS device explanted. Physicians and patients can now approach this therapy with the confidence that their ability to access future diagnostic procedures won't be lost. This innovation has raised the bar in the delivery of neuromodulation for treatment-refractory neuropathic pain" said Dr. Mohammed F. Shamji MD, PhD, FRCSC, neurosurgeon at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre at Toronto Western Hospital.
"An important development in the field of neuromodulation is the availability of MRI conditional devices. These devices allow for patients to undergo routine MRIs and continue to benefit from neuromodulation therapy - a previously unmet need for many of our patients. Our team is pleased that we can now offer this technology as a potential treatment option." said Dr. Suneil Kalia, MD, PhD, FRCSC, neurosurgeon at the Krembil Neuroscience Centre at Toronto Western Hospital.
Back pain is estimated to affect 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives.1 For some people, noninvasive options, such as medication and physical therapy, provide adequate relief; others may require surgery, nerve blocks, or medical devices, such as spinal cord stimulators or drug pumps. Spinal cord stimulators are medical devices implanted under the skin that send mild electrical pulses to an area near the spine. These pulses disrupt the pain signals traveling between the spinal cord and the brain, offering patients effective pain relief and improved function.2
"The use of MRI as a diagnostic tool has grown significantly. Studies show that 82 percent of patients implanted with a SCS are expected to need an MRI within five years of receiving their implant.3 Medtronic appreciates the opportunity to offer physicians the only full portfolio of SCS systems in Canada that allow patients access to full-body MRIs, facilitating optimal patient care and timely interventions," said Sandrine Moirez, senior business director of the Restorative Therapies Group at Medtronic Canada. "Medtronic remains committed to the advancement of spinal cord stimulation therapy overall and continues to drive technological advancements to ensure greater access to MRIs across many of our implanted Medtronic systems, such as pacemakers, ICDs and deep brain stimulation systems."
While the benefits of neurostimulation therapy are well documented, some individuals with an SCS system have traditionally been limited when receiving MRI scans, as the scans produce electromagnetic fields that can damage the device or cause injury to the patient. These patients have the option of undergoing computerized tomography (CT) scans, which work well for imaging bones and other hard materials, but are less effective in examining soft tissue. In some cases, people needing an MRI have had the system explanted prior to imaging.
Additional benefits of the Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy include:
Technology that is proven to significantly relieve pain for the long term4 and help patients get back to the everyday activities they enjoy.2
The opportunity for patients to "test drive" spinal cord stimulation with an external stimulator for a 3 to 10 day trial period during which they can assess how well the therapy relieves their pain during daily activities before committing to long-term therapy.
RestoreSensor™ SureScan MRI systems feature Medtronic's AdaptiveStim™ technology, which adjusts stimulation automatically. Patients no longer have to use their programmer to make manual adjustments every time they change position.
Personalization that empowers patients to manage their own pain therapy by adjusting their stimulation within pre-set limits.
About Medtronic Medtronic Canada (www.medtronic.ca), headquartered in Brampton, Ontario is a subsidiary of Medtronic plc, which is among the world's largest medical technology, services and solutions companies — alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world. Medtronic is proud to employ over 1,600 people in Canada, serving physicians, hospitals and patients across the country. The company is focused on collaborating with stakeholders around the world to take healthcare Further, Together.
Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.
References 1 Web site: https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/backpain.html Accessed: February 10, 2016 2 Kumar K, Taylor RS, Jacques L, et al. Spinal cord stimulation versus conventional medical management for neuropathic pain: a multicentre randomized controlled trial in patients with failed back surgery syndrome. Pain. 2007;132:179-188. 3 Desai MJ, Hargens LM, Breitenfeldt MD, Doth AH, Ryan MP, Gunnarsson C, Safriel Y. The rate of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with spinal cord stimulation. Spine. 2015 May 1;40(9):E531-. 4 Kumar K, Taylor RS, Jacques L, et al. The effects of spinal cord stimulation in neuropathic pain are sustained: a 24-month follow-up of the prospective randomized controlled multicenter trial of the effectiveness of spinal cord stimulation. Neurosurgery. 2008;63(4):762-770. * Under specific conditions. Refer to Instructions for Use.
SOURCE Medtronic of Canada, Ltd.
CONTOUR® NEXT and Max Domi Scoring for Diabetes
Partners team up to mark Diabetes Awareness Month and raise money for JDRF
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Nov. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Ascensia Diabetes Care Canada Inc. ("Ascensia") and CONTOUR® NEXT are teaming up with professional hockey player Max Domi to "SCORE for Diabetes" during Diabetes Awareness Month. Throughout the month of November, for every point scored by Domi, Ascensia will donate $1,000.001 to JDRF, the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research.
"Getting support from my team is a huge part of how I manage my diabetes on and off the ice," says Domi. "Every single goal I score is special. This month I get to celebrate the two things I am most passionate about, diabetes and hockey, every time the puck crosses the goal line."
November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, a celebration focused on raising awareness for all forms of diabetes, its signs and symptoms, and gaining support for critical research toward preventing, better treating and curing all forms of the disease.2
"Lives are changed by raising awareness and funding research towards finding a cure for T1D and its complications," says Dave Prowten, President and CEO, JDRF Canada. "We are thrilled to be working with Ascensia and Max Domi to raise money throughout National Diabetes Awareness Month, and look forward to getting some goals in the net."
As the team progresses throughout November, the action can be followed off the ice through social media @Contour_diabetes and #scorefordiabetes.
Through their ongoing partnership, Max and Ascensia have also introduced CONTOUR® NEXT's Powered by Accuracy 16 Reasons Contest to continue to educate all Canadians about diabetes. Fans can also go to poweredbyaccuracy.ca and enter 16 reasons why they deserve to see Max play live. Fans can enter for a chance to win the grand prize of a trip for four to Edmonton, Alberta to attend the January 16, 2017 game.3
"As a company, we are dedicated to improving the health and lives of people with diabetes, and understand the vital role played by further scientific research and increased public awareness," says Russ Newsome, Region Head of North America, Ascensia. "We are thrilled to be working with all of these partners to not only raise money for the JDRF in Canada, but also to celebrate the power of the team that supports diabetes management."
For more information on how you can get involved and help raise awareness for diabetes in your community, please contact your local JDRF office. Help JDRF continue to raise awareness about and fund type 1 diabetes research http://www.jdrf.ca/T1DLooksLikeMe/.
About Ascensia Diabetes Care Ascensia Diabetes Care is a global specialist diabetes care company, dedicated to helping people living with diabetes. Our mission is to empower people living with diabetes through innovative solutions that simplify and improve their lives. We use our innovation and specialist expertise in diabetes to develop high quality solutions and tools that make a positive, daily difference for people with diabetes.
Home to the world renowned CONTOURTM portfolio of blood glucose monitoring systems, our products combine advanced technology with user-friendly functionality that help people with diabetes to manage their condition. We are committed to continued research, innovation and development of new products and solutions. As a trusted partner in the diabetes community, we collaborate closely with healthcare professionals and other partners to ensure our products meet the highest standards of accuracy, precision and reliability, and that we conduct our business compliantly and with integrity.
Ascensia Diabetes Care was established in 2016 through the sale of Bayer Diabetes Care to Panasonic Healthcare Holdings Co., Ltd. Ascensia Diabetes Care products are sold in more than 125 countries. Following the close of the transaction in all countries, Ascensia Diabetes Care will have around 1,700 employees and operations in 38 countries.
CONTOUR™ is a registered trademark of Ascensia Diabetes Care Holdings AG.
1 Up to a maximum of $30,000.00 2http://www.jdrf.ca/t1dlookslikeme/ 3 NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of Canada who have reached the age of majority as of the date of entry. Enter by completing all required fields in Contest entry form on www.poweredbyaccuracy.ca. Limit one entry per person. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.
SOURCE Ascensia Diabetes Care
Life Financial and Toronto Rehab Foundation to make an exciting announcement improving wellness around the globe through innovative diabetes prevention and management program
TORONTO, Nov. 9, 2016 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial and the Toronto Rehab Foundation will be making an exciting donation and announcement about improving wellness around the globe through better diabetes prevention and management. This innovative program will extend diabetes care beyond hospital walls and empower individuals living with the disease to take control of their health, regardless of barriers such as geography, financial constraints and language. Hockey Hall of Famer Darryl Sittler and former NHL player Brandon (BJ) Crombeen will be on-hand to help launch this exciting new initiative.
Darryl Sittler, former NHL Player and Hockey Hall of Famer
Brandon (BJ) Crombeen, former NHL Player
Lisa Ritchie, Senior Vice-President & Chief Marketing Officer, Sun Life Financial
Dr. Peter Pisters, President & CEO, University Health Network
Dr. Paul Oh, Medical Director, Cardiac Prevention & Rehabilitation Program, TRI-UHN
Space is limited - members of the media are requested to RSVP to Alessandra Nigro at alessandra.nigro@sunlife.com.
About Sun Life Financial Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of June 30, 2016, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $865 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.
Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.
About Toronto Rehabilitation Institute As the world-leading rehabilitation research centre, Toronto Rehabilitation Institute is revolutionizing rehabilitation by helping people overcome the challenges of disabling injury, illness or age related health conditions to live active, healthier, more independent lives. It integrates innovative patient care, ground breaking research and diverse education to build healthier communities and advance the role of rehabilitation in the health system. Toronto Rehab, along with Toronto General and Toronto Western Hospitals, the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre and The Michener Institute for Education at UHN is a member of the University Health Network and is affiliated with the University of Toronto. www.uhn.ca.
