Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital Implements Novari Health Surgical Wait List Management System
KINGSTON, ON, Nov. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - Novari Health is pleased to announce it has completed another successful implementation of its surgical wait list management and eBooking technology. Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital is the latest Canadian hospital to implement Novari's surgical access to care technology.
The Novari ATC software has gone live at Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital. The technology is being provided as software as a service (SaaS) to the hospital and all surgical offices. The system provides surgeons and their office staff access to a standardized electronic wait list management system and the ability to electronically coordinate the scheduling of surgeries and procedures with the hospital. The software enhances the ability for collaboration and management of pooled lists of patients waiting for surgery as well as supporting a regional view of the demand for surgical services.
The Ontario Ministry of Health, Ontario Health, and hospitals across the province have been working to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients waiting for surgery. Having a modern wait list management system complements these efforts for all patients including those waiting for surgical and medical consults, surgery, and other procedures.
Novari Health's innovative and unique access to care technologies are live and being implemented at dozens of hospitals and regional health authorities across Canada.
"I am thankful for the support from the Ministry of Health and Ontario Health in bringing this exciting innovation to OSMH. Modernizing our surgical scheduling services with Novari ATC will enable OSMH to continue our commitment of improving access to surgical services and reducing wait times. I want to recognize our staff and local surgeons for their outstanding effort and collaboration throughout this project and thank Novari for their partnership." - Tom Roberts, VP-Corporate Services, Chief Financial Officer, Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital
"Having a modern wait list management system in place is an essential tool to help improve wait times for surgery that were worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. My family has experienced high quality and compassionate care as surgical patients in Orillia, so I couldn't be prouder to now provide their surgical team with our access to care technologies." - John Sinclair, CPHIMS-CA, President, Novari Health
About Novari Health
Novari Health designs, builds, and implements award-winning enterprise scale SaaS solutions that improve access to care, coordination of care, and the delivery of healthcare services. Based in Kingston Ontario and with offices in Vancouver, Australia, and New Zealand, Novari has become one of the largest Canadian based digital health solution providers. ISO 27001 certified, Novari Health is a Microsoft Gold Partner, with software solutions hosted on Microsoft Azure Canadian and Australian cloud data centres. For more information, visit novarihealth.com.
SOURCE Novari Health Inc.
Felix Health Becomes the First Canadian Telemedicine Provider to Offer Integrated Digital Mental Health Services
TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - Game-changing telemedicine platform Felix continues to break down stigma and barriers while paving the way forward for Canadians to receive mental health treatment. The Canadian digital healthcare provider is expanding its current mental health offering to include treating and diagnosing anxiety and depression among Canadians from the comfort of their homes.
A recent survey conducted by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health revealed that 40 percent of Canadians have experienced feelings of anxiety or depression but have never sought medical help. Felix's new digital mental health care experience will allow more Canadians to easily and discreetly access the support they need.
In a world where digital technology and at-home delivery services enable you to get almost anything you want without leaving your couch, the digital mental health space is still quite limited. Felix understands the demand and is dedicated to meeting patients' needs.
Felix's expansion goes beyond prescription renewals and delivery to provide a more integrated healthcare offering. The service will include audio or video visits with a practitioner who provides a diagnosis and treatment, which is then filled, discreetly packaged, and shipped free within 48 hours by an accredited pharmacy. Patients will be eligible for auto-refills to ensure they always have their medication when they need it, which is an ongoing issue for mental health care.
"When initially launching our mental health services, we felt it was our duty to make treatment more accessible. Refilling pre-prescribed medication was the first step, but we wanted to be able to provide more," said Kyle Zien, CEO and Co-Founder of Felix. "Our initial mental health offering was one of our biggest launches to date, and we are proud to expand our services to provide Canadians even more access and control of their mental health needs in a way that is simple, secure and cost-effective."
Felix's mental health diagnoses will be widely available by the end of October and continue to evolve the offerings over the coming months and years through psychotherapy and more. Felix aims to make healthcare more accessible for Canadians and offers healthcare and treatments for other stigmatized issues such as erectile dysfunction, birth control, hair loss, acne, allergies, cold sores/herpes, migraines, and more. For more information, or have a prescription filled, visit felixforyou.ca.
About Felix
Founded in 2019, Felix is a patient-driven digital healthcare company empowering people to take control of their health and wellbeing. We're passionate about building technology and beautiful product experiences to make healthcare more accessible (and maybe even more enjoyable) for all Canadians. Felix is one of Canada's leading end-to-end healthcare platforms, providing online diagnoses, prescription delivery, and ongoing care for birth control, erectile dysfunction, acne, hair loss, herpes, and more. www.felixforyou.ca
SOURCE Felix
Health Canada issues Notice of Compliance (NOC) for Jardiance® (empagliflozin) for the treatment of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
This new indication is based on the EMPEROR-Reduced trial, which showed a significant 25 per cent reduction in the combined relative risk versus placebo of cardiovascular death or hospitalization for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in adults with or without diabetes and an eGFR as low as 20ml/min/1.73 m21
Heart failure affects nearly 670,000 people in Canada, with close to 93,000 new cases diagnosed each year2
Jardiance was first granted marketing authorization in August 2015 by Health Canada for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus3
BURLINGTON, ON and TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2021 /CNW/ - Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd and Eli Lilly Canada Inc. are pleased to announce that Jardiance® (empagliflozin) has been granted marketing authorization by Health Canada as a treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), as an adjunct to standard of care therapy, in adults with an eGFR as low as 20 mL/min/1.73 m2.3The extension of the indication follows marketing authorization granted by Health Canada in 2015 for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus; and in 2016, as an add-on combination to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease.3
"When we look at healthcare expenditures for heart failure in Canada, it is hospitalization that makes up the bulk of the attributable expenses for care. With empagliflozin now approved by Health Canada for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, we can look forward to reducing the risk of hospitalization," says Dr. Shelley Zieroth, Cardiologist and Director at Winnipeg's St. Boniface Hospital Heart Failure and Transplant Clinics and Professor in the College of Medicine, Max Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba. "The availability of a new heart failure treatment is a major step forward in improving the standard of care for heart failure patients and is definitely worth celebrating."
The marketing authorization is based on results from the EMPEROR-Reduced trial in which empagliflozin showed a significant 25 per cent reduction in the combined relative risk versus placebo of cardiovascular death or hospitalization due to heart failure.1 The findings from the primary endpoint were consistent in subgroups with or without type 2 diabetes. Key secondary endpoints were also significantly improved with empagliflozin, including a 30 per cent reduction in the relative risk of first and recurrent hospitalization for heart failure.1
Heart failure affects more than 60 million people worldwide.4 In Canada, nearly 670,000 Canadians are currently living with heart failure and close to 93,000 new cases are diagnosed each year.2
"Jardiance was the first SGLT2 inhibitor to demonstrate cardiovascular protective effects and improve cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes," said Waheed Jamal, M.D., Corporate Vice President and Head of CardioMetabolic Medicine, Boehringer Ingelheim. "We are delighted to now be able to offer Jardiance to people with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in Canada, regardless of diabetes status."
"The introduction of empagliflozin for this type of heart failure in Canada is a significant milestone for the Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Alliance," continued Jeff Emmick, M.D., Ph.D., Vice President, Product Development, Lilly. "We are committed to finding solutions for the millions of people who live with heart failure and important metabolic conditions around the world."
Heart failure is frequently associated with other diseases of the cardio-renal-metabolic systems such as type 2 diabetes and kidney disease. Due to the interconnected nature of these systems, improvement in one system can lead to positive effects throughout the others. Heart failure is a condition in which the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to the rest of the body.5 There are two forms of the condition; heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) means the heart cannot contract normally, while preserved ejection fraction means the heart cannot properly fill with blood. People with heart failure often experience breathlessness and fatigue, which can severely impact their quality of life.6,7
The EMPEROR-Reduced trial is part of the EMPOWER clinical program, the broadest and most comprehensive of any SGLT2 inhibitor, exploring the impact of empagliflozin on the lives of people across the spectrum of cardio-renal-metabolic conditions.
About the EMPEROR Heart Failure Studies8,9 The EMPEROR (EMPagliflozin outcomE tRial in patients with chrOnic heaRt failure) heart failure studies are two Phase III, randomized, double-blind trials investigating once-daily empagliflozin compared with placebo in adults with heart failure with preserved or reduced ejection fraction, with or without diabetes, who are receiving current standard of care:
EMPEROR-Reduced [NCT03057977] investigated the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Primary endpoint: time to first event of adjudicated cardiovascular death or adjudicated hospitalization for heart failure
Number of patients: 3,730, which included 36 study sites in Canada
Completion: 2020
EMPEROR-Preserved[NCT03057951] investigated the safety and efficacy of empagliflozin in patients with chronic heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).
Primary endpoint: time to first event of adjudicated cardiovascular death or adjudicated hospitalization for heart failure
Number of patients: 5,988, which included 34 study sites in Canada
Completion: 2021
About the EMPOWER Program The Alliance has developed the EMPOWER program to explore the impact of empagliflozin on major clinical cardiovascular and renal outcomes in a spectrum of cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. Cardio-renal-metabolic conditions are the leading cause of mortality worldwide and account for up to 20 million deaths annually.10 Through the EMPOWER program, Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly are working to advance knowledge of these interconnected systems and create care which offers integrated, multi-organ benefits. Comprised of eight clinical trials and two real-world evidence studies, EMPOWER reinforces the long-term commitment of the Alliance to improve outcomes for people living with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions. With more than 400,000 adults studied worldwide in clinical studies, it is the broadest and most comprehensive clinical program for an SGLT2 inhibitor to date.
About heart failure Heart failure is a serious condition, that occurs when the heart cannot keep up with its workload, and the body may not get the oxygen that it needs. As the left and right sides of the heart fail, fluid may build up in the lungs, abdomen, or legs.5,11 It is a common condition affecting over 60 million people worldwide and expected to increase as the population ages.4,12 In Canada, nearly 670,000 people are living with heart failure.2Heart failure is twice as common in people with diabetes.13
There are different types of heart failure. People with left-sided heart failure have either a reduced or a preserved ejection fraction. Ejection fraction is a measurement of the percentage of blood the left ventricle pumps out with each contraction.14 When the heart relaxes, the ventricle refills with blood.
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction occurs when the left ventricle of the heart is unable to relax and properly fill with blood, resulting in less blood being available to be pumped out to the body.14
Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction occurs when the left ventricle of the heart is not able to contract effectively, which means that the heart cannot pump with enough force, so less blood is pushed out to the body.14
People with heart failure often experience shortness of breath and fatigue, which can severely impact their quality of life.7 Individuals with heart failure often also have impaired kidney function, which can further worsen patient outcomes and quality of life.15
About cardio-renal-metabolic conditions Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly are driven to transform care for people with cardio-renal-metabolic conditions, a group of interconnected disorders that affect more than one billion people worldwide and are a leading cause of death.4,10
Through our research and treatments, our goal is to support people's health, restoring the balance between the interconnected cardio-renal-metabolic systems and reducing their risk of serious complications. As part of our commitment to those whose health is jeopardized by cardio-renal-metabolic conditions, we will continue embracing a multidisciplinary approach towards care and focusing our resources on filling treatment gaps.
About empagliflozin Empagliflozin (marketed as Jardiance®) is an oral, once-daily, highly selective sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor. It was the first type 2 diabetes medicine to include in its label in several countries cardiovascular death risk reduction data in patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease.16,17,18,3
Empagliflozin is currently indicated for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes and as an adjunct to diet, exercise and standard care therapy to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and established cardiovascular disease.16,17,18,3 Additionally, empagliflozin is approved for the treatment of adults with HFrEF in the European Union and the U.S.16,19 Boehringer Ingelheim and Lilly Alliance plan for global regulatory submissions in HFpEF in 2021. Research is ongoing regarding the effects of empagliflozin on hospitalization for heart failure and mortality in post-myocardial infarction (heart attack) patients with high risk of heart failure.20 Empagliflozin is also currently being investigated in chronic kidney disease.21
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced an Alliance that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. Depending on geographies, the companies either co-promote or separately promote the respective molecules each contributing to the Alliance. The Alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies to focus on patient needs. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate their commitment, not only to the care of people with diabetes, but also to investigating the potential to address areas of unmet medical need. Clinical trials have been initiated to evaluate the impact of empagliflozin on people living with heart failure or chronic kidney disease.
About Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. Boehringer Ingelheim is working on breakthrough therapies that improve the lives of humans and animals. As a leading research-driven biopharmaceutical company, the company creates value through innovation in areas of high unmet medical need. Founded in 1885 and family-owned ever since, Boehringer Ingelheim takes a long-term perspective. Approximately 52,000 employees serve more than 130 markets in the three business areas, Human Pharma, Animal Health and Biopharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing. The Canadian headquarters of Boehringer Ingelheim was established in 1972 in Montreal, Quebec and is now located in Burlington, Ontario. Boehringer Ingelheim employs approximately 600 people across Canada. Learn more at www.boehringer-ingelheim.ca.
About Eli Lilly Canada Eli Lilly and Company is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by Colonel Eli Lilly, who was committed to creating high quality medicines that meet people's needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to people who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and contribute to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.
Eli Lilly Canada was established in 1938, the result of a research collaboration with scientists at the University of Toronto, which eventually produced the world's first commercially available insulin. Our work focuses on oncology, diabetes, autoimmunity, neurodegeneration, and pain. To learn more about Lilly Canada, please visit us at www.lilly.ca.
For our perspective on issues in healthcare and innovation, follow us on Twitter @LillyPadCA and @LillyMedicalCA.
References ______________________________
1
Packer M, Anker SD, Butler J, et al. Cardiac and Renal Outcomes With Empagliflozin in Heart Failure With a Reduced Ejection Fraction. N Engl J Med. 2020;383:1413–24.
Jardiance Product Monograph. Boehringer Ingelheim (Canada) Ltd. October 29, 2021
4
GBD 2017 Disease and Injury Incidence and Prevalence Collaborators. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2018;392(10159):1789–1858.
Calvert MJ, Freemantle N, Cleland JGF. The impact of chronic heart failure on health–related quality of life data acquired in the baseline phase of the CARE–HF study. Eur J Heart Fail. 2005;7(2):243–51.
GBD 2015 Mortality and Causes of Death Collaborators. Global, regional, and national life expectancy, all-cause mortality, and cause-specific mortality for 249 causes of death, 1980–2015: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015. The Lancet. 2016; 388(10053):1459–544.
Together by St. Jude Teaches Children about the COVID-19 Vaccines in New Coloring BookFollowing FDA emergency use approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds, Together by St. Jude releases a free coloring book that educates children on COVID-19 vaccinesMEMPHIS, TENN – Experts at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital have created a coloring book to help children learn about vaccines and how they work to prevent COVID-19. The coloring book comes on the heels of the US Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use approval of the COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11. Developed and reviewed by patient education and infectious disease specialists at St. Jude, the coloring book is available for download on the Together by St. Jude web-based resource. A St. Jude Coloring Book: COVID-19 Vaccines answers questions about COVID-19 vaccines in words children can understand. “A COVID-19 vaccine uses the body’s immune system to fight the coronavirus,” the book reads. “Your immune system is like a team of superheroes that protect you from germs.” The book also uses simple pictures to show how the vaccine works to help your body make antibodies to fight the virus that causes COVID-19. “The vaccine coloring book offers children the opportunity to learn more about the COVID-19 vaccine by coloring images of doctors, children and the COVID-19 virus,” said Rachel Schmelzer, a child life specialist at St. Jude. “The illustrations in the book help to prepare children for the vaccination process and explain how the vaccine works to protect their bodies from COVID-19.”
Free Online Coloring Books: A St. Jude Initiative for Patient Education and Care Together by St. Jude published its first coloring book on COVID-19 in 2020. Learn About the Coronavirus helped children understand the virus and taught ways to stay healthy by keeping a distance, wearing a mask, and washing hands often. That coloring book was translated into 16 different languages and was downloaded over 14,000 times in more than 150 countries and territories. “Throughout the pandemic, parents have struggled through numerous difficult conversations with their children. We want to prepare our children for the significant changes in their daily lives and teach them how to stay safe, but how can we do this without scaring them?” said Niki Jurbergs, PhD, St. Jude Psychology Department. “We created these coloring books to prepare parents with the tools they need to introduce these new and potentially scary concepts in an age-appropriate way. Having a plan ahead of time, including talking points, can make parents feel more comfortable during this conversation.” The coloring books are an example of how Together by St. Jude supports the hospital in setting the standard for pediatric cancer care and patient experience. St. Jude staff collaborated with infectious diseases specialists to create accurate but accessible and interactive educational material to meet the needs of families affected by pediatric cancer. The coloring books have value for parents and children everywhere, not just St. Jude patients. In addition to the two COVID-19 coloring books, Together by St. Jude has also released Riley Takes Medicine, a coloring book that teaches children undergoing cancer treatment about the different types of drugs and the importance of medication compliance. All three coloring books are available for free to download. To speak with the specialists at St. Jude, please contact Katy Hobgood Ray at Katy.Hobgood@STJUDE.ORG or 901-568-9869 About Together by St. JudeTogether by St. Judeis a comprehensive online resource dedicated to pediatric cancer patients and their families. It provides trustworthy, up-to-date medical information and connects families facing pediatric cancer with personally relevant topics in a clear, easy to use format. Together by St. Jude focuses on providing content that appeals to a variety of preferred learning styles and offers resources that families can use throughout the entire cancer journey. Content have been translated into 8 different languages. Like Together on Facebook.
# # # St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats, and cures childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments developed at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to 80% since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude freely shares the breakthroughs it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, and food—because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. To learn more, visit stjude.org or follow St. Jude on social media at @stjuderesearch.
Collaboration between Medfuture and Nautilus Plus - Medfuture and Nautilus Plus join forces to create the Vivre Plus Solution
MIRABEL, QC, Nov. 2, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Medfuture and Nautilus Plus are announcing today that they have joined forces to offer the Vivre Plus Solution to the Quebec population. Combining the offerings of the two companies that share a common mission to promote wellness, the Vivre Plus Solution offers an innovative approach by bringing together the expertise of Nautilus Plus' kinesiologists and nutritionists with that of Medfuture's health professionals. In doing so, the Vivre Plus Solution offers 360˚ support to improve the quality of life of Nautilus Plus members so they can live better and longer lives.
A collaboration for a unique offer in Quebec
The primary objective of this collaboration is to offer a personalized and multidisciplinary approach to better guide the recommendations of health professionals while identifying ways to apply them directly to the daily lives of Nautilus Plus members.
Whether it's through the creation of a personalized action plan or through daily follow-up to prevent health problems, Medfuture and Nautilus Plus have developed a unique approach in Quebec, aimed at improving the quality of life of Nautilus Plus members by supporting them in the many areas of their health.
To meet the needs of the Quebec population
This solution is for all those :
Who wish to better control their particular conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular problems, arthritis, osteoarthritis or others;
Who wish to relieve small physical ailments that have developed over the years;
Who are preparing for their retirement or are already there and want to make the most of it;
Who want to know more about their current overall health status with physical, physiological and cognitive assessments.
The services in the Vivre Plus solution offer different benefits, depending on the clientele and the type of package chosen:
Complete physical health assessment performed by the kinesiologist;
Nutritional consultation performed by the nutritionist;
Vitality Index Analysis;
Requisition for blood works if needed;
Clinical vidéo consultation;
Access to Nautilus Plus facilities for 8 weeks;
Adapted training program and follow-up sessions by the kinesiologist;
Nutritional plan and follow-up sessions by the nutritionist;
Quotes "Medfuture is proud of this promising collaboration, which perfectly reflects our mission to promote the well-being of our clientele. Nautilus Plus shares our mission and promotes a preventive approach to health for the Quebec population. The result of our collaboration is a unique offer in Quebec, the Vivre Plus solution, which puts forth a multidisciplinary support to meet the needs of people who want to live better and longer."
- Amélie Paquette,Medfuture's General Manager
"At Nautilus Plus, we search for partners committed to a global health approach. This is the primary reason behind the development of the Vivre Plus solution with Medfuture, a Quebec company that takes the health of its population to heart and places the patient and his or her well-being at the center of its approach. Nautilus Plus recognizes itself in the human and positive values of Medfuture. We listen to our members and support them in achieving their goals. The Vivre Plus solution offers winning conditions for our clients."
– Martin Légaré, Chief Executive Officer, Nautilus Plus
About Medfuture Clinic Inc. Medfuture specializes in the longevity field by helping people who actively seek control over their health, their most precious possession, to live an optimal and long life. Medfuture is a facilitator that aims to slow, stop or reverse the consequences of aging using tools to measure biomarkers related to the processes involved and concrete preventive actions, all with the use of advanced technologies and the practice of personalized medicine. Medfuture's multidisciplinary team offers a unique, human-centered experience.
About Nautilus Plus Nautilus Plus is dedicated to improving the health of the Quebec population. It offers its members optimal conditions to improve their health and quality of life by practicing regular physical fitness and adopting a healthy diet. Nautilus Plus' mission is to actively participate in the well-being of the population. Nautilus Plus' promise is to offer more: to provide optimal conditions for better training with the best specialists, the best programs and the best equipment.
Curtain Pulled Back on ‘Alarming’ Health Care Practices
Concord, NC, Nov. 2, 2021 — After 28 years in the health care business, Dr. David Wilcox has seen enough to realize that it truly is a “business,” as opposed to the kind-hearted healing service that most of us might imagine it to be. His new book reveals some unsettling facts.
“There is little to no transparency about procedures or billing,” Dr. Wilcox says, “and the average health care consumer doesn't think about it until they have to access the healthcare system. That is a dangerous mentality, as we all will need health care at some point in our lives.”
In his book, How to Avoid Being a Victim of the American Healthcare System: A Patient’s Handbook for Survival, Dr. Wilcox offers information, facts and tips that can help patients and family members navigate through the morass.
“I have seen some alarming situations that nursing school never prepared me for,” Dr. Wilcox said. “Not being prepared and knowledgeable means you will have little control over the health care you receive.”
His goal in writing this book was to level the playing field, enabling consumers of health care to understand how to avoid getting caught in the systemic net.
In his own words, Dr. Wilcox’s book explores “what to do if you have to go to a hospital, how to handle an insurance company’s claim denial, how to find an alternative to high-priced prescriptions and why the current pay-for-fee system is inadequate. You will also discover the direction the healthcare system needs to move in, to holistically care for you, the patient … information that the health care entities would prefer you didn’t know.”
Dr. David Wilcox is a health care professional who believes proactive patient education enables those accessing the healthcare system to be better partners in their health care. He also believes that everyone has the right to access the American Healthcare System safely. A Doctorate-prepared nurse who also holds a Master’s in Health Administration and is Board Certified in Nursing Informatics, Dr. Wilcox has nearly three decades of health care experience as a bedside nurse, hospital administrator and in health care information technology, which has helped him to develop his unique perspective on the American Healthcare System. For more information, please visit https://drdavidwilcox.com/.
How to Avoid Being a Victim of the American Healthcare System: A Patient’s Handbook for Survival
TSSA Reminds Ontarians Not to Fall Behind on Carbon Monoxide Safety
Ontario, Canada, Nov. 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- It’s Carbon Monoxide (CO) Awareness Week in Ontario and safety experts are urging people not to fall behind on CO safety. Often dubbed the ‘Silent Killer’ you won’t even know if it’s there as it’s an invisible, odourless and highly poisonous gas.
“With the onset of cold weather months comes the increased use of furnaces and fireplaces and now outdoor heaters,” says Sam Sadeghi, Director of TSSA’s Fuels Safety Program. “If not installed, inspected and maintained regularly, fuel-burning appliances can emit deadly levels of CO gas.”
Over 65% of all CO injuries and deaths in Ontario occur in homes and most if not all are preventable. Most residences have 4-6 fuel-burning appliances. They require annual inspections by certified fuel technicians to prevent them from producing deadly levels of CO.
Take Action, Think Safe:
Have all fuel-burning appliances inspected annually by a certified fuel technician.
Install certified CO alarms in your home, regularly test them and replace in accordance with manufacturer’s instruction.
“Safety is a shared responsibility” adds Sadeghi, and by taking these actions we can lower CO risks in our homes.”
Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. They are similar to the flu – nausea, headache, burning eyes, confusion and drowsiness – except there is no fever. If these symptoms appear, it is imperative to get everyone outside to fresh air immediately and call 911 or the local fire department.
Last but not least, as we prepare to set our clocks back this coming weekend, remember to test your CO alarms and replace batteries and/or unit(s) as required. While we may be turning back an hour, we don’t want to fall behind in being CO safe.
With the hope that multiple voices will bring greater impact to the message, TSSA continues to partner with other safety-minded organizations such as the Hawkins-Gignac Foundation for CO Education and local fire and emergency services departments to deliver critical CO safety information to residents in communities across Ontario.
The Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) is one of Ontario’s public safety regulators mandated by the Government of Ontario to enforce provincial safety regulations and enhance public safety. Throughout Ontario, TSSA regulates the safety of amusement devices, boilers and pressure vessels, elevating devices, fuels, operating engineers, and ski lifts. Its range of safety services include public education and consumer information, certification, licensing and registration, engineering design review, inspections, investigations, safety management consultation, compliance support and enforcement and prosecution activities. The organization’s vision is to be a valued advocate and recognized authority in public safety.
Important Benefits of Eating Breakfast
For many people, skipping breakfast has become a normal part of the workaday world. During a morning rush to the office or to school, it can feel easy enough to save time by skipping out on the day's first meal. But skipping breakfast can affect us in a wide variety of different ways. Without a healthy meal to start the day, for example, we'll feel tired and struggle to concentrate. In the long-term, we'll miss out on healthy vitamins and nutrients. So here are just three great reasons to make breakfast a regular part of your morning routine!
Close up of healthy continental breakfast with fresh fruit and ground coffee.
Breakfast Makes You Smarter
Have you ever noticed that it can feel like your brain is moving slower if you haven't had anything to eat in the morning? For a real brain boost, try eating a protein-rich breakfast the next time you have an exam or a big project to do at work. You can bet that your mind will move more quickly and that you'll be better prepared for any challenge that comes your way. To make a morning routine more fun, some people even customize their breakfasts to include their favorite foods or even incorporate leftovers. If you’re too busy in the mornings to cook, consider visiting a local restaurant like National Coney Island in your area.
Breakfast Helps You Wake Up
When we eat breakfast, we are literally "breaking the fast" that our bodies have been experiencing while we've slept. As you might imagine, going all night without eating can leave your body jonesing for food and the energy that food brings us. So if you really want to get going in the morning, it is difficult to get the energy you need without eating a healthy breakfast. Facing a long day at the office is difficult enough as it is; breakfast will help you wake up and feel the energy you need to make the day a success!
Breakfast Keeps You Healthy
A solid breakfast is a part of a healthy approach to eating. We all need to consume a certain number of calories per day to keep our bodies healthy, and breakfast occupies an important place in any good nutrition regimen. If you want to give your body the energy it needs, breakfast can and should be a priority! After all, we are what we eat!
So there you have it: Although some people don't give it enough credit, breakfast is perhaps the single most important meal of the day. A good breakfast will help us start our day off right and will keep us healthy in the long-term to boot! Good breakfast foods will help us stay alert and focused. They also taste great!
The First and Only Tazarotene Lotion indicated for Acne Vulgaris in Patients 10 Years of Age and Older, ARAZLO™ now Available for Patients by Prescription across Canada
Shown to provide strong efficacy with good tolerability profile
LAVAL, QC, Oct. 28, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Bausch Health, Canada, which is part of Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) (TSX: BHC) ("Bausch Health" or the "Company"), and its dermatology division, one of the largest prescription dermatology health care businesses in Canada, today announced that its new topical prescription treatment for acne vulgaris (common acne), ARAZLOTM (tazarotene) lotion, 0.045% w/w, for patients 10 years of age and older1 is now available across Canada.
ARAZLO is the first tazarotene 0.045% w/w lotion treatment formulated with PRISMATREXTM technology approved by Health Canada that delivers the benefits of tazarotene in a formulation with known hydrating and moisturizers to effectively treat acne with demonstrated efficacy and tolerability.1
"We are very pleased that ARAZLO is now available for prescription by doctors across Canada as an important new option for them to help treat the approximately 5.6 million Canadians who are impacted by acne,"2 said Ginette Gagné, Interim President and General Manager, Bausch Health, Canada. "We are proud to be expanding our already large dermatology portfolio to better help meet Canadians' needs."
"The availability of ARAZLO provides an important new addition to how we can help our patients with acne by providing access to treatment by the powerful retinoid tazarotene in a lotion form that will help limit the dryness and irritation that has historically been a barrier to its long-term use by patients," 3 said Dr. Benjamin Barankin, MD, FRCPC, FAAD – Dermatologist, Toronto, Ontario. "It is a very useful and positive step forward for the treatment of acne."
ARAZLO is a lightweight non-greasy lotion that uses a polymeric emulsification system (PRISMATREX), which maintains the emulsion droplets size distribution stable across time and temperature. This system provides stable emulsions by anchoring its hydrophobic portions and forming an adsorbed gel layer around each oil droplet.1
ARAZLO is the third new dermatology treatment from Bausch Health approved by Health Canada in just over 12 months. The other approvals were for BRYHALI™ (halobetasol propionate lotion 0.01% w/w), a high to super-high potency topical corticosteroid indicated for corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses and the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis, and DUOBRII™ (0.01% w/w halobetasol propionate and 0.045% w/w tazarotene) to treat adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.4
All three treatments – ARAZLO, BRYHALI and DUOBRII – are manufactured at Bausch Health's Laval, Quebec, facility for Canada and the United States.
ARAZLO Comprehensive Clinical Data The Health Canada approval for ARAZLO was based on data from two pivotal Phase 3 multicentre, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled clinical trials in 1,614 patients with moderate to severe acne. In both Phase 3 studies, all primary efficacy endpoints were met with statistical significance (p<.001).
About Acne Vulgaris Acne vulgaris ("vulgaris" means "common") is the most common skin problem seen by doctors in Canada. It occurs when the pores of the skin become plugged with oil and skin cells, often causing whiteheads, blackheads, pimples or cysts to appear on the face, forehead, chest, upper back and shoulders. Acne affects about 5.6 million Canadians, or nearly 20 per cent of the population and causes emotional distress and can cause permanent scarring2 or pigmentation changes.5 Acne affects about 90 per cent of adolescents and about 25 per cent of teens will still have acne at age 25.2
About ARAZLO ARAZLO (tazarotene) lotion, 0.045% w/w is a prescription medicine used on the skin (topical) to treat people ten years of age and older with acne, which can include blackheads, whiteheads and other pimples, including inflammatory lesions, nodules and cysts. Safety and efficacy of ARAZLO in children below the age of 10 years has not been established.
About the Dermatology Portfolio of Bausch Health, Canada Bausch Health, Canada has one of the largest prescription dermatology businesses in Canada dedicated to helping patients in the treatment of a range of therapeutic areas, including psoriasis, actinic keratosis, acne, atopic dermatitis and other dermatoses. The Bausch Health, Canada dermatology portfolio includes several leading acne, anti-fungal and corticosteroid-responsive dermatoses products.
About Bausch Health Bausch Health Companies Inc. (NYSE: BHC) (TSX: BHC) is a global company whose mission is to improve people's lives with our health care products. We develop, manufacture and market a range of pharmaceutical, medical device and over-the-counter products, primarily in the therapeutic areas of eye health, gastroenterology and dermatology. We are delivering on our commitments as we build an innovative company dedicated to advancing global health. More information can be found at BauschHealth.ca.
