Tag: health canada

A hard look at Ontario's health system

 

TORONTO, Oct. 23, 2017 /CNW/ - Measuring Up 2017 – Health Quality Ontario's 11th yearly report on the health of Ontarians and how the health system is performing – shows that people in the province are living longer and are losing fewer years of their lives to premature death.

The report contains other positive findings that show many parts of Ontario's health system are working well or better than before:

  • More patients are receiving cancer surgery within maximum wait time targets.
  • More people are getting high-priority MRI and CT diagnostic scans within maximum wait time targets.
  • Care for residents in long-term care homes is improving.
  • More people are being screened for colorectal cancer.
  • People are receiving primary care consistently from the same doctor.

However, Measuring Up 2017 also shows Ontario's health system still faces significant challenges, such as people having to wait too long for certain forms of care, not getting the care they need as they transition between parts of the system, or not having equitable access to care. The report identifies several areas where improvements in access, transitions and equity are needed:

  • More hospitals beds are occupied by patients waiting for care elsewhere.
  • Patients are experiencing longer delays when they need to be moved from the emergency department to an inpatient hospital bed.
  • People with a mental illness or addiction continue to face difficulties in accessing mental health care.
  • People who live in certain regions or have lower incomes sometimes have poorer access to health care.
  • Informal caregivers of home care patients are increasingly distressed.
  • Fewer patients are having surgery within target wait times for hip and knee replacements.

Compared to other provinces and countries, Ontario's performance is mixed. Ontario has the lowest rate of premature mortality of any province in Canada, and performs best or second-best in key aspects of long-term care. However, compared to 10 socioeconomically similar countries, Ontario ranks last in access to primary care appointments on the same day or next day when patients are sick, and in the middle of the pack when it comes to patients' ability to pay medical expenses not covered through private or provincial insurance plans.

"This year's Measuring Up report shows that the work done in Ontario to improve health system performance in key areas such as wait times for cancer patients and resident care in long-term care homes has clearly brought positive results," says Joshua Tepper, president and CEO of Health Quality Ontario. "The report also shows many challenges remain that need to be the focus of ongoing efforts to provide the best health care for all Ontarians."

Measuring Up 2017 also includes stories detailing the personal experiences of patients, caregivers and health care providers to illustrate the real-life impact of the health system on real people.

Quick facts

Findings in areas that are doing well or improving

  • The rate of potential years of life lost (in deaths before age 75) improved by 17.6% in Ontario between 2003 and 2013, to 4,221 years per 100,000 people, from 5,120. Ontario has the lowest rate of potential years of life lost among Canadian provinces.
  • The proportion of cancer surgeries completed within provincial maximum wait time targets increased overall between 2008/09 and 2016/17. Depending on the priority level of the surgery, the number of cancer patients who had surgery performed within target ranged from 78% to 93%.
  • Between 2012/13 and 2016/17, the proportion of patients who had their diagnostic scan completed within the provincial maximum wait time target increased to 82% from 79% for Priority 2 MRI scans, and to 96% from 92% for Priority 2 CT scans.
  • The proportion of long-term care home residents without psychosis who were given antipsychotic medication fell to 22.9% from 35.0% between 2010/11 and 2015/16, while the proportion physically restrained on a daily basis declined to 6.0% from 16.1%, and the proportion who experienced moderate pain daily or any severe pain fell to 6.1% from 11.9%.
  • The proportion of Ontarians overdue for colorectal cancer screening decreased to 38.7% in 2015 from 43.6% in 2011.
  • Among Ontarians who had at least three primary care visits to a physician within the previous two years, 57.3% had high continuity of care from the same doctor, 27.4% had medium continuity, and 15.2% had low continuity, in 2015/16.

Findings in areas that need improvement

  • An average of 3,961 Ontario hospital beds per day were occupied by patients waiting to receive care elsewhere in 2015/16. Those 3,961 beds were the equivalent of 10 large hospitals.
  • For patients who were admitted to hospital, the average length of stay in emergency increased 10.9% to 15.2 hours in 2016/17 from 13.7 hours in 2015/16.
  • Between 2006 and 2015, about a third of people who went to the emergency department for a mental health condition had not received mental health care from a primary care doctor or psychiatrist over the previous two years.
  • The rate of potential years of life lost was nearly 2.5 times higher in the area of the province with the highest rate – the North West Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) region – at 7,647 years per 100,000 people, than in the region with the lowest rate – the Central LHIN region – at 3,026 years per 100,000 population, during the 2010-2012 period.
  • Among urban residents, those who lived in the lowest-income neighbourhoods had the highest rate of being overdue for colorectal cancer screening in 2015, at 46.5%, while those who lived in the highest-income neighbourhoods had the lowest rate of being overdue, at 32.7%.
  • In the first half of 2016/17, among long-stay home care patients with at least one informal caregiver, 24.3% had caregivers who experienced continued distress, anger or depression in relation to their caregiving role, compared to 21.2% in the first half of 2012/13. That was a 14.6% increase over a four-year period.
  • In 2016/17, the proportion of patients who had Priority 4 knee replacement surgery within the wait target fell to 80% from 85%, so that 1 in 5 had to wait longer than the maximum wait target of six months. Priority 4 is the category of knee replacement with the greatest number of surgeries.

To read the full report visit: www.hqontario.ca/MeasuringUp2017

About Measuring Up
Measuring Up 2017 is Health Quality Ontario's 11th yearly report to Ontarians on health system performance. Its findings are based on data from a set of about 50 health system indicators, called the Common Quality Agenda, developed in association with health care experts and health system partners such as doctors, nurses, hospitals, local health integration networks and home care providers, as well as patients and their families and caregivers. This year's report highlights findings from 28 indicators.

About Health Quality Ontario
Health Quality Ontario is the provincial advisor on the quality of health care. With the goal of excellent care for all Ontarians, Health Quality Ontario reports to the public on how the system is performing, develops standards for what quality care looks like, evaluates the effectiveness of new health care technologies and services, and promotes quality improvement aimed at sustainable positive change. Visit www.hqontario.ca for more information.

SOURCE Health Quality Ontario

Understanding the Buzz About Medicinal Marijuana


The Green Living Show features The WeedmapsTM Speaker Series and Cannabis Exhibit
TORONTO, Ont. — The conversation about medicinal marijuana has gone mainstream.

 

According to Health Canada, an estimated 130,000 Canadians are registered to purchase medicinal marijuana from licensed producers. This volume of users, changes to regulations and prevalent anecdotal evidence has led to increased discussion about medicinal uses of marijuana.

 

Although Health Canada governs and regulates licensed producers and there are a variety of sources that contain up-to date information on medicinal marijuana, currently there is no single comprehensive source providing medical advice.

 

For patients living with chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder — or other illnesses that could be supported by the benefits of cannabis — navigating the information can be intimidating or overwhelming, and it can be an added challenge determining if you are getting your information from a reliable source. Being a relatively new field, many people are hesitant, either because of the associated stigma or they just don’t know where to start.

 

“As is the case with all matters relating to health, it’s crucial for consumers to be armed with information from credible sources so they can make an informed decision about what’s best for their health,” says Laurie Simmonds, President and CEO of Green Living Enterprises. “The Green Living Show is a great forum to discuss alternative health therapies and bring together a group of experts who can help provide clarity.”

 

The WeedmapsTM Speaker Series at the Green Living Show will feature exhibits and experts from GrowWise Health, Mettrum, Apollo Cannabis Clinic, Summertree Medical Clinic as well as Tokyo Smoke — the first Canadian consumer brand to launch as a licensed cannabis producer in Canada. These experts will be discussing a variety of topics such as the current medicinal regulations, what strains are most effective for specific ailments, the different methods of consumption, using cannabis as a treatment for sleep disorders, and a cannabis cooking demo.

 

Dr. Carolina Landolt, a leading Canadian rheumatologist with more than 10 years experience and the founder of Summertree Medical Clinic, is one of the experts who will be speaking at the Show. One of the fundamentals of her practice is demystifying medical cannabis for patients and other physicians.

 

“The stigma associated with medical cannabis presents a significant barrier to effective patient care,” says Dr. Landolt. “Medical cannabis is a reasonable option for individuals dealing with conditions such as chronic pain or insomnia, but often patients are afraid to explore this option due to prevailing negative myths and misconceptions regarding medical cannabis. The Green Living Show is a great place to speak directly with practitioners and other experts to get first-hand information.”

 

If you are looking for alternative therapies to complement your current health regime or are curious about your options, The Green Living Show’s cannabis-centered exhibitors and stage content is the place to help guide you in the right direction.

 

This April, discover all of these cannabis resources — plus 400 sustainable companies — at the Green Living Show taking place April 7th to 9th, 2017, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. For more info on leading a healthier, greener lifestyle, please visit greenlivingshow.ca. ‘Like’ it on Facebook, follow the Green Living Show on Twitter and Instagram@GreenLivingPage.

 

About WeedmapsTM

WeedmapsTM is the first and most comprehensive directory in Canada and the United States that provides patients with vital information on where and how they can get their legally prescribed medicinal marijuana.

 

About The Green Living Show

The Green Living Show is Canada’s largest consumer show dedicated to simple solutions for leading a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. This three-day event offers inspiration for all ages and features influential speakers; innovative products; eco home and garden design; local and organic food and wine tastings; health, wellness and yoga pavilions; eco fashion and green beauty makeovers; electric car test drives; nature exhibits and fun activities for the entire family.

 

About Green Living Enterprises 

Green Living Enterprises is Canada’s leading cause-marketing agency focused on social and environmental program development. Our team is led by award-winning industry experts in the fields of brand and program development; custom content; advertising, marketing and communications; and event management. Green Living Enterprises also includes Greenlivingonline.com and The Green Living Show, Canada’s largest consumer show dedicated to simple solutions for leading a healthy and sustainable lifestyle.

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.