scholarly journals Increases in exposure calls related to selected cleaners and disinfectants at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic: data from Canadian poison centres

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-29
Author(s):  
Abdool Yasseen III ◽  
Deborah Weiss ◽  
Sandy Remer ◽  
Nina Dobbin ◽  
Morgan MacNeill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Percentage Change ◽  
The Public ◽  
Early Communication ◽  
Poison Centre ◽  
Cleaning Products ◽  
Chlorine Gas ◽  
Timely Access

Abstract Little is known about the use or misuse of cleaning products during the COVID-19 pandemic. We compiled data from January to June in 2019 and 2020 from Canadian poison centres, and report on calls regarding selected cleaning products and present year-overyear percentage change. There were 3408 (42%) calls related to bleaches; 2015 (25%) to hand sanitizers; 1667 (21%) to disinfectants; 949 (12%) to chlorine gas; and 148 (2%) to chloramine gas. An increase in calls occurred in conjunction with the onset of COVID-19, with the largest increase occurring in March. Timely access to Canadian poison centre data facilitated early communication of safety messaging for dissemination to the public.

A system-wide solution to antidote stocking in emergency departments: the Nova Scotia antidote program

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy G. Murphy ◽  
D. Ruth Bona ◽  
Theresa A. Hurley
Keyword(s):  
Nova Scotia ◽  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Emergency Departments ◽  
Compliance Rate ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Poison Centre ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Utilization Patterns ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospitals

ABSTRACTObjectiveInadequate stocking of essential antidotes in hospitals is an internationally documented problem. A concrete and sustainable system-wide solution for easy access to antidotes in emergency departments (EDs) was developed and implemented in Nova Scotia, Canada.MethodsAntidote stocking guidelines and a systemwide antidote management strategy were established. A standardized collection of antidotes housed in highly visible containers in provincial EDs was implemented for timely access. Antidote-specific online administration guidelines were developed. Using the poison centre for surveillance, the antidote program maintained a database of antidote utilization patterns; 11 years of data were available for analysis.Results2/2 (100%) tertiary care, 9/9 (100%) regional EDs, and 21/25 (84%) community EDs in Nova Scotia stock antidote kits, for an overall compliance rate of 32/36 (89%). A total of 678 antidotes (excluding N-acetylcysteine) were used for 520 patients. The distribution of antidote use by hospital type was 99/678 (14.6%) at community hospitals, 379/678 (55.9%) at regional hospitals, and 200/678 (29.5%) at tertiary care hospitals. The five most commonly used antidotes were: naloxone 143/678 (21.1%), fomepizole 111/678 (16.4%), glucagon 94/678 (13.9%), calcium 70/678 (10.3%), and sodium bicarbonate 67/678 (9.9%). Of the 520 patients in whom antidotes were used, death occurred in 3% (15/520), major outcomes in 35% (183/520), and moderate outcomes in 39% (205/520).ConclusionThe Nova Scotia Antidote Program demonstrates that a solution to inadequate antidote stocking is achievable and requires a system-wide approach with ongoing maintenance and surveillance. The frequency and distribution of antidote usage documented in this program supports the need for enhancement of emergency preparedness. The poison centre and hospital pharmacies are crucial to surveillance and maintenance of this program.

scholarly journals RxLegal: A Rapid Review of Right-To-Try

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 234-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Gabay
Keyword(s):  
State Level ◽  
Rapid Review ◽  
Medical Treatments ◽  
The Public ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Patient Provider Communication ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Right To Try Laws ◽  
Health Care Inequalities

Right-to-try legislation is intended to allow patients with life-threatening illnesses access to investigational medical treatments without formal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) involvement. Currently, right-to-try laws have been enacted in 40 states. Despite the increased passage of right-to-try legislation at the state level, individuals have detailed arguments both for and against these laws. Proponents state that right-to-try removes regulatory burdens and improves timely access to potentially lifesaving medications for terminally ill patients, reduces inequalities regarding access, and improves patient-provider communication and decision making. Opponents argue that right-to-try does not really guarantee access, reinforces preexisting health care inequalities, prioritizes rapid access over safety and the interests of the individual over the public, and produces concerns regarding informed consent. Despite these issues, right-to-try has recently gained traction on the federal level with both Congressional chambers passing separate bills.

scholarly journals Obstetrical complications treated in the maternities of the region of Sousse (Tunisia)

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Limam ◽  
J Sahli ◽  
F Hachani ◽  
M El Ghardallou ◽  
M Mellouli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neonatal Deaths ◽  
The Public ◽  
Obstetrical Complications ◽  
Qualified Personnel ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Prolonged Labor ◽  
Clinical Records ◽  
The University

Abstract Background About 800 women die each day worldwide due to complications related to pregnancy, childbirth or in the postpartum period. The objective of this study was to describe the activity of the public maternities in the Governorate of Sousse (Tunisia) and to identify obstetrical complications treated in these facilities. Methods A cross sectional study of all public health facilities, which performed deliveries in Sousse was conducted in 2017 (Five maternities: one University maternity and four peripheral ones). Data were collected by reviewing clinical records and registers of these maternities for the year 2016. Results In total, in the health visited structures, there were 13427 deliveries in 2016, the majority of them (78.8%) took place at the university maternity of Farhat Hached hospital. Of these deliveries, 3397 were performed by caesareans (25.3%). In 2016, there were three maternal deaths and 69 very early neonatal deaths. There were 2036 direct obstetric complications treated in the five maternities visited. The most frequently encountered direct complications were: ’obstructed/prolonged labor’ (41.21%), ’severe pre-eclampsia/eclampsia’ (19.5%) and ’ante and postpartum haemorrhage’ (15.18%). The most encountered indirect obstetrical complications were: gestational diabetes and anaemia. Conclusions The reduction of maternal and neonatal mortality requires the existence of a functioning basic health care system that provides all pregnant women and their newborns with timely access to skilled care, particularly when a complication occurs. The provision of this qualified care requires also the presence of qualified personnel working in a suitable professional environment. Key messages The majority of obstetrical complications occur in university maternity and this is due to excessive references from peripheral maternities. Peripheral maternities need to be strengthened with material and human resources.

Perspectives on Early Communication of Drug Risks to the Public

2009 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 335-339 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Seligman ◽  
SF Osborne
Keyword(s):  
The Public ◽  
Early Communication

Access and quality of health care in Canada: Insights from 1998 to the present

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 253-258
Author(s):  
Claire Samuelson-Kiraly ◽  
Terrence Montague ◽  
Joanna Nemis-White ◽  
Nicole MacPherson ◽  
Lesli Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Quality Care ◽  
Healthcare Delivery ◽  
Quality Of Healthcare ◽  
Data Series ◽  
The Public ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Quality And Outcomes ◽  
Access And Quality

This article reviews perceptions of Canada’s public and health professionals regarding access and quality of healthcare. Principal data sources were 13 sequential Health Care in Canada (HCIC) surveys, from 1998 to 2018. Over time, the data series reveals that an increasing majority of the public report receiving quality care, rising from a national average of 53% in 2002 to 61% in 2018. Regionally, the variation in quality care has been relatively narrow, ranging from 52% in the Atlantic and Prairie provinces to 65% in Ontario in 2018. Professionals’ ratings for delivery of quality care in 2018 were slightly higher than the public, averaging 65% and ranging from 58% among nurses to 72% and 74% among physicians and administrators. Despite the favourable ratings received for quality of healthcare, a persistent and growing issue in all regions of the country is concern around timely access to care. In 1998, 4% of the public rated prolonged wait times as a concern; in 2018, 43% rated it as their greatest concern. Regionally, the variation in 2018 ranged from 34% in the Atlantic provinces to 49% in Alberta. This concern about timely access involves all major components of healthcare delivery and is anticipated to worsen. Proposals to improve timely access have been suggested, with interdisciplinary, team-based care being the most strongly supported proposal. The Canadian Medicare system is currently recognized as a valued component of our national identity. However, sub-optimal access continues to undermine quality of care. In the absence of improved access, healthcare quality and outcomes will also remain sub-optimal.

Replications can cause distorted belief in scientific progress

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Białek
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Scientific Progress ◽  
The Public ◽  
Psychological Science

AbstractIf we want psychological science to have a meaningful real-world impact, it has to be trusted by the public. Scientific progress is noisy; accordingly, replications sometimes fail even for true findings. We need to communicate the acceptability of uncertainty to the public and our peers, to prevent psychology from being perceived as having nothing to say about reality.

Hospitals: N.Y. Appellate Court Denies Move to Privatize Public Hospital

1999 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-203
Author(s):  
Robert Chatham
Keyword(s):  
New York ◽  
New York City ◽  
York City ◽  
Public Health System ◽  
Municipal Hospital ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Benefit ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Benefit Corporation ◽  
The City

The Court of Appeals of New York held, in Council of the City of New York u. Giuliani, slip op. 02634, 1999 WL 179257 (N.Y. Mar. 30, 1999), that New York City may not privatize a public city hospital without state statutory authorization. The court found invalid a sublease of a municipal hospital operated by a public benefit corporation to a private, for-profit entity. The court reasoned that the controlling statute prescribed the operation of a municipal hospital as a government function that must be fulfilled by the public benefit corporation as long as it exists, and nothing short of legislative action could put an end to the corporation's existence.In 1969, the New York State legislature enacted the Health and Hospitals Corporation Act (HHCA), establishing the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) as an attempt to improve the New York City public health system. Thirty years later, on a renewed perception that the public health system was once again lacking, the city administration approved a sublease of Coney Island Hospital from HHC to PHS New York, Inc. (PHS), a private, for-profit entity.

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