Library News - LibGuides at Nova Scotia Health

Dynamic Health round-up posts keep you informed about the implementation and use of Dynamic Health at Nova Scotia Health. They highlight any new priority projects and events as well as updates to our Workplace Notes and Custom Workplace Skills.

Skill Reviews Due by January 31, 2024

Our second skill review push is underway. A huge “Thank you!” to all of our volunteer reviewers! Reviewers received their assigned skill(s) to review earlier in December. All reviews must be submitted through the skill review form by January 31, 2024. If you have any questions about the process or would like assistance completing a review, reach out to us at DynamicHealth@nshealth.ca. We’re available by email or Teams to talk things through and provide guidance. Learn more about the Skill Review process on the Dynamic Health Support subject guide.

Health Promotion in January and Dynamic Health Topics

January 2024 marks the promotion of:

Alzheimer's Awareness Month
Let's Talk Day - January 25th

In recognition of these health promotion events, we encourage you to engage with the curated list of Dynamic Health content below.

If you spot any Skills below that you feel need a Workplace Note, consider being a reviewer! Fill out our Suggest an Edit form with your notes and we will get in touch!

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

Disease & Condition Overviews
- Alzheimer Disease
- Dementia, Adult
Signs & Symptoms
Skills
Patient Handouts

Let's Talk Day

Disease & Condition Overviews
Signs & Symptoms
- Anxiety, Adult
- Depression, Adult
Skills
Patient Handouts
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression and Chronic Illness

Dynamic Health Project Team

Amanda Revels
Professional Practice Leader
Interprofessional Practice & Learning, Western Zone

Leah MacDonald
Professional Practice Leader
Interprofessional Practice & Learning, COVID-19 Response

Katie McLean
Librarian Educator
Interprofessional Practice & Learning, Library Services

Margaret Meier
Policy Lead
Policy Office

Ann Slaunwhite
Library Technician
Interprofessional Practice & Learning, Library Services

Recent Posts

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy June 2025 Digest: Dynamic Health Updates, New Clinical Practice Support Guides, Site Visits and Dynamic Health Scavenger Hunt Winners

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy digest posts summarize updates over the past month about:Clinical Policies, Care Directives, Guidelines and Learning ModulesGet the latest on clinically relevant, local guidance published through policies, care directives, guidelines and/or learning modules.Identify competencies relevant to your/your team’s practice.Dynamic Health (DH)Stay informed about implementation and use of Dynamic Health at Nova Scotia Health, including recent updates to Workplace Notes and Custom Workplace Skills.Clinical Practice Support (CPS) Subject GuidesLearn about recently published and updated CPS subject guides, where you/your team can find relevant resources across DH, policies, care directives, guidelines and learning modules. CPS subject guides also include Key Practice Points and additional educational and guidance resources to support implementation and competency maintenance.Original posts on the above topics can be accessed by Nova Scotia Health Employees through The Compass > Clinical Resources News.NOTE CPP Digest posts will take a break over the summer and resume in September.Policies, Care Directives, Guidelines and Learning ModulesNEW CARE DIRECTIVE: Management of Anaphylaxis (Outside Emergency Departments)CD-CL-030 is supported by and includes several Dynamic Health (DH) skills. Leadership and Clinical Educators can find this new care directive, DH links and more support resources in the Management of Anaphylaxis Clinical Practice Support subject guide.NEW POLICY and PROCEDURES: Assess, Treat, and ReleaseCD-EC-090 has been updated and includes several DH skills. Leadership and Clinical Educators can find this new policy, related procedures, DH links and more support resources in the Assess, Treat, and Release Clinical Practice Support subject guide.Dynamic Health UpdatesNew Workplace Notes and Reviewed SkillsNew notes have been created for a range of skills, including but not limited to: Caring for tracheostomy, Educating about pregnancy hypertension, Performing closed bladder irrigation, and Treating head lice and nits.View the list of New Workplace Notes and Reviewed Skills for June 2025.Revised Workplace NotesWorkplace Notes about a range of skills have been revised, including but not limited to: Administering medication to obstetric patients, Inserting indwelling urinary catheters, Performing postpartum fundal assessment, and Monitoring sepsis transfusion reaction.View the list of Revised Workplace Notes for June 2025.Custom Workplace SkillsNEWCorking or Capping a TracheostomyUPDATEDDialysis: Blood Sample Collection from a Hemodialysis Central Venous CatheterDialysis: Changing a Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Catheter DressingDialysis: Infusion of Alteplase in a Hemodialysis Central Venous Catheter (CVC) during HemodialysisDialysis: Performing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) / Twin Bag Exchange in AdultsDialysis: Performing the Modified Shower Technique for Peritoneal Dialysis Dressing ChangeDialysis: Post-Dialysis Lock and Dwell Using Alteplase in Hemodialysis Central Venous Catheter (CVC)Dialysis: Short Dwell Method of Alteplase in a Hemodialysis Central Venous Catheter (CVC)Clinical Practice Support Subject GuidesNEWAssess, Treat, and ReleaseManagement of AnaphylaxisRespiratory Therapy Skills and ProceduresUPDATEDBlood Product Administration - Transfusion MedicineOccupational Health and Safety: Continuing CareRenal Dialysis - Clinical Practice Supports: Nursing Skills and ProceduresSite Visits and Dynamic Health Scavenger Hunt WinnersThank you to all staff who spoke with Clinical Practice and Policy during our recent site visits in Eastern and Northern Zones and at each Zone’s Quality Summit! We received a lot of positive feedback, and suggestions or questions that will lead to positive improvements.A special thank you to all the practice leads, clinical nurse educators and site managers who met with us in person to help navigate throughout specific locations and visit frontline staff on their units.During our visits, we hosted a digital scavenger hunt for each site. Everyone who completed the scavenger hunt form entered a draw to win a $50 Amazon gift card provided by EBSCO. Remember to check your inbox (and spam/junk folder) or The Compass > Clinical Resources News to see if your name was picked!Get in Touch!Connect with Clinical Policy and Practice about this content update and opportunities to collaborate by emailing AskIPPL@nshealth.ca.Find guidance about using Dynamic Health, setting up a personal account, exporting CE (Continuing Education) Credits, and more in the Dynamic Health Support guide.IPPL Clinical Practice and PolicyAskIPPL@nshealth.ca ...

Patient Education Pamphlets created, updated, or archived in June 2025

Writing in plain language matters. In Canada, it’s reported that nine million people have limited literacy skills, with over half of Canadians reading below a high school level. This is just one of the reasons why it is important to offer additional support to patients and families with easy-to-read, straightforward patient pamphlets. For more information about creating or updating patient pamphlets, please visit the Patient Education Resources subject guide. Contact Pamphlets@nshealth.ca with any questions. You can search for pamphlets by title or keyword in the pamphlets catalogue, or view the complete listing of active titles in our Print Code Index.The following pamphlets were updated or created in June 2025. Arabic TranslationsAR85-2391 prideHealth (rack card) [Arabic] (English: WX85-1634, En français: FF85-2392)Breast WS85-1205 Lymph Node Dissection - QE II Previous title: Lymph Node Dissection at the QEIIDigestive System WI85-2297 After a Liver Transplant - Changes in Your Mental HealthWI85-2286 Advanced Liver Disease - Changes in Your Quality of LifeFrench Translations (en français)FF85-2392 Fierté-Santé (rack card) (French) (English: WX85-1634, Arabic: AR85-2391)FF85-2062 Opération de la cataracte (English: WW85-0135)FF85-2146 Parler de la mort et du deuil aux enfants - Informations pour les parents, les tuteurs et les aidants (English: WD85-2024) Previous title: Parler de la mort et du deuil aux enfants - Information pour les parents et les personnes qui s’occupent des enfantsGynecology & Reproductive HealthWP85-1625 After Your Vulvar Biopsy or Excision Previous title: After Vulvar Biopsy or ExcisionWP85-1586 After Your Cervical Biopsy Previous title: Instructions After Your Cervical Biopsy Not in catalogue (print order reference only)WP85-2076 Birth Control Medication Interactions - Sugammadex and/or Aprepitant (En français: FF85-2202) Previous title: Birth Control Medication Interaction with Sugammadex (Bridion®)HematologyWH85-0618 Therapeutic ApheresisWH85-0724 Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (TTP)WH85-2499 NEW Bone Marrow Harvest - QE IIHospitalsWX85-1634 prideHealth (rack card) (Arabic: AR85-2391, En français: FF85-2392)Infectious DiseaseWC85-0057 Water Rules (En français: FF85-1716)MedicationsQV85-0250 DiureticsQV85-0251 Nitroglycerin Patch (En français: FF85-1911)NephrologyWQ85-2271 Finding a Living Kidney DonorWQ85-2272 Writing to Your Anonymous Living Kidney DonorWQ85-2273 Writing to Your Anonymous Kidney Transplant RecipientNutrition & FoodLC85-1440 Esophageal Soft Eating GuidelinesLC85-2500 NEW Nutrition Guidelines for Diabetes - Fasting for RamadanPhysiotherapy & RehabilitationWB85-2020 Things You Can Do to Help Your Arthritis Previous title: Top Things You Can Do For Your ArthritisWB85-2503 NEW Common Hip and Knee ExercisesSurgery WO85-2223 Guidelines After General Surgery (En français: FF85-2224, Arabic: AR85-2225)WO85-2233 Post-op Patient Care Card Not in catalogue (print order reference only)Urogenital SystemWJ85-2501 NEW Urine Testing After SurgeryThe following pamphlets were archived in June 2025:FF85-2196 Boire de l’eau entre les repasFF85-2175 Lignes directrices pour s’alimenter sans dangerWC85-2220 COVID-19 Discharge Checklist (En français: FF85-2254, Arabic: AR85-2257)FF85-2254 COVID-19 – Liste de vérification pour le congé (English: WC85-2220, Arabic: AR85-2257)AR85-2257 COVID-19 Discharge Checklist (Arabic) (English: WC85-2220, En français: FF85-2254)NSCCP-0074 After a Cancer Diagnosis: Engaging in Physical Activity is Important!FF85-2236 TumsMD (carbonate de calcium) et maladies rénalesFF85-2187 Programme d’évaluation des conducteurs - Questions fréquentesFF85-2160 Exercices à faire après une blessure au poignet (English: WB85-1349)FF85-1766 Exercices pour les jambes (English: WB85-0956)FF85-1744 ÉchocardiogrammeFF85-1902 Préparer votre peau avant une chirurgie à cœur ouvert (English: WG85-1574)FF85-1893 Télésurveillance (English: WG85-0006)FF85-1657 Prévention des chutes : liste de contrôle (English: WB85-1649)If a pamphlet that has been archived is still needed, please let us know as soon as possible and we will work with you to make it available again. Kendell FitzgeraldLibrarian EducatorCentral Zone...

Podcasts for the Healthcare Professional

Podcasts can be an excellent, convenient way for healthcare providers to stay current on valuable information for their field. Research shows that healthcare podcasts have great potential as tools for continuing education and professional development in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare information (Kiernan et al., 2023).Are you interested in listening to healthcare podcasts, but are not sure where to start or which ones to trust? This post is for you!The following podcasts are from credible content creators, who engage and inform their audiences:Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) PodcastsDrs. Mojola Omole and Blair Bigham discuss advances and issues at the forefront of Canadian healthcare, including real stories of healthcare professionals and their patients.Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud, Amazon MusicWe liked: Stepping up: Canadian research in the shadow of cuts in the United StatesSurgery 101Surgery 101 provides brief introductions of surgical topics for medical students, with easily digestible 10- to 20-minute episodes broken into chapters and key points of the topic.Produced with the help of the University of AlbertaAvailable on LibSyn, Apple Podcasts, SpotifyWe liked: #422: Reflections on Surgical HistoryThe Clinical Problem Solvers: Antiracism in Medicine SeriesThis podcast series from The Clinical Problem Solvers equips listeners from all healthcare backgrounds with tools to practice antiracism in their everyday practice.Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Google PlayWe liked: Episode 282: Anti-Racism in Medicine Series – Episode 20 – Medical Racism and Indigenous PeoplesCanadian Health Information PodcastHost Avis Favaro provides in-depth conversations about Canadian healthcare with the people who know it best: those who work on the front lines or behind the scenes, and the patients accessing healthcare. From the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI).Available on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon MusicSome episodes available in FrenchWe liked: Nowhere Else to Go: Why Canadians Are Ending Up in Emergency Departments — Shelley Petit and Dr. Howard OvensWhite Coat Black Art with Dr. Brian GoldmanER doctor Brian Goldman facilitates deep conversations with healthcare professionals and patients to explore what is and is not working in Canada’s healthcare landscape.Available through CBC Listen, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon MusicWe liked: Measles in Canada: Where we’re at and how we got hereThe Gritty Nurse PodcastCanadian nurses Sara Fung and Amie Archibald-Varley tackle the raw realities of working in healthcare through gritty, humorous storytelling. They share experiences and offer stories of hope and resilience while amplifying voices traditionally silenced in healthcare spaces.Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, YouTubeWe liked: We Need Another Leader: Navigating Difficult Times with Authentic Leadership, Courage and ClarityCalling All NursesA passionate group of newly retired Canadian nurses use their lived experience to help listeners navigate the challenges and opportunities of today’s nursing practice.Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, OvercastWe liked: Kent Soltys and Lenora Marcellus: Supporting Early Career Nurses through CollaborationEyeCan Podcast: Canadian Lens on OphthalmologyHosted by Dr. Guillermo Rocha, Dr. Setareh Ziai, Dr. Mona Dagher, and Dr. Hady Saheb, this series examines all aspects of being an ophthalmologist in Canada. The hosts speak with leaders in the field about their lived clinical experiences and explore current techniques and technologies.Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, OvercastFrom the Canadian Ophthalmological SocietyWe liked: EyeCan Season 5, Episode 3 - Ethics in Ophthalmology with guest Dr. Chryssa McAlisterFrankly Speaking About Family MedicineA weekly podcast series covering newsworthy topics in primary care medicine.Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio and moreWe liked: From Diagnosis to Dialogue: Managing Measles in Primary CareEmergency Medicine CasesProviding education on emergency medicine for physicians, residents, students, nurses and paramedics.Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, AndroidWe liked: Episode 200 - How EM Experts Think: Strategies for Pre-Shift, Arrival Ritual, Staying Focused, Managing Interruptions, Cognitive Load & Negative Emotions, Resuscitation Mindset, Post-Resuscitation RecoveryEvaluating Healthcare PodcastsHow do I know if the information provided in healthcare podcasts is trustworthy and authoritative?Following and listening to podcasts is an engaging way to learn and stay current, but you need to make sure the information you hear is credible and trustworthy. Whether you’re trying to decide what to listen to, or you’re already actively listening to something, keep these questions in mind:Do the authors have clinical credentials?Do the guests have relevant clinical credentials or lived experience related to the healthcare topic?Is the information evidence-based? Is the information based on results from medical research? Are appropriate study methodologies cited and interpreted? Are references included?Is the content recent? Reliable podcast episodes will provide the date the episode was released, so you can ensure you’re not listening to outdated information. Any cited references for the podcast episode should be relevant and up to date.What is the overall quality of the information? Are the tone and content unbiased, objective, and balanced? While some podcasts provide entertainment through personal and subjective experiences, any healthcare information presented should be unbiased and evidence-based. Refer to the hosts’ professional credentials and the description of the podcast episode.If you are ever unsure of the quality of information being presented in a healthcare podcast, feel free to reach out to Library Services staff who are happy to discuss in a one-on-one consultation. Be sure to let us know which healthcare podcasts you enjoy listening to.Happy listening!ReferencesKiernan, M. A., Mitchell, B. G., & Russo, P. L. (2023). The power of podcasts: Exploring the endless possibilities of audio education and information in medicine, healthcare epidemiology, and antimicrobial stewardship. Antimicrobial Stewardship & Healthcare Epidemiology, 3(1), e98. https://doi.org/10.1017/ash.2023.178.Selena MacDonaldLibrarian EducatorNova Scotia Hospital, Central Zone...

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy May 2025 Digest: Dynamic Health Updates, Archived and Updated Clinical LMS, New Clinical Practice Support Guides

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy digest posts summarize updates over the past month about:Clinical Policies, Care Directives, Guidelines and Learning ModulesGet the latest on clinically relevant, local guidance published through policies, care directives, guidelines and/or learning modules.Identify competencies relevant to you/your team’s practice.Dynamic Health (DH)Stay informed about implementation and use of Dynamic Health at Nova Scotia Health, including recent updates to Workplace Notes and Custom Workplace Skills.Clinical Practice Support (CPS) Subject GuidesLearn about recently published and updated CPS subject guides, where you/your team can find relevant resources across DH, policies, care directives, guidelines and learning modules. CPS subject guides also include Key Practice Points and additional educational and guidance resources to support implementation and competency maintenance.Original posts on the above topics can be accessed by NS Health Employees through The Compass > Clinical Resources News.Policies, Care Directives, Guidelines and Learning ModulesNEW GUIDELINE: Management of Extravasation EventsCL-SR-060 is supported by and includes several Dynamic Health (DH) skills. Leadership and Clinical Educators can find this new guideline, DH links and an educational poster for front line staff in the Vascular Access Clinical Practice Support subject guide.Please note: Extravasations of Systemic Therapy for Cancer medications are outside the scope of this guideline.LEARNING MODULES: Pathways for Electrocardiography (ECG), Archived and Revised ModulesResulting from the addition of the new Electrocardiography (ECG) page on the Nursing Skills and Procedures Clinical Practice Support subject guide, please note the following changes:Archiving of LMS modules around lead placement and adoption of Dynamic Health skillsCreation of two learning pathways: Introductory and InterpretationAs of May 20th, 2025, modules listed below have been developed, revised or archived, through the NS Health eLearning system (LMS – Medworxx).New or Revised eLearning (LMS)Course TitleLMS CodeStatusDiabetes 1: Diabetes 101 0137RevisedDiabetes 2: Starting Insulin in Hospital 0138RevisedInsertion and Care of i-Gel Supraglottic Advanced Airway Device 1065RevisedMedication Independent Double Check 0203RevisedNational Early Warning Score Series: Acute Care 1079RevisedProtections for Persons in Care 1285NewsTransfusion Therapy: Administration and Adverse Events 0543Revised to align with policy changesTransfusion Therapy: Transfusion 1 Blood Basics 0542Revised to align with policy changesArchived eLearning and Replacement Resources Archived Course TitleLMS CodeReplaced WithAdministration of Epinephrine in the Treatment of Anaphylaxis 0040Coming soon:Policy: Management of AnaphylaxisClinical Practice Supports Subject Guide: Management of AnaphylaxisDelirium in the Elderly - Acute Care 0136Delirium: Assessing Adults for Delirium Using 4ATAssessing Neurological Status in AdultsEnteral Feeds 0166Enteral - Clinical Practice Supports: Nursing Skills and ProceduresInfusion Pump Training - Kangaroo e-Pump 0206Enteral - Clinical Practice Supports: Nursing Skills and ProceduresNEW POLICY: Allergy Skin TestingCL-AS-010 is supported by and includes several Dynamic Health (DH) skills. Leadership and Clinical Educators can find this new policy and DH links in the Allergy Testing Clinical Practice Support subject guide.Dynamic Health UpdatesNew Workplace Notes and Reviewed SkillsNew notes have been created for a range of skills, including but not limited to: Implanted Ports, Bolus Injections, PICC lines, Central Venous Catheters, Procedural Sedation, Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy and Post-operative Care.View the full list of New Workplace Notes and Reviewed Skills as of May 2025.Revised Workplace NotesWorkplace Notes about a range of skills have been revised, including but not limited to: Medication Administration, Changing and Flushing/Locking PICC or CVAD, Removing Sutures, PPE, Blood and Fluid Warmers.View the list of Revised Workplace Notes as of May 2025.Custom Workplace SkillsDialysis: Administering Intra-Peritoneal (IP) MedicationDialysis: Blood Culture Collection from a Hemodialysis Central Venous CatheterDialysis: Performing the Modified Shower Technique for Peritoneal Dialysis Dressing ChangeDialysis: Sampling Peritoneal Effluent (Fluid) for Suspected PeritonitisDialysis: Termination of a Hemodialysis Session in the Event of an Evacuation ProcedureDialysis: Warming Dialysate for Peritoneal Dialysis (Twin Bag or Cycler)Performing In-Vehicle Specimen CollectionClinical Practice Support Subject GuidesNEWElectrocardiography (ECG) - Clinical Practice Supports: Nursing Skills and ProceduresMedication AdministrationUPDATEDRenal Dialysis - Clinical Practice Supports: Nursing Skills and ProceduresVascular Access (CVAD, Peripheral) - Clinical Practice Supports: Nursing Skills and ProceduresConnect with Clinical Policy and Practice about this content update and opportunities to collaborate by emailing AskIPPL@nshealth.ca.Find guidance about using Dynamic Health, setting up a personal account, exporting CE (Continuing Education) Credits, and more in the Dynamic Health Support guide.IPPL Clinical Practice and PolicyAskIPPL@nshealth.ca ...

Dynamic Health January Round-up: Updated Workplace Notes + Skill Review Deadlines + Alzheimer's Awareness Month + Let’s Talk Day