Library News - LibGuides at Nova Scotia Health

Nova Scotia Health Library Services provides Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians with access to many ebooks, ejournals and databases through licence agreements or subscriptions.

The terms and conditions for how you can use the content may be different for each subscription, but generally you can:

Access the content electronically
Download and print single copies of the full text of articles or book chapters for your own personal use

Sharing, distributing, or modifying the content may not be allowed, or may require additional permissions or even payment.

To learn more about using Library Services’ subscription resources, watch our short video:

For more information about copyright:

visit our Copyright subject guide
learn more about copyright in a custom training session for your team
book an appointment with a Library Services team member, or
reach out to us at Copyright@nshealth.ca.

Lana MacEachern

Library Technician
Pictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland Region

Roxanne MacMillan

Librarian Educator
Halifax Infirmary, Central Zone

Recent Posts

Nova Scotia Health Library Services provides Nova Scotia Health staff and physicians with access to many ebooks, ejournals and databases through licence agreements or subscriptions.The terms and conditions for how you can use the content may be different for each subscription, but generally you can:Access the content electronicallyDownload and print single copies of the full text of articles or book chapters for your own personal useSharing, distributing, or modifying the content may not be allowed, or may require additional permissions or even payment.To learn more about using Library Services’ subscription resources, watch our short video: For more information about copyright:visit our Copyright subject guidelearn more about copyright in a custom training session for your teambook an appointment with a Library Services team member, orreach out to us at Copyright@nshealth.ca.Lana MacEachernLibrary TechnicianPictou/Colchester-East Hants/Cumberland RegionRoxanne MacMillanLibrarian EducatorHalifax Infirmary, Central ZoneRelated postsCopyright Corner: Terms of Use: Read the fine print!Copyright Corner: Need Copyright Permission? Library Services can help!More from Copyright Corner...#main-alert { background-color:#ffffff; border-left: 10px solid; } ...

Search Filters: How do they work? How are they built? How reliable are they?

What are Search Filters?Search filters (also known as search hedges or search blocks) are pre-formulated search queries that are tailored to capture a concept as comprehensively as possible. They can be convenient and useful if you need help with devising a search strategy or if you search a concept often and would rather not input the same query every time.For example, if you wish to create a search that explores the Canadian contexts of a given topic, then you may want to include a search query that completely captures the concept of ‘Canada’. The University of Alberta has some pre-fabricated search filters that could be useful. The one called ‘Canada and Provinces’, for example, contains different versions of the search filter for commonly used databases, such as Embase and CINAHL. The filters include subject headings and all grammatical variations of words used to describe Canada, the provinces, and the territories. In the search filter below, Canad* covers Canada, Canadian, and Canadians).TRY IT YOURSELF - COPY AND PASTE THE TEXT BELOW INTO THE CINAHL SEARCH BOX:[mh Canada] or Canad* or "British Columbia" or "Colombie Britannique" or Alberta* or Saskatchewan or Manitoba* or Ontario or Quebec or "Nouveau Brunswick" or "New Brunswick" or "Nova Scotia" or "Nouvelle Ecosse" or "Prince Edward Island" or Newfoundland or Labrador or Nunavut or NWT or "Northwest Territories" or Yukon or Nunavik or InuvialuitFrom filters to retrieve studies related to Canada in CINAHL - University of AlbertaHow do they work?Search filters are very easy to use. First, find a search filter. You can either use a search engine and look up your concept with ‘search filter’ added to the search query, or you can try to find a search filter from an organization or group dedicated to developing and maintaining search filters. Two such groups are:McMaster University’s Health Knowledge Refinery Hedge ProjectThe InterTASC Information Specialists' Sub-Group Search Filter ResourceOnce you find a search filter for your concept, ensure that it is designed for the database(s) you want to search. Then, simply copy and paste the search filter into the search box of the database. From there, you can combine that search filter with your other search concepts to develop your final search for your given research question.How are they built?Technically speaking, anyone can create a search filter. If you have a concept that you search often and find yourself entering the same query over and over, you could save that query as a text document for later use. That would count as a personal search filter.Of course, not all search filters are created equal. Methods for devising them have changed and become more sophisticated with time. Initially, search filters were developed by librarians who had expertise in a given subject area. Some later search filters were validated with a gold standard or reference set of articles (i.e. if a search filter was able to pull all the articles within a reference set, then the search filter was likely specific enough for the concept). More recently, statistical and automated methods were developed to validate search filters. Although many methods of validation are now available, not all search filters are validated.Frazier et al. (2015) explain the reference set validation method in detail. Their goal was to develop a validated search filter for ‘biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC)’. The method used in that paper started with developing a search strategy for general prognostic studies on OSCC. They reasoned that all studies on biomarkers for OSCC should be contained within that broader set. Then, at least two researchers independently screened the set of articles based on inclusion and exclusion criteria to produce the final set of articles on biomarkers for OSCC. (This is a high-level overview of their methods; please read the article for greater detail.)How reliable are they?Some search filters can be considered high quality if they have been validated. However, most search filters available are unvalidated, including those available from University of Alberta. This doesn’t mean they aren’t useful, but there is no guarantee that they will capture every article on a given topic. They can still be helpful when you only need to find a couple of key articles for a policy, a research assignment, or for patient care.If you are working on a knowledge synthesis project (e.g. a scoping or systematic review) where comprehensiveness matters, it is best to use a validated search filter. Most validated search filters are published as journal articles and can be found by searching on databases or on websites that compile them (see ‘How do they Work?’, above). Kavanagh et al. (2021) present an example of a validated search filter. The tested search filters and their validity can be found in Table 1 of their article. They also outline exactly how the search filters were tested and validated.The creation and validation of search filters is a whole field of study, but for most researchers and clinicians the most important thing to understand is where to find them and how to use them. For those working on knowledge synthesis projects, guideline development, or other cases where comprehensiveness is key, high quality validated search filters will be indispensable and convenient. For most other everyday uses, it is not necessary to use the most validated search filter, but rather the search filters that give you relevant results.If you have questions about finding and using search filters or would like support in searching library resources, email AskLibrary@nshealth.ca or book a one-on-one consultation with a librarian.Additional SupportSearch Filters in Library Services' Searching subject guide.References1. Frazier, J. J., Stein, C. D., Tseytlin, E., & Bekhuis, T. (2015). Building a gold standard to construct search filters: A case study with biomarkers for oral cancer. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 103(1), 22–30. https://doi.org/10.3163/1536-5050.103.1.005.2. Kavanagh, P. L., Frater, F., Navarro, T., LaVita, P., Parrish, R., & Iorio, A. (2021). Optimizing a literature surveillance strategy to retrieve sound overall prognosis and risk assessment model papers. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 28(4), 766–771. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocaa232.Vinson LiLibrarian EducatorYarmouth Regional Hospital, Western Zone...

Patient Education Pamphlets created, updated, or archived in November 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 Toolkit. 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 November 2025. Arabic TranslationsAR85-2370 Screening for Diabetes After Pregnancy [Arabic] (English: WK85-2300, En français: FF85-2339, Mi'kmaw: MI85-2467)AR85-2371 I have diabetes and I can have a healthy baby! - Pregnancy Information for Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes [Arabic] (English: WK85-2301, En français: FF85-2340, Mi'kmaw: MI85-2466)AR85-2369 Screening for Diabetes During Pregnancy [Arabic] (English: WK85-2299, En français: FF85-2338, Mi'kmaw: MI85-2446)AR85-2536 NEW How to do a Twin Bag™ Exchange [Arabic] (English: WQ85-0633, Simplified Chinese: CH85-2214, Russian: RU85-2379, Vietnamese: VI85-2390)Cardiovascular System WG85-0158 Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) - Halifax Infirmary (H.I.) Previous title: Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR)WG85-2315 24-hour Cardiology Transfer ServiceWG85-2546 NEW Cardiac Surgery Sternal PrecautionsDigestive System WI85-2548 NEW Bowel Surgery - Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) (En français: FF85-2549)Endocrine System WK85-1982 Diabetes Centres - Digby Diabetes Centre Shelburne Diabetes Centre Yarmouth Regional HospitalWK85-2300 Screening for Diabetes After Pregnancy(En français: FF85-2339, Arabic: AR85-2370, Mi'kmaw: MI85-2467)WK85-2301 I have diabetes and I can have a healthy baby! - Pregnancy Information for Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes (En français: FF85-2340, Arabic: AR85-2371, Mi'kmaw: MI85-2466)WK85-2299 Screening for Diabetes During Pregnancy (En français: FF85-2338, Arabic: AR85-2369; Mi'kmaw: MI85-2446)French Translations (en français)FF85-2339 Dépistage du diabète après la grossesse (English: WK85-2300, Arabic: AR85-2370, Mi'kmaw: MI85-2467)FF85-2340 J’ai le diabète. Puis-je avoir un bébé en santé? - Information sur la grossesse pour les personnes atteintes de diabète de type 1 ou de type 2 (English: WK85-2301, Arabic: AR85-2371, Mi'kmaw: MI85-2466)FF85-2338 Dépistage du diabète pendant la grossesse (English: WK85-2299, Arabic: AR85-2369, Mi'kmaw: MI85-2446)FF85-2549 NEW Votre guide de chirurgie intestinale - Récupération améliorée après une chirurgie (RAAC - ERAS) (English: WI85-2548)Geriatrics WT85-0599 Understanding Restraint Use for Patients and Essential Care Partners Previous title: Restraint Considerations for Patients and FamiliesWT85-2537 NEW Seniors' Care TeamGynecology & Reproductive HealthWP85-1931 Your Baby's Second Night (En français: FF85-1965)WP85-2540 NEW Pre-Eclampsia - Cape Breton Regional Hospital HematologyWH85-2547 NEW Welcome to the Hereditary Bleeding Disorder Clinic - Victoria General (VG) Site, QE IIHospital InformationWX85-0466 Your Rights and Responsibilities (letter size English: WX85-1842, En français: FF85-1739, Arabic: AR85-2205)NOTE: WX85-1696 (previously 1380) How to avoid safety risks during your hospital stay was archived and amalgamated into 0466 Your Rights and Responsibilities.WX85-1933 Integrated Chronic Care Service (ICCS) Scent-free InformationMedicationsQV85-2179 Oral Magnesium Supplements- Integrated Chronic Care ServiceMental Health & AddictionsWM85-2545 NEW Assessment for Eating Disorders in AdultsMi'kmaw TranslationsMI85-2467 Screening for Diabetes After Pregnancy [Mi'kmaw] (English: WK85-2300, En français: FF85-2339, Arabic: AR85-2370)MI85-2466 I have diabetes and I can have a healthy baby! - Pregnancy Information for Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes [Mi'kmaw] (English: WK85-2301, En français: FF85-2340, Arabic: AR85-2371)MI85-2446 Screening for Diabetes During Pregnancy [Mi'kmaw] (English: WK85-2299, En français: FF85- 2338, Arabic: AR85-2369)Musculoskeletal SystemWE85-2237 Knee Replacement Surgery - Dartmouth General Hospital (DGH) Halifax Infirmary (HI)Nursing UnitsWZ85-1195 Welcome to Unit 7.2 Vascular Surgery - Halifax Infirmary, QE II Previous title: Welcome to Unit 4.1 Vascular and General Surgery - Halifax Infirmary Site, QE IIWZ85-0018 Welcome to 4B - Hospitalist Medicine Unit (HMU) Previous title: Welcome to 4B: Community Transitions UnitNutrition & FoodLC85-2035 Need Help Filling Your Belly or Cupboards? Yarmouth Food SupportsOral HealthWU85-2227 Tissue Transplant in Oral Surgery (En français: FF85-2328)OtorhinolaryngologyWV85-0439 Total Laryngectomy (En français: FF85-2366)Respiratory SystemWF85-2544 NEW Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) - Patient Oriented Discharge Summary (PODS)Surgery WO85-2541 NEW About Bariatric SurgeryWO85-2542 NEW Bariatric Surgery eLearning ProgramWO85-2543 NEW Common Questions About Bariatric SurgeryUrogenital SystemWJ85-0474 Managing Urinary IncontinenceWJ85-2222 Intermittent Clean CatheterizationWJ85-0396 Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)WJ85-0332 After Urinary Catheter RemovalWJ85-0478 Laparoscopic Kidney Removal (Nephrectomy)WJ85-1603 Percutaneous NephrolithotomyWJ85-0160 CircumcisionWJ85-0476 Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)WJ85-0481 Malleable Penile ProsthesisWJ85-0485 Laparoscopic AdrenalectomyWJ85-0583 After Vasectomy Reversal (Vasovasostomy)WJ85-0587 After a Nesbit ProcedureWJ85-0584 Having a Ureteral Stent Previous title: Having a Ureteral Stent: After Urological or Endoscopic SurgeryWJ85-0165 Cystoscopy with Local Anesthetic Previous title: Cystoscopy - Local AnestheticWJ85-0585 After a Cystoscopy with General Anesthetic Previous title: After Cystoscopy: General AnestheticWJ85-2538 NEW Kegel Exercises for Bladder ControlWJ85-2539 NEW Inflatable Penile Implant Surgery - Dartmouth General Hospital, Victoria General SiteThe following pamphlets were archived in November 2025:WX85-1696 How to Avoid Safety Risks During Your Hospital Stay (En français: FF85-1711)FF85-1711 Comment éviter les risques liés à la sécurité pendant votre hospitalisation (English: WX85-1696)WX85-1842 Your Rights and Responsibilities [letter size version] (Booklet version: WX85-0466) (French Booklet: 1739, Arabic Booklet: 2205) (Poster version: MC0040; French poster: MC0043)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...

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy November 2025 Digest: Clinical Practice Support Subject Guides, Policy and Procedures – Updates + Dynamic Health - New and Updated + Dynamic Health Customizations Maintenance Schedule + Salem Sump Tubes - Proper Use

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy digest posts summarize updates over the past month about:Clinical Policies, Care Directives, Guidelines and Learning ModulesGet the latest 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.Clinical Practice Support (CPS) Subject Guides & Policies – UpdatesThe following CPS subject guides have been updated with new content in the past month:Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS)Blood Product Administration - Transfusion MedicineCare of the Patient After DeathContinuing CareDiagnostic Imaging (DI) ProfessionalsDrug Evaluation Unit (DEU)Elder Care In HospitalEthics Nova Scotia HealthFrailty and Elder Care NetworkHarm ReductionHome FirstInfection Prevention and Control: Long-term Care and Home CareInformed ChoiceNew Nurse Mentorship ProgramNEWS2 Early Warning ScoreOccupational Health and Safety: Continuing CarePrimary Health Care - Skills and ProceduresRespiratory Therapy Skills and ProceduresResuscitation Quality Improvement (RQI)In consultation with Clinical Nurse Educators (CNEs) in relevant care areas, and with the approval of Critical Care leadership, CL-SP-005 Intra-abdominal Pressure Monitoring has been archived by the Nova Scotia Health Policy Office. CL-SP-005 Intra-abdominal Pressure Monitoring is replaced by the two Dynamic Health skills below, and their corresponding Workplace Notes:Measuring Intra-Abdominal PressurePreventing and Managing Intra-Abdominal Hypertension in AdultsDynamic Health UpdatesNew Workplace Notes and Reviewed SkillsNew notes have been created for a range of skills, including but not limited to: Arterial Catheters, Bedside Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy, CPAP, BiPAP, Falls Risk, Mechanical Ventilation, Minimally Invasive Pulse Wave Analysis, Spontaneous Awakening Trial.View the full list of New Workplace Notes and Reviewed Skills as of November 2025.Revised Workplace NotesWorkplace Notes about a range of skills have been revised, including but not limited to: Administering Labetalol, Platelets, Changing Burn Dressings, Falls Prevention Plans, Pressure Injury Prevention and Treatment, Liquid Nitrogen for Cryosurgery, Patency for Central Venous Catheter with Complete Thrombotic Occlusion.View the list of Revised Workplace Notes as of November 2025.Custom Workplace Skills – NEW and UPDATEDAdministering Allergy Patch Testing in Adults and PediatricsMonitoring Tracheostomy Tube Pressure Using Minimal Occlusive Volume (MOV)Dynamic Health Customizations (Reviews and Custom Skills) Maintenance ScheduleIt’s hard to believe, but it has been three years since we published a series of Workplace Notes as a result of our first Dynamic Health skills review!IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy is committed to revisiting Workplace Notes and Custom Skills every three years, or as current evidence and practice evolves, to keep our collection current.If you provided a skill review or contributed to the creation of a Custom Workplace Skill in 2023, watch your inbox! Starting November 18, we will be emailing you to update your review or custom skill. If you have moved on or changed roles, please fill out the form link provided in the email and add a colleague who would be best to either take on the skill or point us in the direction of a new reviewer. Please have your responses submitted by January 18, 2026. Thank you for your continued support!Salem Sump Tubes - Proper Use of Anti-Reflux Valve (ARV)Cardinal Health has issued product guidance on safe use of the Anti-Reflux Valve (ARV) for Salem Sump tubes.Review the full update for guidance on The Compass > Clinical Resources News.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...

Copyright Corner: Using licensed library resources

Lana MacEachern

Roxanne MacMillan

Related posts