Library News - LibGuides at Nova Scotia Health

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 July 2025.

Cardiovascular System
WG85-2502 Your Passport to Cardiovascular Health
WG85-0636 Catheter Ablation (En français: FF85-1914)
WG85-0698 Dobutamine® Stress Echocardiogram

Diagnostic Imaging
WN85-1171 Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA) - Halifax Infirmary
Previous title: Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CTA) - Halifax Infirmary
WN85-1370 Getting Ready for a Computed Tomography (CT) Virtual Colonoscopy

French Translations (en français)
FF85-2103 Bloc nerveux pour gérer la douleur pendant l’opération (English: PM85-1377)
Previous title: Anesthésie par bloc nerveux pour supprimer la douleur pendant l’opération
FF85-2104 Analgésie épidurale après une opération (English: PM85-1378)
FF85-2061 Pneumonie (English: WA85-0368)
FF85-2080 Constipation (English: WA85-0692)
FF85-1898 Après une chirurgie de la main (English: WO85-0588)
FF85-2507 NEW Comprendre les dernières semaines, journées et heures de la vie (English: WD85-2450)
FF85-2508 NEW Se préparer à la fin de vie et à la mort (English: WD85-2457)

Gynecology & Reproductive Health
WP85-1928 Hand Expressing Breast Milk Before Your Baby is Born

Hematology
WH85-2136 Phlebotomy
WH85-1247 Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG)
WH85-2506 NEW Intravenous (I.V.) Iron Infusions - Medical Day Unit

Hospitals
WX85-2046 Harbour View Hospital Adult Day Program
WX85-0436 Sleep Disorders Laboratory
WX85-1620 Choosing a CPAP Provider
WX85-2504 NEW Community Outreach Team - West Bedford Transitional Health

Infectious Disease
WC85-0602 Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) (En français: FF85-1852)
WC85-1036 Hand Hygiene (En français: FF85-1781)
WC85-1382 Viral Gastroenteritis - Diarrhea and Vomiting (En français: FF85-1855)
WC85-1441 Infection Prevention and Control (En français: FF85-1216)
WC85-1551 Respiratory (Breathing) Infections (En français: FF85-1552)

Intensive Care Unit
IC85-2069 Intensive Care Unit Getting You Moving - Cape Breton Regional Hospital (En français: FF85-2148)

Mental Health & Addictions
WM85-0761 Bipolar Disorder
WM85-0766 Depression

Musculoskeletal System
WE85-1582 Pressure Injury (Ulcer) Prevention (En français: FF85-1795)

Nephrology
WQ85-1032 Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter
WQ85-1093 Non-tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter

Nutrition & Food
LC85-1206 Gastroparesis Meal Planning

Ophthalmology
WW85-0464 YAG Laser Capsulotomy (En français: FF85-1947)

Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation
WB85-2055 Gradient Compression Stockings - Eastern Zone
WB85-1450 Exercises After Elbow Injury

The following pamphlets were archived in July 2025:
FF85-1657 Prévention des chutes : liste de contrôle (English: WB85-1649)
WX85-1850 Need a primary health care provider?
FF85-1947 Capsulotomie au laser YAG (English: WW85-0464)

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 Fitzgerald

Librarian Educator
Central Zone

Recent Posts

Patient Education Pamphlets created, updated, or archived in September 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 September 2025. Arabic TranslationsAR85-2401 24-hour Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring [Arabic] (English: WG85-2073, En français: FF85-2389)AR85-2256 How to Self-Prone with a Lung Injury [Arabic] (English: WC85-2251, En français: FF85-2255) Previous title: How to Self-Prone: Instructions for COVID-19 Patients and CaregiversAR85-2225 Guidelines After General Surgery [Arabic] (English: WO85-2223, En français: FF85-2224)Skin Care WR85-2310 Guidelines After a Minor Procedure - Dermatology ClinicWR85-2524 NEW Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)WR85-2525 NEW Liquid Nitrogen (Cryotherapy)WR85-2526 NEW Efudex® (5% Fluorouracil Cream) for Actinic KeratosisCardiovascular System WG85-0393 Before and After Your Cardioversion - Halifax Infirmary (En français: FF85-1726)WG85-1296 Angioplasty of the Leg (Balloon Procedure) (En français: FF85-1791) Previous title: Angioplasty of the Legs (Balloon Procedure)WG85-2523 NEW Cardiovascular (Heart) Disease - Changes in Your Mental HealthWG85-2530 NEW Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) - Patient Oriented Discharge Summary (PODS)Chinese (Simplified) TranslationsCH85-2527 NEW Over-the-Counter Medications and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) [Simplified Chinese] (English: WQ85-1636)Diagnostic Imaging WN85-0001 Angiogram - Halifax Infirmary Victoria General Previous title: AngiogramWN85-0229 FistulogramDigestive System WI85-1555 Hepatic EncephalopathyFrench Translations (en français)FF85-2195 Don de cornées - Service de soins palliatifs (English: WD85-1150) Previous title: Faire un don de vie - Don de cornées - Service des soins palliatifsFF85-2099 Amygdalectomie et adénoïdectomie (English: WV85-0284)FF85-1966 Surveillance de la glycémie chez les nouveaux-nés (English: WP85-1934) Previous title: Surveillance de la glycémie chez les nouveau-nésFF85-2105 Services de physiothérapie en Nouvelle‑Écosse (English: WB85-1438)FF85-1783 Injection de Botox® (English: WW85-0282)FF85-2166 Conseils de sécurité pour les enfants hospitalisés (English: WX85-2118) Previous title: Conseils pour la sécurité des patients – Services de pédiatrieFF85-2190 Virus Coxsackie (maladie mains-pieds-bouche et herpangine) (English: WA85-2127)FF85-2188 Soins continus - Information importante (English: WX85-2120)FF85-2191 Croup (diphtérie laryngienne) (English: WA85-2128)FF85-2522 NEW Analyse d’urine après une opération (English: WJ85-2501)Gynecology & Reproductive HealthWP85-2314 Welcome to the Women and Children's Unit - Cumberland Regional Health Care CentreWP85-2520 NEW Thyroid Disorders During PregnancyHospital InformationWX85-1542 Lowering Your Chance of Getting a Blood Clot While in the Hospital (En français: FF85-1545) Previous title: Preventing Blood Clots While in the HospitalWX85-2528 NEW Mi’kmaw Indigenous Patient Navigator (MIPN) - Western ZoneMental Health & AddictionsWM85-2296 When should I be worried about my relationship with food and exercise?WM85-2529 NEW Family and Support Person Education Program - Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program (NSEPP)Musculoskeletal SystemWE85-1582 Pressure Injury (Ulcer) Prevention (En français: FF85-1795)NephrologyWQ85-1475 Bowel Preparation for Chronic Kidney Disease Before ColonoscopyWQ85-0397 FistuloplastyNervous SystemWL85-2302 Sexual Health After a Spinal Cord Injury Previous title: Sexual Health After Spinal Cord InjuryPhysiotherapy & RehabilitationWB85-1299 Liver Transplant Physiotherapy Program (En français: FF85-1839)WB85-1597 General Leg Exercise Program (En français: FF85-2085)Surgery WO85-2521 NEW Before and After Day Surgery The following pamphlets were archived in September 2025:NSCCP-1686 Male Breast CancerWQ85-2283 Fistulogram - Cape Breton Regional HospitalWQ85-2284 Fistuloplasty - Cape Breton Regional Hospital 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...

Tools to help patient teaching and understanding

In healthcare, it is important to remember that our patients may not understand the information or teaching we share with them. You can help to improve understanding by communicating clearly. This helps everyone — not just those who may struggle to understand health information.There are numerous guides and resources available to help clinical teams support patient and care partner learning. From these, we’ve made a list of communication tools that can best help you strengthen your ‘at the bedside’ teaching just in time for health literacy month this October!Communication ToolsLearn about why it’s important for clinical teams to consider the language they use and its impact on advancing health equity.Resource: Advancing Health Equity: A Guide to Language, Narrative and ConceptsAuthors: American Medical Association, AAMC Center for Health JusticeLink: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/ama-aamc-equity-guide.pdf Learn how to use gender inclusive language with new clients in a clinical setting.Resource: Gender Inclusive Language – Clinical settings with new clientsAuthors: Trans Care BCLink: https://www.transcarebc.ca/sites/default/files/2024-03/Gender_Inclusive_Language_Clinical.pdf Learn about gender inclusive language in any setting.Resource: Inclusive and Affirming Language TipsAuthors: Egale CanadaLink: https://egale.ca/awareness/affirming-and-inclusive-language/ Watch a short 2-minute video about medical jargon and how to communicate effectively and simply.Resource: Keep It Simple for Safety - Don't Use JargonAuthors: University of Arkansas for Medical SciencesLink: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiBZjpy3ibs&t Read a short, straightforward guide to help improve written communication intended for patients and care partners.Resource: Guidelines for Effective WritingAuthors: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ServicesLink: https://www.cms.gov/training-education/learn/find-tools-to-help-you-help-others/guidelines-for-effective-writing Learn how to easily sharpen your health literacy skill set with these strategies.Resource: Easy ways to build health literacy into your daily routinesAuthors: Library ServicesLink: https://library.nshealth.ca/blogs/Home/News/Easy-ways-to-build-health-literacy-into-your-daily-routines This free, 20-minute, online learning module can help you learn to identify and use key elements of teach-back and plain language to promote health equity, safety, and quality, and advance organizational health literacy.Resource: Always Use Teach-back! Interactive Learning ModuleAuthors: Abrams MA, Nielsen GA, Wilson A. Always Use Teach-back! Toolkit. 2024. https://teachbacktraining.orgLink: https://teachbacktraining.org/teach-back-interactive-learning-module/ Use tips from this resource to optimize care and improve provider-patient communication with older patients.Resource: Talking With Your Older PatientsAuthors: National Institute on AgingLink: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/health-care-professionals-information/talking-your-older-patients Bookmark this list of plain language substitutes and easy explanations to use in your conversations or written content. Resource: Plain Language ReplacementsAuthors: Library Services’ Patient Education TeamLink: https://library.nshealth.ca/ld.php?content_id=37381737 When patients, families, and support persons understand the information being shared with them, they can make more informed and meaningful decisions about their care and treatment, in collaboration with their healthcare team.Gear up for health literacy month this October by sharing this resource list with your colleagues or team today!Learn more about Health Literacy in the Content Creator Toolkit: https://library.nshealth.ca/Patient-Education-Resources/Health-LiteracyKallen RutledgeLibrarian Educator, Patient Education Pamphlets LeadNova Scotia Hospital, Central ZoneRelated postsEasy ways to build health literacy into your daily routines#main-alert { background-color:#ffffff; border-left: 10px solid; } ...

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy September 2025 Digest: Dynamic Health Updates, New Clinical Practice Support Guides, Obtaining CE With Dynamic Health for Nursing Practice and Leadership Premiums

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 Nova Scotia Health Employees through The Compass > Clinical Resources News.Policies, Care Directives, Guidelines and Learning ModulesNEW CARE DIRECTIVE: Sepsis Recognition and Treatment in the Emergency Department SettingsCD-EC-095 is supported by and includes a Dynamic Health custom skill. Leadership and Clinical Educators can find this new care directive, DH link and more implementation support resources in the Sepsis Recognition and Treatment in the Emergency Department Settings Clinical Practice Support subject guide.NEW POLICY and PROCEDURES: Medication AdministrationMM-MA-001 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 Medication Administration 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: Arterial Catheter Site Care, Enteral Nutrition by Bolus, Gastrostomy Tube Care, Leg Ulcer Compression Systems, Liquid Nitrogen for Dermatologic Cryosurgery, Wasting Controlled Substances.View the full list of New Workplace Notes and Reviewed Skills for September 2025.Revised Workplace NotesWorkplace Note about a range of skills have been revised, including but not limited to: Assessing and Managing Pain, Blood Product and Plasma Administration, CVADs, Feeding Tubes, IM Injections in Newborns, Oral Medication for Infants and Children, Urine Specimen Collection from Indwelling Catheters, Tracheostomies.View the list of Revised Workplace Notes for September 2025.Custom Workplace SkillsNEWPoint-of-Use Cleaning of Flexible EndoscopesPerforming the Pediatric Respiratory Assessment Measure (PRAM) in Pediatric Patients with AsthmaPerforming Burn Wound Debridement for AdultsRecognizing and Treating Sepsis in the Emergency Department (ED)Clinical Practice Support Subject GuidesNEWFrailty and Elder Care NetworkPerinatal, Newborn, and PediatricsSepsis Recognition and Treatment in the Emergency Department (ED)Tracheostomy CareObtaining CE With Dynamic Health for Nursing Practice and Leadership PremiumsIt's that time of year again! It's time to start preparing to submit for your Nursing Practice and Leadership Premiums. There are three ways to earn CE using Dynamic Health:1. Creating a DH Personal Account + Day-to-Day UseEach time you use a skill in DH can count towards CE, but first you need to make a personal account. Once you’ve made a personal account, make sure you are logged in each time you use DH. Over time, you’ll notice the counter in the top right getting bigger. When you are ready, you can export your activity as CE credits. Regular use of DH will help you accumulate credits that can be converted to Practice Points as per Nursing Collective Agreements.2. Skill Review and Creating a Workplace Note (WPN)Priority skills needing review are identified by organizational leadership and clinical educators. You may put your name forward to our Team with the clinical areas you are competent to provide review for, and we’ll reach out when needs arise. This may be to update an existing skill with a workplace note, or to review a skill for potential workplace note or another customization.3. Creating a Custom Workplace SkillThe need to create a Custom Workplace Skill is determined through our review process, the CPP team, and leadership and clinical educators. For example, if you submit a review for a skill (after it was assigned to you) and our CPP team reviews and determines there are too many differences for a Workplace Note alone, the CPP team may reach out about collaborating on working with us to create a Custom Workplace Skill. Creating this type of skill takes more time and energy, therefore, this activity is worth the most Leadership Points offered.Learn more and get additional tips by reading the original post at Clinical Resources News on The Compass.Get in Touch!Connect with Clinical Practice and Policy 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 August 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 August 2025. Arabic TranslationsAR85-2153 Ethics Tool - Help with Ethical Issues [Arabic] (English: WX85-2056, French: FF85-2142, Simplified Chinese: CH85-2168)AR85-2512 NEW Getting Ready to Start Your Insulin Pump [Arabic] (English: WK85-2491)Cardiovascular System WG85-1393 What is a MIBI (Sestamibi) Test? Previous title: What is a MIBI? QE IIChinese (Simplified) TranslationsCH85-2168 Ethics Tool - Help with Ethical Issues [Simplified Chinese] (English: WX85-2056, En français: FF85-2142, Arabic: AR85-2153)Digestive System WI85-0225 Living With Advanced Liver DiseaseWI85-0601 Waiting for Your Liver Transplant (En français: FF85-1123)Emergency & Public Health WA85-2509 NEW Sepsis Endocrine System WK85-1037 My Diabetes RecordFrench Translations (en français)FF85-2082 Programme de gestion du sang périopératoire (GSP) (English: WH85-1396) Previous title: Service de gestion du sang périopératoireFF85-2183 Vos droits en vertu de la Loi sur le traitement psychiatrique involontaire (English: WX85-1146) Previous title: Vos droits - En vertu de la loi sur le traitement psychiatrique obligatoireFF85-2142 Outil d'éthique - Aide pour les enjeux d’éthique (English: WX85-2056, Arabic: AR85-2153, Simplified Chinese: CH85-2168) FF85-2107 Délirium après une chirurgie cardiaque (English: WG85-1480)FF85-2202 Interaction des contraceptifs avec les médicaments – sugammadex et/ou aprépitant (English: WP85-2076) Previous title: Interaction des contraceptifs avec le sugammadex (Bridion™)FF85-1786 Après l’extraction des dents ou l’extraction des dents de sagesse (English: WU85-0646)FF85-2505 NEW Parler de vos objectifs de soins et choisir un niveau d'intervention (English: WX85-2208)FF85-2515 NEW Préparation pour l’utilisation de votre pompe à insuline (English: WK85-2491, Arabic: AR85-2512)Geriatrics WT85-2519 NEW Geriatric Assessment Clinic - Soldiers’ Memorial HospitalGynecology & Reproductive HealthWP85-2285 High Blood Pressure in Pregnancy - South Shore Regional HospitalHospital InformationWX85-2056 Ethics Tool - Help with Ethical Issues (En français: FF85-2142, Arabic: AR85-2153, Simplified Chinese: CH85-2168)WX85-2514 NEW Find Patient Education Resources OnlineLaboratory PathologyQY85-1976 24-Hour Urine Collection - South Shore Regional HospitalQY85-1971 Stool Collection for Ova and Parasites - South Shore Regional HospitalMedicationsQV85-2262 Benzodiazepines for Alcohol WithdrawalQV85-2269 Disulfiram for Alcohol Use Disorder Previous title: Disulfiram for Alcohol DependenceNutrition & FoodLC85-0510 Vegetarian VarietyLC85-2513 NEW Counting Carbohydrates and the Glycemic IndexLC85-2518 NEW Prehab: Eating Well Before SurgeryPain ManagementPM85-1654 Halifax Pain Self-Management Program Physiotherapy & RehabilitationWB85-1672 Active Cycle Breathing Technique (ACBT) (En français: FF85-2200)Urogenital SystemWJ85-2501 Urine Testing After SurgeryWJ85-2510 NEW Mid-stream Urine Collection - Valley Regional Hospital and Yarmouth Regional HospitalThe following pamphlets were archived in August 2025:WD85-2038 Understanding Grief - Palliative Care Unit: Aberdeen HospitalIf 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...

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

Kendell Fitzgerald