Library News

We keep in mind health care workers' busy schedules, offering sessions on a variety of dates and times. There is sure to be a session suitable for you. Register for one or several classes below, offered from September through December:

• Accessing Full Text
  It can be challenging enough to find the journal articles that you need, but then accessing the full text of the article can also be difficult. Library Services pays for several subscriptions to give you access to many articles. This session will help you access them. The session will also help you get the full text of articles to which Library Services doesn't provide access.
• Developing Patient Education Pamphlets
  This session highlights how easy-to-read and up-to-date patient education materials can support patient care and safety. Learn how to get started, what is involved in developing and updating pamphlets, and how to find, use and share pamphlets effectively.
• Find it Fast
  This session focuses on navigating core library tools and resources, including the catalogue, ejournals and ebooks, and databases. Learn how to access library resources and services through this virtual tour.
• Finding Free-to-use Images: Public domain, open licenses, and more!
  In this hands-on session, you’ll work with a sample search to find free-of-charge or open-licensed photographs, illustrations, and more in Google Images, Microsoft products, as well as reputable online sources. You’ll learn to interpret how images are licensed and how to cite them appropriately.
• Introduction to Covidence
  Covidence is now available through Nova Scotia Health’s institutional license. Covidence is an online software that allows research teams to collaborate through each stage of a knowledge synthesis project (e.g. systematic reviews).
• Introduction to Knowledge Synthesis
  Library Services has a new, free service to support researchers in their knowledge synthesis projects (e.g. systematic reviews, scoping reviews, etc.). This session will outline how the service works, who can access it, and what the librarians can do for your team.
• Managing Citations with Zotero NEW
  Tired of manually formatting references or losing track of your sources? In this session, we’ll cover how to install Zotero, collect references from websites, databases, and PDFs, organize your library with folders, and generate in-text citations and bibliographies in multiple styles.
• Using Generative A.I. NEW
  Generative A.I. (also called Gen A.I.) is a term for any A.I. that creates text, images, video, and audio to meet and/or respond to your prompts. Gen A.I. is growing increasingly popular, with some of the most well-known Gen A.I. tools being ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, and DALL-E. This session will give a general overview of generative A.I., including what to consider before, during, and after you use a Gen A.I. tool.

Amanda Andrews

Librarian Educator, Education & Training Lead
Eastern Zone - Cape Breton, Guysborough, Antigonish

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) Podcasts

Drs. 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 Music
• We liked: Stepping up: Canadian research in the shadow of cuts in the United States

Surgery 101

Surgery 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 Alberta
• Available on LibSyn, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
• We liked: #422: Reflections on Surgical History

The Clinical Problem Solvers: Antiracism in Medicine Series

This 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 Play
• We liked: Episode 282: Anti-Racism in Medicine Series – Episode 20 – Medical Racism and Indigenous Peoples

Canadian Health Information Podcast

Host 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 Music
• Some episodes available in French
• We liked: Nowhere Else to Go: Why Canadians Are Ending Up in Emergency Departments — Shelley Petit and Dr. Howard Ovens

White Coat Black Art with Dr. Brian Goldman

ER 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 Music
• We liked: Measles in Canada: Where we’re at and how we got here

The Gritty Nurse Podcast

Canadian 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, YouTube
• We liked: We Need Another Leader: Navigating Difficult Times with Authentic Leadership, Courage and Clarity

Calling All Nurses

A 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, Overcast
• We liked: Kent Soltys and Lenora Marcellus: Supporting Early Career Nurses through Collaboration

EyeCan Podcast: Canadian Lens on Ophthalmology

Hosted 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, Overcast
• From the Canadian Ophthalmological Society
• We liked: EyeCan Season 5, Episode 3 - Ethics in Ophthalmology with guest Dr. Chryssa McAlister

Frankly Speaking About Family Medicine

A weekly podcast series covering newsworthy topics in primary care medicine.

• Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio and more
• We liked: From Diagnosis to Dialogue: Managing Measles in Primary Care

Emergency Medicine Cases

Providing education on emergency medicine for physicians, residents, students, nurses and paramedics.

• Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Android
• We 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 Recovery

Evaluating Healthcare Podcasts

How 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!

References

Kiernan, 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 MacDonald

Librarian Educator
Nova Scotia Hospital, Central Zone

We keep in mind health care workers' busy schedules, offering sessions on a variety of dates and times. There is sure to be a session suitable for you. Register for one or several classes below, offered from April through June:

• Accessing Full Text
  It can be challenging enough to find the journal articles that you need, but then accessing the full text of the article can also be difficult. Library Services pays for several subscriptions to give you access to many articles. This session will help you access them. The session will also help you get the full text of articles to which Library Services doesn't provide access.
• Developing Patient Education Pamphlets
  This session highlights how easy-to-read and up-to-date patient education materials can support patient care and safety. Learn how to get started, what is involved in developing and updating pamphlets, and how to find, use and share pamphlets effectively.
• Evaluating Information: Can I trust this source? NEW
  Now more than ever, the ability to examine information sources carefully and systematically is important. In this session we'll explore what critical appraisal is and why it is important. We will cover critical appraisal tools that can be incorporated into your research process, to help appraise academic literature and grey literature systematically and effectively.
• Find it Fast
  This session focuses on navigating core library tools and resources, including the catalogue, ejournals and ebooks, and databases. Learn how to access library resources and services through this virtual tour.
• Finding Free-to-use Images: Public domain, open licenses, and more! NEW
  In this hands-on session, you’ll work with a sample search to find free-of-charge or open-licensed photographs, illustrations, and more in Google Images, Microsoft products, as well as reputable online sources. You’ll learn to interpret how images are licensed and how to cite them appropriately.
• Health Literacy in Healthcare
  This session will explore how low health literacy can impact not only patients, but the entire health care system. You'll learn about the current Canadian literacy landscape and ways you can mitigate the challenges for your patients (and their support persons) for increased patient-centred care and safety.
• Introduction to Covidence NEW
  On April 1, 2025, Covidence became available through Nova Scotia Health's institutional license. Covidence is a software that allows research teams to collaborate through each stage of a knowledge synthesis project (e.g. systematic reviews).
• Introduction to the Knowledge Synthesis Service NEW
  On April 1, 2025, Library Services launched a new service to support researchers in their knowledge synthesis projects (e.g. systematic reviews). This session will outline how the service works, who can access it, and what the librarians can do for your team.
• Intro to LMS: Creating an eLearning Course
  This session will introduce you to the process and standards you’ll need to follow to ensure your online course reflects high quality content with optimal readability and performance in Nova Scotia Health’s LMS.
• Patient Education Pamphlets for Administrative Professionals
  Administrative professionals play a vital role in helping patients and their support persons get the information they need to navigate our health care system. This session will go over how to find Nova Scotia Health patient pamphlets, how to order, print and share pamphlets in your service area and how to ensure materials in your area are kept up to date.

Amanda Andrews

Librarian Educator, Education & Training Lead
Eastern Zone - Cape Breton, Guysborough, Antigonish

We keep in mind health care workers' busy schedules, offering sessions on a variety of dates and times. There is sure to be a session suitable for you. Register for one or several classes below, offered from January through March:

• Accessing Full Text
  It can be challenging enough to find the journal articles that you need, but then accessing the full text of the article can also be difficult. Library Services pays for several subscriptions to give you access to many articles. This session will help you access them. The session will also help you get the full text of articles to which Library Services doesn’t provide access.
• Anatomy.TV
  Anatomy.TV provides a moveable 3D model of the human body that allows you to explore different layers of various body systems. The diagrams include annotations to help you learn more about specific body parts. Learn how to navigate this powerful tool to improve your understanding of human anatomy.
• Copyright à la carte (on demand)
  Do you or your team need an introduction to copyright? Maybe you need a refresher on how copyright applies to your work with Nova Scotia Health? We can cover the copyright topics that matter to you, at a time that works for you. Suggested topics include copyright basics for content creators, finding free-to-use images, and when, how and why you need to get permission to reuse content. Reach out to Copyright@nshealth.ca to schedule a session.
• Developing Patient Education Pamphlets
  This session highlights how easy-to-read and up-to-date patient education materials can support patient care and safety. Learn how to get started, what is involved in developing and updating pamphlets, and how to find, use and share pamphlets effectively.
• Find it Fast with Library Services Online
  This session focuses on navigating core library tools and resources, including the catalogue, ejournals and ebooks, and databases.
• Get the most from your literature search request NEW
  Do you need help finding best evidence on a particular research topic? Library Services offers a literature search service for all Nova Scotia Health employees. Before submitting your request there are some helpful tips to consider ensuring a seamless literature search request experience.
• Intro to LMS: Creating an eLearning Course
  This session introduces the process and standards you will need to follow to ensure your online course reflects high quality content with optimal readability and performance in Nova Scotia Health’s LMS.
• Patient Education Pamphlets for Administrative Professionals
  Administrative professionals play a vital role in helping patients and their support persons get the information they need to navigate our health care system. This session will go over how to find Nova Scotia Health patient pamphlets, how to order, print and share pamphlets in your service area and how to ensure materials in your area are kept up to date.

Amanda Andrews

Librarian Educator, Education & Training Lead
Eastern Zone - Cape Breton, Guysborough, Antigonish

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy round-up posts keep you informed about implementation and use of Dynamic Health at Nova Scotia Health, highlight any new priority projects and events, as well as updates to our Workplace Notes and Custom Workplace Skills. We’ll also highlight new publications we’re supporting and maintaining including policies, clinical practice support guides, clinical resources on the intranet and clinical learning modules.

Dynamic Health Updates

We receive feedback submissions on an ongoing basis through the Suggest an Edit form and through partnerships with departments and teams. This month, the following customizations have been added:

New Workplace Note

• Assessing Surgical Risk Factors in Older Adults
• Assisting With Testing of Potential Organ Donors After Brain Death
• Caring for EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion Systems
• Changing a Suprapubic Catheter
• Obtaining a Blood Sample From a Central Venous Catheter in Infants to Adolescents

Revised Workplace Note

• Assessing Urinary Output
• Caring for Adults Receiving Mechanical Ventilation: Respiratory Therapy
• Caring for Patients With a Nasogastric Tube Occlusion
• Collecting a Urine Specimen From an Indwelling Urinary Catheter in Adults
• Collecting a Urine Specimen From an Intermittent Urinary Catheter
• Inserting a Coudé Catheter in Adults With a Penile Urethra
• Inserting a Coudé Catheter in Adults With a Vulvar Urethra
• Inserting an Indwelling Urinary Catheter in Adults With a Vulvar Urethra
• Inserting Indwelling Urinary Catheters in Adults With a Penile Urethra
• Managing an Indwelling Pleural Catheter
• Monitoring for Sepsis Transfusion Reaction
• Obtaining a Blood Sample for Culture From a Central Venous Catheter in Adults
• Performing Suprapubic Catheter Care
• Performing Urinary Catheter Care Following Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
• Providing Tracheostomy Care in Pediatric Patients: Respiratory Therapy
• Removing a Suprapubic Catheter

Reviewed: No Workplace Note

• Caring for Indwelling Urinary Catheters in Infants to Adolescents
• Collecting Urine From an Indwelling Urinary Catheter in Pediatric Patients
• Inserting a Foley Catheter in Infants, Children, and Adolescents With a Vulvar Urethra
• Inserting a Foley Catheter in Infants, Children, and Adolescents With a Penile Urethra
• Inserting an Intermittent (Straight) Catheter in Pediatric Patients With a Vulvar Urethra
• Inserting an Intermittent (Straight) Catheter in Pediatric Patients With a Penile Urethra
• Removing an Indwelling Catheter From Children and Adolescents

Custom Skills

• Dialysis: Accessing and Flushing the Non-Tunnelled Central Venous Catheter (CVC) or Quick Connect
• Dialysis: Accessing and Flushing Tunnelled Central Venous Catheter (CVC) or Quick Connect
• Dialysis: Changing a Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Catheter Dressing
• Dialysis: Dressing Change Procedure for Non-Tunnelled Central Venous Catheter (CVC)
• Dialysis: Dressing Change Procedure for the Tunnelled Central Venous Catheter (CVC)
• Dialysis: Locking the Non-Tunnelled Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Post-Dialysis
• Dialysis: Locking the Tunnelled Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Post-Dialysis
• Dialysis: Performing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) / Twin Bag Exchange in Adults
• Dialysis: Performing the Shower Technique for Peritoneal Dialysis Dressing Change
• Dialysis: Providing Peritoneal Dialysis Using a Cycler Machine (CCPD, APD)

Clinical Practice Supports

Renal Dialysis, Urinary Catheters and Radial Compression Devices

Clinical Practice Supports for Health Care Providers are subject guides created with clinical leaders, educators and frontline staff for use at the point-of-care and when acquiring or refreshing clinical competencies. Clinical Practice Support subject guides are maintained by Interprofessional Practice and Learning (IPPL) - Clinical Practice and Policy. The goal is to adopt evidence-based clinical resources that can be implemented without re-inventing the wheel. Where novel contexts or gaps exist, we support the creation and maintenance of resources that support nursing and allied health professionals with working to scope and with providing evidence-based, quality patient care.

We are pleased to launch three new Clinical Practice Supports for Nursing:

• Renal Dialysis
  • Custom Dynamic Health skills from the Renal Care Program, including policies, appendices (with images) and patient education pamphlets.
• Urinary Catheters
  • Adopted Dynamic Health skills with workplace notes, care directives, patient education pamphlets, NSWOC guidelines and decision aids, and key practice points.
  • Note: The Urinary Catheters page on the Clinical Practice Supports for Nursing guide replaces several outdated policy documents. Read more in this recent memo.
• Radial Compression Devices
  • Custom Dynamic Health skill for reapplying a Teruma TR band, and background guidance to support competency in this skill. Includes key info like relevant order sets, anatomy, patient education and alternative device (Zoom Hemostop) support.

Health Promotion in January and Dynamic Health Topics

January 2025 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 Suggestions for Skills form with your notes and we will get in touch!

Alzheimer's Awareness Month

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Dementia, Adult
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Cognitive Impairment
  • Confusion
  • Disorientation
• Skills
  • Providing Support to Caregivers of Patients with Dementia
  • Recognizing Signs of Pain and Discomfort in Patients with Dementia in Long-Term Care
  • Administering the Mini-Mental State Exam
• Patient Handouts
  • Alzheimer Disease
  • Alzheimer Disease: Tips for Caregivers
  • Dementia: Know the Warning Signs

Let's Talk Day

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Major Depressive Disorder, Adult
  • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Adult
  • Substance Use Disorder, Adult
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Anxiety, Adult
  • Depression, Adult
• Skills
  • Assessing Mental Health Status in Adults
  • Collecting a Mental Health History in Adults
  • Providing Support to Patients and Families in Grief
  • Communicating With and Counseling Clients Who Are Anxious: Social Work
  • Mental Health and Addictions: Self Care Education in the Emergency Department
• Patient Handouts
  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Depression and Chronic Illness

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy

Gloria Connolly, RN, BScN, NCA, WOCC(c), GNC(c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Leah MacDonald, RN, BSc, BScN
Professional Practice Leader
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network

Katie McLean
Librarian Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network Hub, Library Services

Margaret Poitras
Policy Lead
Policy Office

Valorie Shaddick, BNRN, CCNP, CVAA (c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Ann Slaunwhite
Library Technician
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, Library Services

Dynamic Health round-up posts keep you informed about 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.

Dynamic Health Updates

We receive feedback submissions on an ongoing basis through the Suggest an Edit form and through partnerships with departments and teams. This month, the following customizations have been added:

New Workplace Note

• Assessing Neurological Status in Adults
• Assessing Urinary Output
• Assisting With Voluntary Admission to a Psychiatric Unit
• Collecting a Urine Specimen From an Indwelling Urinary Catheter in Adults
• Collecting a Urine Specimen From an Intermittent Urinary Catheter
• Conducting a Post-Fall Assessment in Long-Term Care
• Inserting a Coudé Catheter in Adults With a Penile Urethra
• Inserting a Coudé Catheter in Adults With a Vulvar Urethra
• Inserting an Indwelling Urinary Catheter in Adults With a Vulvar Urethra
• Inserting Indwelling Urinary Catheters in Adults With a Penile Urethra
• Performing Negative Pressure Wound Therapy
• Performing Suprapubic Catheter Care
• Removing a Suprapubic Catheter

Revised Workplace Note

• Administering Oxygen Therapy: Respiratory Therapy
• Administering Pump-Assisted Enteral Nutrition to Adults
• Administering Subcutaneous Chemotherapy
• Assisting With Chest Tube Insertion in Infants to Adolescents
• Changing Chest Tube Dressing in Adults
• Inserting a Small-Bore Feeding Tube
• Inserting EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion Systems
• Monitoring Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Adults
• Performing Urinary Catheter Care Following Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
• Providing Emergency Care of Open Fractures
• Removing EZ-IO Intraosseous Infusion Systems

Reviewed: No Workplace Note

• Identifying Postoperative Depression
• Managing Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting in Adults
• Providing Perineal Care for Postpartum Patients
• Removing Nasal Packing

Custom Workplace Skills

• Administering Allergy Patch Testing in Adults and Pediatrics
• Administering Allergy Skin Prick Testing in Adults
• Performing the Shower Technique for Peritoneal Dialysis Dressing Change

Archived Policy Documents

As of November 13, 2024, all outdated, former DHA policy and related documents listed in this memo have been archived. This change is the result of a consultative process involving IPPL leadership, the Policy Office, the IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy Program, and Clinical Nurse Educators with expertise in specific clinical areas where required.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting practice and learning, we are actively working to empower staff through a procedure-first approach to creating and managing clinical practice supports, pointing to current procedural guidance in Dynamic Health (when appropriate) or supporting clinical teams with custom solutions where gaps exist, or organizational alignment is required. If you have any questions about the recently archived documents and wish to provide a review with additional notes on any of the Dynamic Health skills that replace outdated guidance, please email the IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy team.

Focused Search Results in Dynamic Health

There’s a lot of evidence-based guidance summarized across Dynamic Health’s Topic Sections – from Diseases & Condition Summaries to Skills. The only content that can be annotated with a Workplace Note is labelled as a Skill. Understanding how to Filter Results can help you make the most of your time searching and ensure you have all the relevant information you need if you plan to adopt one or multiple skills from Dynamic Health.

Let’s say you are looking for skills about taking blood pressure in adults:

1. From the main page of Dynamic Health, enter “blood pressure” in the search box.
   Do not choose one of the autosuggestions that populate as you type.
   Click the spy glass to run the search.
2. To the left of the results page, note the Filter Results column. Under CONTENT TYPE check off Skills. Note the filter is applied immediately, resulting in fewer results.
3. Under PATIENT POPULATION, check off Adult. Note that results are reduced further and that the Skills and Adult filters are highlighted at the top.
4. Click the X on each filter at the top of the results page to remove them.

Health Promotion in December and Dynamic Health Topics

December 2024 marks the promotion of:

• World AIDS Day - December 1
• International Day of Persons with Disabilities- - December 3
• National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women - December 6

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!

World AIDS Day

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • HIV/AIDS, Adult
  • HIV/AIDS/Pediatric
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Fatigue, Adult
  • Fever, Adult
  • Lymphadenopathy, Adult
• Skills
  • Promoting Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Regimen
  • Educating About HIV Infection
• Patient Handouts
  • HIV Infection and AIDS
  • HIV Antibody

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)
  • Intellectual Disability, Adult
  • Intellectual Disability, Pediatric
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Hemiplegia
  • Atonic Seizure, Adult
• Skills
  • Helping Patients Cope with Chronic Illness and Disability
  • Communicating With and Counseling Clients With Visual Impairment: Social Work
  • Communicating With and Counseling Clients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing: Social Work
• Patient Handouts
  • Intellectual Disability

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Intimate Partner Violence
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Pelvic Pain, Female
  • Depression, Adult
• Skills
  • Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in Adults
  • Screening and Reporting Abuse for Adults in Ambulatory Care
  • Communicating With Patients Who Are Anxious
• Patient Handouts
  • Intimate Partner Violence - Recognizing Abuse

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy

Gloria Connolly, RN, BScN, NCA, WOCC(c), GNC(c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Leah MacDonald, RN, BSc, BScN
Professional Practice Leader
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network

Katie McLean
Librarian Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network Hub, Library Services

Margaret Poitras
Policy Lead
Policy Office

Valorie Shaddick, BNRN, CCNP, CVAA (c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Ann Slaunwhite
Library Technician
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, Library Services

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy round-up posts keep you informed about implementation and use of Dynamic Health at Nova Scotia Health, highlight any new priority projects and events, and updates to our Workplace Notes and Custom Workplace Skills. We’ll also highlight new publications we’re supporting and maintaining including policies, clinical practice support guides, clinical resources on the intranet and clinical learning modules.

Dynamic Health Updates

We receive feedback submissions on an ongoing basis through the Suggest an Edit form and through partnerships with departments and teams. This month, the following customizations have been added:

New Workplace Note

• Administering Intradermal Allergy Skin Testing
• Performing Point-of-Care Blood Glucose Testing

Revised Workplace Note

• Administering COVID-19 Vaccine
• Administering Parenteral Nutrition
• Administering Parenteral Nutrition via Central Venous Access
• Administering Parenteral Nutrition via Peripheral Venous Access
• Assisting With Paracentesis
• Managing Acute Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions
• Managing Transfusion-Associated Circulatory Overload (TACO) in Adults
• Performing a 12-Lead Electrocardiogram in Pediatric Patients
• Providing Fluid Resuscitation or Massive Transfusion Using a Rapid Infusion Device
• Vaccinating Adults
• Vaccinating Children
• Vaccinating Infants

Reviewed: No Workplace Note

• Managing Dyspnea in Patients With Cancer

New Look: Workplace Notes

We are now able to use a bit more style when laying out our workplace notes in Dynamic Health, thanks to a recent system update! We can now add headers, bullets and bolding more easily. We can also embed links within the text of workplace notes.

If a suite of skills is connected to a Clinical Practice Support guide, the note may look like this:

• Administering Parenteral Nutrition via Central Venous Access

If a skill is standalone and unconnected to a Clinical Practice Support guide, the note may look like this:

• Providing Emergency Care to Patients With Sepsis

There will continue to be diversity of layout of notes, but this style will be applied to all new and updated content moving forward. If you have any feedback, questions, etc., reach out to DynamicHealth@nshealth.ca.

Health Promotion in November and Dynamic Health Topics

November 2024 marks the promotion of:

• Fall Prevention Month
• National Pain Awareness Week - November 3-9
• Diabetes Awareness Month

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 Suggestions for Skills form with your notes and we will get in touch!

Fall Prevention Month

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Hip Fracture
  • Orthostatic Hypotension, Adult
  • Subdural Hematoma, Adult
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Muscular Weakness, Adult
  • Waddling Gait
• Skills
  • Using a Fall Risk Assessment Tool
  • Implementing a Fall Prevention Plan
  • Educating Older Adults About Fall Prevention: Physical and Occupational Therapy
  • Assessing Fall Risk in Adults: Physical Therapy
• Patient Handouts
  • Exercises to Help Prevent Falls (available in English and Spanish)
  • How to Prevent Falls (available in multiple translations)

National Pain Awareness Week

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Peripheral Neuropathy
  • Phantom Limb Pain
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Acute Pain, Adult
  • Flank Pain, Adult
  • Abdominal Pain, Adult
• Skills
  • All Clinical Practice Supports - Pain assessment and documentation > HERE:
    https://library.nshealth.ca/Clinical-Practice-Nursing/Pain
• Patient Handouts
  • Neuropathic Pain (available in English and Spanish)
  • Acute Abdominal Pain (available in English and Spanish)
  • Managing Chronic Low Back Pain (available in English and Spanish)

Diabetes Awareness Month

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Adult
  • Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Adult
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Hypoglycemia, Adult
  • Hyperglycemia, Adult
• Skills
  • Educating About Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults
  • Educating About Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Adults
  • Caring for the Diabetic Foot
  • Managing Hypoglycemia in Conscious Adults
  • Managing Hypoglycemia in Unconscious Adults
• Patient Handouts
  • Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: What's the Link?(available in English and Spanish)
  • Taking Care of Your Diabetes When You Are Sick(available in English and Spanish)
  • Type 1 Diabetes(available in multiple translations)
  • Type 2 Diabetes(available in multiple translations)

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy

Gloria Connolly, RN, BScN, NCA, WOCC(c), GNC(c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Leah MacDonald, RN, BSc, BScN
Professional Practice Leader
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network

Katie McLean
Librarian Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network Hub, Library Services

Margaret Poitras
Policy Lead
Policy Office

Valorie Shaddick, BNRN, CCNP, CVAA (c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Ann Slaunwhite
Library Technician
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, Library Services

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy round-up posts keep you informed about implementation and use of Dynamic Health at Nova Scotia Health, highlight any new priority projects and events, and updates to our Workplace Notes and Custom Workplace Skills. We’ll also highlight new publications we’re supporting and maintaining including policies, clinical practice support guides, clinical resources on the intranet and clinical learning modules.

Updates: Workplace Notes and Custom Workplace Skills, Transfusion Medicine – Blood Product Administration Clinical Practice Support (CPS) Guides

We receive feedback submissions on an ongoing basis through the Suggestions for Skills form and through partnerships with departments and teams. This month, the customizations below have been published.

New Workplace Note

• Caring for Patients With Postoperative Ileus
• Communicating With Patients Who Are Depressed
• Inserting a Nasopharyngeal Airway in Adults
• Managing Pain in Adults
• Managing Pain in Older Adults
• Managing Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome
• Performing Venipuncture in Adults
• Recognizing Signs of Pain and Discomfort in Patients With Dementia in Long-Term Care
• Triaging Patients With Communicable Diseases During a Pandemic

Revised Workplace Note

• Administering Fresh Frozen Plasma
• Administering IV Rho(D) Immunoglobulin
• Administering Platelets
• Administering Red Blood Cells to Adults
• Administering Red Blood Cells to Newborns
• Administering Red Blood Cells to Pediatric Patients
• Assessing Pain in Older Adults
• Managing a Hypocalcemia Transfusion Reaction
• Recognizing and Responding to Anaphylactic or Allergic Transfusion Reactions
• Using Blood Filters
• Administering IV Immunoglobulin
• Supporting Caregivers of Patients With Cancer
• Warning Third Parties of a Threat by an Adult Patient (Duty to Warn)

Reviewed: No Workplace Note

• Assessing Clinical Competence
• Caring for Patients in the OR Receiving Regional Anesthesia
• Inserting a Urinary Catheter During Labor
• Preventing Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Postoperative Patients
• Removing a Foreign Body From the Nose
• Using a Numeric Pain Rating Scale

Custom Workplace Skill

• PACU: Assisting with Endotracheal Extubation in Adults

Auto-generate Checklists with Dynamic Health

Did you know that skills within Dynamic Health have an associated Checklist function that you can use in practice and for instructing new staff and learners? If you’re updating procedures and need associated competency checklists for documentation, save yourself some time and adopt this function. The Checklist function is available for all skills in Dynamic Health, including any Custom Workplace Skills we create.

Let's say you are interested in precepting a fellow health care provider using the Dynamic Health Custom Workplace Skill PACU: Assisting with Endotracheal Extubation in Adults:

1. Navigate to the skill through Dynamic Health by searching “PACU Extubation” (1), navigating to Skills > Your Workplace, or through the direct Skill link (above).
2. From the Skill menu, select Checklist (2).
3. Select the printer icon to the upper right of the Checklist (3).
4. Select the sections to include in the Checklist (Pre-procedure Steps, Procedure Steps, Post-procedure Steps), or Select All (4).
5. Select Print (5). Note that the printable version of this checklist contains a form to allow you to record evaluator and examinee names and signatures, date and pass/fail status as appropriate.
6. Choose to print a physical copy or to export a PDF to your computer, depending on your settings and needs.

CPS Guides: Transfusion Medicine – Blood Product Administration

The Blood Product Administration Policy and Procedure NSHA: CL-BP-030; IWK-625 has been revised, effective as of October 1, 2024. We supported our Transfusion Practice Coordinator and Pathology & Laboratory Medicine colleagues with building a resource guide that helps make accessing blood product administration resources easier and is embedded within the updated policy. All blood product guidelines, product monographs, the Competencies for Safe Transfusion Tool, Adverse Events Algorithm have also been updated to align with the revised policy and procedure.

This project is a great example of collaborating across the organization to build and update a knowledge support resource that is easily accessible to all health care providers that work for or interact with Nova Scotia Health. It’s also a great example of clinical practice guidance and competency being created outside of the content we adopt from Dynamic Health. We’re ready to help you customize solutions where practice or organizational gaps exist versus the content we can access through our Dynamic Health subscription.

Health Promotion in October and Dynamic Health Topics

October 2024 marks the promotion of:

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• Occupational Therapy Month
• World Psoriasis Day

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 Suggestions for Skills form with your notes and we will get in touch!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Breast Cancer, Female
  • Breast Cancer, Male
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Breast Nodule
  • Arm Edema
  • Nipple Discharge, Adult
  • Breast Dimpling
• Skills
  • Caring for Patients After Mastectomy
  • Educating Patients About Mammography
• Patient Handouts
  • How to Perform a Breast Self-examination
  • Breast Cancer in Women
  • Breast Cancer in Men

Occupational Therapy Month

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Lower Extremity Amputation, Adult
  • Hip Osteoarthritis
  • Spinal Cord Injury, Adult
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Activity Intolerance, Adult
  • Muscular Weakness, Adult
  • Muscle Atrophy, Adult
  • Waddling Gait
• Skills
  • Positioning and Exercising a Residual Limb: Physical and Occupational Therapy
  • Shrinking and Shaping a Residual Limb: Physical and Occupational Therapy
  • Measuring for a Manual Wheelchair: Physical and Occupational Therapy
  • Educating Older Adults About Fall Prevention: Physical and Occupational Therapy
• Clinical Practice Supports
  • Occupational Therapy Practice
• Patient Handouts
  • How to Choose and Use a Wheelchair
  • Exercises to Help Prevent Falls
  • Phantom Limb Syndrome

World Psoriasis Day

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Psoriasis
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Scaly Skin, Adult
  • Papular Rash, Adult
  • Pruritus, Adult
• Skills
  • Using Ultraviolet Light Therapy
  • Administering Topical Medication
  • Assisting With Therapeutic Bath
• Patient Handouts
  • Psoriasis

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy

Gloria Connolly, RN, BScN, NCA, WOCC(c), GNC(c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Leah MacDonald, RN, BSc, BScN
Professional Practice Leader
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network

Katie McLean
Librarian Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network Hub, Library Services

Margaret Poitras
Policy Lead
Policy Office

Valorie Shaddick, BNRN, CCNP, CVAA (c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Ann Slaunwhite
Library Technician
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, Library Services

We understand health care workers' busy schedules and offer a variety of dates and times. There is sure to be a session suitable for you. Register for one or several classes below:

Education and Training opportunities this fall:

• Accessing Full-Text Articles NEW
  This session helps to navigate the different ways to access full text on PubMed®, CINAHL, EBSCO and Embase. It also helps you get the full text of articles to which the library does not have access.
• Anatomy.tv
  Anatomy.tv provides a moveable 3D model of the human body that allows you to explore different layers of various bodily systems. The diagrams include annotations with more information about specific body parts. Learn how to use and navigate this powerful tool to improve your understanding of human anatomy.
• Copyright Focus: Terms of Use & Permissions NEW
  Have you ever wanted to adapt an existing publication rather than ‘reinvent the wheel’? Or have you found the perfect image online, but have no idea who owns it and if it’s free to use? Knowing when and how to get permission to use a copyright-protected resource can seem overwhelming. This hands-on session will help you make copyright-compliant decisions when creating content for Nova Scotia Health.
  Email Copyright@nshealth.ca with copyright-related questions.
• Developing Patient Education Pamphlets
  This session highlights how easy-to-read and up-to-date patient education materials can support patient care and safety. Learn how to get started, what is involved in the updating process, and how to find, use, and share pamphlets effectively.
• Evidence-based Research: How to Start, Where to Look
  Having a focused research question is the first step to finding evidence-based research. When you know what kind of question you are asking, you can better identify the resources that will give you the answers you need, whether that is a point-of-care tool like Dynamic Health™ or BMJ Best Practice, or a research database like PubMed®. This session is an introduction to the various ways you can locate the answers you need—no matter the question.
• Explore the NEW Nursing Made Incredibly Easy!®
  Are you looking for a refresher in a nursing specialty area or skill? Are you new to the nursing profession or a nursing student who needs help grasping tough topics? The Made Incredibly Easy!® collection helps Nova Scotia Health nursing professionals better understand challenging clinical concepts with interactive access to and simple search capabilities within essential texts, as well as videos, images, nursing care plans, real-life case studies, and chapter games.
• Find it Fast with Library Services
  This session focuses on navigating core library tools and resources, including the catalogue, ejournals and ebooks, and databases. Learn how to access library resources and services through this virtual tour.
• Health Literacy in Health Care
  This session will explore how low health literacy can impact not only patients, but the entire health care system. You’ll learn about the current Canadian literacy landscape and ways you can mitigate the challenges for your patients (and their support persons) for increased patient-centred care and safety.
• Intellectual Property 101: What does IP mean for Health Care Providers?
  Have you ever wondered what impact Intellectual property has on health care? Do you have a great idea that you think may help patients and you want to know how to protect it? This session will answer your questions in an interactive presentation led by Nova Scotia Health’s Innovation Hub.
• Intro to LMS: Creating an eLearning Course
  This session will introduce you to the process and standards you’ll need to follow to ensure your online course reflects high quality content with optimal readability and performance in Nova Scotia Health’s LMS.
• Patient Education Pamphlets for Administrative Professionals
  This session will explain how to find Nova Scotia Health patient pamphlets, as well as how to order, print and share pamphlets in your service area. The session will also cover how to ensure materials in your area are kept up to date.
  Email Pamphlets@nshealth.ca with pamphlet-related questions.

Check out all available course dates for the fall in our calendar or print and post our fall education flyer. For general inquiries, reach out to AskLibrary@nshealth.ca. We look forward to seeing you in one or several of our sessions!

Amanda Andrews

Librarian Educator, Education & Training Lead
Eastern Zone - Cape Breton, Guysborough, Antigonish

The team operationalizing usage of Dynamic Health has broadened their scope to include supporting use of evidence at the point of care, across nursing and allied health, and within policies and other guidance materials Interprofessional Practice and Learning (IPPL) leads or collaborates on. This means we’re back with Dynamic Health Round-ups after a summer hiatus with a new name – IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy.

Round-up posts will keep you informed about implementation and use of Dynamic Health at Nova Scotia Health, highlight any new priority projects and events, and updates to our Workplace Notes and Custom Workplace Skills. We’ll also highlight new publications we’re supporting and maintaining including policies, clinical practice support pages, clinical resources on the intranet and clinical learning modules.

Read on to get caught up on what we’ve been up to over the summer months, so you are ready for Fall!

Dynamic Health Updates: Workplace Notes, Custom Skills

New Workplace Note

• Administering High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy to Infants to Adolescents
• Administering Pump-Assisted Enteral Nutrition to Adults
• Caring for Adults After Cardiovascular Surgery
• Inserting an Orogastric Tube in Adults
• Managing Patients With Brain Death Before Organ Donation
• Managing Postoperative Hemorrhage
• Managing Skin Tears
• Managing Symptoms at the End of Life
• Performing Continuous Bedside Cardiac Monitoring in Adults
• Performing CPR on Pregnant Patients
• Preparing Patients for Abdominal Surgery
• Preventing and Managing Enteral Nutrition Complications
• Preventing Postoperative Delirium
• Providing Enteral Nutrition to Critically Ill Adults
• Providing Enteral Nutrition to Patients in Prone Position
• Providing Postmortem Care of Adults
• Using and Caring for a Jejunostomy Feeding Tube
• Using and Caring for a Nasoduodenal Feeding Tube
• Using and Caring for Percutaneous Duodenal Feeding Tube
• Weighing Patients With a Bed Scale

Revised Workplace Note

• Administering a Mental Status Exam
• Administering Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition
• Administering IV Epinephrine Infusion
• Administering Medication Through a Nasogastric Tube
• Administering Medications Through an Enteral Access Device
• Assessing Pain in Adults: Physical Therapy
• Assessing Pressure Injury Risk in Adults
• Assisting With Chest Tube Removal in Adults
• Assisting With Endotracheal Extubation in Adults
• Changing Chest Tube Dressing in Adults
• Handling Hazardous Drugs at the Bedside
• Inserting and Verifying Placement/Positioning of Small Bore Feeding Tubes
• Managing a Hypocalcemia Transfusion Reaction
• Managing Airway Obstruction Emergencies in Adults
• Managing an Obstructed Airway in Infants
• Managing Malignant Hyperthermia in the OR
• Managing Psychotropic Medication Adverse Effects
• Managing the Emergency Response (Code Blue) Team
• Performing 1-Person Adult CPR
• Performing 1-Person Child CPR
• Performing 1-Person Infant CPR
• Performing 2-Person Adult CPR
• Performing 2-Person Child CPR
• Providing Tracheostomy Care in Pediatric Patients: Respiratory Therapy
• Using a Bag Valve Mask in Newborns
• Using a Bag-Mask-Valve in Infants to Adolescents
• Using a Nasogastric Tube for Gastric Decompression in Adults
• Using an Automated External Defibrillator in Pediatric Patients in a Health Care Setting
• Using Automated External Defibrillators on Adults in the Hospital

Reviewed: No Workplace Note

• Discharging Pediatric Patients From the PACU
• Performing pH Testing of Gastric Secretions
• Performing Radial Arterial Puncture in Pediatric Patients: Respiratory Therapy
• Preventing and Managing Aspiration in the PACU
• Preventing Complications of Prolonged Bed Rest
• Removing a Foreign Body From the Eye
• Removing a Tick
• Troubleshooting Chest Tubes and Closed Chest Drains

Custom Skills

• Changing a Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) Catheter Dressing
• Using Goals of Care and Levels of Intervention

Policy Clean-Up and Clinical Resources (Intranet)

The IPPL Policy and Practice Team continues to work through our policy document cleanup, focusing on former DHA guidance documents in OP3. To date we have issued updates on Chest Tubes and Nasogastric Tubes. We’re finishing up our Pain Assessment and Documentation items and will soon be focused on Urinary Catheters. Watch for updates on the Intranet’s Clinical Resources page, under Memos and Updates.

Nursing CE Credits Due in October

Health Promotion in September and Dynamic Health Topics

September 2024 marks promotion of:

• Fibromyalgia Awareness Week
• Arthritis Awareness Month
• World Sepsis Day (September 13)

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 Suggestions for Skills form with your notes and we’ll get in touch!

Fibromyalgia Awareness Week

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Fibromyalgia
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Chronic Low Back Pain, Adult
  • Myalgia, Adult
  • Insomnia, Older Adult
• Skills
  • Managing Pain in Adults
  • Educating About Sleep Hygiene Techniques in Adults
• Patient Handouts
  • Fibromyalgia

Arthritis Awareness Month

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis, Adult
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis, Older Adult
  • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Arthralgia Adult
  • Bony Crepitation
• Skills
  • Educating About Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Managing Pain in Older Adults
• Patient Handouts
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

World Sepsis Day

• Disease & Condition Overviews
  • Sepsis, Adult
  • Sepsis, Infant to Adolescent
  • Sepsis, Newborn
• Signs & Symptoms
  • Fever, Adult
  • Disorientation
  • Confusion
  • Acute Blood Pressure Decrease, Adult
• Skills
  • Managing Sepsis in Adults
  • Identifying Sepsis in Adults
  • Providing Emergency Care to Patients with Sepsis
  • Emergency Department - Providing Care to Adult Patients with Sepsis
• Patient Handouts
  • Sepsis
  • Neonatal Sepsis

IPPL Clinical Practice and Policy

Gloria Connolly, RN, BScN, NCA, WOCC(c), GNC(c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Leah MacDonald, RN, BSc, BScN
Professional Practice Leader
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network

Katie McLean
Librarian Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, ERIN Network Hub, Library Services

Margaret Poitras
Policy Lead
Policy Office

Valorie Shaddick, BNRN, CCNP, CVAA (c)
Clinical Nurse Educator
Interprofessional Practice and Learning

Ann Slaunwhite
Library Technician
Interprofessional Practice and Learning, Library Services