Dr Jack Taunton was inducted this year into the BC Sports Hall of Fame. In the 1970’s, Sports Medicine was a rare specialty and one of its leading lights was Dr Jack Taunton. In 1977, Dr Taunton and fellow practitioner, Dr Doug Clement established Vancouver’s first sports medicine clinic, which eventually became the Allan McGavin Sports Medicine Centre.
Timely Intervention Key for Mental Health
Sep 5, 2014
In Port Hardy a patient sits in a comfortable chair in a sound-proof room with a psychiatric nurse or mental health worker; both are staring at a small screen. Soon the screen lights up and a psychiatrist in Victoria appears on the screen ready to engage.
Hip Fractures – Reducing the Trauma
Sep 5, 2014
Every year almost 4000 older adults find themselves in emergency rooms with a fractured hip. These hip fractures are increasing by about 2% every year because of a large cohort of aging baby boomers. The Hip Fracture Redesign Project, one of the Quality and Innovation Initiatives sponsored by SSC, is implementing processes to provide optimal hip fracture care.
Spotlight on a Specialty: General Surgery
Sep 5, 2014
General surgery is like an umbrella – it covers surgeons with the skills, knowledge and familiarity to treat a broad spectrum of conditions. On any given day, a general surgeon could save the life of a car accident victim, repair a ruptured appendix or operate on someone with cancer.
In the News: Speedy surgery on hip fractures saves money-keeps seniors mobile
Jul 7, 2014
Published in Victoria Times Colonist July 6, 2014
A dramatic increase in the number of hip-fracture surgeries done within 48 hours at Royal Jubilee Hospital is decreasing complications, saving money and maybe saving lives
Raising the Level of Emergency Medicine
Jun 9, 2014
Dr. Michael Ertel has been practicing medicine for over 25 years. He’s a physician with a focused practice in Emergency medicine in Kelowna. Since his initial training, Ertel has seen younger ER doctors with enhanced skills in ultrasound use, airway management and simulation training. Being a life-long learner, he wanted to be properly trained in these skills. He also thought other doctors would be interested, too.
Innovative Ideas Flow from Specialists
Jun 9, 2014
In April, SSC dedicated $15 million to fund specialist-led ideas in quality and innovation. The call for ideas went out through an Expression of Interest (EOI). And BC specialists didn’t disappoint. SSC received over 300 ideas – a total value of $177 million. The EOI submissions came from specialists within all health regions.
Spotlight on a Specialty: Neurology
Jun 9, 2014
Magicians can trick our brains with a sleight of hand and we are delighted. But what happens when our brain tricks itself? An individual is often left confused, scared, and anxious – and that’s when the expertise of a neurologist is needed. Neurology is endlessly fascinating because the brain defines the essence of who we are.
Video Story: "Heart Pounding Excitement" Doesn't Always Mean Fun
Jun 9, 2014
Heart-pounding excitement is extolled by many theme parks and any monster truck rally, but for Vancouver engineer Emmanuel Domingo it has a very different meaning.
An inherited heart arrhythmia runs in Mr. Domingo’s family. It took the lives of four close relatives in their 40s and 50s. Domingo, now 56, not only fears for this own life, but is worried he may have passed on the genetic condition to his three sons, aged 18 to 25.
In the News: Kelowna Doctor Helps to Heal Patients Faster
Jun 9, 2014
Published in Kelowna Daily Courier April 2014
Dr. Ron Collins, who likes to hike, cycle or cross-country ski during his time off, is leading a group of colleagues in eight Interior Health hospitals that do colorectal surgery in new ways to foster better health for surgical patients.
Transforming the surgical experience for patients is the goal of a group led by a Kelowna doctor.
Anesthetist Dr. Ron Collins is leading a group of colleagues in eight Interior Health hospitals that do colorectal surgery in new ways to foster better health for surgical patients.
Expression of Interest - More Funding Opportunities from SSC
Mar 27, 2014
The SSC has dedicated up to $15 million to fund new specialist-led Quality and Innovation Initiatives for quality improvement and to address care gaps. An Expression of Interest (EOI) submission is available to actively practicing in BC specialists to complete online until April 30. More information is available in the EOI information package and Frequently Asked Questions.
Spotlight on a Specialty: Respirology
Mar 14, 2014
Lungs – they breathe life into us and are one of the single most essential elements to our survival. They are responsible for a need so inherent we do it without even thinking about it. So what happens when disease strikes these vital organs?
ERAS - Turning Traditional Wisdom on its Head
Mar 14, 2014
A doctor picks up the chart of a patient scheduled for prostate cancer surgery that morning and the doctor’s orders do not say NPO. A head-scratcher for some, but for other doctors involved in the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) pathway - it makes perfect medical sense.
SSC – Collaborating to Enhance Specialist Care
Mar 13, 2014
The Specialist Services Committee (SSC) is one of a number of collaborative committees that make BC's health care system unique. No other province have collaborative committees of doctor and government members working together to improve the health care system.
SSC Supporting Patient Safety and Quality
Mar 3, 2014
The Specialist Services Committee (SSC) took part in the annual BC Patient Safety and Quality Council Forum February 27 and 28. The forum featured workshops and presentations on a variety of topics related to improving quality across the continuum of care. SSC conducted an interactive workshop, held a number of storyboard presentations, and also sponsored a number of specialists to attend the forum.
Have You Experienced That “Look”?
Dec 5, 2013
You know the look. You get it after you tell a patient “you have cancer.” The look takes on a myriad of forms such as fear, tears, disbelief and so on. It is in this state that patients are usually expected to listen to crucial information about their treatment options.
Shifting Landscape Reveals Care Gaps
Dec 5, 2013
The landscape continues to shift in relation to the lifespan of children with chronic care conditions. What was once fatal in childhood, no longer is. One of SSC’s sponsored initiatives is helping specialists in pediatric care and in adult care coordinate the transition of youth with chronic care needs into adult care.
Spotlight on a Specialty – Endocrinology
Dec 5, 2013
Hormones – the drivers behind every part of who we are, and how we function. And as part of one of the most complex systems in the body – the endocrine system – these hormones behave radically differently from person to person.
Telehealth Wound Care: Transcending Barriers to Care
Oct 17, 2013
In BC, all but two specialities now have a fee code for telehealth service. The Specialist Services Committee has funded three telehealth projects under the Quality and Innovation Initiatives.
Spotlight on a Specialty: Rheumatolgy
Oct 17, 2013
With more than 150 disease conditions that they diagnose and treat — including arthritis, lupus, gout, vasculitis, scleroderma and other systemic autoimmune conditions — BC's rheumatologists have "fascinating patients with complex problems that often require digging to solve a mystery," says Dr. Jason Kur, president of the BC Society of Rheumatologists.