Healthcare

In this Aug. 2, 2021, file photo, COVID ward healthcare worker watches from behind his face shield, double masks and full personal protective equipment as he works with a COVID-19 patient. (AP Photo/Ted Jackson, File)

British Columbians increasingly concerned about quality of health-care

45% of British Columbians believe service has declined in the last 5 years

In this Aug. 2, 2021, file photo, COVID ward healthcare worker watches from behind his face shield, double masks and full personal protective equipment as he works with a COVID-19 patient. (AP Photo/Ted Jackson, File)
A COVID-19 vaccine is administered at a mass vaccination clinic run by Switch Health in Mississauga, Ont., Friday, Dec. 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Several provinces considering allowing COVID positive health workers to stay on job

Manitoba and Ontario said they are considering similar measures to avoid overwhelming their health systems

A COVID-19 vaccine is administered at a mass vaccination clinic run by Switch Health in Mississauga, Ont., Friday, Dec. 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
Eugene Litvak, president of the non-profit Institute for Health Care Optimization in Massachusetts, is seen in an undated handout photo. A Harvard professor from the former Soviet Union with an affinity for Canada claims he has the silver bullet solution, and it’s already working in some Ontario hospitals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Eugene Litvak, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Fix health-care backlogs, save money and ease health-worker burnout? There is a way.

Expert says surgeries should be scheduled every day of the week

Eugene Litvak, president of the non-profit Institute for Health Care Optimization in Massachusetts, is seen in an undated handout photo. A Harvard professor from the former Soviet Union with an affinity for Canada claims he has the silver bullet solution, and it’s already working in some Ontario hospitals. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Eugene Litvak, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C. Representative for Children and Youth, speaks to a reporter in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. A progress report on a plan to address Indigenous racism in British Columbia’s health-care system says Indigenous patients continue to disproportionately die as a result of the impacts of racism and the two public-health emergencies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Little progress made to combat anti-Indigenous racism in B.C. health care: report

Author says progress has been made in 10 of initial report’s 24 recommendations

Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, B.C. Representative for Children and Youth, speaks to a reporter in Vancouver, B.C., on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. A progress report on a plan to address Indigenous racism in British Columbia’s health-care system says Indigenous patients continue to disproportionately die as a result of the impacts of racism and the two public-health emergencies. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A worker walks past the West block as Parliament returns, in Ottawa, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. The government has introduced a bill today to create 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, and also to create criminal code offences for anyone threatening a health care worker. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Liberals push sick leave, crack down on health-care worker harassment in single bill

Bill would provide 10 days of paid sick leave to federally regulated workers

A worker walks past the West block as Parliament returns, in Ottawa, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. The government has introduced a bill today to create 10 days of paid sick leave for federally regulated workers, and also to create criminal code offences for anyone threatening a health care worker. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Ismalia de Sousa, a nurse and PhD student at the University of British Columbia school of nursing who helped found the Coalition of African, Caribbean and Black Nurses in B.C. (ismaliadesousa.com photo)

Black nurses in B.C. face `entrenched and pervasive’ racism, survey finds

Coalition calling for action to support Black nurses and end anti-Black racism in health care

Ismalia de Sousa, a nurse and PhD student at the University of British Columbia school of nursing who helped found the Coalition of African, Caribbean and Black Nurses in B.C. (ismaliadesousa.com photo)
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Dr. Robert Semeniuk and registered nurse Sarah Wilson, patient care coordinator at the Summerland Health Centre, adjust the settings on a new Phaco unit used in eye cataract surgeries. The Summerland Health-Care Auxiliary is donating $100,000 for the upgraded high-tech machine. - Image Credit: Submitted photo

QUIZ: In praise of medical professionals

How much do you know about doctors, nurses and medical researchers in history and popular culture?

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT Dr. Robert Semeniuk and registered nurse Sarah Wilson, patient care coordinator at the Summerland Health Centre, adjust the settings on a new Phaco unit used in eye cataract surgeries. The Summerland Health-Care Auxiliary is donating $100,000 for the upgraded high-tech machine. - Image Credit: Submitted photo
Chilliwack residents Gail and Rob Irving are puzzled why there isn’t a renal unit in the city, and with flooding cutting off Highway 1 access between Chilliwack and Abbotsford, Rob was flown west for treatment on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. (Eric J. Welsh/Chilliwack Progress)

Patients cut off from dialysis treatments being flown to Abbotsford for medical care

With highway access cut off, Rob Irving and more than 20 others are in a tough spot

Chilliwack residents Gail and Rob Irving are puzzled why there isn’t a renal unit in the city, and with flooding cutting off Highway 1 access between Chilliwack and Abbotsford, Rob was flown west for treatment on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. (Eric J. Welsh/Chilliwack Progress)
FILE – A nurse attends to a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. Most transplant patients will spend months in the ICU before receiving new lungs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Increase in organ donors a breath of fresh air for B.C. lung transplant recipients

Nine COVID patients, mostly health prior to infection, have received lung transplants in B.C. so far

FILE – A nurse attends to a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. Most transplant patients will spend months in the ICU before receiving new lungs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A B.C. Ambulance Service paramedic wearing a face mask to curb the spread of COVID-19 moves a stretcher outside an ambulance at Royal Columbia Hospital, in New Westminster, B.C., on Sunday, November 29, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

911 callers seeing 3+ minute hold times in B.C. over high call volumes: E-Comm

Callers asked to stay on the line and not hang up to try again

A B.C. Ambulance Service paramedic wearing a face mask to curb the spread of COVID-19 moves a stretcher outside an ambulance at Royal Columbia Hospital, in New Westminster, B.C., on Sunday, November 29, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
FILE – A nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna vaccine to Halifax on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan-Pool

B.C. nurses who spread COVID misinformation to patients will face penalties: college

Anyone who wishes to practice nursing or midwifery in B.C. must be registered with the college

FILE – A nurse prepares a dose of the Moderna vaccine to Halifax on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Andrew Vaughan-Pool
Fraser Health registered nurse Kai Kayibadi draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. The deadline for British Columbia health care workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Tuesday marks deadline for B.C. health workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19

Doctors, nurses, students, residents, contractors, volunteers all affected by order

Fraser Health registered nurse Kai Kayibadi draws a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine into a syringe at a walk-up vaccination clinic at Bear Creek Park, in Surrey, B.C., on Monday, May 17, 2021. The deadline for British Columbia health care workers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
LifeLabs workers represented by BCEGU strike outside LifeLabs administrative offices in Burnaby on Oct. 23. (Cole Schisler photo)

LifeLabs workers hold rally demanding better wages as labour negotiations resume

LifeLabs employees want better wages and pensions

LifeLabs workers represented by BCEGU strike outside LifeLabs administrative offices in Burnaby on Oct. 23. (Cole Schisler photo)
To celebrate finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Addison Johnston (left) and his younger brother Ryland were taken to a Japanese restaurant in Vancouver by parents Kristin and Shane Johnston. But lots of treatment remains for the teenager, and his family has learned some hard lessons about the healthcare system. (submitted photo)

Chilliwack parents discover gaps in health care as teenage son battles leukemia

Though he’s 17-years-old, Addison Johnston couldn’t access treatment at B.C. Children’s Hospital

To celebrate finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Addison Johnston (left) and his younger brother Ryland were taken to a Japanese restaurant in Vancouver by parents Kristin and Shane Johnston. But lots of treatment remains for the teenager, and his family has learned some hard lessons about the healthcare system. (submitted photo)
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (Courtesy of B.C. government)

Vancouver Island sees far more surgery delays due to COVID-19 than rest of B.C.

157 surgeries postponed at Island hospitals Sept. 26 to Oct. 2; next highest health authority had 57

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. (Courtesy of B.C. government)
A Saskatchewan Health Authority sign signifying a vaccine station at the Saskatoon Tribal Council run vaccination clinic inside SaskTel centre in Saskatoon, Sask., on Thursday, April 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis

Serious crash could push Saskatchewan health-care system to brink: health officer

Surging COVID-19 cases have stretched resources to the limit and intensive care beds are full

A Saskatchewan Health Authority sign signifying a vaccine station at the Saskatoon Tribal Council run vaccination clinic inside SaskTel centre in Saskatoon, Sask., on Thursday, April 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kayle Neis
FILE – A nurse attends to a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

B.C. nurses’ union ‘cannot support’ COVID vaccine mandate that could mean fewer staff

Health minister says province is working on plans to deal with fallout

FILE – A nurse attends to a patient in the COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit at Surrey Memorial Hospital in Surrey, B.C., Friday, June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Royal Inland Hospital is in downtown Kamloops, at Columbia Street and Third Avenue. (Dave Eagles/Kamloops This Week)

Patient’s death in Kamloops ER sitting area came amid marathon wait for treatment

Another ER patient claims nurse informed those waiting there was a severe staff shortage

  • Sep 9, 2021
Royal Inland Hospital is in downtown Kamloops, at Columbia Street and Third Avenue. (Dave Eagles/Kamloops This Week)
(Pixabay)

Health officials push B.C. doctors, nurse practitioners to resume in-person appointments

Many health care providers went to virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic

(Pixabay)
FILE - In this Oct. 22, 2011, file photo, a doctor examines a pregnant woman at the district women’s hospital, in Allahabad, in India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh, File)

Online tool helps break misconceptions around future pregnancies after a C-section

B.C. has Canada’s highest C-section rate at 37 per cent

FILE - In this Oct. 22, 2011, file photo, a doctor examines a pregnant woman at the district women’s hospital, in Allahabad, in India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh. (AP Photo/Rajesh Kumar Singh, File)