IWK Health Centre
5850/5980 University Avenue B3H 1V7 Halifax, NS, Canada

Researchers at the Centre for Research in Family Health are looking to learn more about the experiences of unpaid caregivers of acquired brain injury survivors living in Nova Scotia. The information we receive will be used to create resources and programs that support caregivers and improve well-being. If you care for a loved one with an acquired brain injury, you may be eligible to participate in an online study! The person you care for could be a child, a sibling, a friend,... a spouse, a parent, or a relative. For more information, visit our website: https://www.caringforward.ca/ To participate in the study, visit: https://mystudies.ca/studies/caregiver Have questions? Contact us toll-free at 1-887-341-8309 (ext. 8 or 9) or email us at [email protected]

A research project out of the IWK is developing a disposable device that will protect health care workers from contracting COVID-19 while they perform high risk aerosol generating procedures on infected patients. The device would be placed over the patient like a bubble to contain and filter infected air during such procedures as intubation and extubation. The contained, controlled and filtered air would prevent the virus from spreading around the room and hospital. https://youriwk.com//disposable-device-protects-from-covi/

COVID-19 is in Nova Scotia. We know what we need to do to protect our home and slow the spread. Make no mistake, this is a fight -- but no one is in this fight ...alone. We’re all in this together. All 960,000 of us. Together we have the power to turn the tide. Act now to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Nova Scotia: www.novascotia.ca/coronavirus.

The BRIGHT Coaching Program Study is now open to families currently waiting for developmental supports regardless of how long you have been on the waitlist. We recognize that Covid-19 has had an impact on wait times for supports and have updated our eligibility requirements to reflect this. The BRIGHT Coaching Program is for parents/caregivers of children ages 1.5-4.5 who are currently waiting to access developmental services or support. The program aims to support and guide... families during this often stressful period and takes place entirely over the phone and internet. To learn more and find out if you are eligible please contact NS Coordinator Taylor Hansen at [email protected]

Are you a parent of a child or youth with Cerebral Palsy? Participants are needed for research about setting up an accessible hip surveillance program throughout NS for children and youth with CP. We are looking for volunteers to take part in a 90 minute video-conference focus group to help us determine the best way to set this up. For more information contact: [email protected] or call 902-943-6865.... https://youtu.be/oO0F70Oyt8A See more

How do you feel about health professionals using smartphones to track your children's activities and health? Researchers at Dalhousie University and IWK Health are looking for the opinions of parents who have children (age 10-21) with a diagnosis of a mental illness/disorder to fill out a short survey. Complete the survey here: ... https://research-survey.nshealth.ca/surveys/index.php Participation will require 10-15 minutes of your time and is completely anonymous.

Are you considering donating toys to patients for the holidays this year? IWK Health Child Life has updated their guidelines in an effort to keep our patients, families, and donors safe. Due to limited space and the need to quarantine any dropped off items, we are trying to limit in-person drop offs. Child Life are asking donors to shop online as much as possible. Please see our updated wish list for delivery information.... If shopping online isn’t possible, we are also offering modified drop offs. Please reach out with any questions or to confirm your donation to [email protected] Your support is appreciated and makes all the difference for our patients and families! http://www.iwk.nshealth.ca//child-life-donation-information

The IWK Women’s Building entrance loop and driveways (University Avenue and Robie Street) are temporarily unavailable to both vehicle and pedestrian foot traffic. As well, the main doors into the Women's Building will also be unavailable. This closure began November 19, 2020 and is expected to last for four weeks. This closure is to allow for paving and masonry repairs so we can maintain quality, safe spaces for all of our patients, staff and visitors. PARKING... Parking access in the Goldbloom Pavilion Public Parkade remains available and is not impacted by this project. To aid in patient pick-ups and drop-offs, several parking metres along University Avenue will be converted to free, 15-minute metres for the duration of the construction. PATIENT AND SUPPORT PEOPLE ACCESS During this closure, patient and support person vehicles that want direct-door-access should use the Children’s Building loop on University Avenue for drop-offs (the driveway after the public parkade entrance). From there, wayfinding support will be provided from staff and signs. Vehicles cannot be left unattended in this driveway. SCREENING AND WAYFINDING Women’s health patients should enter the IWK through the Goldbloom Pavilion either by the exterior doors or after parking in the public parkade. Women’s health patients will be screened in the Gallery of the Goldbloom Pavilion. Once inside IWK Health, signs or staff will be there to assist with navigating to the Women’s Building lobby. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our space for everyone.

Did you experience high blood pressure during your pregnancy? Our researchers want to hear from you! A new study aims to improve cardiovascular disease follow-up and prevention in moms who had hypertension in pregnancy. See poster for details on how to participate. Participation is open to all Nova Scotia women as the study is looking for perspectives from around the Province. Our team would also like to hear from women in rural and remote settings.

Beginning November 19, 2020, the IWK Women’s Building entrance loop and driveways (University Avenue and Robie Street) will be temporarily unavailable to both vehicle and pedestrian foot traffic for an expected period of four weeks. As well, the main doors into the Women's Building will also be unavailable. This closure is to allow for paving and masonry repairs so we can maintain quality, safe spaces for all of our patients, staff and visitors. PARKING... Parking access in the Goldbloom Pavilion Public Parkade remains available and is not impacted by this project. To aid in patient pick-ups and drop-offs, several parking metres along University Avenue will be converted to free, 15-minute metres for the duration of the construction. PATIENT AND SUPPORT PEOPLE ACCESS During this closure, patient and support person vehicles that want direct-door-access should use the Children’s Building loop on University Avenue for drop-offs (the driveway after the public parkade entrance). From there, wayfinding support will be provided from staff and signs. Vehicles cannot be left unattended in this driveway. SCREENING AND WAYFINDING Women’s health patients should enter the IWK through the Goldbloom Pavilion either by the exterior doors or after parking in the public parkade. Women’s health patients will be screened in the Gallery of the Goldbloom Pavilion. Once inside IWK Health, signs or staff will be there to assist with navigating to the Women’s Building lobby. Thank you for your patience as we work to improve our space for everyone.

Children or youth between the ages of 4 and 18 years old may be able to have the gargle test. However, there are things to keep in mind BEFORE having the test. Children or youth must not: eat, drink, chew gum, brush teeth, smoke or vape for at least one hour before the test. Younger children do best when they practice the steps at home with water; just make sure if you do choose to have your child practice that it is done at least two hours before the test.... For detailed preparation instructions, please view the gargle instruction sheet. http://ow.ly/qJoE50CqmMg

November 17th is World Prematurity Day. The day helps to raise awareness of the challenges and long-term impact of preterm birth globally. One area of developme...nt that can be impacted by prematurity is brain and language development. Reading to premature infants is recognized as having many early developmental and relationship benefits. Read to Me partnered with the IWK Health Centre NICU and Perinatal Quality Improvement Program to create a special book bag for families whose baby is admitted to the NICU. The Read to Me NICU bag was piloted at the IWK NICU last October and, starting today, the bag is also available at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital NICU. The bag contains two soothing board books for families to read to their baby, along with a resource booklet to support families in reading in the NICU. Studies have shown that NICU babies who are read to have better language skills and cognitive development. The earlier reading is started the better! #WorldPrematurityDay See more