| Information current to March 25, 2020 | 6:20 p.m. The following update contains messages sent on behalf of the SMA, CPSS, SHA, Ministry of Health, CMA and College of Medicine. JOINT STATEMENT FROM SMA, CPSS, SRNA, SCPP AND PAS Use of Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®) and Azithromycin for COVID-19: During this time of unprecedented challenge and fast-moving information, we understand how difficult it is to keep up with all available evidence related to treatment of COVID-19. With the recent barrage of social media on the use of these two drugs for COVID-19 treatment, we want to be sure you are clear on the current evidence and related risks. Read full statement here. INFORMATION FROM SMA: Virtual Care Quick Start Guide to support you The Saskatchewan EMR Program has released a Virtual Care Quick Start Guide to support you in providing virtual consultations to your patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click here to access the guide. Please contact emr@sma.sk.ca with any questions. PEXIP video software training available The Saskatchewan EMR program is pleased to offer a series of WebEx training sessions for the video conferencing software PEXIP. Please see the attached schedule for more details. Please contact emr@sma.sk.ca with any questions. INFORMATION FROM CPSS: Please fax or call-in all prescriptions Physicians are strongly encouraged, whenever possible, to either fax prescriptions directly to pharmacies or call pharmacies to issue verbal orders instead of providing patients with paper copies. Verbal orders are currently permitted for all medications, including those listed on the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (e.g. narcotics, benzodiazepines), per Health Canada’s exemption (see Health Canada’s exemption). Providing patients with paper copies of prescriptions (from clinics or facilities) increases the risk of forgeries and in our current environment, may increase the risk of viral transmission through increased direct interactions between patients and front-line pharmacy staff and via potential surface contact. A recent correspondence in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that viral viability on various surfaces may be significant (e.g. 8 hours on cardboard)1. Please help to reduce exposure to front-line health care workers by faxing prescriptions or providing verbal orders for prescriptions. - van Doremalen, et al. Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1. N Engl J Med. Available from: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?articleTools=true
INFORMATION FROM THE SHA: New testing, screening and medical directives resources for COVID-19 New resources have been added to the Testing, Screening and Medical Directives section on the Information for Health Care Providers webpage at saskatchewan.ca/covid19-providers. Click here to view all Testing, Screening and Medical Directives. COVID-19 Testing Sites — How to Refer Testing sites for COVID-19 have been established across the province. Testing sites are by referral only. Family physicians can find information on how to refer to these sites, as well as contact information at COVID-19 Testing Sites – How to Refer webpage. - Saskatoon: Fax 306-655-0210
- Regina: Fax 306-751-5259
INFORMATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH: Fourteen New, Confirmed COVID-19 Cases in Saskatchewan (News Release) As of March 25, 2020, the province of Saskatchewan has 14 new, confirmed cases of COVID-19, bringing the total to 86 confirmed cases. - Four cases are as a result of local transmission. The rest are travel-related.
- There are currently four hospitalizations related to COVID-19.
- Four are 19 years of age and under, 69 are between the ages of 20 and 64, and 13 are 65 years and older.
- 57 per cent of the cases are males and 43 per cent are females.
Please view the full release for more information including returning retired healthcare providers, and a listing of flights that had a confirmed case of COVID-19 identified onboard. INFORMATION FROM CMA: Evidence-based COVID-19 resources from CMA, Joule and CMAJ Past public health crises have shown that medical professionals must work together to implement successful infection prevention and control measures. The CMA and its subsidiaries are keeping a close eye on developments ― working with partners at the World Health Organization, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Council of Chief Medical Officers of Health ― to keep you informed of important changes and events as they happen. Consult the pages below for trustworthy resources and guidelines on COVID-19 (updated regularly): INFORMATION FROM THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE: College of Medicine committed to advancing learners The College of Medicine (CoM) is working with our learners, physician educators, and the University of Saskatchewan to ensure our fourth-year medical doctor students graduate and our undergraduate and postgraduate learners advance to their next year. It is more critical than ever that we support our learners in completing their training and education so the flow of new doctors into the workforce is not interrupted. The CoM is committed to working with clinicians and clinician leaders so that medical learners participate in clinical settings appropriately in current and evolving circumstances. If you have any questions, please contact Ivan Muzychka at ivan.muzychka@sma.sk.ca or 306-281-4012. |