The Baby-Friendly Initiative (BFI) is an international program created to support parents, babies, and families by supporting families to make an informed decision about how they feed their baby, promoting practices that give parents and babies a healthy start, and protecting families from marketing pressures. All hospitals and public health units in Nova Scotia Health are working towards becoming designated as Baby-Friendly. The IWK became designated in 2019. This pamphlet explains what staff …
L’analgésie épidurale est une façon de vous administrer un médicament antidouleur après une opération. Elle peut vous procurer un meilleur soulagement que d'autres moyens de recevoir des médicaments antidouleur. Vous pouvez être plus alerte avec une analgésie épidurale qu'avec d'autres méthodes de maîtrise de la douleur. Elle peut également vous aider à recommencer à bouger après votre opération. La brochure traite des effets secondaires possibles d'une analgésie épidurale, de la douleur à laqu…
This pamphlet was created by the Cardiovascular Surgery Department at Nova Scotia Health to give you and your support persons information about getting heart surgery. It has information about what you can do before your surgery to help it go well, what will happen during your hospital stay, and what you can do after your surgery to have a good recovery. Topics include discharge (leaving the hospital) planning, your surgery timeline, your health care team, information about the heart and your su…
Si votre bébé est né par césarienne, vous pouvez quand même accoucher de votre prochain bébé par voie vaginale. On parle alors d’épreuve du travail après césarienne (EDTAC) ou d’accouchement vaginal après césarienne (AVAC). Ce dépliant présente ce qui favorise la sécurité et la réussite d’un AVAC, ainsi que les avantages et les risques d’un AVAC. ; This is a French translation of the English pamphlet 1847, “Options for Birth after Cesarean”. This pamphlet explains the options available to women…
Computed Tomography (CT) scans are images made by a computer and X-ray machine. CT scans give more detailed pictures of bones and soft tissue organs than regular X-rays. These images will help your doctor recommend the best treatment for you. Topics include: how you get ready for the scan, what happens during the scan, questions about breastfeeding after the scan, side effects, how long it will take, when to expect results, and where to send your feedback. A list of hospital contact info is pro…
Many people look for health information online. Using Google may give you lots of information, but it may not be the best information. The quality of information online varies. This pamphlet includes questions to ask about health-related websites, things to think about, and good starting points for online health information. The internet can be helpful, but it should never replace talking to your health care providers. They are the experts.
An elastomeric infusion pump is a lightweight disposable pump that may be used to give you medications. It is made of very hard plastic and looks like a baby bottle. This pump lets you receive medications safely and comfortably in your own home. This pamphlet explains what types of drugs can be given by an infusion pump, how an infusion pump works, whether you will still have to come to the hospital, how to carry and take care of the pump, whether you can bathe or shower with the pump, and how …
An epidural is a way to give you pain medication after surgery. This pamphlet explains why you may need an epidural, if you will still have pain with an epidural, and possible side effects. The French version of this pamphlet 2104, "Analgésie épidurale après une opération", is also available.
Patients and families living with head and neck cancers often feel like they are entering a maze when they begin the cancer care journey. Our team tries to give the best care possible for head and neck cancer patients and their families. We have a team of health care professionals who work together to plan your care. This pamphlet explains the role of the head and neck oncology case manager in your care. Contact information is included.
Heart healthy eating can help you feel good and give you energy. Eating more fibre and less fat can lower your risk of heart disease by helping control your weight, cholesterol, blood pressure, and diabetes. Eating less sodium (salt) can help manage heart failure and high blood pressure. This pamphlet explains how to eat heart healthy. Foods that are best choices and foods to avoid are listed. Information about fluid, portion size, omega-3 fatty acids, flaxseed, and eating out is included. A li…
This pamphlet lists the supplies you will need, and the steps to prepare and give yourself an injection of hydrocortisone.
Les gens s'attendent à recevoir des soins de santé en toute sécurité. Tous les jours, les prestataires de soins de santé travaillent fort pour offrir d'excellents soins de santé, en toute sécurité. Malgré tous nos efforts pour assurer votre sécurité, être à l'hôpital comporte des risques. Les patients peuvent, par exemple, faire une chute, contracter une infection, développer une plaie de pression (plaie de lit) ou recevoir la mauvaise dose d'un médicament. Ces événements sont appelés incidents…
There are 2 fully-equipped 1-bedroom Independent Living Simulation (ILS) suites on the 4th floor of the Nova Scotia Rehabilitation and Arthritis Centre. These suites are designed to give you or support persons practice independent or assisted living before you go home. This pamphlet explains the type of life skills that can be practiced in the suites and when the suites can be used. A description of each suite, North Suite and The MacKinnon Family Suite (South), is provided.
The Recovery Support Program is for people who are 19 years of age or older, have problems with substance use and/or gambling, want to stop or lower their substance use and/or gambling, and want to use substances and/or gamble more safely. This pamphlet explains how to start the program, what supports are included, and what the Recovery Support Skills Group is. Information about whom to call for support and how to give program feedback is also provided.
Many people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have anemia (not enough red blood cells or hemoglobin in the blood). Taking oral irons will give you enough iron to make hemoglobin. The pamphlet explains what oral irons are, how to take and store them, and possible side effects.
This guide has helpful information for you and/or your support person(s) about the Outpatient Withdrawal Management Service and what you can expect during the withdrawal process. This pamphlet describes withdrawal and symptoms. It also explains the benefits and risks in taking part in the program. Common questions are answered such as how long the process will take, what you can do to manage symptoms, things to avoid during treatment, and what will happen after the process is over. Benefits of …
This pamphlet will give you information to help you choose what pain relief options are right for you as you get ready for the birth of your baby. Every delivery is different, and not everyone will want or need the types of pain relief listed. If you have questions, talk with your doctor. If you plan to deliver vaginally, it is important to think about your plans for pain relief during labour. Even if you plan to deliver without pain relief medications, it is good to have a backup plan. Topics …
This pamphlet will give you information to help you choose what pain relief options are right for you as you get ready for the birth of your baby. Every delivery is different, and not everyone will want or need all of the options we describe. If you have any questions, please talk with your primary health care provider. If you plan to deliver vaginally, it is important to think about your plans for pain relief during labour. Even if you plan to deliver without pain relief medications, it is a g…
On the day of your surgery, you may be asked to give a urine (pee) sample for pregnancy testing. This pamphlet includes basic information about why you may need a pregnancy test, who is offered one, what will happen if you choose not have a test done, how to get ready for a pregnancy test, how a test is done, and what will happen after the test.
An Intermate® Infusion Pump is a lightweight disposable pump that may be used to give you medications at home. This pamphlet describes how the pump works, how to carry the pump, and how to use it at home.