Unit 7.4 is a 33-bed unit caring for people with stroke and other problems of the brain and nervous system. Basic information is given about the unit for you and your loved ones. Topics include: Home First and discharge planning, important telephone numbers, your health care team, visitors, parking, food and drink, personal belongings, waiting rooms, and places to stay in Halifax. Space is provided at the end of the pamphlet for you to write down the names of important members of your health ca…
During a PFO or an ASD closure, a puncture (small hole) is made in your groin so that the doctor can put a special catheter (tube) into your vein. A special closure device is put through the catheter and carefully moved to the right spot in your heart. The doctor watches this process on monitors. It then opens up and covers both sides of the hole in your heart. What to bring to the hospital, what to expect before, during and after the procedure are reviewed. Details are given about how to care…
If you have a hereditary bleeding disorder and infuse factor products at home, this pamphlet will be given to you with instructions for when and where you can pick up products. Information on prescriptions and infusion records is also provided.
A spinal anesthetic is a type of anesthesia (freezing medication). It is used for surgeries on the lower part of your body (stomach and below). This pamphlet explains what a spinal anesthetic is, if it will hurt, if you will hear what is happening during your surgery, how a spinal anesthetic is different from a general anesthetic, the benefits and risks, if you can have a spinal anesthetic if you have a back problem, and if you can take pain medications with a spinal anesthetic. Information abo…
Steroid injections treat conditions that cause inflammation or swelling in the eye. Your eye doctor will talk with you about why you need this treatment. This pamphlet explains what to expect on the day of treatment, how the treatment is given, and what to expect after treatment. Instructions for using eye drops are given. A list of symptoms that need medical attention right away is included. The French version of this pamphlet 1743, "Injection de stéroïde pour l’oeil", is also available.
The Dr. Doug Watt Rehabilitation and Restorative Care Unit at Harbour View Hospital will help you become as independent as possible. What is expected of you, what to bring, what a usual day is like, who is on your health care team, visitor expectations, discharge planning, and other information is given.
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) is a common eye condition that can cause floaters (dots or spots) and flashes of light in your vision. PVD happens when your vitreous humor (a gel at the back of your eye) starts to shrink and becomes liquid. A healthy vitreous humour is attached to a part of your eye called the retina. When the vitreous humour shrinks, it can detach (come apart) from parts of the retina. This pamphlet explains what causes PVD, the symptoms of PVD, and how PVD is diagnosed an…
Brugada syndrome is a rare disease that can change your heart's electrical activity. With Brugada syndrome, the channels in your heart do not open and close the way they should. This can cause abnormal heart rhythms. These abnormal heart rhythems are dangerous. Your heart may beat so fast that it cannot pump blood out to your body. The abnormal heart rhythms can cause make you collapse (faint). If the rhythm does not stop, it can cause sudden death. The pamphlet provides the causes, symptoms, d…
You have been given this pamphlet because you or your loved one may need a blood transfusion. The health care team will explain the benefits and risks of a transfusion and what is involved. This pamphlet explains what a blood transfusion is, why you or your loved one may need a transfusion, what blood components and products are, where the blood comes from, informed consent, benefits, risks, and other options, and what will happen during and after the transfusion. Symptoms that need medical att…
Heart healthy eating means having a balance of nutritious whole foods in your meals. Healthy eating can help lower your risk of heart disease by improving your cholesterol levels, lowering your blood pressure, managing your body weight, and controlling your blood glucose (sugar). This pamphlet explains what you can do to eat heart healthy, including tips to help limit sodium (salt), sugar, and fat, and eat more fibre, fruits, and vegetables. Information on how to read a food label is given. A l…
Step-by-step instructions are given for collecting your urine (mid-stream). Locations for drop-offs are included.
This pamphlet explains the steps to hand express breast/chest milk (take milk from your breasts/chest). It is also called "manual expressing". Hand expression takes practice. It is important to learn how to hand express breast/chest milk in the first hours after your baby is born. Hand expressing helps you make milk and helps your milk come in (also called milk let-down) when you first start to breast/chest feed your baby. A video is listed to help you with the basics. Instructions for how to s…
IVIG is a collection of antibodies. Antibodies help your body fight infection. IVIG comes from the plasma (part of the blood) of thousands of different donors. IVIG is available under many brand names (like Gamunex®, IGIVnex®, Gammagard Liquid®, and others). This pamphlet explains how IVIG is given, benefits, and possible side effects.
This pamphlet explains what to expect after ear surgery and how to care for yourself at home. A list of symptoms that require you to call your doctor or visit the nearest Emergency Department are given.
Registered dietitians offer nutrition services across western Nova Scotia (Annapolis Valley, South Shore, and South West Nova Scotia). Topics include: services provided, nutrition education topics, and how you can get an appointment with a dietitian. If you want to refer yourself or a family member, call the dietitian nearest you to set up an appointment. A list of phone numbers is given.
This pamphlet explains how to use and care for your feeding tube. A sheet is given to write down your feeding tube information. Topics include: skin care, flushing your feeding tube, giving medications through the tube, a Medication Record, and what to do if you have a problem with your feeding tube. A page known as a Home Tube Feeding Record is given to write down the date, amount of formula, food record (if this applies to you), your weight, tube placement, length of tube from exit site, and …
During your surgery, you were given a medication that affects how well birth control medications work. It is important that you know this if you are on any type of hormonal contraceptive (birth control medication). Sugammadex (Bridion®) is a medication that helps you recover faster from the muscle relaxant used during your surgery. Sugammadex may lower how well your hormonal birth control works for 7 days (1 week). Use a back-up birth control method for at least 7 days after your surgery. If yo…
CPVT affects the way heart cell channels respond to adrenaline. It causes extra heartbeats to start in the bottom chambers of your heart. This can make the heart beat too fast. Your heart might beat so fast that it cannot pump blood out to your body. These abnormal heart rhythms can make you collapse (faint). If the rhythm does not stop, it can cause sudden death. The pamphlet provides the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatments, and activity guidelines. Further resources are also given.
When you are admitted to the hospital, you will be given an Estimated Date of Discharge (EDD). This date is when you can expect to go home, depending on how your health improves during your stay. It is important to start planning early for your discharge home. This pamphlet gives information about admission to a hospital inpatient unit, your health care team, what to expect each day, getting ready for discharge, and a list of important information. Information about patient/family feedback and …
During an image-guided core biopsy of the breast, a radiologist (a doctor who specializes in reading medical images like X-rays and ultrasounds) uses a needle to take small tissue samples from your breast. This pamphlet explains why you may need a core biopsy of the breast, how to get ready for this test, how the test is done, and what will happen after the test. Signs of an infection or that the puncture site is not healing well, and information about when you will get your results is included…