This sheet provides general skin care instructions for after a vulvar biopsy or vulvar excision.
Incision care, pain management, how to position your bed after surgery, and instructions for activity and diet are listed. A list of symptoms that need the attention of your surgeon, a list of important phone numbers, and information about your post-operative appointment are also provided. The French version of this pamphlet 2184, "Après votre opération de la thyroïde à l’hôpital général de Dartmouth", is also available.
Angioplasty of the leg (also called a balloon procedure) is a procedure done to open narrowed arteries in your leg. It may be done to slow or stop you from having bypass surgery (surgery to help blood get past a blockage). This pamphlet explains: why you need this procedure, steps of the procedure, what a stent is, risks, how to prepare for surgery, and what recovery will be like after surgery. The French version of this pamphlet 1791, "Angioplastie des artères de jambe (intervention par ballon…
HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. Unlike some other viruses, the human body cannot get rid of HIV. This means that once you have HIV, you will have it for life. AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) happens when HIV destroys your immune system, leading to serious and life-threatening infections and cancers. An HIV test only checks for HIV. It does not test for AIDS. This pamphlet explains how HIV is spread, the pros and cons of being tested for HIV, how an HIV test is done, and w…
Blepharitis is a chronic inflammation of the eyelids. This pamphlet provides a list of signs and symptoms. Topics include how blepharitis is treated, cleaning your eyelids, and relieving symptoms.
This pamphlet provides blood collection tips for parents. Images of back-to-chest and chest-to-chest comfort hold techniques are included. Please note that some Nova Scotia Health Authority blood collection sites are not able to collect blood from patients under 12 years old. Visit www.nshealth.ca/blood-collection for more info. The French version of this pamphlet 2149, "Conseils aux parents pour les prises de sang : Pathologie et médecine de laboratoire", is also available.
This pamphlet is a breast reconstruction guidebook. Your health care team will fill out the pamphlet with your appointments and breast cancer summary. They will also write summaries of the initial, secondary, and nipple/areola breast reconstructions. The pamphlet explains how to care for the drainage tube, how to empty the drain, and when the drains will be removed. Post-mastectomy and post-breast reconstruction draining schedule charts are included. The pamphlet describes signs of infection or…
Cancer patients and survivors can be frustrated by the mental cloudiness they notice before, during, and after cancer treatment. This common cancer side effect is called Brain Fog or Chemo Brain. The term Chemo Brain can be misleading as chemotherapy is not the only cause of concentration and memory problems. This pamphlet explains what brain fog is, what causes it, the risk factors for brain fog, and what you can do to manage it. A list of resources for further information is included.
Diagnostic imaging tests take pictures of the inside of your body. These tests include X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, nuclear medicine scans, ultrasounds, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Topics include: why you may need to have a test, whether you can have a different test that does not use radiation, how much radiation is safe during pregnancy, who will do your test, asking questions, what to do if you refuse to have the test, and what to do if you find out you are pregnant afte…
This double-sided instruction sheet outlines needed equipment and gives step-by-step procedures to help you change a one-piece colostomy/ileostomy pouch. Contact information for the NSWOC (Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence) Clinic is included.
This double-sided instruction sheet outlines needed equipment and gives step-by-step procedures to help you change a two-piece colostomy/ileostomy pouch. Contact information for the NSWOC (Nurses Specialized in Wound, Ostomy and Continence) Clinic is included.
CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is used to treat Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This pamphlet lists things to remember when choosing a CPAP provider. The pamphlet includes information on what a good provider will do when you start CPAP, CPAP equipment, and what to expect for good follow-up care once you have started treatment.
At Mental Health and Addictions, we encourage you to involve people who support you in your treatment and recovery. Your Circle of Support is the loved ones who you have chosen to support you. Your Circle of Care is the members of your health care team who are involved in your care. Sharing information with people in your Circle of Support and Circle of Care can improve your care experience and make the quality of care you receive better. This pamphlet explains how your personal information is …
As part of your care, you may be provided supports and services offered by Nova Scotia Health Continuing Care and/or contracted service providers. It is important that you have the information you need to make informed decisions while receiving Continuing Care services. This pamphlet explains what you can expect in terms of quality care, dignity and respect, your plan of care, service decisions, your privacy, safety, and fees for service. Contact information for the Nova Scotia Health Patient/F…
This list will help you manage your health when you leave the hospital. Topics include your discharge conversation, medications, and follow-up appointments. Information on what to do if your symptoms get worse is provided. Resources for COVID-19, mental health and addictions, financial programs and services, and other helpful resources are listed. A list of questions you may have for your health care team before leaving the hospital is included. There is space at the end of the guide to write y…
This pamphlet is for people that are admitted to the hospital with COVID-19. Topics include: What is COVID-19 (SARS-CoV2), how does COVID-19 spread, what to expect while admitted with COVID-19, personal belongings and visitor restrictions, self-proning instructions, and what to eat and drink as you recover from COVID-19. A resource for COVID-19 recovery information is also listed.
Step-by-step instructions are provided to collect a creatinine urine (pee) specimen. Contact information for blood collection clinic hours and addresses, and to book a blood collection appointment is included.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used to help treat conditions like Parkinson’s disease (PD), essential tremor, dystonia (movement disorders), and some other neurological disorders. This pamphlet explains whether you may be a candidate for DBS, the stages of surgery, what will happen after surgery, and care required at home are outlined. A list of symptoms that require immediate medical attention is provided. Information on living with a DBS system is included. If you are ever admitted to a hosp…
Esophagitis is inflammation or irritation of the esophagus (the tube through which food passes when we swallow). It is a side effect that you may experience if your radiation therapy treatments are given to the throat, chest, or breast. You may experience heartburn or a “lump” in your esophagus, the feeling that food is stuck in your esophagus, pain, or difficulty swallowing certain foods. This pamphlet gives tips that may help your esophagitis, information about the Esophageal Soft Diet, and h…
The exercises in this guide will help you improve the range of motion (ROM) and strength in your neck and shoulder muscles after your neck surgery. Illustrations showing how to do each exercise are included.