If you or your loved one has been diagnosed with diabetes (type 1 or 2) or gestational (during pregnancy) diabetes, a diabetes centre can help you. This pamphlet answers common questions about the diabetes centres in some Western Zone locations.
This pamphlet gives information on what to expect before you book an appointment at your collaborative family practice. Information on what to do when you are not able to book an appointment is also listed.
This pamphlet explains the care offered at mobile primary care clinics in Lunenburg county and Queens county. These clinics do not offer emergency services. If it is an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department right away.
Your doctor has talked to you about stereotactic radiation therapy. This therapy allows high dose radiation beams to be focused on a small area. This pamphlet explains how to get ready for your treatment, what will happen during your treatment, how many treatments you will need, and what will happen after your treatments are finished. The phone number for the Patient Line at the QEII Cancer Centre is given.
This pamphlet is for patients who are beginning dialysis. It explains what to expect when starting hemodialysis, common questions you may have, your hemodialysis schedule, and your hemodialysis health care team. Information about Patient Rights and Responsibilities, Patient Relations, and Ethics is included. The pamphlet also includes a list of resources and words you may hear during your treatment. A blank Hemodialysis Care Plan, Hemodialysis Tracking Sheet, and Hemodialysis checklist are also…
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…
This sheet provides general skin care instructions for after a vulvar biopsy or vulvar excision.
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…
L'angioplastie des artères de jambe (également appelée intervention par ballonnet) est une intervention destinée à ouvrir les artères rétrécies de votre jambe. Elle peut être pratiquée pour ralentir ou empêcher la nécessité d'un pontage (opération visant à aider le sang à franchir un blocage). Le présent dépliant explique pourquoi vous avez besoin de cette intervention, les étapes de l’intervention, ce qu’est une endoprothèse (un « stent »), les risques de l’angioplastie, les façons de se prépa…
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…
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…
Dans le cadre de vos soins, vous pouvez bénéficier du soutien et des services offerts par les soins continus de Santé Nouvelle-Écosse ou par des fournisseurs de services contractuels. Il est important que vous disposiez de l'information nécessaire pour prendre des décisions éclairées lorsque vous recevez des services de soins continus. Ce dépliant explique ce à quoi vous attendre en matière de qualité des soins, de dignité et de respect, de plan de soins, de décisions relatives aux services, de…
VIH signifie virus de l’immunodéficience humaine. Contrairement à d’autres virus, le corps ne peut pas se débarrasser du VIH. Le SIDA (syndrome d’immunodéficience acquise) survient lorsque le VIH détruit le système immunitaire, ce qui entraîne des infections et des cancers graves et potentiellement mortels. Le test de dépistage détecte uniquement le VIH, pas le SIDA. Ce dépliant explique ce qui suit : mode de propagation du VIH, avantages et inconvénients du test de dépistage, procédure du test…
This pamphlet provides space for you to record important health information related to your diabetes. You should bring this record with you each time you visit your primary health care provider or the Diabetes Management Centre. Things you can do to best manage your diabetes are listed. Contact information is also provided.
The Opioid Recovery Program (ORP) is for people who are addicted to opioids. We provide: opioid maintenance therapy (methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone), programs in physical health (like the Chronic Pain Clinic, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy) and mental health (like the Recovery Support Program, addictions counselling). This pamphlet explains how to access the ORP, what will happen after you talk to the MHA Intake Service, how to get ready for your first appointment and what to brin…
Opioid medications are analgesics (painkillers), commonly known as narcotics. They are used to manage severe pain. This pamphlet explains when to take them, what to do if you miss a dose, special precautions, common side effects, and a list of symptoms that require immediate medical attention. Common concerns about tolerance, dependence, and addiction are explained. Instructions for storing opioids are given.
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.
This pamphlet explains how Occupational Therapy Services can help you to review, prescribe, and choose a wheelchair or scooter. It also explains what to expect as you have different appointments, including an assessment (review of your needs), a trial (to try out a wheelchair or scooter that is close to what is right for you), completing your wheelchair or scooter prescription, wheelchair or scooter set-up, and wheelchair skills training. Information about the cost of Occupational Therapy Servi…
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.
Falls among older adults are a common problem. Up to half of residents in long-term care may fall each year. This pamphlet explains situations when most falls happen, what raises your risk of falling, and what staff in the Veterans' Memorial Building may ask you to do while living in this unit to prevent falls from happening.