Fentanyl a growing problem with more overdose deaths in Kootenay-Boundary in 2016
The deadly problem with fentanyl overdoses grew in 2016 in the Kootenay-Boundary, but it is still lower than the regional and provincial rate, says an Interior Health official. Gillian Frosst, epidemiologist with Interior Health, said the fentanyl problem is growing more common in the Kootenay-Boundary region, and it increased in 2016.
21 flu-related deaths at IH care facilities, outbreaks in Trail and Castlegar
Influenza outbreaks are plaguing longterm care facilities in the Interior Health region, including ones in Castlegar and Trail, according to Pamela De Bruin, IH manager for Communicable Diseases and Immunization Programs....
Funding freeze on for new facilities as IHA moves primary care into households: Cusden
The best way to improve health care delivery in Nelson is not by enhancing its health care facilities, but by keeping potential patients in their homes, says the interim health service administrator for the Interior Health Authority. Jane Cusden told city council on Monday that the IHA directive for the mostly rural service...
Local Alzheimer's programming to be available in the New Year
The New Year is fast approaching, and the Alzheimer Society of BC wants Kootenay/Boundary residents to be aware of services that will be available in 2017. “We will be offering several workshops for families living with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia in the New Year,” said local support and education coordinator Julie Leffelaar. Highlights of programming […]
Illicit drug death numbers hit new record
The month of November brought the highest number of illicit drug deaths in B.C. for a single month in recent memory, according to the latest statistics from the BC Coroners Service. Provisional data shows that a total of 128 persons died as a result of illicit drug use during November, an average of more than four a day. The...
Interior Health year in review: Message from Board Chair Erwin Malzer
This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior Health. In an effort to decrease demand on hospital and residential services, we continue to shift our focus to integrated primary and ...
Radon testing available for Trail residents and public buildings
Interior Health has donated 44 radon kits to the Trail Area Health and Environment Committee (THEC) and City of Trail to springboard a campaign to encourage homeowners and municipalities to test their buildings for radon before the end of 2016. “Everyone should get their home tested. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer […]
Daily reminders to increase calcium intake are effective
UBC researchers have demonstrated that simple, cost-effective email messages can help improve the health habits of Canadians. Mary Jung, an assistant professor of health and exercise sciences at UBC's Okanagan campus, recently completed a nationwide study with more than 730 Canadians who were not meeting Canada’s recommended...
Castlegar residents get Naloxone information session
A Naloxone information session Wednesday at the Community Harvest Food Bank and Drop-in Centre saw roughly 25 people showing up to learn how to use the kits to help save someone in an opioid-overdose situation. (Naloxone is an injectible drug that reverses the effect of opioids such as fentanyl and has proved very successful...
Last week brings BC highest number of 911 overdose calls ever recorded
B.C. paramedics and dispatchers will be getting much-needed support from the provincial government in the face of the province's opioid overdose crisis, with a $5-million injection of funding for BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), Health Minister Terry Lake announced Friday. Over the last week, B.C. had the highest number...
