Clostridium difficile infection in rural Ontario: a retrospective multisite population-based study.

Introduction: We conducted a retrospective, population-based study to assess the prevalence of Clostridium difficile infections and the associated risk factors among inpatients and outpatients in our region.

Methods: We used laboratory data over a 2-year period to identify inpatient and outpatient cases of C. difficile infection.

Evaluation of an inpatient medical withdrawal program in rural Ontario: a 1-year prospective study.

Introduction: We present a 1-year program evaluation of the Medical Withdrawal Support Service (MWSS) provided at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. The centre's service area includes 4 rural municipalities and 28 First Nations communities. The program involves inpatient detoxification for opioid dependence with the use of buprenorphine-naloxone.

Narcotic tapering in pregnancy using long-acting morphine: an 18-month prospective cohort study in northwestern Ontario.

Objective: To document the management of and outcomes for patients receiving narcotic replacement and tapering with long-acting morphine preparations during pregnancy.

Design: A prospective cohort study over 18 months.

Setting: Northwestern Ontario.

Incidence of narcotic abuse during pregnancy in northwestern Ontario: three-year prospective cohort study.

Objective: To document the incidence and outcomes of narcotic use during pregnancy in northwestern Ontario.

Design: Three-year prospective cohort study.

Setting: Sioux Lookout and surrounding communities in northwestern Ontario.

Invasive CA-MRSA in northwestern Ontario: a 2-year prospective study.

Introduction: Northwestern Ontario has a documented high rate of skin and soft-tissue infections due to community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA). Recently, invasive illness from this common pathogen has become a serious clinical problem in the region. We sought to better understand this trend of invasive CA-MRSA.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in northwest Ontario: A five-year report of incidence and antibiotic resistance.

Background: The incidence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) is traditionally high in remote areas of Canada with large Aboriginal populations. Northwestern Ontario is home to 28,000 First Nations people in more than 30 remote communities; rates of CA-MRSA are unknown.

Objective: To determine the CA-MRSA rates and antibiotic susceptibilities in this region.