Commentary on the adoption of a test-based versus syndromic-based approach to outbreak declaration and management in hospital and institutional settings.

At present, Ontario, like most other jurisdictions in Canada, uses a syndromic-based surveillance definition for acute respiratory infection (ARI) outbreaks in institutions and public hospitals. Confirmed outbreaks are defined as either two or more ARIs in 48 hours with any common epidemiological link and at least one that is laboratory-confirmed; or three cases of ARIs occurring within 48 hours with any common epidemiological link, and not necessarily with lab confirmation. However, with the adoption of broader test-based approaches for sick patients/residents throughout the pandemic, new challenges have surfaced regarding the declaration and management of ARI outbreaks with a variety of scenarios in respiratory testing results.

Factors affecting pain in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Despite being an important non-motor symptom of PD, pain remains largely understudied in PD patients. Experiencing symptoms of pain is highly disruptive of general functioning, as it may hinder both physical prowess and psychological well-being. Although pain is prevalent in the otherwise healthy geriatric population, its increased presence in PD, and the difficulty it poses when combined with other hallmark motor symptoms necessitates further investigation.