Opioid-related emergency department visits and deaths after a harm-reduction intervention: a retrospective observational cohort time series analysis.

Background: To date, there has been little research on the effect of safe consumption site and community-based naloxone programs on regional opioid-related emergency department visits and deaths. We sought to determine the impact of these interventions on regional opioid-related emergency department visit and death rates in the province of Alberta.

Methods: We used a retrospective observational design, via interrupted time series analysis, to assess municipal opioid-related emergency department visit volume and opioid-related deaths (defined by poisoning and opioid use disorder).

Emergency Department Pediatric Visits in Alberta for Cannabis After Legalization.

Background And Objectives: Canada legalized nonmedical cannabis possession and sale in October 2018. In the United States, state legalization has been tied to an increase in cannabis-related emergency department (ED) visits; however, little research exists on provincial changes in pediatric visits after nationwide legislation. We compared pre- and postlegalization trends in pediatric cannabis-related ED visits and presentation patterns in urban Alberta EDs.

Impact of an emergency department opioid prescribing guideline on emergency physician behaviour and incidence of overdose in the Saskatoon Health Region: a retrospective pre-post implementation analysis.

Background: Deaths related to opioid overdoses are increasing in North America, with the emergency department being identified as a potential contributor toward this epidemic. Our goal was to determine whether a departmental guideline for the prescribing of restricted medications resulted in a reduction in opioids prescribed in a Canadian setting, with a secondary objective of determining the impact on local overdose frequency.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the prescribing habits of emergency department physicians in 3 hospitals in the Saskatoon Health Region, Saskatchewan, before (Nov.

Residents' perspective of quality improvement and patient safety education in Canadian emergency medicine residency programs.

Objectives: Quality improvement and patient safety (QIPS) competencies are increasingly important in emergency medicine (EM) and are now included in the CanMEDS framework. We conducted a survey aimed at determining the Canadian EM residents' perspectives on the level of QIPS education and support available to them.

Methods: An electronic survey was distributed to all Canadian EM residents from the Royal College and Family Medicine training streams.

A transparent and defensible process for applicant selection within a Canadian emergency medicine residency program.

Objectives: The Canadian Resident Matching Service (CaRMS) selection process has come under scrutiny due to the increasing number of unmatched medical graduates. In response, we outline our residency program's selection process including how we have incorporated best practices and novel techniques.

Methods: We selected file reviewers and interviewers to mitigate gender bias and increase diversity.

An Assessment of Handover Culture and Preferred Information in the Transitions of Care of Elderly Patients.

Introduction Transitions of care for elderly patients in long term care (LTC) to the emergency department (ED) is fraught with communication challenges. Information preferred during these transitions has not been agreed upon. We sought to understand our local handover culture and identify what information is preferred in the transitions of care of these patients.

Deletion of the Toll-Like Receptor 5 Gene Per Se Does Not Determine the Gut Microbiome Profile That Induces Metabolic Syndrome: Environment Trumps Genotype.

Over the past decade, emerging evidence has linked alterations in the gut microbial composition to a wide range of diseases including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the major mediators for the interactions between gut microbiota and host innate immune system, which is involved in the localization and structuring of host gut microbiota. A previous study found that TLR5 deficient mice (TLR5KO1) had altered gut microbial composition which led to the development of metabolic syndrome including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance and increased adiposity.

Consumption of acidic water alters the gut microbiome and decreases the risk of diabetes in NOD mice.

Infant formula and breastfeeding are environmental factors that influence the incidence of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) as well as the acidity of newborn diets. To determine if altering the intestinal microbiome is one mechanism through which an acidic liquid plays a role in T1D, we placed non-obese diabetic (NOD)/ShiLtJt mice on neutral (N) or acidified H2O and monitored the impact on microbial composition and diabetes incidence. NOD-N mice showed an increased development of diabetes, while exhibiting a decrease in Firmicutes and an increase in Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria from as early as 2 weeks of age.