Development, implementation and impact of an immunoglobulin stewardship programme in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Background And Objectives: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is one of the most costly and limited-supply blood products. Judicious use of this therapy is important to ensure a continued supply is available for patients in need. The Saskatchewan IG Stewardship Program was initiated to monitor and reduce inappropriate IG use.

Determining the validity of non-invasive spot-check hemoglobin co-oximetry testing to detect anemia in postpartum women at a tertiary care centre, a prospective cohort study.

Background: Spot-check hemoglobin co-oximetry analyzers measure hemoglobin transcutaneously and offer the benefit of a hemoglobin measurement without phlebotomy. The objective of this study was to determine the validity of non-invasive spot-check hemoglobin co-oximetry testing for the detection of postpartum anemia (hemoglobin < 10 g/dL).

Methods: Five hundred eighty-four women aged 18 and over were recruited on postpartum day one following a singleton delivery.

Duration of peripheral intravenous catheter patency in children.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the impact of saline lock to running a slow continuous infusion to-keep-vein-open (TKVO) on the total time a peripheral intravenous (PIV) catheter remained patent.

Method: A retrospective chart review of all children admitted to the paediatric ward of a regional hospital in Saskatchewan December 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014. Characteristics of patients with PIV catheters were abstracted from the health records, including patient size, catheter size and site, and total time each PIV catheter spent (i) infusing therapeutic fluids or medications, (ii) running a TKVO infusion, or (iii) saline locked.

Examination of a Canadian provincial prenatal HIV screening program: 2010 to 2014.

Objectives: Universal prenatal screening in the Canadian province of Alberta employs an 'opt-out' HIV screening strategy. We examined all women giving birth in the province and determined the frequency and characteristics of women having and not having HIV screening.

Methods: All livebirths in Alberta from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014 were compiled from the Vital Statistics database and linked to HIV screening data to determine maternal demographic and prenatal care characteristics.

Long-Term Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Renal Outcomes at a Community-Based Publicly Funded Bariatric Program: The Regina Bariatric Study.

Background: Obesity is recognized as an independent risk factor for chronic kidney disease through multiple direct and indirect biological pathways. Bariatric surgery is a proven, effective method for sustained weight loss. However, there is a relative paucity of data on the impact of bariatric surgery on renal outcomes.

Central Blood Pressure and Pulse Wave Velocity Changes Post Renal Denervation in Patients With Stages 3 and 4 Chronic Kidney Disease: The Regina RDN Study.

Background: Central aortic blood pressures and arterial stiffness are better indicators of cardiovascular outcomes than brachial blood pressures. However, their response to renal denervation (RDN) in patients with Stage 3 and Stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not yet been examined.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of RDN on central blood pressures (CBP), brachial (office and ambulatory) blood pressures, arterial stiffness, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), 24-hour urine protein, and selective cardiac parameters observed on echocardiograms.

Successful Use of Renal Denervation in Patients With Loin Pain Hematuria Syndrome-The Regina Loin Pain Hematuria Syndrome Study.

Introduction: Loin pain hematuria syndrome (LPHS) is characterized by severe unilateral or bilateral loin pain that suggests a renal origin but occurs in the absence of identifiable or relevant urinary tract disease. Hematuria can either be microscopic or macroscopic, but the renal abnormalities responsible for the hematuria are unexplained. Debilitating pain refractory to conventional pain medications is the main cause of morbidity.