At A Glance - July/August 2010
Highlights: [78.5 KB PDF]
Asthma sufferers at higher risk for other diseases that require medical care Two-thirds of radiology patients in Ontario not receiving follow-up CT or MRI scans Adults with newly diagnosed diabetes at increased risk for serious liver disease Interaction of antibiotic and common heart drugs putting seniors in hospital Ontarians with rheumatoid arthritis not receiving timely specialist care: POWER Study
At A Glance - June 2010
Highlights: [77.5 KB PDF]
Lack of primary care physicians putting Ontario's children at risk Risk-factor control edges out new therapies as source of CHD mortality decline Diabetes cases in Canada to increase by almost two million between 2007 and 2017 Adverse outcomes from joint replacement surgery not linked to provider volumes Heart failure patients discharged from ED at higher risk of early death than hospitalized patients
At A Glance - May 2010
Highlights: [78.2 KB PDF]
- Anti-smoking legislation has proven positive impact on health of Ontarians
- Despite aging population, fewer Ontarians being admitted to hospital with stroke or TIA
- Common blood thinner dangerous when combined with popular antibiotic
- Study compares cardiovascular risk profiles of Canada's major ethnic groups
- Recent immigrants at higher risk of developing diabetes
At A Glance - April 2010
Highlights: [78.5 KB PDF]
- Study finds many patients with stable angina improve with medicines alone
- At least one in 10 adults suffers from COPD but mortality rate declining
- One-quarter of Ontario nursing home residents visit the ED at least once in six months
- Ontario immigrants' duration of residence directly related to likelihood of preterm births
- With better palliative care, fewer emergency department visits possible for cancer patients
At A Glance - March 2010
Highlights: [82.7 KB PDF]
Popular antidepressant blocks life-saving benefits of tamoxifen in breast cancer patients Major complications after ICD implantation linked to increased mortality risk Urological infections a concern for men undergoing TRUS-guided prostate biopsy Simple tool identifies patients who may need closer monitoring after leaving hospital Off-label use of Avastin to treat macular degeneration mushrooming in Ontario
At A Glance - February 2010
Highlights: [78.5 KB PDF]
Ultrasound use soars for pregnant women, even in low-risk pregnancies Older patients with refractory depression may not be getting the treatment they need Low-risk patients do not benefit from cardiac stress testing before major surgery Physicians in non-fee-for-service practice models benefit most from primary care reforms One in three Ontarians at risk of being diagnosed with asthma
At A Glance - January 2010
Highlights: [79.1 KB PDF]
- Deaths related to narcotic pain relievers have doubled since 1991 in Ontario
- Women's lower rates of surgery after stroke explained by differences in disease severity
- Low-income Ontarians with diabetes have higher early death rates
- Cost of blood glucose test strips to top $500 million in Ontario by 2013
- Many Canadians feel their health care needs are not being met
At A Glance - December 2009
Highlights: [78.2 KB PDF]
Influenza vaccine safe for patients with myasthenia gravis Less than half of Ontarians with depression see a doctor for treatment: POWER Study Study identifies hospital markers linked to improved survival rates for heart attack patients Youth with diabetes likely to be hospitalized while transitioning to adult care One in four Ontario hospitals change cardiac care policies after public report cards released
At A Glance - November 2009
Highlights: [80.1 KB PDF]
Risk of abnormally slow heart rate twice as high in those taking drugs to slow dementia Study examines patterns of gynaecological cancer care in Ontario Blood pressure at hospital discharge a predictor of mortality in patients with heart failure Suboptimal medication adherence linked to increased mortality in patients with stents Study sets targets to make Ontario Canada's healthiest province
At A Glance - October 2009
Highlights: [76.6 KB PDF]
More educated patients have better access to specialist health care in Ontario Antipsychotic dispensing rates linked to increased risk of death for nursing home residents Patients with acute kidney injury more likely to need dialysis within five years POWER Study: Fewer than half of women with abnormal Pap tests receive follow-up care Study confirms sex bias in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator use
At A Glance - September 2009
Highlights: [79.4 KB PDF]
Popular diabetes medications have different rates of heart failure and death Mild glucose intolerance in pregnancy may signal increased cardiovascular risk in later life Study finds 50% increase in inflammatory bowel disease in Ontario children in past decade Risk factors for cardiovascular disease on the rise among Canada's young and poor Diabetic seniors taking antipsychotic drugs at higher risk of hospitalization for hyperglycemia
At A Glance - July/August 2009
Highlights: [81.7 KB PDF]
Canadian spending on heart drugs doubles to more than $5 billion a year Ontario women live longer but are sicker: Project for an Ontario Women's Health Evidence-based Report (POWER) study Household income influences risk of death in infants with complex medical conditions Physician visits made by asthma sufferers exposed to air pollution linked to income level Hip and knee replacement surgery saves the health system money
At A Glance - June 2009
Highlights: [81.9 KB PDF]
Heart attack patients not prioritized properly in Ontario emergency departments Study forecasts considerable increase in Ontarians needing dialysis services Primary care reform not solving healthcare access for the poor and chronically ill Mortality and hospitalization rates for cardiovascular diseases declining steadily in Canada Administrative data tool reveals more Ontario children being diagnosed with diabetes
At A Glance - May 2009
Highlights: [76.4 KB PDF]
Highly educated Ontarians have better access to psychiatric care Drug for enlarged prostate can cause complications after cataract surgery Serious adverse events linked to use of dementia drug in older adults Even mild blood sugar-level abnormalities during pregnancy increase type 2 diabetes risk Many patients who undergo incomplete colonoscopies receive suboptimal follow-up
At A Glance - April 2009
Highlights: [70 KB PDF]
Ontario achieves modest gains with universal influenza immunization program Anesthesia consultation before surgery reduces hospital stay Diabetic patients with heart disease receive more benefit from paclitaxel-eluting stents Statin therapy associated with reduced mortality at five years in heart failure patients Wealthier heart attack survivors more likely to make needed lifestyle changes
At A Glance - March 2009
Highlights: [70 KB PDF]
Wealthy Ontarians have better access to MRI scans Diabetes testing more common but its effectiveness questioned Risk of eye infection low after cataract surgery Audit finds major improvements in stroke care in Ontario Study questions use of expensive patient transfer resources for routine, non-urgent trips
At A Glance - February 2009
Highlights: [82.5 KB PDF]
Acid suppressants increase heart attack risk for patients taking popular cardiac drug Study measures impact of recurring hospitalizations for heart failure on mortality Cardiac rehabilitation services provide significant survival benefit to committed users Study finds a 10-year decline in Ontario hospitalizations for traumatic brain injury Electronic archiving systems have little impact on the frequency of duplicate diagnostic imaging
At A Glance - January 2009
Highlights: [94 KB PDF]
Study probes effectiveness of colonoscopy in identifying some colon cancers Residential environment has little effect on birthweight of children of recent immigrants Depression associated with significantly higher use of health services by heart attack survivors Health care utilization in Ontario increases significantly among older age groups Study identifies Canadians at greatest risk for colonoscopy complications
At A Glance - December 2008
Highlights: [80 KB PDF]
· Hernia surgery wait times increase risk for infants and young children· Universal access to chicken pox vaccine reduces burden on Ontario’s health care system
· Increasing access to antiplatelet drug improves cardiovascular outcomes
· Study finds significant regional variation in rates of diagnostic imaging across Ontario
· New cancer surgery atlas maps variations in patterns of care in Ontario
At A Glance - November 2008
Highlights: [81.5 KB PDF]
High risk of motor vehicle collisions for dementia patients on psychotropic medications Study questions the effectiveness of colonoscopy for the upper colon Tiotropium associated with improved survival in patients with COPD Free flu shots linked to fewer deaths and demands on the healthcare system in Ontario Prescribing patterns linked to age of heart attack survivors and to physician characteristics
At A Glance - October 2008
Highlights: [92 KB PDF]
Warfarin underused by patients at high risk for stroke Statin use in elderly patients linked to higher risk of delirium after surgery Attendance at diabetes education centres associated with access to regular primary care Study finds disparities in access to diagnostic imaging services among elderly Ontarians Surgeon's specialty a factor in repeat surgeries for women with ovarian cancer
At A Glance - September 2008
Highlights: [78 KB PDF]
No increase in cardiovascular risk detected for kidney donors in years following donation Seriously ill hospitalized patients unaffected by SARS restrictions in Toronto Flexible sigmoidoscopy of limited benefit in screening for cancers of the proximal colon Mechanically ventilated patients benefit from early tracheostomy Study shows epidural anaesthesia only slightly improves postoperative survival
At A Glance - July/August 2008
Highlights: [79 KB PDF]
· More family physicians needed to reduce visits to Ontario's emergency departments
· Study identifies hospital and patient variables associated with early vs. late stroke fatalities
· Ethnic minorities with diabetes less likely to receive eye examinations in Ontario
· Indications for and results of CT and MRI scans in Ontario examined
· Many elderly Ontarians with atherosclerosis not receiving necessary statin therapy
At A Glance - June 2008
Highlights: [85 KB PDF]
· Antipsychotic drugs prescribed for elderly patients with dementia may be dangerous
· Earlier predictions seriously underestimate the prevalence of hypertension by 2025
· Women with gestational diabetes at increased risk for cardiovascular disease after pregnancy
· Distinct age and sex differences evident in medicinal self-poisonings
· Study finds further opportunities to prevent hospital deaths following CAGB surgery
At A Glance - May 2008
Highlights: [81 KB PDF]
· Rise in prevalence of hypertension partly explained by decline in mortality
· Children of immigrants more likely to be immunized than children of non-immigrants
· Study finds risk of serious assault spikes with alcohol sales
· Some ACE inhibitors less beneficial in treating elderly patients with congestive heart failure
· Study describes indicators of aggressive end-of-life care among lung cancer patients
At A Glance - April 2008
Highlights: [77 KB PDF]
· Ezetimibe prescribing soars in the United States compared to Canada
· SSRI antidepressant use during pregnancy not a factor in postpartum hemorrhage
· Survivors of traumatic brain injury face increased risk of premature death
· Statins appear to exert class effect in patients with congestive heart failure
· Study finds regional mismatch between cardiologist supply and demand for cardiac services
At A Glance - March 2008
Highlights: [136 KB PDF]
· Scientists estimate expected survival time for patients suffering from heart failure
· Study suggests women with vulvar cancer may not be receiving optimal care
· Heart attack survivors who don’t fill prescriptions have increased risk of one-year mortality
· Drug history profiles based solely on provincial drug benefit claims likely to be incomplete
· Prescription cost-sharing adversely affects children’s use of asthma medication
At A Glance - February 2008
Highlights: [70 KB PDF]
· Physicians reluctant to report patients who are medically unfit to drive
· Women with diabetes experience higher mortality rates following breast cancer
· Study examines anticoagulation control and hospitalization in elderly patients
· Benefit of long-term cholinesterase inhibitor use for dementia patients questioned
· Value of cardiac troponin testing confirmed as a predictor of mortality in heart failure patients
At A Glance - January 2008
Highlights: [91 KB PDF]
· Over one in 10 elderly hypertensive Ontarians being prescribed beta blockers as initial therapy
· Low colorectal cancer detection rates support the need for an organized screening program
· Elderly COPD patients benefit significantly from combined generalist and specialist care
· Long-term statin use may be associated with decreased risk of bleeding in warfarin users
· Study reveals inequities among Ontario ICD recipients
At A Glance - December 2007
Highlights: [91 KB PDF]
· Thiazolidinedione therapy poses risks to older patients with diabetes
· Colorectal cancer screening rates are low across Ontario regions
· Study suggests similar hip fracture rates in older women using different bisphosphonates
· Ontario home care services are being used by those who most need them
· Ontario emergency departments should examine pediatric asthma management strategies
At A Glance - November 2007
Highlights: [78 KB PDF]
· Study examines the effects of age, gender and disease on defibrillator recipients
· Recent immigrant mothers experience higher risk of low birthweight infants
· Parents of asthmatic children are reliable reporters of emergency department visits
· ICES Atlas investigates the diabetes epidemic and Toronto neighbourhoods
· Elderly patients becoming chronic sleeping pill users following hospitalization
At A Glance - October 2007
Highlights: [124 KB PDF]
· Drug-coated heart stents found to be safe and effective in high-risk angioplasty patients
· Flu vaccination rates have doubled in the past decade, yet still fall short of national targets
· Ontario study finds barriers to biopsy use in diagnosing breast cancer
· Improving quality of care in long-term care hospitals is not always more costly
· Study examines the impact of obesity on chronic disease in Canadians
At A Glance - September 2007
Highlights: [79 KB PDF]
· Cataract surgery rates more than doubled in Ontario: demand still exceeds supply
· One in four elderly Ontarians with hypertension is prescribed unproven drug combinations
· Immigrant women not receiving adequate cervical cancer screening
· Inpatient smoking-cessation counseling is an underused intervention
· Better anticoagulation control needed for hospitalized patients
At A Glance - July/August 2007
Highlights: [79 KB PDF]
· Canada lags behind international community in strategies to reduce wait times
· Colonoscopies done in doctors' offices more likely to be incomplete
· TV advertising increases public awareness of stroke symptoms and ED visits for stroke
· Study examines patterns of health care use by youth and young adults with cerebral palsy
· SARS hospital restrictions decreased elective admissions, but also affected urgent services
At A Glance - June 2007
Highlights: [70 KB PDF]
· Ontario’s Wait Time Strategy shows no evidence of impact on other surgical procedure rates
· Emergency department use in the US and Ontario is very similar
· Recent immigrants to Ontario have fewer pregnancy complications
· Decreasing salt intake could reduce the number of Canadians with high blood pressure
· Socioeconomic status is linked to higher ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations in children
At A Glance - May 2007
Highlights: [72 KB PDF]
· Many nursing homes prescribe antipsychotic drugs to residents who don't need them
· Growth of cardiac technology in Ontario is outpacing scientific evidence
· Satellite haemodialysis units are effective for service delivery in rural Ontario
· Study explores depression, gender and income levels in recent Canadian immigrants
· Significant regional variation exists across Ontario for anti-reflux surgery to treat GERD
At A Glance - April 2007
Highlights: [78 KB PDF]
· Diabetes increases risk of hip fracture in the elderly by 20%
· Ontario EDs miss diagnosing 1 in 20 ruptured brain aneurysms
· Study shows impact of antidepressant warnings on prescribing trends
· Avoidable mortality reduced during first 25 years of universal health insurance
· Better anticoagulation control has health benefits for entire elderly population
At A Glance - March 2007
Highlights: [72 KB PDF]
· Ophthalmologists who perform more cataract surgeries have better patient outcomes
· Study examines upper GI bleeding following COX-2 inhibitor use in Ontario versus B.C.
· Calcium channel blockers may improve patient outcomes following stroke
· Parkinson’s patients still receiving older, typical antipsychotics, despite recommendations
· People with diabetes are being under treated for coronary risk
At A Glance - February 2007
Highlights: [79 KB PDF]
· More university-educated RNs and improved staff satisfaction could reduce hospital death rates
· Study examines health and life outcomes of youth and young adults with disabilities
· Care to Ontario heart attack patients is similar to certain regions of the U.S.
· Guns and knives responsible for over 40,000 trauma visits to Ontario emergency departments
· Certain factors predict whether colorectal cancer may be missed
At A Glance - January 2007
Highlights: [70 KB PDF]
· Study demonstrates need for comprehensive influenza immunization registry in Ontario
· ICU patients have increased risk of discontinuing medications for chronic conditions
· Study examines differences in statin prescriptions between Ontario and BC
· EDs that treat more heart attack patients are less likely to miss the diagnosis
· Nurse-performed screening program for colorectal cancer can be safe and effective
At A Glance - December 2006
Highlights: [71 KB PDF]
· ACE inhibitors associated with reduced risk of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm
· Continuity of physician care is not likely to reduce the volume of lab tests
· Recommendations for establishing an Ontario Citizens' Council to guide drug policy
· Restrictions on elective hospital admissions may be insufficient to meet demand in pandemic
· ICES Primary Care Atlas most comprehensive report of its kind in Ontario
At A Glance - November 2006
Highlights: [71 KB PDF]
· ICES study shows ED waiting times and crowding not affected by patients with minor ailments
· Addition of diagnostic imaging equipment in rural areas improves local health care
· PPIs do not raise risk of hospitalization for C. difficile in elderly patients taking antibiotics
· Many elderly diabetes patients not receiving recommended drugs
· Study compares treatment outcomes for achalasia patients
At A Glance - October 2006
Highlights: [104 KB PDF]
· Joint replacement surgery wait times impacted by patients’ willingness to have procedure
· Women newly-diagnosed with diabetes are more likely to have a history of breast cancer
· Analysis reveals important lessons about cross-provincial drug plan research
· Initial, confidential CABG report cards had biggest impact on reducing mortality rates
· ICES report examines the burden of asthma in the under 40 population
At A Glance - September 2006
Highlights: [66 KB PDF]
· Different form of heart failure found to be common and deadly
· Local availability of rheumatologists affects specialist utilization by arthritis patients
· Study shows no significant difference among ACE inhibitors for heart attack patients
· ICES report examines state of primary care services for specific patient populations
· Mortality of patients on life support does not differ by hospital volume
At A Glance - July/August 2006
Highlights: [455 KB PDF]
· Significant proportion of Ontario cancer patients have poor quality end-of-life care
· Clinical trials that use acronyms are cited more often
· Study identifies performance measures for emergency department care for children
· ICES report presents in-depth look at primary care across the life-cycle
· Landmark report examines influence of geography on heart disease patients across Canada
At A Glance - June 2006
Highlights: [465 KB PDF]
· Study shows wide disparities in effectiveness of anti-smoking laws across Canada
· Mental health care use is unequal between socioeconomic groups
· Women and low income earners more likely to have dangerous colorectal cancer complications
· Wait times not growing, but inequities still exist, ICES report shows
· Physician prescribing patterns are improving for diabetes patients with hypertension
At A Glance - May 2006
Highlights: [647 KB PDF]
· SSRI antidepressants associated with increased risk of suicide in first month of therapy
· Women with diabetes may have increased risk of breast cancer
· Ontario's universal influenza program having a positive impact on vaccination rates
· ICES report shows Ontario's health information is in need of urgent upgrades
· Prescribing of Alzheimer's drugs varies among Canadian family physicians despite guidelines
At A Glance - April 2006
Highlights: [646 KB PDF]
· Common antibiotic can cause potentially fatal blood sugar abnormalities
· Spironolactone often prescribed to inappropriate heart failure patients
· Low-risk chest pain patients may not benefit from electrocardiographic monitoring
· New cervical cancer treatment recommendations have changed practice in Ontario
· Pregestational diabetes becoming more common in Ontario women
At A Glance - March 2006
Highlights: [66 KB PDF]
· Increases in cardiac tests outpacing growth of heart disease
· Immunizations not up-to-date in many Ontario two-year-olds
· Statins may help to protect heart disease patients against sepsis
· Ontarians with depression have equitable access to mental health services
· Acne patients in lower income groups less likely to be referred to dermatologists
At A Glance - February 2006
Highlights: [65 KB PDF]
· ICES report provides in-depth look at physician services in rural and Northern Ontario
· Traditional risk factors more influential than SES in explaining differences in heart attack mortality
· Adults with disabilities from childhood require improved processes of care
· Blood sugar control better for persons with diabetes who receive specialist care
· Suicidal individuals without depression require better contact with mental health professionals
At A Glance - January 2006
Highlights: [68 KB PDF]
· Paper discusses current challenges facing diagnostic imaging sector
· More people with diabetes negates gains from reduced cardiovascular complications
· Metabolic problems increase risk of pregnancy complications
· Rural family medicine programs growing, but curriculums not adhering to guidelines
· Women may require more information for stroke care decision-making
At A Glance - December 2005
Highlights: [67 KB PDF]
· Certain pregnancy complications may increase the risk of heart disease in women
· Use of CT and MRI scans increased at a greater rate in non-cancer patients
· Depression during hospitalization for coronary syndromes can impact mortality rates
· Study highlights important differences in heart failure care between the U.S. and Ontario
· Elderly have increased use of EDs during flu outbreaks
At A Glance - November 2005
Highlights: [72 KB PDF]
· Short-acting beta-blockers associated with less cardiac protection for surgery patients
· Outcomes improving for colorectal cancer surgery patients
· Social policy changes should better evaluate potential health effects
· Breast cancer screening less likely in women with diabetes
· Newer atypical antispychotics can also cause parkinsonism
At A Glance - October 2005
Highlights: [72 KB PDF]
· ICES report identifies most at-risk group for injuries in Ontario
· Heart failure patients at highest risk of death are least likely to get drug treatment
· Some stroke outcomes are worse for women than for men
· Study outlines what attracts urban- and rural-raised family physicians to rural practice
· Antipsychotic use in the elderly up 35%, but costs up 749%
At A Glance - September 2005
Highlights: [67 KB PDF]
· ICES report outlines latest trends in Ontario primary care services
· Antipsychotics increase risk of movement disorders in dementia patients
· Various statins equally effective for preventing recurrent heart attacks or death in the elderly
· Study demonstrates which groups are more likely to get colorectal cancer screening
· Obese people at greater risk for GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
At A Glance - July/August 2005
Highlights: [65 KB PDF]
· Trauma injury risk is higher in summer for pregnant women
· Population-based study demonstrates striking seasonality of croup hospitalizations in Ontario
· Osteoporosis diagnosis and testing improvements reducing fracture rates in the elderly
· Stroke-on-awakening and stroke-while-awake patients have similar outcomes
· Valproate and lithium cause equally small rate of delirium in older adults with mood disorders
At A Glance - June 2005
Highlights: [80 KB PDF]
· Ontario facing critical shortage of neurosurgery specialists
· Stopping warfarin therapy after major trauma may increase risk of blood clots in the elderly
· Introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy has lowered incidence of severe gallstone disease
· Alternative funding arrangements (AFAs) have not led to big changes in ED physician workforce
· Socioeconomic status not associated with mortality in elderly pneumonia patients
At A Glance - May 2005
Highlights: [77 KB PDF]
· New cholesterol guidelines will cost health care system millions in unnecessary prescriptions
· Hospital type and delays to surgery impact outcomes for hip fracture patients
· More neighbourhood fast-food restaurants associated with more heart disease and deaths
· Certain Ontarians with diabetes still experience high complication rates, despite overall decline
· Dementia drugs may cause increased prescribing of incontinence medications to the elderly
At A Glance - April 2005
Highlights: [168 KB PDF]
· ICES report identifies how long Ontarians are waiting for key health services
· Drug therapy as good as costly invasive cardiac procedures for elderly heart attack patients
· Hospital admissisons in Ontario show consistency and predictability
· Pediatric hernia surgeries best done by pediatric surgeons or high volume general surgeons
· Diabetes-related dialysis needs are growing in Ontario
At A Glance - March 2005
Highlights: [164 KB PDF]
· Internationally trained doctors provide same level of heart attack care as Canadian physicians
· U.S. cancer centers of excellence have lower surgical mortality, but same long-term survival rates
· Diabetic patients with poor blood sugar control could be better managed
· Aging ‘baby boomers’ will increase need for life support in ICUs
· Clinical trials of Alzheimer’s drug do not adequately represent patients taking it
At A Glance - February 2005
Highlights: [176 KB PDF]
· Blueprint for children’s health services needed in Ontario
· SSRIs do not increase risk of digoxin toxicity
· Minorities under represented in clinical trials
· Surgeon specialty and volume impacts outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer
· Single data source could help improve heart attack care in Canada
At A Glance - January 2005
Highlights: [169 KB PDF]
· Potentially inappropriate drugs for seniors available through ODB
· Alcohol-related hospitalizations highest in low-income, middle-aged individuals
· Study shows new benefit of statins in heart failure patients
· Diabetics who manage glucose levels effectively are not as diligent with other conditions
· Elderly colorectal cancer patients have worse outcomes following surgery
At A Glance - December 2004
Highlights: [172 KB PDF]
· Heart attack patients have dangerous waits for drugs in the ED
· High volume surgeons better for patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms
· Framework developed for Ontario's first report card on public health
· ICES study outlines cost of implementing new privacy legislation
· Nursing home residents less likely to get inappropriate drugs
At A Glance - November 2004
Highlights: [168 KB PDF]
· Study provides insights into non-invasive cardiac testing in Ontario
· Higher income people more likely to receive colorectal cancer tests
· Little evidence available to support the use of atypical antipsychotics to treat dementia
· Flu outbreaks account for nearly 25% of ED overcrowding
· Antihypertensive medications do not increase risk of type 2 diabetes
At A Glance - October 2004
Highlights: [172 KB PDF]
· Study offers insights into seasonal patterns for influenza and pneumonia hospitalizations
· Certain common medications can cause lithium toxicity in the elderly
· Ontario wait times for arthritis-related joint surgeries increase by up to 9 weeks
· Beta-blocker therapy safe for certain heart failure patients
· Study maps mammography use in large urban cities
At A Glance - September 2004
Highlights: [162 KB PDF]
· Access to specialists improves treatment for arthritis patients
· Colonoscopy does not detect all colon cancers
· Socioeconomic status affects common childhood surgeries
· Study shows wide variation in cardiac arrest outcomes across Canada
· Atypical antipsychotic drugs not associated with increased risk of stroke in elderly
At A Glance - July/August 2004
Highlights: [167 KB PDF]
· Spironolactone use can lead to increased hospitalizations and deaths from high potassium
· More hospital beds filled by patients requiring life support
· More detailed cardiac procedure data needed
· Low number of Ontarians screened for colorectal cancer
· Certain maternal factors cause developmental disorders in young children
At A Glance - June 2004
Highlights: [159 KB PDF]
· Use of anti-inflammatory drugs associated with greater risk of hospitalization for heart failure
· Patients should see hospital physicians after discharge
· Leading causes of global death and disability not being studied in clinical trials
· Many common illnesses increase risk of suicide in elderly
· Most deaths in men with prostate cancer not due to prostate cancer
At A Glance - May 2004
Highlights: [171 KB PDF]
· Essential health services not disrupted by SARS outbreak
· Nearly 25% of nursing home residents on antipsychotic drugs within one year of admission
· Ontario study offers first population-wide look at childhood asthma in Canada
· Outcomes can be better at hospitals that perform high volumes of various complex surgeries
· Many Canadian heart failure patients experience poor outcomes
At A Glance - April 2004
Highlights: [166 KB PDF]
· Privacy concerns hinder the development of useful medical registries needed to improve care
· Infant hospitalizations impacted by family’s health
· Patients at high risk for stroke are being under treated in Ontario
· Study shows striking variation in the use of end-of-life care in U.S. hospitals
· Rectal cancer patients treated at high-volume hospitals have better outcomes
At A Glance - March 2004
Highlights: [223 KB PDF]
· Nearly one quarter of hospital patients experienced an adverse event after discharge
· Consumer expectations vs. health system sustainability: can a balance be achieved?
· Obesity and asthma unrelated in children
· Thousands more Ontarians should be screened for colorectal cancer
· ALLHAT trial shows that physicians’ prescribing patterns change in response to new evidence
At A Glance - February 2004
Highlights: [172 KB PDF]
· Isolating patients for infection control may have unintended consequences
· Diabetes impacts both quality and length of life
· Migraines a major cause of frequent emergency department visits
· Achieving Canadian benchmarks for hospital cardiac care would save lives
· Parkinson’s patients hospitalized more often for certain conditions
At A Glance - January 2004
Highlights: [166 KB PDF]
· New approach needed for drug evaluation in Canada
· Chest pain patients in higher SES neighbourhoods have shorter ambulance transport times
· Elderly men in the U.S. are receiving excessive screening for prostate cancer
· Heart failure index can help doctors predict risk of death
· Dementia patients use more resources, but in a similar pattern to patients without dementia
At A Glance - December 2003
Highlights: [159 KB PDF]
· Heart disease drug expenditures soar in Canada
· Lower income people with diabetes suffering excessive hospitalizations
· Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) do not cause acute pancreatitis in the elderly
· High-volume surgeons improve outcomes for patients undergoing certain high-risk procedures
· Certain patient characteristics can predict risk of stroke or death after carotid endarterectomy
At A Glance - November 2003
Highlights: [176 KB PDF]
· Heart disease risk factors and death rates vary across Canada
· Restrictions to provincial drug plan coverage have a major impact on drug use and expenditures
· Volume of high-risk surgeries performed at hospitals unrelated to length of stay or readmission
· Better evidence needed to support PET use in evaluating Alzheimer’s disease
· One type of heparin is better for treating acute coronary syndromes in rural hospital settings
At A Glance - October 2003
Highlights: [165 KB PDF]
· Canadian hospitalization rates for cardiovascular conditions increasing
· Emergency department “gridlock” results in delays for patients with chest pain
· Polysporinâ ointment reduces infections and mortality in dialysis patients
· Parkinson’s patients not receiving adequate access to specialists
· HOPE (Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation) trial’s effect on ramipril prescribing unprecedented
At A Glance - September 2003
Highlights: [187 KB PDF]
· Waiting times for cardiac procedures pose significant hazards for heart attack patients
· Survival improving dramatically for Hodgkin’s disease patients
· Ontario First Nations people receiving inadequate primary care
· Treatment advice varies between medical directors and their respective poison centres
· Impact of chronic conditions on quality of life varies by age and gender
At A Glance - July/August 2003
Highlights: [163 KB PDF]
· Standardized data collection is a prerequisite to managing access to MRI services
· Estrogen replacement therapy use dropped dramatically after landmark study
· Treatment by cardiologists does improve outcomes for heart failure patients
· Implantable defibrillators can prevent sudden cardiac death better than medications alone
· Diabetes increases the risk of developing and dying from infectious diseases
At A Glance - June 2003
Highlights: [165 KB PDF]
· Pre-operative chest X-ray and ECG are often unnecessary
· New baby in home increases risk of iron poisoning in young children
· Low screening rates for diabetic eye disease may be due to changes in OHIP coverage
· Surgery in high-volume hospitals prevents few post-operative deaths
· ICES Cardiovascular Atlas provides stimulus for improvement
At A Glance - May 2003
Highlights: [167 KB PDF]
· Parkinson’s disease is placing a heavy financial burden on Ontario’s health care system
· Key cause of emergency department overcrowding is a lack of inpatient beds
· Inequities in accessing specialists mainly due to geography
· Drug interactions in the elderly are causing unnecessary admissions
· Physicians under-treating diabetic heart attack patients
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