Daily Media Digest September 16, 2022

How improving COPD treatment in primary care could reduce demand on hospitals and emergency departments
The Conversation
“In Ontario, nearly 900,000 people live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) … an existing program in primary care, called Best Care, that has been demonstrated to be cost-effective, improve patient and provider experience and reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations.”
TAGS: pulmonary disease, COPD, primary care, Western University, University of Ottawa

IWK Health, Cisco Canada, OnX Canada partner to connect NICU families with web-delivered application
IT World Canada
“… connecting Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) families to education, support, and resources with its web-delivered application, Chez NICU Home … has also helped more than 450 families during their stay in the NICU.”
TAGS: technology, NICU, virtual health care, IWK Health

How caregivers can help build children’s emerging language skills
The Conversation
“… develop the ability to understand language, as well as speak and communicate, this helps them interact with others and learn about their world. Research shows that children’s early language skills have a long reach in affecting later life outcomes.”
TAGS: early development, language skills, psychology, University of Calgary

Nearly a quarter of Winnipeg care home residents given antipsychotic drugs with no diagnosis
CBC News
“Elderly patients with dementia who are treated with antipsychotics have an increased risk of death, mostly due to cardiovascular concerns and infections … Dr. Samir Sinha “…There can be increased risks of movement disorders. There can be increased risks …”
TAGS: long term care, overmedication, University Health Network

Life-changing C. difficile treatment in need of poop donors, London, Ont. hospital says
Global News
“The treatment, oral capsule-based fecal microbiota transplant, or FMT, has been found to all but cure C. difficile infections in patients … John Chmiel, a graduate student at Lawson Health Research Institute … has been donating to the program since 2018”
TAGS: gut health, antibiotics, infection, treatment, donor, London Health Sciences Centre, Lawson Health Research Institute