Media stories for December 13, 2012

Pilot project at Vancouver hospitals that tests on admission for HIV finds 30-plus patients with the disease
Vancouver Sun and Province from The Canadian Press
Until the project was launched, only those believed to have a high risk for HIV, such as intravenous drug users, were offered the test.

Dozens of patients diagnosed in local HIV testing pilot
News 1130
Many were living with the virus and didn’t know it; a Vancouver HIV testing pilot has diagnosed dozens of patients in its first year.

News Hour – Photo disinfection
Global News at Six
BC spends $90 million treating post-surgical infection that are largely preventable, but a year long pilot project at VGH found a simple drug-free treatment that can reduce infection. Doctors Titus Wong and Elizabeth Bryce are interviewed.

Preventing hospital infections
CBC News at Six
VGH has a new way to prevent bacterial infections after surgery. Dr. Elizabeth Bryce is interviewed.

Light therapy causes sharp drop in hospital infections
CBC.ca
VGH tries a 12-month photodisinfection project. Dr. Elizabeth Bryce, Regional Medical Director of Infection Control at Vancouver Coastal Health, is interviewed.

Light therapy cuts post-surgery infections at VGH
Vancouver Sun (also carried by Ottawa Citizen)
The introduction of light therapy, an innovative and non-invasive treatment program, has led to a significant drop in infections at Vancouver General Hospital. Dr. Elizabeth Bryce is quoted.

Ondine Biomedical technology demonstrates successful results in reducing surgical site infections
Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Business
The MRSAid photodisinfection project, an innovative non-pharmaceutical pilot program conducted over the course of 12 months at VGH, has proven successful in reducing surgical site infections (SSIs) by 39%. Dr. Elizabeth Bryce is quoted.

Helipad report expected in the new year
Whistler Question
VCH is looking into work to allow single engine helicopters to land. VCH’s Director of Capital Projects, Brent Alley, is quoted.

SGH under the microscope
Squamish Chief
Master plan comes with tight deadlines. VCH spokesperson Anna Marie D’Angelo is quoted.