February 2, 2013
A first in Canada: Vancouver hospital to use ‘Trudi,’ an bug-killing robot armed with UV light
Vancouver Sun
VGH is the first hospital in Canada to use a germ-killing robot called Trudi.
Hospital to employ superbug-killing robot
CTV News
VGH is using a robot to kill germs and viruses such as norovirus, influenza, C. difficile and Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
Germ-killing UV robot tested at Vancouver hospital
CBC News
VGH is testing a robot to help disinfect hospital rooms. With video.
‘Trudi’ the robot trounces germs at Vancouver General Hospital
The Province
VGH is the first Canadian hospital to test a germ-killing robot called Trudi.
Germ-killing robot Trudi debuts at Vancouver hospital, zapping norovirus and C. difficile
National Post
VGH is the first Canadian hospital to test a germ-killing robot called Trudi.
Killer robot roaming around VGH!
News 1130
VGH’s latest addition to its cleaning and infection control staff is a robot called Trudi.
Vancouver Offers Drug Users a Safe (But Controversial) Place to Shoot Up
Governing Magazine
A look at the Insite program by an American magazine.
Needle exchange opened in Kerrisdale 10 years ago
Vancouver Courier
Kerrisdale needle exchange benefits people with addiction issues.
Users complain of delays at Insite
News 1130
The demand for the Insite clinic’s services is exceeding its capacity.
Not too late for a flu shot, says Vancouver Coastal medical officer
Vancouver Sun
BC is experiencing a particularly bad flu season this year.
Home Detox program re-starts
Coast Reporter
VCH is reintroducing a home detox program.
Understanding of consciousness progresses slowly
Vancouver Sun – Opinion
More research on brain activity and consciousness is needed and important, says Judy Illes, of VCH’s Research Institute, who references the case of a George Pearson resident.
February 1, 2013
Health advocates continue fight for more study of expanded coal port
Vancouver Sun
Health leaders are calling for more assessment of the health impacts of diesel exhaust and coal dust from an expanded coal terminal in North Vancouver. With comment from VCH spokesperson Anne Marie D’Angelo.
Health workers should make flu shot a point of pride
Globe and Mail – Column
Health care workers should set an example for the public and get annual flu shots.
January 30, 2013
Busy Insite forces addicts into alleys
Vancouver Courier – Column
The limited capacity of the Vancouver Insite safe injection site is forcing addicts to inject drugs in alleys. With comments from VCH spokesperson Anne Marie D’Angelo.
Petition to halt rehab facility fails
Globe and Mail
A petition signed by residents opposed to a NorthShore recovery house does not have the number of signatures required to force a referendum.
Diabetes in Canada: Reducing the risk
Coast Reporter
Dr. Paul Martiquet, a medical health officer for VCH, wrote a column on reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications.
January 29, 2013
Vancouver Coastal Health defends absenteeism program
Vancouver Sun – Letter to Editor
Anne Harvey, vice-president employee engagement at VCH wrote a letter to the Vancouver Sun, in response to a January 24 article, defending VCH’s attendance and wellness program – she quotes arbitrator Vince Ready.
Something stinks: Health officials investigating after 6,000 burgers with expired cheese served at BC Place
The Province
VCH health inspectors met with BC Place officials after a former BC Place employee claimed that she was ordered to use expired cheese on burgers sold at last weekend’s monster truck show. With quote from VCH spokesperson Anne Marie D’Angelo.
BC Place food vendor says they are investigating expired cheese incident
GlobalBC
A former BC Place food vendor is claiming to have put expired cheese on burgers during a monster truck show last weekend. With a comment from Vancouver Coastal Health.
Lipstick Project aims to bring dignity to hospice residents in their last days
Globe and Mail
VCH launched the Lipstick Project, a program that provides free makeup, massage and hair-styling services to residents of the North Shore Hospice. With comments from VCH spokesperson Anne Marie D’Angelo.
Methadone complaint support announced
24 Hours
New cards were released for patients on the provincial methadone maintenance program to make complaints more efficiently.
B.C. boasts record number of life-saving organ transplants
CTV News
In 2012, BC saw a record number of organ transplants as well as lower wait times for some procedures.
2012 was record year for organ transplants in B.C.
The Province
In 2012, a record number of organ transplants took place in B.C. With quotes from Lindsay Schneider who received a heart transplant in October.
BC Transplant Record
Global BC – Morning News (video clip)
Interview with the provincial director of BC Transplant about the province recording a record number of organ transplants in 2012.
January 28, 2013
Giving our street people a home: an investment with great returns
The Province – Column
Programs such as Housing First and At Home/Chez Soi help reduce homelessness by improving the lives of people with mental illness and health issues.
Gold medallist joins anti-smoking campaign
CBC News
Olympic gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor is working with VCH on a campaign that discourages young skiers and snowboarders from smoking on the mountain. With quote from VCH medical health officer Dr. Meena Dawar.
Olympic gold medallist skier Ashleigh McIvor urges smokers to butt out on the hill
Global BC
Olympic gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor says smoking and sports a bad combo
Ottawa Citizen (CP)
Olympic gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor says smoking and sports a bad combo
Winnipeg Free Press (CP)
Olympic gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor says smoking and sports a bad combo
The Province
Olympic medallist trying to stomp out smoking on ski hills
News1130
If the flu shot is only 50-50, do we really need it?
Globe and Mail
Reports show mixed results for the effectiveness of the flu vaccine and health authorities are working to make it better.
Mental health system failing British Columbians
The Province – Letters to the Editor
Readers sent in a number of letters regarding an editorial on mental health that ran on January 24.