Wearable devices — such as watches, arm bands, and patches — may help reduce the spread of COVID-19. Wearable technologies could improve early symptom detection, especially through close monitoring of contacts . They may also safely monitor patients from a distance and limit health care worker exposure. This bulletin explores different wearable technologies in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
This Rapid Response review looked for clinical evidence and evidence-based guidelines on ventilation-perfusion imaging for diagnosing pulmonary embolism during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because the procedure often induces coughing in patients, there are concerns about its potential role in transmitting COVID-19 infection from patients to health care providers. However, no relevant evidence or evidence-based guidelines were identified.
Canada's Drug Agency conducted a limited literature search to identify a list of potential technologies that may be used to address the negative effects of social isolation on older adults living in long-term care. A list of technologies that encourage engagement and communication is identified; these include technologies for robotic companions and pets, physical activities and games, and communication. Where possible, the availability of the technology in Canada is noted.
With visitor restrictions implemented in the hope of reducing COVID-19 transmission, long-term care (LTC) facilities have been faced with finding alternative ways to maintain communication with residents’ essential care partners.
This report provides a summary of identified literature on communication strategies that have been implemented during a pandemic or infectious outbreak to facilitate communication between LTC facilities and residents’ essential care partners.
This newsletter explores recent developments in testing for COVID-19. Testing for COVID-19 infection is important to stopping spread of the virus. There is also a need for tests that can quickly provide results. Evidence related to rapid point-of-care antigen testing — such as current practice, availability in Canada, cost, and safety — are summarized in this publication.
Challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to increased concern for the resilience and wellness of unregulated personal support workers (PSWs) in long-term care facilities. This report summarizes identified literature on interventions that have been implemented to improve the well-being of unregulated PSWs.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the widespread use of virtual visits, demonstrating that care can be delivered effectively through virtual means. As the risk of transmission and exposure to the virus remain, and as patient demand for virtual access to health care providers is unlikely to abate over the immediate term and beyond, the health system must consider mechanisms to best incorporate virtual visits as a regular component of health care delivery.
This report provides an overview of the evidence regarding the impact of COVID-19 and related restrictions on intimate partner violence and child maltreatment. The report also includes information on risk factors for violence, access to support for those at risk, and measures to mitigate the risk of intimate partner violence and child maltreatment during this period. The findings of this report are based on a focused literature review.
This review identified limited evidence from 2 systematic reviews about the clinical effectiveness and safety of canakinumab for patients with adult-onset Still disease (AOSD). Most studies in the systematic reviews on AOSD did not have a control group; therefore, the findings related to the effectiveness and safety of canakinumab in this population are uncertain. For adults with AOSD, treatment with canakinumab may be associated with a complete or partial response to treatment, corticosteroid-sparing effect, and a decrease or normalization of key laboratory parameters, such as leukocyte count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and serum levels of ferritin and C-reactive protein, compared with baseline. In adults with AOSD, limited evidence suggested there was no statistically significant difference between canakinumab and placebo in articular manifestations. Adverse events associated with canakinumab treatment included infections, leukopenia, musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders, skin disorders, thoracic and mediastinal disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and site injection reactions. Severe adverse events included macrophage activation syndrome, hepatocytotoxicity, and serious infections that led to discontinuation of treatment. No studies were found comparing canakinumab and alternative pharmacologic treatments for AOSD. No studies were found on the cost-effectiveness of canakinumab for the treatment of AOSD. No evidence-based guidelines were found on the use of canakinumab for the treatment of ASOD.