Castlegar nurse accepts six-month suspension after faking vaccine cards
The BC College of Nurses and Midwives posted Friday regarding the outcome of an investigation into a Castlegar nurse. "On July 15, 2022 a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between BCCNM and Sarah Jones of Castlegar, to address professional misconduct that occurred in 2021 arising from the use of her...
Almost 200 British Columbians lost to illicit drugs in May
Preliminary reporting released by the BC Coroners Service confirms that toxic illicit drugs claimed the lives of at least 195 British Columbians in May 2022. “After a catastrophic 2021, I am saddened to report that we are, once again, on pace to lose a record number of our community members in 2022,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief...
Main entrance closed for three weeks for renovations at Trail hospital
People who rely on Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) in Trail are advised that the main and emergency department public entrances will be closed for three weeks beginning July 11. Construction crews will be working on enhancing the entrance access to the regional hospital. To allow for the construction, patients and...
New pharmacy, more modernized care spaces open at Trail hospital
A new pharmacy at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital is now open, offering enhanced operational efficiency, improved working conditions and modern technology. The new pharmacy provides all pharmacy services for patients while they are in hospital, as well as home IV and oncology pharmacy services for individuals in the...
B.C.’s COVID-19 immunization plan continues with fall boosters
People in B.C. can look ahead to their next COVID-19 vaccine dose with the Province announcing a fall booster program as the next step in its COVID-19 immunization plan. B.C.’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy has helped keep people protected from the severe illness associated with getting this virus. With the fall and winter ...
First monkeypox case detected in B.C
A case of monkeypox has been confirmed in B.C. through laboratory testing at the BC Centre for Disease Control and awaiting confirmation at the National Microbiology Laboratory. The individual resides in Vancouver. Vancouver Coastal Health is conducting public health follow-up. More than 700 cases of monkeypox infection have...
Text alerts for toxic drugs now available in Interior
In response to the ongoing toxic drug emergency, a new health alert system has been launched across Interior Health. “Across the province – in every community – we continue to see tragic deaths due to the toxic drug supply. The new alert system is an example of innovation and community collaboration to save lives in this...
KBRH outbreak declared
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared on the medical unit at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. There are currently 15 cases connected to the outbreak. Additional infection control measures have been implemented on the unit including putting a pause on new admissions to the unit, restricting all non-essential visitors, and...
IHA: What you need to know about bats
As more people head outdoors across Interior Health, it is likely they may encounter bats. Bats can carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans. This PSA provides tips on how to avoid bat exposures and when to seek health advice. Bats and rabies In B.C., between four and eight per cent of bats that come into contact with...
Year 2 of surgical renewal delivers most surgeries ever completed in a year in B.C.
In its second year of delivering on its surgical renewal commitment to patients, B.C. has exceeded its pre-pandemic volume of surgeries. “Through the dedicated efforts of everyone involved in delivering surgeries and the actions by British Columbians to slow the rapid spread of COVID-19 and ease pressures on our hospitals, ...
