There are some troubling facts when it comes to health care for Canada’s Aboriginal population. First, despite great efforts, health reports continue to demonstrate a concerning difference in health statistics between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Canadians. Second, these statistics are primarily determined by genetic, social, or environmental factors that lie outside of our health care system. Once a patient steps into our health care system, his or her diagnosis and ongoing care becomes the responsibility of the health care professionals.
New strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have emerged in the community and sometimes cause aggressive infections in otherwise healthy people.[1-9] Along with severe skin and soft tissue infections, these include rare but devastating illnesses, such as necrotizing pneumonia. A recent meeting in BC confirmed that there has been broad emergence of MRSA in communities across the province over the last 12 to 24 months.[10]
It is 1857, the infancy of anesthesia, and Dr Fifer finds himself the chloroformist during a cesarean section. As he struggles to keep his patient alive, he must contend with a lack of experience, scant scientific evidence, and no means to measure arterial blood pressure.
Part 1 of this article appeared in the March 2006 issue of the BCMJ.
The Breast Tumour Group, a provincial multidisciplinary committee of the British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA), has developed new guidelines for the use of tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in adjuvant therapy for early hormone-positive breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Physicians are encouraged to adhere to these treatment protocols (see Figure) and should request undesignated approval prior to prescribing tamoxifen or AIs outside of the guidelines. When prescribed within the guidelines, these medications are all funded by the BCCA.
