October

In the first half of 2019, there were two cases of congenital syphilis diagnosed in British Columbia; the first cases since 2013. In the context of 919 cases of infectious syphilis reported in BC in 2018—representing the highest number of cases in 30 years—and other concerning epidemiologic trends (for example, increased cases in females of childbearing age), BC’s provincial health officer declared a syphilis outbreak in July 2019.

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Trampoline parks, which are recreational facilities not affiliated with formal gymnastics training programs, have increased in popularity dramatically in recent years. When the first park opened in Canada in 2011, it was one of 40 worldwide; in 2017, there were over 1000 parks worldwide and 50 million users in North America.[1]

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For most people, texting has become second nature as a fast, easy way to communicate. But the technology hasn’t always kept pace with the complexities of health care. Physicians know, for example, that confidential information about patients cannot be transmitted via text messages.

But that’s changing. New privacy-compliant texting platforms are making it possible for Canadian doctors to use their smart phones to conveniently and securely exchange information about patient care.

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Nail-gun eye injuries are a relatively common cause of severe ocular trauma and can take the form of blunt trauma or open-globe injury with penetrating or perforating trauma. These injuries tend to occur in younger individuals with a high risk of subsequent blindness or very poor vision, often accompanied by chronic irritation and pain. Between 2009 and 2018, 198 WorkSafeBC claims were accepted for nail-gun-related injuries. The injured workers were a mean age of 34 years, most were males, and 75% were employed in a construction trade.

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Dr Kathleen Ross

“Aging is an extraordinary process where you become the person you always should have been.”
—David Bowie

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