Publications

2011/12 influenza surveillance report

Description

Provides weekly updates on the spread of influenza in Alberta during the 2011/2012 influenza season. Statistics tracked include: outbreaks by region, confirmed cases by week, hospitalizations,... More ≫

Description

Provides weekly updates on the spread of influenza in Alberta during the 2011/2012 influenza season. Statistics tracked include: outbreaks by region, confirmed cases by week, hospitalizations, antiviral prescriptions, and number of cases of influenza-like illnesses. Also includes links to websites with Canadian and international influenza activity statistics.

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Health and Wellness annual report [2000 - 2012]

Description

Annual report for the ministry of Alberta Health and Wellness of the province of Alberta.

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Alberta West Nile Virus summary report

Description

This annual report provides information on the incidence of the West Nile virus (WNV) in Alberta and Alberta's actions to respond to the virus for the calendar year under review. In each year... More ≫

Description

This annual report provides information on the incidence of the West Nile virus (WNV) in Alberta and Alberta's actions to respond to the virus for the calendar year under review. In each year covered by an annual report, an interdepartmental committee was established to prepare a provincial response plan to address potential WNV risks in Alberta.

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The state of dental health in Alberta : a brief report

Description

The purpose of this report is to briefly review topics around the potential public health benefits of dental health care. The report was commissioned by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of... More ≫

Description

The purpose of this report is to briefly review topics around the potential public health benefits of dental health care. The report was commissioned by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health and prepared by the School of Public Health at the University of Alberta. Topics covered include: the prevalence and impacts of poor dental health to Canadians at the individual and population level; the dental health practices and insurance coverage of Canadians; policy and program initiatives that have been implemented locally, provincially, and nationally to address the issue of dental health promotion and oral health care coverage; and trends and gaps in knowledge around dental health care.

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Middle ear implants for the treatment of hearing loss : final STE report

Description

Presents a review of the evidence on middle ear implants (MEI) for the treatment of hearing loss. The objectives of the review were to determine the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of... More ≫

Description

Presents a review of the evidence on middle ear implants (MEI) for the treatment of hearing loss. The objectives of the review were to determine the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of MEI in comparison to external hearing aids, boneanchored hearing aids (BAHA), or cochlear implants; to identify particular sub-groups of patients who might benefit most from MEI, and to summarize the current criteria for using MEI versus alternative treatments for hearing loss.

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Photodynamic therapy for skin cancer & pre-cancerous skin conditions : final STE report

Description

Presents a systematic review of the evidence on photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of pre-cancerous skin conditions (i.e. actinic keratosis), and non-melanoma skin cancers. The... More ≫

Description

Presents a systematic review of the evidence on photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the treatment of pre-cancerous skin conditions (i.e. actinic keratosis), and non-melanoma skin cancers. The objectives of the review were to determine the safety, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness and budget impact of PDT in comparison to other treatments for these conditions; to identify particular sub-groups of patients who might benefit most from PDT; and to summarize current criteria for the use of PDT and alternative treatments for these skin conditions.

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An assessment of sleep disordered breathing diagnosis using Level I versus Level III sleep studies : final report

Description

This assessment considers the evidence on using Level I (in-laboratory polysomnography) versus Level III (ambulatory, in-home) sleep studies for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing and... More ≫

Description

This assessment considers the evidence on using Level I (in-laboratory polysomnography) versus Level III (ambulatory, in-home) sleep studies for the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing and specific conditions that fall within this disorder.

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STE report : transarterial radioembolization for the treatment of hepatic neoplasia : final STE report

Description

The report reviews the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of primary and secondary hepatic neoplasia for the purpose of considering its potential as a publically... More ≫

Description

The report reviews the use of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) for the treatment of primary and secondary hepatic neoplasia for the purpose of considering its potential as a publically funded health service in Alberta.

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Vitamin D testing : rapid literature review

Description

The clinical utility of testing individuals deemed at average risk for vitamin D deficiency has received the attention of the medical community in recent years. The objectives of this literature... More ≫

Description

The clinical utility of testing individuals deemed at average risk for vitamin D deficiency has received the attention of the medical community in recent years. The objectives of this literature review were: to outline the specific indications for vitamin D testing as reflected in the literature; to identify the number and type of studies for each indication; to review the abstracts of vitamin D randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses; and to review the Health Technology Assessment reports available.

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Point-of-care testing for oral anticoagulant management with portable prothrombin time systems

Description

Atrial fibrillation, venous thrombosis and thromboembolism are common diseases which require oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). The current gold-standard method for monitoring the international... More ≫

Description

Atrial fibrillation, venous thrombosis and thromboembolism are common diseases which require oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). The current gold-standard method for monitoring the international normalized ratio (INR) is laboratory testing of blood obtained by venepuncture. However, patients may find testing to be time consuming and inconvenient. With the development of portable coagulometers it is now possible to measure INR outside the laboratory setting. This review looks at the effectiveness of patient self-management (PSM), patient self-testing (PST) and point-of-care testing (POCT) by health care practitioners using portable coagulometers, compared to conventional laboratory testing.

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