qathet Pulse: August 2026

Feature

Annual qDoFP Member Survey

Don't forget to complete the annual member surveys!

Your input helps us plan for future initiatives, meet the needs of our members and support recruitment and retention efforts. You will receive a half-hour sessional payment for your time.

Complete the Division Annual Member Survey >>

Complete the Facility Engagement Survey >> (note: please only complete the FE survey if you have hospital privileges)

Working Well Together Conference

Don't miss this event in October! It's an excellent opportunity to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen professional relationships, and explore practical strategies for provider well-being and sustainable practice.

Family activities and food will be included.

Learn more about this event >>

Reminder: CME events are open to physicians, NPs, residents, medical students, and locums. Please register in advance and let us know if your plans change so we can adjust catering and reduce food waste.

View the full fall CME event calendar >>

Sharps Drop-Off Event

Every year, the qathet Division of Family Practice partners with the Courtenay Street Fire Hall, local clinics, the City of Powell River, and the SPCA to give our community a safe way to dispose of used sharps. Together, we collected 411.5 lbs of sharps for safe disposal.

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Program Updates

Updating your PAS Capacity

With recent and upcoming practice closures in qathet, more than 1,000 patients are currently registered in the Health Connect Registry (HCR). If you have capacity to attach patients, please contact Brooke Taylor.

Otherwise, please encourage unattached patients to register with the HCR online or by calling 8-1-1 and direct them to our Instagram post or Facebook post for a list of virtual options for episodic care.

A reminder that your PAS provider capacity helps inform Ministry funding decisions for qathet NP and New-to-Practice contracts. If your recorded capacity exceeds your current panel, it may suggest that our community has sufficient capacity and could affect future funding opportunities.

Please ensure your PAS capacity is up to date.

Learn how to update your information >>

Reach out to Brooke if you would like any support >>

Long Term Care Best Practice Expectations: Part 5

The Long-Term Care Initiative promotes high-quality, resident-centred care through five Best Practice Expectations.

In past months, we have looked at Proactive Site Visits, 24/7 Availability, Attendance at Care Conference, and Meaningful Medication Reviews. This month, we focus on the last one, Completed Documentation.

Accurate, timely documentation supports safe and coordinated care.

• LTCI documentation now uses the terminology: Resident / Patient / Individual in Care
• Documentation must be recorded in the facility’s EMR or the individual’s LTC chart
• Actively Dying – MRP (or on call) document discussion with the MRP. Update MOST (if required) in the facility's EMR or the resident’s chart at LTC.
  

For questions or clarification on Best Practices regarding LTC, please contact Dr. Bahadori.

Department of Hospitalist Medicine

A new Department of Hospitalist Medicine has been established to support quality improvement, communication, and coordination for physicians participating in the Unassigned Inpatient Program (UIP).

The Department does not change physician privileges, contracts, scopes of practice, or the role of longitudinal family physicians (LFPs). LFPs will continue to receive updates and opportunities for input through existing physician forums.

If you have questions or feedback, please contact Dr. David Marceniuk, Department Head.

Download the Proposal: Department of Hospitalist Medicine for additional information >>

POCUS Case Rounds: Supporting everyday clinical decision-making

Case #8: Same-Day Trial of Void

After three days of catheterization for urinary retention, a patient returned for a trial of void. Using POCUS in clinic, the clinician confirmed effective bladder emptying—avoiding the need for an ER visit.

Sign up for monthly POCUS rounds or review past rounds >>

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Featured Resources

Peer-to-Peer Support: Maternity, Prenatal, and Pediatrics

Did you know local physicians Dr. Amy Sawchuk, Dr. Brydon Blacklaws, Dr. Ian Ricketson, and Dr. Chris Naylor are part of the Rural Coordination Centre of BC's Real-Time Virtual Support (RTVS) team?

As of July 1, the MaBAL (Maternity and Babies Advice Line) and CHARLiE (Child Health Advice in ReaL-time Electronically) pathways have returned to 24/7 availability, providing immediate peer-to-peer support for maternity, prenatal, and pediatric questions. Whether it's a straightforward case or a more complex concern, you'll connect with an experienced rural colleague when you need advice.

RTVS also offers quick-reply pathways for Dermatology, Hematology, Myofascial Pain, Rheumatology, Thrombosis, POCUS, Oncology, Pharmacy, Spinal Cord Injury Navigation, and Orthopaedics.

Print a copy of the new RTVS quick-reference poster with contact numbers for every pathway and keep it somewhere visible in your clinic.

Download the RTVS poster >>

Physician Wellness Hub in Pathways

The Physician Health Program and Pathways BC collaborated to create the BC Physician Wellness Hub.

Whether for yourself or helping a physician colleague, the Hub offers a single place to find wellness supports. Access it by clicking the BC Physician Wellness Hub button located on the Pathways homepage or via the Resources dropdown within Pathways.

Note: This resource is only accessible by those with a Pathways login.

Visit the Physician Wellness Hub >>

Pregnancy Termination Referrals in qathet

Patients may self-refer by calling the Public Health Pregnancy Intake Line: 604-485-3310. They only need to provide their PHN and a contact phone number.

Alternatively, physicians can email referrals to VCH. Referral forms have been distributed to all local family practice clinics.

For additional information and broader resources, visit Unplanned Pregnancy - Pregnant in qathet >>