RESEARCH



  1. Determinants of Early Vs. Late Diagnosis of Type 2-Diabetes in Newfoundland and Labrador
    The study involves secondary use of population-based administrative data to examine the determinants of early versus late diagnosis of type 2-diabetes in Newfoundland and Labrador.

  2. Cardiac Events in Early Diagnosed and Late Diagnosed Type-2 Diabetes Patients in Newfoundland and Labrador
    This study assesses and compares the risk of having an AMI or stroke for individuals with and without diabetes, as well as those diagnosed early versus those diagnosed late. This is a follow-up study to the study "Determinants of early vs. late diagnosis of type 2-diabetes in Newfoundland and Labrador".

  3. Effects of Previous Caesarean Section, Small for Gestational Age and Preterm Birth on the Risk of Future Stillbirth in Newfoundland and Labrador
    In this study, the relationship between caesarean section and adverse birth outcomes on the risk of future stillbirth in Newfoundland and Labrador is explored.

  4. The Impact of Delivery by Caesarean Section on Infant and Child Health in Newfoundland and Labrador
    The study will examine whether infants born in Newfoundland and Labrador by caesarean section have an increased risk of neonatal and infant mortality, neonatal respiratory morbidity, admission to a neonatal intensive care unit, and childhood reactive airway disease (RAD) and/or asthma, compared to infants born by vaginal delivery.

  5. Births Time Series Analysis
    In this study, time series models (autoregressive, moving average models) will be developed to examine annual and seasonal trends in birth rates and identify factors (e.g. regional, demographic, and maternal) that may predict birth rates over time in Newfoundland and Labrador.

  6. The Role of High Birth Weight on Incidence of Childhood Leukemia in Newfoundland and Labrador
    This study examines whether high birth weight is associated with the development of childhood leukemia among children in Newfoundland and Labrador.

  7. Is Vitamin D Deficiency or Insufficiency in Early Pregnancy Associated with Adverse Maternal Health Outcomes?
    This study will examine whether there is an association between vitamin D (25-(OH)D) status and adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

  8. Trends and Associated Factors of Suicide in Newfoundland and Labrador, 1997 to 2006
    This study examines suicide trends over 10 years and investigates factors that may predispose individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador to suicide.

  9. Assessing the Association between Diabetes and Cancer in Newfoundland and Labrador
    The objectives of this study are: 1) to create a population-based linked database that can be used to examine the association between cancer and chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes), and 2) to assess and compare the risk of site-specific cancer for individuals with and without diabetes.

  10. Examining the Impact of Out-of-Pocket Costs for Prescription Medication among the Senior Population in Newfoundland and Labrador
    The objectives of this study are to profile out-of-pocket costs for medications among individuals aged 65 years and older who are enrolled in the Newfoundland and Labrador prescription Drug Plan (NLPDP) and to assess the impact of these out-of-pocket costs on the financial well-being of seniors in Newfoundland and Labrador.

  11. Trends in Prescribing Potentially Harmful Medications among Seniors
    The objectives of the study are to examine and characterize the prevalence of potentially inappropriate medication use among the senior population residing in the community; to identify factors contributing to inappropriate medication use among the senior population; and to investigate the expected impact of the Pharmacy Network on inappropriate medication use among the senior population.

  12. Booster Seat Use among Canadian Children
    This is a nation-wide study having a primary goal of determining the best way to have families properly use booster seats on a regular basis. The study consists of a survey that explains which factors come into play (child's safety, child's comfort, whether or not child is teased for riding in a booster seat, cost, etc.) when a parent decides whether or not to purchase a booster seat.

  13. Maternal and Neonatal Risk Factors for Type 1-Diabetes Mellitus among Children Aged 0 to 15 Years in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Case-Control Study
    A population-based study to identify maternal and neonatal risk factors for type 1-diabetes mellitus in children aged 0 to 15 years of age. The study will also examine if these factors vary by sex and geographic area.

  14. The Impact of Using Electronic Health Records to Facilitate Medication Reconciliation on Patient Safety
    The objectives of this study are to provide a comprehensive summary of the literature that evaluates the impact of utilizing an EHR to facilitate medication reconciliation and its impact on patient safety. The study will also provide a comprehensive summary of the literature that outlines additional benefits, barriers, lessons learned, and recommendations for using EHRs with medication reconciliation.

  15. Psoriasis Treatment Study
    Part one of this study uses a cross-sectional design that will take a snapshot of a cohort of psoriasis patients and examine the distribution of these patients by treatment type, demographic factors and prognostic factors. Part two consists of a retrospective cohort study to investigate the effect of treatment type on patient co-morbidity and mortality.

  16. Researching Nursing Practice in the Community
    This study examines the scope of practice of community health nurses in Continuing Care and Public Health within the Eastern Health Authority. The objectives of this study are: 1) to determine the extent to which nurses perceive they are able to work to their full scope of practice, 2) investigate if there is a role for other professionals to support the work of nurses, 3) identify the challenges and opportunities that exist in maximizing their scope of practice, 4) document the services that are provided, and 5) profile the types of clients served.

  17. Assessing Administrative Databases for Surveillance of Depressive Disorder in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Pilot Study
    This study will assess the usefulness and reliability of using administrative data for the surveillance of depression in Newfoundland and Labrador.

    18. SURVEILLANCE



  18. The National Diabetes and Chronic Diseases Surveillance System (NDCSS)
    The National Diabetes and Chronic Diseases Surveillance System (NDCSS) is a regionally distributed chronic disease surveillance system that uses data from the provincial health insurance registry, fee-for-service physician claims and hospitalization data to examine the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases, associated comorbidities and health service utilization within each province and territory. Provincial/territorial data is also submitted to the Public Health Agency of Canada who reports data at the national level. The NDCSS currently reports on diabetes and hypertension.

  19. Enhancement of Chronic Disease Surveillance in Newfoundland and Labrador: Comparing Sources of Population data
    While other provinces use their provincial health insurance registries as denominator data for in the NDCSS, Newfoundland and Labrador currently uses population estimates from Statistics Canada to minimize impact of historical data quality issues associated with provincial health insurance registry (i.e. MCP) data. Given the recent re-registration of the population with the MCP, the purpose of this project is to assess the availability of, and determine differences in, the period prevalence computed using three potential sources for denominator data: 1) Statistics Canada's population estimates, 2) the provincial health insurance registry (MCP), and 3) the provincial client registry.

  20. Adjusting National Diabetes and Chronic Disease Surveillance System (NDCSS) Estimates for Distribution of Physicians by Payment Method in Newfoundland and Labrador
    Case definitions used in the NDCSS rely on claims data from fee-for-service physicians. In Newfoundland and Labrador, approximately two thirds of physicians are paid on a fee-for service basis; one third are paid a salary. The primary objective of this project is to develop a model that can be used to adjust NDCSS estimates of incidence and prevalence of diabetes in order to better reflect the true estimates in the population of Newfoundland and Labrador. This model could then be used to adjust incidence and prevalence for other diseases found within the NDCSS.

  21. Stroke Piloting for the National Diabetes and Chronic Diseases Surveillance System (NDCSS)
    The Centre is currently testing case definitions for stroke in support of national stroke surveillance through the NDCSS.

    22. EVALUATION



  22. Atlantic iEHR/Laboratory Evaluation
    The objective of the evaluation is to identify the impact of implementing the iEHR and Laboratory Systems in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. This is a three-year evaluation focusing on how such systems impact the users (health care providers) and the health care they are able to provide to patients. The study is funded by Health Canada, with support from the governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador.

  23. Mental Health Care and Treatment Act Evaluation
    A five year evaluation of the province's recently proclaimed Mental Health Care and Treatment Act is underway. Ongoing evaluation of the Mental Health Care and Treatment Act is expected to support enhanced patient care under the least restrictive means possible, increase access to services, and ensure that patient rights are respected.

  24. Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Provincial Telehealth Program Benefits Evaluation
    The evaluation will provide information on the impact of telehealth services on patient access and empowerment. The main objective is to provide the provincial government and Regional Health Authorities with evidence that can be used to determine the feasibility and appropriateness of expanding the range of telehealth services in rural and remote communities.

  25. Drug Treatment Funding Program (DTFP) Evaluation
    The Department of Health and Community Services received funding from Health Canada under the Drug Treatment Funding Program to enhance addiction services provided within Regional Health Authorities with a focus on three areas - implementation of evidence-informed practice, strengthening evaluation and performance measurement, and linkage and exchange. The Centre has been engaged to carry out an evaluation to monitor progress and report on results of the project.

  26. Evaluation of the Pharmacy Network Data Masking Functionality
    The Pharmacy Network is an information system that is designed to hold records of medications prescribed for people living in this province and will link community pharmacies, physician offices, and hospitals. Patients will be able to control who sees and uses their information by requesting that their medication profile be masked (hidden). The Centre is undertaking a review of the masking process after one year of operation to evaluate the effectiveness of and patients' satisfaction with the masking process.

    27. DATABASE DEVELOPMENT AND SPECIAL PROJECTS



  27. Development of a Registry of Former Baie Verte Mine Workers
    Lead by SafetyNet (MUN), the purpose of the project is to create a registry of former Baie Verte miners that ultimately can be used to study the health effects of working with asbestos. The role of the Centre for Health Information is to link available administrative medical and mortality data for former Baie Verte miners who have consented to participate in the project.

  28. Development of a Cardiac Care Database
    In partnership with Eastern Health, the Centre is developing a linked database that includes patients who have undergone a cardiac procedure and have consented to be included in the database The purpose of the database is to enable: 1) the evaluation of the quality of care given to patients that require cardiac diagnostic, intervention, and revascularization procedures; 2) support the evaluation of short-term and long-term clinical outcomes following these procedures; and 3) to provide data that will allow physicians, managers, and policy makers to make evidence based decisions regarding the delivery of cardiac care.

  29. Development of a Composite Administrative Database for the Study of Cervical Cancer and Cervical Screening in Newfoundland and Labrador
    This project involves the creation of a comprehensive longitudinal (1995-2007) administrative database for the study of cervical cancer and cervical cancer screening in Newfoundland and Labrador, via linkage of multiple administrative/clinical databases. The linked databases will include the Provincial Cancer Registry, Provincial Cytology Registry, Clinical Database Management System, Medical Care Plan, and the Mortality Surveillance System.

  30. Healthy Workplace Pilot Project
    This project will identify healthy workplace indicators for a nursing unit at Eastern Health through interviews, focus groups, surveys, and a literature review. An important outcome of the study will be a set of recommendations to assist in improving the work environment for registered nurses on the unit.

  31. Enhancing Health Information Management in First Nations Communities in Newfoundland and Labrador
    In collaboration with First Nations Inuit Health and First Nations communities in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Centre has developed a two phase work plan to initiate a process to build capacity in health database management, indicator development, and applied health research specific to First Nations in the province.

  32. De-identification Project
    De-identification is the removal and replacement of personal identifiers within a dataset with a random unique ID. To enable data linkage, the random unique ID needs to be the same for a unique individual across all relevant datasets. A major project is currently underway to de-identify relevant data holdings used by the Research and Evaluation Department in its applied health research activities.

  33. Development of a Database to Study the Association between Cancer and Chronic Disease in Newfoundland and Labrador
    As part of a study to assess and compare the risk of site-specific cancer for individuals with and without diabetes, a population-based linked database is being developed that can be used for research related to the association between cancer and chronic diseases.

    34. REPORTS



  34. My People Where 2005/06: Hospital Utilization by Patient Residence, Newfoundland and Labrador
    This report presents hospitalization, length of stay, and day surgery visit statistics by Regional Health Authority for fiscal year 2005/06, broken down by place of residence, age, and sex of patients. Data is obtained from the Clinical Database Management System, which contains clinical data collected on all acute and surgical day care patients including both residents and non-residents of Newfoundland and Labrador receiving care in the province's health service facilities.

  35. My People Where 2006/07: Hospital Utilization by Patient Residence, Newfoundland and Labrador
    This report presents hospitalization, length of stay, and day surgery visit statistics by Regional Health Authority for fiscal year 2006/07, broken down by place of residence, age, and sex of patients. Data is obtained from the Clinical Database Management System, which contains clinical data collected on all acute and surgical day care patients including both residents and non-residents of Newfoundland and Labrador receiving care in the province's health service facilities.

  36. Mortality Statistics 2002-2008
    The report Mortality Statistics 2004-2008, describes mortality trends for Newfoundland and Labrador residents. The report presents data on a variety of mortality indicators including number of deaths, crude mortality rates, age-standardized mortality rates, potential years of life lost, infant mortality rate, rate of natural increase, leading causes of death, and life expectancy. Data are presented by year, age group and/or regional health authority.

  37. Live Birth Trends 2004-2008, Province and Regional Health Authorities
    Live Birth Trends 2004-2008 is the eighth annual Live Birth Trends report prepared by the Newfoundland and Labrador Centre for Health Information. Indicators include the number of live births and crude birth rate by sex, number and percentage of live births by month, caesarean section rates, rate of natural increase, age-specific fertility rates, sets of twins, number and percentage of pre-term, term, and post-term live births, number and percentage of live births of low, normal, and high birth weight, and number and rate of stillbirths.

  38. Mortality Statistics 2002-2008
    The Mortality Statistics 2004-2008 Fast Facts is a summary of the Mortality Statistics 2004-2008 report.

  39. Live Birth Trends 2004-2008
    The Live Birth Trends 2004-2008 Fast Facts is a summary of the Live Birth Trends 2004-2008 report

  40. 15 Year Trends in Mortality
    As a supplement to the Mortality Statistics report and Fast Facts, this Fast Facts presents mortality trends over the past 15 years by Health Authority.

  41. 15 Year Trends in Live Births
    As a supplement to the Live Birth Trends report and Fast Facts, this Fast Facts presents birth trends over the past 15 years by Health Authority.

  42. Survey Says: A report on selected health indicators from the 2007-2008 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
    This report provides summary tables for selected health indicators from the 2007-2008 CCHS general household survey, comparing data for Newfoundland and Labrador by regional health Authority. Data are self-reported and statistically weighted to represent the general population.

  43. How to Interpret Data: Statistical Significance
    This Fast Facts is the third in a series intended to explain commonly used statistical terms and topics pertaining to applied health research. This Fast Facts describes statistical significance and gives an overview of how statistical significance is determined through the use of p-values and confidence intervals.

  44. How to Interpret Data: Study Design
    This Fast Facts is the fourth in a series intended to explain commonly used statistical terms and topics pertaining to applied health research. This Fast Facts describes commonly used study designs, including the randomized control trial, cohort study, case-control study and the cross-sectional study design.

  45. Mental Health Fact Facts
    This Fast Facts presents a profile of individuals who have been hospitalized with a diagnosis of mental illness from 2002 to 2007. Using data from the Clinical Database Management System, these hospitalizations are described with respect to age, length of stay, socioeconomic status and co-morbidities.