Risk of leaks, drug spills prompt CancerCare Manitoba to stop using some IV equipment
Some Manitoba health facilities are still using IV pumps that have been recalled by their manufacturer. The Infusomat pumps were recalled by B Braun in June of last year, according to Health Canada. The concern is over a valve that may malfunction, which could impact the delivery of medications. The Manitoba Nurses Union says some members have also reported false alarms on the devices that stop the pumps from working properly.
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Winnipeg Free Press
11 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Nursing college reveals changes to speed up licensing for internationally trained applicants
The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba is pledging to make it simpler and faster for internationally trained professionals to start practising here. The licensing body has created a position dedicated to helping those applicants and begun allowing them to start the registration process while awaiting documentation from overseas entities, among other changes. 'We acknowledge that our processes have been slow to evolve and not always been as efficient or flexible as they could be,' registrar Deb Elias said in a news release unveiling the college's modernization plan Wednesday. 'We've heard from applicants and partners that navigating the system — especially in a province with multiple nursing professions — can be confusing, duplicative and time-consuming.' The changes, including broadening expedited registration pathways, expanding the use of conditional registrations and establishing a committee to manage complex applications, are effective immediately. Martin Lussier, public engagement manager for the college, said they will make it more straightforward and flexible for internationally educated nurses (IENs) to enter the workforce with confidence. Lussier said the overall goal is to make the local IEN application process 'much more attractive' so nurses do not seek licensing in another province to fast-track approval in Manitoba. 'For a number of people, that (route) has left them in a position where they were not prepared appropriately for registered nursing practice,' he said. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara welcomed the 'overdue steps' to make Manitoba a more attractive place for nurses to work. 'I know it is possible to maintain the highest standards of care and give nurses a clear and straightforward application process,' Asagwara said in a statement. The college's announcement was made against the backdrop of a public dispute between Elias and the Manitoba government; the registrar accused the government of prioritizing interprovincial labour mobility over patient safety earlier this month. Elias cited Asagwara's April 30 demand to remove barriers to licensing out-of-province nurses. Her office was ordered to align itself with internal trade laws and stop requiring these individuals to have 450 hours of nursing experience in Canada in the past two years or 1,225 hours over the past five years to be registered locally. The college defended its now-defunct rules as a response to a wave of complaints about competency — such as the inability to take or interpret vital signs — made about professionals approved via its 'labour mobility applicant' stream. 'Over the last few days I've heard from some nurses who have had their confidence shaken, and so I want nurses to know: you are welcome in Manitoba,' Asagwara said Wednesday. Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, applauded the college's new measures, as well as its recognition that the system has been 'unnecessarily rigid' in the past. 'The creation of a dedicated navigation role, increased flexibility in documentation and assessment processes and efforts to reduce delays are tangible steps forward,' said the union leader who represents 13,000 nurses, many of whom are IENs. Jackson said the union has long advocated for 'a more compassionate, efficient and equitable registration process' that recognizes IENs' diverse experiences and upholds public safety. 'IENs are not the problem — systems that under-prepare and undervalue them are. We want IENs to thrive in Manitoba. We want them respected, supported and safe,' she said. 'That means regulation must go hand in hand with wraparound supports in practice settings.' The regulatory body's news release touted the changes as a way to reduce duplication, improve clarity and help IEN applicants transition into the workplace faster. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
CTV News
16 hours ago
- CTV News
Ikea is recalling thousands of garlic presses sold in Canada
Ikea is asking Canadian customers who bought a specific kind of garlic press to stop using it because small metal pieces could detach and potentially be eaten. The Swedish home furnishing giant is recalling its Chinese-made black 365+ Vardefull garlic press. Affected customers can visit any Ikea store for a full refund without requiring a receipt or any other proof of purchase, it said on its website Wednesday. A 'production error' caused the problem after it conducted an 'internal investigation,' according to Ikea. 'IKEA apologizes for any inconvenience this recall may cause,' it wrote, noting that customer safety is a top priority and all its products are tested and comply with applicable standards and legislation. How to identify affected products Ikea says the affected product is marked with the company logo on the upper handle. The product was sold in Canada with the article numbers 305.781.89 and 201.521.58. In other countries, it was sold under article number 601.636.02. The products have date stamps from 2411 to 2522, with the first two digits indicating the year and the last two digits being the week of the year. How many products are affected? Ikea reported that 10,712 affected products were sold in Canada, according to Health Canada's advisory online about the recall. It said they were sold from April 2024 to May 2025. Ikea has received no reports of incidents or injuries in Canada as of June 9, according to the recall. Globally, the company received three reports of incidents involving minor hand injuries, such as a scratch or a splinter. Ikea advises customers to spread the word about the recall, particularly if they know whether it was lent or sold to someone else. 'Please note that the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act prohibits recalled products from being redistributed, sold or even given away in Canada,' Health Canada added. Health Canada encourages customers to report any health and safety incidents related to using this product or any other items by filling out the Consumer Product Incident Report Form. Where to get more information Not sure whether you have an affected product? If that's the case, Ikea says you can still return any black 365+ Vardefull garlic press and get a refund. Visit or phone IKEA toll-free at 1-800-661-9807 for more information.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Vancouver Sun
Opinion: Living with multiple sclerosis is difficult. Living in B.C. makes it harder
I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in September 2024. MS is a chronic, progressive disease of the central nervous system that can affect your vision, balance, cognition, and mobility. My diagnosis was a gut-punch — after years of hard work building my filmmaking career, my future was suddenly in jeopardy. The diagnosis took a predictably emotional toll on my family and me. Plans we had made for the future were now question marks. Through the support of my family and friends, plus lots of therapy, I've accepted my diagnosis for what it is — a totally unexpected development in my life. MS is unpredictable and deeply personal — no two people experience it the same way. But while MS is unpredictable, access to treatment shouldn't be. Yet in B.C., it is. A daily roundup of Opinion pieces from the Sun and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Informed Opinion will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. B.C. is the only province in Canada that does not provide public coverage for Health Canada-approved, anti-CD20 therapies for relapsing MS — ofatumumab and ocrelizumab. These treatments reduce relapses, delay progression, and improve long-term health outcomes. Unless you have special private insurance or happen to be employed by the provincial government (which covers these drugs under its internal employee drug plan), the out-of-pocket costs of these drugs are prohibitive for people such as me. When I was diagnosed with MS, my neurologist explained that ofatumumab was the most appropriate therapy for me — not only because of its strong results, but because some of the other treatments could worsen my Type-1 diabetes and related complications such as diabetic retinopathy. But because PharmaCare does not cover ofatumumab, I'm instead being offered alternative drugs that are less effective, and that will worsen my diabetes control. Thankfully, I was able to access ofatumumab through a six-month bridge program offered by the manufacturer, and I began treatment this past January. I'm happy to report that I've tolerated the drug extremely well. It's exactly what I need to manage my MS and keep living a normal, productive and full life. But the bridge program ends in a matter of days. I'm facing the very real possibility of having to switch to a higher-risk alternative simply because of where I live in Canada. My family and I are now having conversations about leaving the province. This is an equity issue, plain and simple. For people such as me, this doesn't just affect our health — it impacts our ability to plan ahead and to build stable lives. MS often strikes during our most productive years, and it can force people out of the workforce far earlier than they should be. However, early, effective treatment helps people stay healthier, more independent, and more engaged in their communities. At the very least, those of us who can't take the publicly funded options due to other health conditions should not be left behind. The alternative shouldn't be settling for a drug that is clinically inappropriate for me, simply because it's cheaper for the system. That's not good medicine, and it's certainly not good policy. I'm not asking for special treatment. I'm asking for fair treatment. For myself and for every British Columbian living with MS. I'm asking for the ability to manage my disease based on what works for me, not on what PharmaCare happens to cover. I'm lucky to have mild symptoms and a supportive medical team, but even still, the gruelling process of trying to access the right treatment has been emotionally exhausting, adding a layer of grief during an already difficult time. I urge the B.C. government to fund all Health Canada-approved MS treatments through PharmaCare and ensure that people across this province can access the medications they need, when they need them. Teresa Alfeld is a film director based in Vancouver. She was diagnosed with relapsing MS in 2024 and diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1994.
