Every fall, around the third week of September, there is a spike in the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for children with asthma. Some factors that may contribute to this spike include: Fortunately, because we know about many of the factors that contribute to asthma flare ups, there are steps you can take…
Sabine Brouillette credits her health team at Edmonton Southside PCN for saving her life. The 67-year-old COPD patient’s breathing was becoming worse. When she was refused treatment at her dentist because of her breathing, she went to see her family doctor, Dr. Colleen Johnston, at Town Centre Family Clinic. Dr. Johnston referred Sabine to a…
A hospital scare forced Lorraine Henry into a wakeup call about quitting smoking. In June, Lorraine was feeling extremely tired and had tightness in her chest. She visited her family doctor, Dr. Dennis Wong, had told him she thought she had a sinus infection. She was given antibiotics but her feet and ankles started to…
John Boyd wants to be able to walk to a mall without wheezing and stopping to catch his breath. He doesn’t want to end up using a ventilator or in the hospital because of his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thanks to Edmonton Southside Primary Care Network (PCN), John, 60, is overcoming barriers to his…
Every weekday morning at 8:15, Dr. Brian Ritchie starts his day at the Ermineskin Medical Clinic in southwest Edmonton. By the time his first patient arrives 45 minutes later, Dr. Ritchie has met with the clinic staff, studied his list of patients, and is ready to take on any surprises a new day can bring….