Surveillance

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 95 healthcare facilities participated in the surveillance of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD), for a combined total of 5,233,966 inpatient days. The participating facilities reported 3,797 cases of healthcare-associated (HA) CDAD. The total incidence rate of HA-CDAD was 7.3 cases per 10,000 patient days. This incidence rate was stable compared to the rate of 2011–2012. The 10-day case fatality was 8.7% (n=304) while the 30-day one was 16.1% (n=560). In total, 32 (0.9%) colectomies were reported.

Entre le 1^er avril 2012 et le 31 mars 2013, 64 installations de santé ont participé sur une base volontaire à la surveillance des bactériémies panhospitalières, pour un cumul de 3 797 385 joursprésence (tableau 1). Ces installations ont rapporté 2 797 bactériémies, survenues chez 2 674 patients. Le taux d'incidence total était de 6,1 cas par 10  000 joursprésence. Le taux d'incidence en 2012-2013 a diminué significativement par rapport au taux moyen de 2008-2012, dans les installations ayant participé à la surveillance pendant les deux périodes. Par rapport à 2011-2012, quatre installations universitaires se sont ajoutées à la surveillance et aucune n'a cessé sa participation.

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 67 intensive care units (ICUs) took part in the surveillance of central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), for a combined total of 128,207 centralline days. Participating ICUs reported 201 CLABSIs in 197 patients. Incidence rates were 1.13 per 1,000 central-line days in coronary ICUs, 0.84 in teaching adult ICUs, 1.22 in non-teaching adult ICUs, 2.83 in pediatric ICUs and 5.36 in neonatal ICUs. Incidence rates in 2012–2013 were stable compared to 2008–2012 (in ICUs that took part in both surveillance periods), except in adult teaching ICUs, where the pooled mean rate decreased significantly. Two adult non-teaching ICUs with less than 10 beds that did not take part in the 2011–2012 study joined the program in 2012–2013 (one in period 6 and the other in period 9). All participating ICUs in 2011–2012 continued participation in 2012–2013.

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 42 hemodialysis units took part in the surveillance of vascular access–related bloodstream infections (VARBSIs) in hemodialysis (HD) patients, for a combined total of 51,697 patient periods. The participating units reported 218 VARBSIs in 209 patients. Patient periods involving a fistula accounted for 44.9% of cases. The VARBSI incidence rate was 0.19 cases per 100 patient periods for patients with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula, 0.26 for patients with a synthetic fistula (graft), 0.55 for patients with a permanent catheter and 5.06 for patients with a temporary catheter. Incidence rates in 2012–2013 by type of vascular access were stable compared to 2008–2012 despite an increasing proportion of catheter use. The incidence rates for patients with a catheter of either type decreased significantly. The program has been compulsory since 2011–2012, which means the number of participating units has remained unc…

Prescription opioid use has increased in Québec in recent years. In view of the serious consequences stemming from drug misuse in this pharmacological class, it is possible that the increase has affected the temporal trend in opioid-related poisoning deaths.

Objectives

Determine the opioid-related poisoning death rates in Québec and describe the temporal evolution of the phenomenon by age, gender of the deceased, manner of death, and type of opioid involved.

Method

Type of study and population

A retrospective trend analysis of poisoning-related death rates from 1990 to 2009 in the population 20 years of age or over.

Data

The death registry of the Registre des événements démographiques and the computerized database of the Bureau du coroner en chef du Québec.

Statistical analysis

A Joinpoint Regression analysis used to determine whether significant chang…

As part of an initiative to evaluate the health status of Québec anglophones, their lifestyle habits and certain health indicators were examined by area of residence and compared with those of francophones. The data was taken from the 2003, 2007−2008 and 2009−2010 cycles of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), with particular emphasis on the most recent data.

The results show few statistically significant differences in lifestyle habits and health indicators between anglophones and francophones, regardless of survey cycle or area of residence. Among the few significant differences we did find, anglophones report eating less often fruits and vegetables and tended to be more prone to overweight than francophones, but were also more physically active. They also seem to have a stronger sense of community belonging.

The sample of anglophones was relatively small in this survey, which reduces its statistical power and may partially account for the limited differenc…

For two decades, the reduction of social inequalities in health has been on the health policy and guidance agenda in Québec. Moreover, current monitoring activities make it possible to track social determinants of health, population health status and the use of health and social services over time and space (regionally). In spite of these achievements, Québec does not have a plan for the systematic monitoring of social inequalities in health, although the existence of these inequalities is well documented.

The goal of this report is to propose a strategy and indicators for monitoring social inequalities in health. It is the result of a joint effort on the part of regional and national surveillance professionals in Québec, from the Table de concertation nationale en surveillance, the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux and the Institut national de santé publique du Québec.

The report is divided into three parts: the first presents background information and…

Reducing the prevalence of excess weight in the population in the short-term is one of Québec's public health objectives. The first part of this report provides a portrait of the current weight status situation based on the most recent data, and the second part presents weight trends since 1987.

The data collected in 2009–2010 revealed a prevalence of excess weight estimated at 50.5% for adults aged 18 and over. More specifically, 34.1% were overweight and 16.4% were obese. Between 1987 and 2010, the proportion of excess weight in Québec increased from one in three adults (34.6%) to one in two (50.5%).

Proportions of overweight and obesity rose significantly over these 23 years, but increases in both weight categories have slowed slightly since the early 2000s compared to the period from 1987 to 1998. Only severe obesity (class III) increased proportionately faster among adults in Québec between 2000 and 2010.

The average body mass index increased b…

Although population surveys based on standardized questionnaires on mental disorders convey information on prevalence, they cannot provide timely monitoring data on changes in prevalence of mental disorders or their complications. Moreover, they cannot deliver information on links between services offered and utilization that could be used provincially, regionally and locally for mental health prevention planning and service organization.

To overcome this problem, the unité Surveillance des maladies chroniques et de leurs déterminants (USMCD; Chronic Diseases and determinants Surveillance Unit) at the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ) was given the mandate to develop and implement a mental disorder surveillance system in Québec.

To shed light on the nature and magnitude of mental disorders in Québec, the USMCD has published this first report on surveillance of mental disorders, for the years 1999–2000 to 2009–2010. The report provides information…

In recent decades, the world of work has undergone a number of major transformations, which in turn have had considerable impact on both work organization and employment relationships. These changes have often been introduced for economic reasons in the context of increasingly globalized markets. However, it is becoming more and more apparent that they sometimes have negative impacts on workers’ health and safety. This survey was carried out as part of Québec’s Minister of Labour’s responsibility for conducting a study of changes in working conditions in Québec every five years, in collaboration with the organizations concerned, with the ultimate aim of influencing the future course of public policy (see section 11 of the Act respecting the ministère du Travail, R.S.Q., c. M-32.2). A better knowledge of working and employment conditions and how they relate to the health and safety of Québec workers is vital to providing strategic support for orienting occupational health and safety…