A Knowledge Translation Project on Best Practices in End-of-life Care.

This is a knowledge translation project to promote the uptake of best practices in end-of-life (EOL) care within the primary care setting in British Columbia (BC) through the use of tools embedded into electronic medical records (EMRs). The knowledge-to-action model is used to engage primary care providers in co-designing, adopting and evaluating the EOL care toolkit built for 3 EMRs. The toolkit has a set of EMR-specific data entry templates, query/report functions and access to additional downloadable resources. It is based on the EOL learning module designed and offered by the BC General Practice Services Committee's Practice Support Program to improve EOL care by primary care providers in the province. Our web-based distribution method allows providers to download and install the toolkit then take part to evaluate its use and impact. Initial feedback from phases 1-3 (of 4) has been favorable and has led to iterative improvements.

Physical rehabilitation after total joint arthroplasty in companion animals.

Patients who have total joint arthroplasty have varying needs related to rehabilitation. In the short term, rehabilitation should be used in all dogs to identify high-risk patients and to minimize the likelihood of postoperative complications. Many patients undergoing total hip replacement recover uneventfully without needing long-term physiotherapy. All patients undergoing total knee replacement and total elbow replacement need rehabilitation to restore limb use and maximize their functional recovery. This article presents rehabilitation considerations for companion animals undergoing total hip replacement, total knee replacement, and total elbow replacement; postoperative complications and how to mitigate risks; and anticipated patient outcomes.