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Increasing access to cutting-edge research: new initiative benefits local patients
October 2, 2024
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The Ottawa Health Science Network Research Ethics Board (OHSN-REB) is spearheading an important initiative to enhance patient access to clinical trials and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical research across the region.
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New pan-Canadian data and sample transfer agreement a game-changer for clinical research
July 2, 2024
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“We’ve built a high-speed legal highway for researchers to use to share their data and samples.”
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Can a blood test predict if MS attacks will come back after stopping treatment?
March 15, 2024
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Some people prefer to stop immune-suppressing treatment if their disease has been stable for years, but there’s no way to know whether their symptoms will return.
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“Super-collaborator” helps patients breathe easier
November 9, 2023
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Dr. Shawn Aaron is receiving The Ottawa Hospital’s Grimes Career Achievement Award for practice-changing research in COPD and other chronic lung diseases
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Will I be on dialysis forever? New calculator could help kidney disease patients
June 9, 2023
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People who receive their first kidney dialysis treatment during a hospital admission often wonder if their kidneys will eventually recover, or if they will need to continue dialysis for the rest of their lives. A new calculator developed by Dr. Edwar
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New scientist profile: Dr. Joseph Shaw investigates best way to “turn off” blood thinners
March 16, 2023
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Thrombosis physician Dr. Joseph Shaw knows blood thinners are great for preventing blood clots. But sometimes people taking these drugs need to be able to form blood clots again, like before a surgery, or if they start bleeding in the brain or gut.
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International team investigates cause of space anemia
March 16, 2023
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Dr. Guy Trudel is leading a collaborative research project to uncover key mechanisms of spaceflight-related anemia.
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How should patients with acute heart failure be monitored? This tool can help.
March 7, 2023
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A clinical decision tool used in the emergency department can improve outcomes for patients with acute heart failure, according to trial involving more than 5,000 patients, published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Why more patients are taking a front seat in medical research
January 27, 2023
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After undergoing surgery herself, Gurlie Kidd was so interested in work on a team studying “prehabilitation” for frail patients undergoing surgery, that she got involved.
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New Research Chair in Gay Men’s Health is setting out to break down barriers to care
January 27, 2023
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As both a researcher and a gay man, Dr. MacPherson knows all too well the stigma, stereotypes and misinformation that gay men often encounter in the health-care system. He has dedicated much of his career to breaking down these barriers by helping he
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People with lived experience of cancer are bringing crucial insights to studies
January 11, 2023
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The early days after Gary Davis’s leukemia diagnosis were all a blur. Now cancer-free, Gary is advising our researchers on how to navigate difficult conversations about study participation with patients like himself
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New biomarker could help predict severity of COVID-19 infection
October 28, 2022
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New research led by Dr. Benjamin Tsang and Taggart-Parkes postdoctoral fellow Dr. Meshach Asare-Werehene shows that a blood protein called plasma gelsolin (pGSN) could help predict which hospitalized COVID-19 patients are likely to become severely il
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Questionnaire can find people with undiagnosed asthma, COPD
June 2, 2022
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A team led by Dr. Shawn Aaron developed and validated a tool published in the European Respiratory Journal that can detect undiagnosed asthma and COPD in adults with symptoms.
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The Ottawa Hospital’s push to demystify Parkinson’s disease
April 29, 2022
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Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer’s, affecting at least 100,000 Canadians. Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are on the global stage seeking answers for patients desperately waiting for a breakthrough.
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Research sets new standard for treating latent tuberculosis in Canada
March 24, 2022
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A transformational treatment for latent tuberculosis (TB) is now the standard of care in Canada, thanks to research led by The Ottawa Hospital. The Canadian Thoracic Society’s new Canadian TB Standards, released on March 24, 2022, recommend 3HP (rifa
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New CIHR grants to support an equitable pandemic recovery
March 16, 2022
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Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital have been awarded four grants as part of CIHR’s Emerging COVID-19 Research Gaps and Priorities competition, which was designed to support an equitable pandemic recovery for all Canadians.
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The Ottawa Hospital Joins Michael J. Fox Foundation’s Expansion of the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI), Landmark Study toward Better Treatments and Prevention of Disease
March 3, 2022
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The Ottawa Hospital aims to enroll people recently diagnosed with Parkinson’s who are not yet taking medication and individuals over age 60 with certain risk factors in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI),
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228 clinical practices used inappropriately in Canada
February 28, 2022
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A study led by Dr. Janet Squires identified 228 clinical practices in Canada that are used inappropriately, with underuse being more common than overuse.
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Study reinforces new treatment option for stroke prevention
February 17, 2022
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A network meta-analysis led by Dr. Dar Dowlatshahi and neurology resident Dr. Ronda Lun found that ticagrelor is just as good as clopidogrel when combined with aspirin as a dual antiplatelet therapy.
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Getting the clot out on first try improves outcomes for basilar artery stroke patients
January 21, 2022
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Pulling a clot out of the brain on the first try significantly improves outcomes for patients with basilar artery stroke, according to a study published in Stroke led by Dr. Robert Fahed. This rare kind stroke can cause death or severe disability by
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Being in space destroys more red blood cells
January 14, 2022
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A world-first study has revealed how space travel can cause lower red blood cell counts, known as space anemia. Analysis of 14 astronauts showed their bodies destroyed 54 percent more red blood cells in space than they normally would on Earth, accord
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New scientist profile: Dr. Mark Canney uses big data to answer burning questions in kidney disease
December 9, 2021
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As a kidney specialist with a background in epidemiology and statistics, Dr. Mark Canney is interested in the questions that most trouble his colleagues.
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Some inhaled corticosteroids for asthma, COPD safer and more effective for older adults
September 29, 2021
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Study reveals important new information for physicians who prescribe inhaled corticosteroids to older patients, a common daily treatment for asthma and COPD
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A glimpse inside the mind of neurosurgery expert, Dr. Fahad Alkherayf
August 18, 2021
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Dr. Fahad Alkherayf is the Director of the Clinical Research Program in the Neurosurgery Division of The Ottawa Hospital. As a neurosurgeon, he specializes in minimally invasive surgeries, which use much smaller incisions than traditional surgeries
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A conversation with Dr. Jess Fiedorowicz
August 18, 2021
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Dr. Jess Fiedorowicz is shining a light on mental health through his work and research at The Ottawa Hospital. Originally from the U.S., Dr. Fiedorowicz has been at our hospital since 2020 as the Head and Chief of the Department of Mental Health.
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Motivational incentives make a difference for treating opioid use disorder
June 23, 2021
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Providing incentives like free movie passes or small cash rewards to motivate people with opioid use disorder to continue opioid agonist therapy (OAT) improves retention in the treatment program, according to a systematic review led by Drs. Brian Hut
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Research study to improve patient care during pandemic
March 17, 2021
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Meagan Gordon spent much of her high-risk twin pregnancy confined to a room at our hospital to keep her and her babies safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, she's helping our researchers improve care.
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New scientist profile: Dr. Jess Fiedorowicz brings an interdisciplinary vision to mental health research
March 10, 2021
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Dr. Jess Fiedorowicz has built his research career on bringing together specialists from different disciplines to better understand the health risks faced by people with severe mental disorders, with a focus on bipolar disorder.
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Partnering with the marginalized
December 11, 2020
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To tackle health-care inequities affecting vulnerable populations, Smita Pakhalé turns to community peer researchers in a grassroots approach to epidemiological research.
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The Ottawa Hospital contributes to ‘a beautiful evolution’ in HIV research and care
December 4, 2020
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In honour of World AIDS day, we take a look back at how The Ottawa Hospital played a major role in caring for patients with HIV, how it continues to lead life-saving research, and how it is transforming how HIV is managed today.
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Probing the mysteries of COVID immunity
October 15, 2020
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Stop the Spread Ottawa is an initiative aimed at accelerating vaccine development against the novel coronavirus that has transformed our way of life.
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Canadian study compares COVID-19 spit test to traditional swab test
September 8, 2020
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A new study led by researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa and the Public Health Agency of Canada’s National Microbiology Laboratory shows that a Canadian-made spit test can detect the COVID-19 virus.
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Cannabis use in pregnancy linked to a greater risk of autism
August 10, 2020
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In the largest study of its kind, researchers from The Ottawa Hospital, BORN Ontario and the University of Ottawa found that children whose mothers reported using cannabis during pregnancy were at greater risk of autism.
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Decoding the mystery of Parkinson’s disease
July 10, 2020
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For more than 200 years, no one has been able to solve the Parkinson puzzle. While the exact cause of the disease remains a mystery, dedicated researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are gaining ground—determined to solve the puzzle.
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The Ottawa Hospital awarded $4.7 million for COVID-19 research from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research
June 25, 2020
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Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded $4.7 million from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) for four research projects that could transform our understanding of COVID-19 and lead
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Understanding the challenge of COVID-19 for Ottawa’s most vulnerable people
June 8, 2020
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Dr. Smita Pakhale and her colleagues will harness the trust and engagement they have built with Ottawa’s most marginalized communities over the last 10 years through community-based participatory action research to examine how COVID-19 has impacted t
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How are you coping during COVID-19?
April 20, 2020
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COVID-19 is changing core aspects of people’s lives in a unique manner. Social interactions, family and work are all affected. Researchers want to understand the impacts of these changes and determine what helps people cope.? They have launched a stu
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Researchers join the fight against COVID-19
April 2, 2020
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As hospitals and communities band together to fight COVID-19, researchers at The Ottawa Hospital are harnessing their unique expertise and resources to help.
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Assisted reproductive technology and heart problems: it’s (mostly) about the twins
February 24, 2020
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Babies born through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) like in vitro fertilization have a small but significantly increased risk of being born with heart problems (2.2 percent for ART babies compared to 1.2 percent for non-ART babies). Now, a new
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More time in space linked with anemia
February 19, 2020
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More astronauts are anemic after longer space flights, according to a study led by Dr. Guy Trudel. Anemia is a reduced level of red blood cells that can make people feel weak or tired.
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Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw elected into Royal Society of Canada
September 10, 2019
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Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, a group called upon to make significant and substantial contributions of knowledge, understanding, and insight through engagement with the larger society.
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Study establishes long-term risks and consequences of leg vein clot recurrence
July 31, 2019
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Over 750,000 Canadians will have an unexplained vein blood clot in their lifetime, known as venous thrombosis. A collaborative study led by Dr. Marc Rodger and Faizan Khan now provides the best data yet on the long-term risks and consequences of recu
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Are we using biologic therapy properly?
June 13, 2019
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The introduction of infliximab (Remicade), the first biologic therapy approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), did not result in lower rates of hospitalizations or intestinal surgeries among patients living with IBD in Ontario
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Start discussions on end-of-life care earlier, study suggests
May 15, 2019
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A study led by Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng found that many patients with terminal cancer who visited the Emergency Department in 2012 within two weeks of dying in hospital did not have an advanced care plan.
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Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) and do-not-hospitalize (DNH) orders not enough to prevent potentially avoidable hospital visits: study
April 15, 2019
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Do-not-resuscitate (DNR) and do-not-hospitalize (DNH) orders in long-term care homes (nursing homes) across Ontario led to reductions in rates of hospitalizations and hospital deaths, but did not eliminate these potentially inappropriate transfers, a
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Guidelines can help patients avoid unnecessary blood transfusions
April 15, 2019
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Dr. Dean Fergusson played a lead role in an important set of guidelines for patient blood management published in JAMA.
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Helping evidence-based public health guidelines work in the real world
April 3, 2019
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Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw played an important role in an international exercise to strengthen how the World Health Organization develops guidelines to improve public health.
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New scientist profile: Dr. Hanns Lochmüller investigates rare neuromuscular disorders
March 15, 2019
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Dr. Hanns Lochmüller, a neurologist and senior scientist recently recruited to CHEO Research Institute from the U.K., has now also been appointed as an associate scientist in the Neuroscience Program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
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Researcher brings made-in-Ottawa approach to Parkinson’s care to Europe
March 15, 2019
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A personalized approach for Parkinson’s care pioneered in Ottawa will soon be tested in Europe, thanks to a prestigious $2.2 M grant. This approach, called the Integrated Parkinson’s Care Network, was developed by Drs. Tiago Mestre and David Grimes.
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Patients and clinical trial experts key to upcoming made-in-Canada CAR-T clinical trial
March 1, 2019
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Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa are known around the world for their expertise in designing and leading clinical trials, and they're now applying this knowledge to create a made-in-Canada approach for CAR-T cell cl
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Flu vaccination keeps people with COPD out of the hospital
January 30, 2019
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A study led by Dr. Sunita Mulpuru found that the flu vaccine was associated with a 38 percent reduction in flu-related hospitalizations among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The researchers looked at the records of 4755 Cana
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New scientist profile: Dr. Swapnil Hiremath harnesses science to bust medical myths
January 29, 2019
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Dr. Swapnil Hiremath is inspired by his patients to uncover the truth behind medical dogma. For example, he played a lead role in busting the myth that contrast dye should never be used in medical imaging in people with serious kidney disease. He is
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Advances in radiation therapy improve treatment for early-stage prostate cancer
January 16, 2019
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Many patients with early-stage prostate cancer now have access to shorter and more convenient courses of radiation treatment thanks in part to research at The Ottawa Hospital. The treatment, known as hypofractionated radiation therapy, delivers more
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Provincial innovation award for a computer tablet that could help stroke patients recover
January 9, 2019
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Dr. Dar Dowlatshahi has been honored with the 2018 e-Health, Technology, and Monitoring Excellence Award by the Innovation Fund Provincial Oversight Committee. His team’s project “Recover Now: Mobile Tablet-based Stroke Rehabilitation in the Acute Ca
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Trio of BMJ papers to impact how clinical research is performed
January 9, 2019
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Researchers at The Ottawa Hospital and the University of Ottawa played important roles in three papers recently published in The BMJ (British Medical Journal) that are expected to impact how clinical research is conducted around the world. The first
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Severe sleep apnea increases risk of irregular heartbeat
December 11, 2018
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Severe sleep apnea increases the risk of hospitalization for new atrial fibrillation, or irregular heartbeat, according to a study led by Dr. Tetyana Kendzerska. The study followed more than 8,000 people who were originally free of any irregular hear
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Decision tool identifies which patients with COPD are at risk of death, serious complications
December 3, 2018
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A made-in-Ottawa decision tool can help emergency physicians identify which patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at high risk of serious complications including death. The Ottawa COPD Risk Scale is better than current practice at p
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Engaging patients in research every step of the way
November 28, 2018
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CMAJ's new supplement on engaging patients in health research features commentaries led by Drs. Dean Fergusson, Simon Hatcher and Christian Vaillancourt, as well as 14 other teams affiliated with Ontario’s SPOR SUPPORT Unit (OSSU). As co-Scientific D
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Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw honoured with CIHR Barer-Flood Prize for Health Services and Policy Research
November 20, 2018
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Dr. Jeremy Grimshaw has been honoured with a pre-eminent career achievement award from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). The CIHR 2018 Barer-Flood Prize for Health Services and Policy Research recognizes Dr. Grimshaw as an exceptiona
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Study shows which stroke patients benefit most from clot-busting drug
October 25, 2018
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Dr. Dar Dowlatshahi co-authored an international study that could help predict which ischemic stroke patients would benefit the most from a clot-busting drug. This kind of stroke can be treated with the drug alteplase or by running a long thin tube t
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Research project aims to get stroke survivors moving
October 24, 2018
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Exercise has been proven to enhance brain repair, decrease depression, maintain cognitive function and reduce frailty in stroke survivors. However, stroke survivors don’t always have access to evidence-based exercise programs in the community. A new
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Chance encounter on a train led to an award-winning career in research
October 22, 2018
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A job on the Rocky Mountaineer train took Dr. Kristin Danko to places that weren’t on the route between Vancouver and Calgary. One stop was a research lab at The Ottawa Hospital. Now she is the recipient of the Worton Researcher in Training Award fro
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Made-in-Ottawa rule helps patients with neck injuries in the emergency department
October 17, 2018
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A study led by Dr. Ian Stiell found that triage nurses in the emergency department can safely use a made-in-Ottawa rule to make wait times shorter and more comfortable for patients who have neck pain after a fall or car collision. Due to a very small
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The cancer’s gone but the fear remains: psychology researchers tackle fear of cancer recurrence
August 16, 2018
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A pilot study by Drs. Christina Tomei, Sophie Lebel, Christine Maheu, Monique Lefebvre, and Cheryl Harris suggests that specialized psychological services could help cancer survivors manage their fear of cancer returning. While this is a realistic fe
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Not sure if you can give good CPR? New data shows you probably can
August 7, 2018
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Bystanders who come to the aid of someone whose heart has stopped are performing high-quality CPR that consistently meets the latest guidelines, according to a study led by Drs. Shannon Fernando, Christian Vaillancourt and Ian Stiell. Fifteen percen
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People with rare blood cancer live longer, healthier lives with new targeted treatment regimen
August 1, 2018
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A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, co-authored by Dr. David MacDonald, is providing hope and changing lives for people with Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. This rare form of cancer occurs in white blood cells called B cells, w
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$1.7 million to advance research on colon cancer, brain development, kidney disease and severe fluid loss
July 20, 2018
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Four research groups at The Ottawa Hospital, affiliated with the University of Ottawa, have been awarded $1.7 million in the most recent project grant competition from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR). Their projects will advance sci
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Urologists reduce unnecessary prostate cancer surgery in Eastern Ontario
July 5, 2018
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A growing number of patients in Eastern Ontario are being saved from unnecessary prostate cancer surgeries, according to a study led by Dr. Luke Lavallée and Dr. Luke Witherspoon published in CMAJ Open. While prostate cancer is the most common cancer
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Researchers push for better patient engagement
June 27, 2018
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Research improves patient care, and a growing movement aims to engage and involve patients in the research process from start to finish. However, little is known about what meaningful patient engagement in research looks like. To find out, Dr. Dean F
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Dr. Dean Fergusson chosen as President-Elect of international clinical trial society
June 20, 2018
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Dr. Dean Fergusson was elected President-Elect of the Society for Clinical Trials. This organization works internationally to advance human health by advocating for the use of clinical trials, leading the development and dissemination of optimal meth
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Experimental stem cell therapy tested for rare lung disease
April 30, 2018
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A Canadian-led research team has launched a clinical trial of an experimental stem cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. This rare and deadly disease occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the lungs become so damaged that blood can
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