Good morning my pretties,

Today I have patient privacy on my mind because something very jarring happened to me—and after reading this story, I feel very seen.

About two months after a surgical procedure, a Nova Scotia woman received a call from a Nova Scotia Health employee wanting to discuss her case. A former preoperative nurse, she knew right away that it was likely the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP)—a widely used data collection program that helps predict, analyze and address factors that could impact the outcome of a surgery.

To me, this process makes sense. I think it’s important for there to be formal follow-up surgical cases so that Nova Scotia Health can measure the outcomes of their procedures and collect patient feedback.

The reason for the follow-up call is that files do not include information about what happens after a patient is discharged. So, if you have a horrible infection on day 11 post-op, for example, they would have no way of knowing that.

So, that all seems on the up and up for me.

However—and this is where it takes a dark turn for me—following an information request to the health authority, this woman determined that the nurse reviewing her file was a former colleague who spent time looking at records behind her surgical case.

That to me this seems like a huge no-no. If this nurse saw the patient file and knew the patient, she should have handed it off to someone who didn’t. I would not love an old colleague looking at my personal HR files—probably just many warnings for drinking on the job—and it’s kind of the same thing.

I felt the same shock when I went for post-baby botox and I was telling the lady with the needle about how I had recently had a baby and how her dad and nana had died when I was pregnant (just the same old sob story). And this woman goes “Oh! I know your story. I work at the IWK as a lactation consultant and everyone was talking about how sad your story was at the nurses’ station”.

Ummmm, bacon powder?

I felt super violated that my dumpster fire of a life was fodder for hospital gossip, even if they meant nothing malicious by it. That information would have been in my personal file because of some, ah-hem, psychological issues I was having at the time—but also so the nurse on duty didn’t barge in and ask where daddy was. But nobody other than the nurses specifically working with me post c-section should have had access to that information.

Of course reviewing surgical outcomes is important. But so is explaining exactly who sees patients’ information, why they see it and what safeguards exist. Patients are expected to disclose their deepest vulnerabilities to medical professionals, trusting that their information will be handled with discretion.

Plus, patients already have enough to worry about when they enter a hospital because lord knows if the surgery doesn’t kill them, the sepsis probably will. Their privacy shouldn’t be yet another factor on their worried minds.

And also, for the love of all things holy, let’s make sure we can all get our botox in peace.

Love and light!

– Jules

📷 @editorjulesl

Today: 🌤️ 7°

Tomorrow: ☀ 8°

Next Day: 🌤️ 11°

7-day forecast

🚗 Driving, biking or busing today? Check out the current traffic conditions and ongoing road closures.

When Emily Morgulis began building a presence online as a fitness content creator, she thought her future lay in influencing. She wanted to share her fitness journey, inspire others to work toward their goals and help people feel more confident in their bodies.

But as her audience grew, Morgulis began to realize she could take that mission further.

Rather than simply encouraging people to feel good about themselves, she wanted to create something they could wear that would help them do just that.

The Coast’s Warren D’Silva chats with social media influencer and fashion designer Emily Morgulis about her activewear brand, Swazona.

⚠️ Residents are being asked to avoid the area around the Halifax Grain Elevator on Marginal Road as crews continue to battle a fire there that than began Monday evening—in an update just before 11 p.m., the city said a 911 call about "visible flames" at the grain elevator was made around 7:15 pom.

🪧 Nova Scotia's school support workers will be in a legal strike position beginning Monday—but the earliest they could walk off the job is Wednesday because doing so requires 48 hours' notice.

🚨 A woman was injured in a home invasion in North Preston and the suspects are still on the run—police from the Halifax detachment of the RCMP are looking for two people who they say were involved in a break-in on Sunday.

🍴 Taste your way through Chef Pamela's story during an evening of Afro-Caribbean and globally inspired vegan dishes, storytelling and music. Purchase your tickets today!*

🛋️ Anxiety, stress, and racing thoughts keeping you awake? Better sleep starts with mental well-being. Connect with Your Counselling Nova Scotia to find support today.*

﹪ We heard that Emsella at Body Works will be 50% off in November. Book a free consultation to learn about this transformative pelvic floor treatment.*

✍️ It’s time to celebrate the absolute best of our beautiful, overly windblown, aggressively opinionated, little corner of the world. Nominate now for Best of Halifax.*

*Sponsored Post

‘Night Happenings’ is Michelle Darwin’s newest series of paintings. These are her largest paintings to-date, and her first work from imagination. These ‘happenings’ reflect a world that is becoming increasingly fractured and turbulent. You will see torrential downpours, flooded streets, zooming cars, and unusual trails of light…

The paintings take place around Nova Scotia – mostly in and around Lunenburg – but the light, colour, and events are largely imagined.

This art show will feature ~25 paintings along with other recent originals, and fine art prints & cards.

NIGHT HAPPENINGS
Oct 27 - Nov 8th
Open 11-4 daily
Lunenburg Art Gallery Society

See it from afar, or be tempted to come on by!

https://www.michelledarwin.com/night-happenings

🚒 A chemical reaction which took place at a Bayer’s Lake business park is now under control as fire firefighters worked with the business to form a plan to dispose materials.

🖥️ It could be several weeks before all of the Nova Scotia government’s websites are back online after some were pulled down in response to a warning about a security vulnerability—last week a vulnerability was identified in the widely used programming language PHP.

🚢 The Nova Scotia government says it is investing over $350K to help boatbuilders and boat repair businesses in the province expand into new markets.

💸 The Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) model is coming to eastern parts of Nova Scotia to train first responders who help those experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis—the provincial government is investing $700,000 in 2026-27 to expand the model.

👍 Former speaker of the house and interim leaders of the PC party, Karla MacFarlane, has endorsed Becky endorsed Becky Druhan to be Liberal party leader—saying she’s always admired Druhan’s integrity and exceptional work ethic.

🐟 Seafood processor High Liner Foods Inc. says it has signed a deal to be bought by Japanese company Umios Corp. in an agreement valued at $804M—under the agreement, Umios will pay $27 per share in cash.

📱 A Nova Scotia woman who was the victim of a “swatting” incident after she refused to follow instructions from an alleged fraudster, who claimed to be from her bank, says she’s still terrified—swatting involves people making false reports in order to prompt a significant police response

📷 Students in the professional photography program at the Nova Scotia Community College are speaking out about the institution’s decision not to offer the program in the 2027-28 academic year.

💗 Following the death of their friend from cervical cancer in 2020, nine women created the Orchid Women’s Health Initiative to help improve women’s health care in Nova Scotia—now the initiative has raised more than $4.5 million over four years.

Anna Clyne's energetic Stride, inspired by Beethoven's Sonata Pathétique, is followed by Schumann's romantic Piano Concerto, with Canadian pianist Teo Gheorghiu making his Symphony Nova Scotia debut. Finally, wander through the idyllic countryside of Beethoven’s epic Pastoral Symphony.

Tickets start at: $48.50

Under 30: $36.50

*Prices include fees & taxes.

Looking for something to do this week? Check out these Coast picks:

🗓 DAC Presents JB Smoove Live: An Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian, producer, and writer, JB Smoove has been making audiences laugh around the world for over 30 years with his one-of-a-kind comedic style. Known for his iconic role as Leon Black on Curb Your Enthusiasm, JB’s energy, storytelling, and physical comedy have firmly established him as one of the most dynamic performers in the business. | Oct 27 | 7:30pm | From $30 |

🗓 Red Sky Appellation Fall Harvest Dinner: a special evening celebrating Nova Scotia’s cider makers, orchards and the distinctive character of the RED SKY Cider Appellation. There will be communal table seating, creating an opportunity to meet fellow cider and food enthusiasts while hearing the stories behind the producers, orchards, craftsmanship and terroir that define Nova Scotia's RED SKY Appellation. | Oct 29 | 6pm | $100 |

🗓 Two Pianos No Rodeo - Bob Wiseman & Mike Boguski: Experience an unforgettable evening of experimental piano music as two of Canada’s most unpredictable keyboard minds take the stage at Sanctuary Arts Centre in Dartmouth. | Oct 29 | 7:30pm | $30 |

Have an event to share? Let us know at [email protected].

🚢➡️ The Contship Cup container vessel arrives in Halifax from New York at 5:50am and departs for Kingston at 6pm.

➡️ The Tropic Hope container vessel departs Halifax for West Palm Beach at 6am.

🚢➡️ The Norwegian Breakaway cruise vessel arrives in Halifax at 7am and departs at 4:30pm.

🚢 The Algoma East Coast container vessel arrives in Halifax from Saint John at 11:40pm.

➡️ The MSC Eleni container vessel departs Halifax for Montreal at 12:30pm.

➡️ The Algoluna tanker departs Halifax for Sarnia at 3pm.

➡️ The RRS Discovery research vessel departs Halifax at 11pm.

Do you have your tickets for AfterWords, Sunday November 1 to Sunday November 8?

More than fifty writers come together in Halifax for AfterWords. Hear Kate Cayley, Sharon Bala, Robert J. Sawyer, Ruth Ozeki, Patrick deWitt and more in conversation.

Tickets are on sale now.

🏆 It’s our favourite time of year over at The Coast. A time where we get to see what our readers have to say about all the best things about Halifax: their favourite food, music, celebrities, influencers, fashion, shops and much, much more. It is once again time for the Best of Halifax. Tell us about your hidden gems, forever favourites, or people who you believe need more recognition. You can find the nomination form here.

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