Alexander Ho

In partnership with the Institute of Safe Medication Practices Canada, Dr. Ho has contributed to the development of an Operating Room Medication Safety Assessment Tool that institutions can use to improve medication management perioperatively.  Other collaborations with ISMP Canada have helped systematically change the handling processes of topical epinephrine in operating rooms to prevent its inadvertent IV injection and potentially fatal outcomes associated with this. 

His current interests are in the safety of routine tranexamic acid use in joint arthoplasty surgery and the investigation of “unexplained” intra-op anaphylaxis which may be related to chlorhexidine sensitivity.

Recent Publications

1. Baker, J.E., Pavenski, K., Pirani, R.A., White, A., Kataoka, M., Waddell, J.P., Ho, A., Schemitsch, E.H., Lo, N., Bogoch, E.R., Pronovost, A., Luke, K., Howell, A., Nassis, A., Tsui, A.K.Y., Tanzini, R.M., Pulendrarajah, R., Mazer, C.D., Freedman, J., Hare, G.M.T. (2015).  Universal tranexamic acid therapy to minimize transfusion for major joint arthroplasty: aretrospective analysis of protocol implementation.  Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, 62(9),  DOI 10.1007/s12630-015-0460-6
2. Ho A. Identifying Knowledge Deficits Related to HYDROmorphone. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Safety Bulletin. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada. ISMP Safety Bulletin. 12(7):1-4, 2012 June.
3. Ho A. A Collaborative FMEA with an Ontario Hospital: Reducing the Risk of Inadvertent Injection of Concentrated Epinephrine Intended for Topical Use. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Publications. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada. ISMP Publications. 1-31, September 2011.
4. Ho A. ALERT: Fatal Outcome after Inadvertent Injection of Epinephrine Intended for Topical Use. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Safety Bulletin. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada. ISMP Safety Bulletin. 9(2):1-3, 2009 March.
5. Ho A. Prefilled Syringes of Epinephrine and Compatibility with Intravenous Tubing. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Safety Bulletin. Institute for Safe Medication Practices Canada. ISMP Safety Bulletin. 8(4):1-3, 2008 June. 

Honours and Awards

Name: Clinical Excellence Award
Description:

Dept of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto,  May 2015

Name: Best Poster Award, 6th Annual Centre for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (C-QuIPS) Symposium
Description:

Effect of Protocolized Administration of Tranexamic Acid for Major Joint Arthroplasty Surgery on Transfusion, Postoperative Anemia, Length of Hospital Stay and Cost: A Single Center Translational Approach to Optimizing Patient Blood Management, 2014

Name: Art Dunn Postgraduate Education Award
Description:

Dept of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine, St. Michael’s Hospital. (Postgraduate MD), 2011

Courses

Course Number: PGY-3 Perioperative Medicine Seminar Series
Course Name: Inherited Disorders
Course Number: PGY-3 Perioperative Medicine Seminar Series
Course Name: Patient Safety