A Fond Farewell to Mark

Sadly, CSICN staff bid a fond farewell to Infection Control Consultant, Mark Jefferson on June 4th. Mark has joined the Infection Control team at Hamilton Health Sciences and can be found doing IPAC rounds at the newly renovated Henderson Hospital in Hamilton. Best of luck Mark!!

CIC Study Group Tools Coming Soon!! 

Ellen Otterbein at the WWICN and her team have developed a new template for CIC Case Studies.  Each one sets up a scenario and tests the reader’s knowledge of a particular subject.  Tuberculosis, Varicella and CDI Surveillance case studies are available, as well as one case study developed by Dr. Maureen Cividino (CSICN) on Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure. Already certified? Use them as a refresher.  Answer sheets are also provided.  As these are brand new, Ellen and Maureen would like to hear what you think of them—What works and what can be improved? Let’s do this together! If you'd like a copy drop us a link at askcsicn@hhsc.ca. Once available, we'll send you the link.

Environmental Cleaning Educational Tool kits to be Launched

 The Canadian Association of Environmental Management will be holding its 2010 Ontario Fall Conference and Trade Show on September 19th to September 21st, 2010 at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood, ON. This conference is being held in partnership with the Regional Infection Control Networks and will be an event you will not want to miss. The theme this year is “Doing it Right” and the eagerly awaited Health Care environmental cleaning educational tool kits based on the PIDAC Environmental best practices document will be launched there. This will be a great opportunity for experts in Environmental Management, Public Health and Infection Control to network and share ideas.  Registration is limited to 300 delegates, therefore early registration is strongly recommended. Please note the early registration discount ends August 15, 2010. Click here for the application form
 

CSA Posts Revision of Respiratory Standard For Public Review

The Canadian Standards Association has posted their revised standard on Selection, Use and Care of Respirators.   The document is open for public review until Jul 6, 2010 on CSA website. For the first time they have included information on bioaerosols and infectious agents.  To find the document and makecomments:  go to https://review.csa.ca/opr/opr_list.asp and scan down
the list for Z94 4  posted on May 7... comments are due July 6.
  

OSHA Seeks  Occupationally Acquired infections Data

In May, 2010 the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the USA published a request for data about infectious diseases being transmitted to patients and workers in health care settings.OSHA wants to know the extent of occupationally acquired infectious diseases in health care settings (including school and correctional facility clinics) and which risk prevention strategies are in use. The information being sought includes: types of facilities and workers at risk employer infection control programs; control methodologies being utilized (including engineering, administrative, and work practice controls and the use of appropriate PPE); medical surveillance programs; and training programs. OSHA stated that there are concerns that as healthcare delivery moves from the traditional hospital setting, where there are more resources to effectively implement infection control measures, into more diverse and smaller workplace settings with fewer resources, that there will be increasing number of HCWs outside of hospital settings who are exposed to occupational injuries and illnesses. Studies as recently as 2009, including by CDC, found weaknesses in respiratory protection, hand hygiene, PPE, staff training, and written procedure guidelines in healthcare settings. Will we start to see similiar requests for data from Canadian authorities? Time will tell.
  

Needle Safety Regulation and Self-employed Health Care Providers  

Effective July 1st, the Needle Safety Regulation (O. Reg. 474/07) requires the use of safety-engineered sharps in all workplaces; including among self-employed health care providers. This Regulation requires persons whose work requires the use of hollow-bore needles for therapeutic, preventive, palliative, diagnostic or cosmetic purpose, must now use safety-engineered medical sharps (SEMS). Employers must make available, provide training for and ensure the use of SEMS to reduce accidental needlestick injuries. It’s important for you to be aware that the Ministry of Health and Long-term Care is hiring additional a auditors to inspect workplaces for compliance with this Regulation. Non-compliance can result in an order and/or fine of up to $25,000 or 1 year in jail for an individual or $500,000 for a corporation. For more information on the Needle Safety Regulation, please visit the provincial website at: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/regs/english/elaws_regs_070474_e.htm
  

 Final call for Applicants for Non Acute IPAC Course