December 7th, 2009
IN THIS EDITION
IC Innovations
Patient Management Algorithms
Another CIC!
Happy Holidays!
ICU Infection Rates
Red, White & Green
FAQ - Certification
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
2010 Annual Conference on Antimicrobial Resistance
Feb 1-3, 2010 Bethesda, MD More Information4th Annual Symposium on Infection Control in Healthcare Facility Design & Construction
February 18, 2010 Toronto, ON More InformationAMMI Canada - CACMID Annual Conference
May 6-8, 2010 Edmonton, AB More Information
WEBBER TELECLASSES
December 10, 2009
Environmental Cleaning Audits: Do they help reduce the spread of C. difficile and Antibiotic Resistant Organisms in healthcare facilities? Email us to sign up for this teleclass. The Teleclass topics for 2010 have now been posted. View them here.
Questions?
Comments!
Suggestions...
We'd love to hear them all.
Get in touch with us:
email: askcsicn@hhsc.ca
phone: 905-627-3541
fax: 905-627-6474
web: www.ricn.on.ca |
IC Innovations 
The members of the American Chemical Society have compiled a list of what they believe to be the top innovations of the year and the ones that hold the most promise for addressing scientific imperatives. Several of the technologies on the list have important implications for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. They include a new needle-free vaccine; an antimicrobial paint that kills AROs, and; a new technology that uses tobacco plants to manufacture a vaccine. To read more about these technologies, click here.
(photo credit: http://www.cs4fn.org/women/images/womanlightbulb.jpg)
Patient Management Algorithms
Patients with respiratory or GI illness often present to emergency care settings where they post a risk of transmitting disease. A recent study suggests that infection control algorithms delineating a standard approach to patient management may decrease the risk of secondary exposure. The study also found that health care workers perceived that algorithms offer a clear and consistent approach to patient management and protect health care workers in spite of environmental and resource limitations. Want to read more? Click here.
Another CIC!
 Connie Gittens-Webber recently wrote and passed her CIC exam. Connie is a member of the Hamilton Health Sciences Infection Control Team, as well as being the treasurer for CHICA-HANDIC. Way to go Connie! We are proud of your accomplishment. (Photo: Connie Gittens-Webber at the CHICA-HANDIC Education Day)
Happy Holidays! 
At the most recent CHICA-HANDIC chapter meeting, members put their talents to use crafting Christmas decorations. The chapter wanted to find a way to reach out and make itself known to the Long-Term Care community in area. Each decoration is hand made by members of CHICA-HANDIC and carries an important message: "Clean Your Hands". CHICA-HANDIC wishes all of it's members and the local health care community a Happy Holiday Season! (Photo: The CHICA-HANDIC Christmas Tree of Hands)
ICU Infection Rates
Here are some numbers to think about: - 51 percent of ICU patients have some type of infection
- lung infections are the most common (64%), followed by abdominal and bloodstream infections
- the infection rate for patients in the ICu for more than 7 days is 70%
These numbers come from the EPIC II Study and demonstrate that infections remain a common problem in ICU patients. More...
Red, White & Green
The Canadian Association of Environmental Management (CAEM) recently held the Red, White & Green Conference at the Casablanca in and Winery. The conference met CAEMs principle functions of promoting the professional growth and development of its member and encouraging and assisting managers in improving upon the existing environmental services provided to their facility and clients. To see how the conference met these functions and to view the presentations from the conference, visit the CAEM website.
FAQ - Certification
"I have completed a course in Infection Prevention and Control from Centennial College/Queen's/University of Calgary/etc. Is Certification in Infection Control (CIC) separate from this?"
The courses listed above are basic infection control courses designed to meet the needs of new or novice Infection Control Professionals. These are great courses to take, as they provide good foundational knowledge in the field, an opportunity to network with other professionals who are at a similar stage in their practice, and an abundance of invaluable resources that will benefit you throughout your career as an ICP. Upon successful completion of these courses a certificate is often issued, which states that you have completed the requirements of the course. This certificate is not the same as Certification in Infection Control (CIC). The CIC designation can only be used by individuals who have met the candidate requirements for writing the certification exam, and who have successfully writtent the exam.
The CSICN holds an annual study group which helps to prepare people to write the certification exam. We also have a variety of resources that may be of benefit to you if you are new to the field of infection control or if you are planning on writing the CIC exam. Follow this link for a complete list of resources, or get in touch with us to learn more about our CIC Study Group. |
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