October 13, 2008
In This Issue:
The Debate Continues...
Preventing the Flu
pH1N1 Lessons Learned
National Infection Control Week
RPAP Summary
Coming Soon
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Remember:
CSICN Open House
Monday, October 19
9AM - 3PM
56 Governor's Rd
Dundas
Webber Teleclasses:
October 15
The Socioeconomic Cost of Enteric Disease
Dr. Doug Scott, Centers for Disease Control
October 21
(South Pacific Teleclass) National Work on the Prevention of Healthcare Acquired Infections in Australia
Dr. Marilyn Cruikshank, Australian Commission on Safety & Quality in Healthcare
October 22
(Free Teleclass) Improving Infection Control in Developing Countries
Dr. Benedetta Allegranzi, World Health Organization
Click HERE for a complete schedule
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Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
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Public Health Agency of Canada
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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World Health Organization
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The Debate Continues... 
An early online release of a study in JAMA (by HHSCs Mark Loeb and colleagues) indicates that surgical masks appear to be nearly as effective as N95 respirators in preventing influenza in healthcare workers performing routine care activities. The article will be published in the November 4th edition of JAMA. To read more about the upcoming article, click here.
Preventing the Flu
A 2007 Cochrane review showed that basic interventions are highly effective at reducing transmission of respiratory viruses, including influenza. To read more about how to best protect you and your staff, read on. (This is an article from Medscape. You must be registered with Medscape to access this article. Registration is quick and free.)
 pH1N1 Lessons Learned
While we await the full onset of the second wave of pH1N1 in Canada, we may be able to take some lessons from the experiences of others. Having recently come through a significant wave of pandemic activity, researchers in New Zealand and Australia have released the findings of a three month study on the impact of pH1N1 on the health of the general public. Read more here.
National Infection Control Week
Every year the third week in October is designated as National Infection Control Week. This is an opportunity for Infection Control Professionals to highlight the importance of infection prevention and control and to promote the valuable work that we do. This year, the Regional Infection Control Networks have created several new resources for you to use to promote Infection Control Week. We hope these materials will increase interest and involvement in your Infection Control Week activities.
Here is a link to the resources on our website. Click here for a few ideas on how you may want to incorporate these resources into your Infection Control Week activities.
RPAP Summary
Several weeks ago we introduced the new PIDAC Best Practice document - Routine Practices and Additional Precautions in All Health Care Settings. The idea of Routine Practices isn't new. Health Canada published its original Routine Practices document in 1999. Below is a comparison of some of the changes that PIDAC has made:
Health Canada – 1999 | PIDAC – 2009 | Droplets travel less than 1 meter | Droplets can travel up to 2 meters | No mention of droplet/aerosol generating procedures | Staff to wear PPE when conducting a droplet/aerosol generating procedure (see pg 33 of PIDAC document) | Acute Care Contact Precautions – gloves and gowns on room entry | Gloves on room/bed space entry, gown if skin or clothing will come in contact with patient or patient’s environment | N95 respirator required when entering room of patients with active pulmonary or laryngeal TB | N95 respiratory required on room entry and when transporting patient with active pulmonary or laryngeal TB | When visiting a patient on Airborne Precautions, if indicated, visitors should be instructed in the appropriate use of a mask and other precautions | Household contacts of a patient with active pulmonary or laryngeal TB do not require an N95 respirator when visiting the patient | Disease chart with required precautions indicated | Same chart, but many required precautions have changed (see pages 93-105 for details) |
Access the complete document here.
Coming Soon: JCYH LTC 
The Just Clean Your Hands program has been successfully implemented in hospitals across the province, helping to improve hand hygiene for health care providers. Since its initial roll-out, there have been numerous requests for a Long-Term Care adaptation of the program. We are happy to announce that the finishing touches are being put on the Just Clean Your Hands program for Long-Term Care (translation: coming soon). Ontario’s Regional Infection Control Networks will be assisting with the roll-out of the program, which will include:
• A practical step-by-step implementation guide
• Train-the-trainer sessions for every Long-Term Care Home in Ontario
• Tools and materials, such as online training modules, posters and visual reminders
• An optional audit process and tool which will help to evaluate the need for and impact of the program
• Support and guidance during program implementation
Check this site often for updates on this great upcoming program.
Check out our New Look!
The RICN website was recently given a makeover. The new-look website features improved access to tools and resources and more user friendly navigation. Check it out here, and come back often for updates on the latest news, tools and resources in infection control.
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