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Infection Control

Since the Spring of 2003, when SARS was first identified, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has focused much of its efforts at tightening the Infection Control systems, both provincially and within each health care facility. As a result, St. Pat’s Infection Control Program has undergone a major revision. (It should be noted that this will always be a “work in progress” as new diseases and protocols emerge.) These revisions, intended to prevent and contain infections, have been based on “best practices” and on directives from the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health.
 

Prevention

We have in place several procedures that are aimed at preventing infections.

• The most important thing that anyone can do is to be very vigilant about handwashing. Since the time of SARS, we have had bottles of a no-rinse antiseptic hand cleansing gel at the entrance (main door and staff door), and on the units, along with signs directing people to use it.

• Staff have undergone inservices about the importance of handwashing.

• Residents are tested for certain infections when they are admitted.

• Staff who are ill have been instructed not to report for work

• We provide annual influenza vaccinations to residents, staff, volunteers and visitors

• We have a procedure for people who have not been immunized for the flu, in the event of an influenza outbreak

• We keep a list of staff who work in other facilities, in the event that the other facility has an outbreak

• Nursing, Nutritional Services, Housekeeping and Laundry departments each have procedures for regular precautions and procedures to follow to prevent infections

Surveillance

• A daily record is maintained of resident and staff illnesses

• There is a protocol to follow when a threshold of infected residents is attained, which requires that we call the Department of Health

Containment

St. Pat’s works in conjunction with the Infection Control practitioner assigned by the Department of Health to the Home.

• Symptomatic cases are isolated

• Units meeting the threshold definition for an outbreak are quarantined

• Signs are posted warning the public of an outbreak situation, informing them of the unit(s) affected and actions to take

• Signs are posted at unit level, with extra bottles of a no-rinse antiseptic hand cleansing gel placed outside the unit

• Staff, as much as possible, are cohorted (assigned to work on one unit only)

• Visitors may be limited or the entire building may be quarantined

Public Health Department

It is important to mention that we are required by law to report certain diseases to the Public Health Department. It is also they, not St. Patrick’s Home, who declare us to be in an outbreak situation and require us to quarantine the affected units. St. Patrick’s Home has a reputation of working closely with them and doing everything possible to minimize the spread of infections. Based on this, the Department of Health has permitted us, in certain circumstances, to hold church services on the unit under quarantine. We will work hard not to jeopardize this privilege.
 

How can you help?

• As was said earlier, handwashing is the key to prevention; this cannot be over-emphasized.

• Get your flu vaccination (resident AND family members)

• Do not enter the building if you are not feeling well, have aches, have cold symptoms, gastric symptoms, etc.

• If visiting a resident on a quarantined unit, visit the resident’s room only, and leave the building directly after the visit. Do not visit other residents or units.

• Sanitize your hands when leaving the unit and the building.
   

 We take Infection Control very seriously. Together, we can make the lives of all who live, work and visit in the Home much better and much safer, by doing everything to prevent the spread of contagious illnesses.