Provincial Infection Control Network of British Columbia - Surveillance, Education, & Best Practice

Gaps Identified in Infection Prevention and Control Resources for Long Term Care Facilities in BC

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 16:03:00 -0800

The first step in ensuring that we are providing safe, high quality care to all British Columbian (BC) Long Term Care (LTC) residents is to gain a clear understanding of the differences in infection prevention control (IPC) structures and processes, used in the different regions across BC which operate under various care models. The report identifies strengths and gaps in our current model of LTC infection prevention and control so that a more effective and standardized model can be established across the province.

Identifying the Gaps in Infection Prevention and Control Resources for Long Term Care Facilities in British Columbia July 2010

GI Outbreak Guidelines added to BCCDC's Communicable Disease Control Manual

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 14:01:00 -0800

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control's Communicable Disease Control Manual has been updated to include PICNet's most recent guidelines in the Infection Control section.

NEW Interim Guidelines for Health Care Workers (HCW) who are Cases or Contacts of Measles

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:49:00 -0800

In response to the recent outbreak of measles (Rubeola) a group of experts in virology, Public Health and Occupational Health have created these guidelines for the management of health care workers. Please note that these guidelines are "Interim" and a final document will be released in the fall.

Interim Guidelines for Baseline Assessment and Management of Health Care Workers (HCW) who are Cases or Contacts of Measles (Rubeola)

NEW Gastrointestinal Infection Outbreak Guidelines for Healthcare Workers

Thu, 10 Jun 2010 15:19:00 -0800

PICNet is pleased to announce the release of our Gastrointestinal Infection (GI) Outbreak Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities. The evidence-based guidelines aim to assist organizations with developing or updating policies or processes that pertain to the prevention, the surveillance for, and the identification and control of GI outbreaks.

The guidelines were created by an expert working group using a formalized development process. They have also recently been approved for inclusion in the BC Centre for Disease Control’s Communicable Disease Policy Manual. PICNet would like to thank the GI Outbreak Guideline Working Group for their hard work on this project.

Gastrointestinal Infection Outbreak Guidelines for Healthcare Workers (June 2010)

Evaluation of PICNet's Respiratory Outbreak Prevention and Control Guidelines

Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:25:00 -0800

PICNet’s Reference for Respiratory Outbreak Prevention & Control Guidelines (ROPC) were evaluated to develop a review and update process for current and future guidelines. The results of the evaluation include six key recommendations, which will assist guideline development groups with developing comprehensive guidelines.

Evaluation of PICNet's Reference for Respiratory Outbreak Prevention & Control Guidelines

Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) Toolkit

Thu, 13 May 2010 13:12:00 -0800

A group of Infection Control Professionals have selected a collection of tools used in the management of Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI). Most documents can be customized to meet the needs of your organization. The resources include Patient & Staff Education, Checklists & Audit Tools, and Care Plans & Processes.

PICNet's Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) Toolkit

PICNet Releases First Provincial Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) Surveillance Reports

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 15:54:00 -0800

PICNet is proud to annouce the release of the first Provincial Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI) Surveillance Reports. Thank you to all the Health Authority Representatives for all their hard work.

To read more about CDI, the Surveillance System, and to view the reports, please follow the links below:

NEW Online Education Module: Prevention of Surgical Site Infections

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:23:00 -0800

PICNet is proud to annouce the release of our NEW Online Education Module: Prevention of Surgical Site Infections.

The Surgical Site Infection Prevention module uses real life photographs, graphics, interactive activities and video demonstrations to teach and discuss practices that prevent the development of a surgical site infection.

Upon completion of the SSI Prevention course the learner will be able to identify individuals who may be at higher risk for developing an SSI, be able to describe best practices for the prevention of SSIs, be familiar with both local and systemic signs of an SSI, and be able to demonstrate the correct method for taking a wound swab and discuss the interpretation of culture reports.

A survey of infection prevention and control resources in acute care facilities across British Columbia, Published in CJIC

Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:11:00 -0800

"A survey of infection prevention and control resources in acute care facilities across British Columbia" was published in the Winter 2009 Canadian Journal of Infection Control (CJIC).

The Authors include, Bruce Gamage, Sarah Pugh, Margaret Litt, Dr. Elizabeth Bryce and the PICNet Needs Assessment Working Group.

For more information on the CJIC: http://www.chica.org/inside_cjic_journal.html

New Hand Hygiene Resouce Page

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:47:00 -0800

PICNet has added a new Hand Hygiene Resource Page to promote hand hygiene awareness and provide education tools for health care providers. The page can be accessed through our Education & Training section.

If you have resources to add to our list or you would like to provide feedback, please send us an email to picnet@phsa.ca.

Call for photography submissions for the 2010/2011 PICNet Calendar

Tue, 05 Jan 2010 09:58:00 -0800

Last year’s fiscal calendar was widely appreciated by our Community of Practice. We are currently working on this year’s calendar and we need your help. Are you a photographer at heart? Do you have an eye for visual arts? This is your chance to be featured in our calendar. Please submit your infection control related digital artwork or photography (JPEG or JPG format) to us by email to picnet@phsa.ca.

The deadline for submissions is February 28, 2010.

H1N1 and Pregnancy: Key Considerations for Vaccination and Management (Online Learning Program)

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 10:12:00 -0800

H1N1 and Pregnancy: Key Considerations for Vaccination and Management

Online learning program for health professionals.

mdBriefCase, in collaboration with the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, has developed an online learning program for health professionals on H1N1 immunization and pregnancy.

The learning objectives are:

1) Appreciate the risks posed by H1N1 infection to pregnant women and the fetus.
2) Identify the position of pregnant women in the Canadian and Provincial H1N1 vaccine priority lists.
3) Identify the benefits and risks of H1N1 vaccination in pregnancy.
4)Understand the differences between adjuvanted and unadjuvanted H1N1 vaccines for pregnant women.
5) Review clinical management considerations regarding the timing and mode of delivery of pregnant women requiring hospitalization for H1N1 influenza-like-illness (ILI).
6) Discuss the role of antiviral agents in pregnant women with H1N1 infection.

We encourage all health professionals to participate in the program. Registration is free. It takes approximately 1 hour to complete the program. The English version is now available. The French version will be posted on December 3, 2009.

This online CME event is an Accredited Group Learning Activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

To access the program:

www.mdBriefCase.com (for physicians)

www.rxBriefCase.com (for pharmacists)

www.AdvancingIn.com (for nurses and other healthcare professionals)

Provincial CDI Surveillance Program

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:28:00 -0800

We are looking forward to releasing the first province-wide aggregate report on the incidence of Clostridium difficle in BC later this year. The Surveillance Program is a collaborative effort between all five regional Health Authorities: Fraser Health, Interior Health, Northern Health, Vancouver Coastal Health and Vancouver Island Health Authority) as well as PHSA, Providence Health Care and affiliates. PICNet wishes to thank everyone involved in implementing this program as well as PICNet Surveillance Systems Coordinator Ellie Sheng who has been instrumental in the programs progress.

Once released, the report will be posted on our website