Dispelling Myths & Forging New Partnerships
Part 2
On March 22, 2012 the CSICN IPAC Leaders and HNHB LHIN Emergency Services Steering Committee held a forum for 71 ED and IPAC staff at the Casablanca Winery Inn in Grimsby. This half day event focused on "Dispelling Myths and Forging New Partnerships” between frontline ED staff and IPAC teams. A similar forum was held last May for VPs, ED Directors, and IPAC Leaders. This year we wanted to demonstrate that at the regional level IPAC and the ESSC are working together; an example for how everyone could move forward in their own organizations. In the second forum it was decided there would be equal numbers of speakers from the ED group as the IPAC group. Forum content included a presentation on the impact IPAC has on ED wait times by Dr. McGeer, a project background and data sharing presentation, a tabletop exercise demonstrating how easily infections are spread, and a panel discussion of Frequently Asked Questions. Prior to the forum frontline ED staff were asked to share their most common IPAC questions. As a group the IPAC Leaders drafted written responses to each of the questions appropriate to all acute care organizations in the CSICN region. These answers were provided in writing and through the panel discussion at the forum. Review the FAQ questions and responses here.
Understanding Precautions - A Staff Activity
Frontline staff should be able to initiate additional precautions quickly; followed by consult with their IPAC team. This is especially important after hours when IPAC staff are not on site. We have created a simple activity that utilizes Appendix N from the PIDAC Routine Practices and Additional Precautions best practice guideline (found on pages 80-93). Appendix N is a chart which shows different syndromes/organisms and describes what precautions are needed for care.
Activity: Give staff this worksheet and ask them to use Appendix N (make available electronically, or hard copy) to determine what type of precautions would be used for client/patient/resident care. In deciding which organisms/syndromes to include on this worksheet we were sneaky and chose organisms that they wouldn't know off the top of their head, but had likely heard of (like leprosy). Out of this list of scary sounding illnesses the only thing additional precautions are needed for is the seemingly innocent conjunctivitis. The activity has two key takeaways: don't assume when precautions are needed, and learn to use this reference to initiate precautions.
Articles and Documents...
Upcoming Events
CHICA-HANDIC Education Day Event:
ALL ABOARD THE PREVENTION
EXPRESS
June 7, 2012
The Grand Olympia Banquet and Convention Center
660 Barton Street, Stoney Creek
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Find out more... Lunch and Learn:
May 17, 2012 Health Hazard & Hoarding
June 14, 2012 AROs Movement of People Along The Continuum
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