Shared by Public Health Ontario

Shared on October 20, 2020

Resource includes:

This infection prevention and control (IPAC) checklist for primary care, specialty and walk-in clinics addresses specific items that are pertinent during this COVID-19 pandemic and:

• Can support these settings in examining, evaluating (e.g., self-assessment) and re-evaluating their current IPAC practices using provincial recommendations (e.g., Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario) as required.
• Can help guide public health units (PHUs), regulatory colleges and professional associations in conducting assessments/inspections related to IPAC practices.
• Can support plans and preparation for the resumption of services during this COVID-19 pandemic.
• From this point forward, the term primary care will represent primary care, specialty and walk-in clinics

Contents include:

1. Restart planning and preparation; 2. Reception and waiting area(s); 3. Screening staff, patients and visitors; 4. Positive screening: Providing care; 5.Personal protective equipment (PPE); 6. Hazard controls; 7. Physical capacity/environment; 8. Critical supplies and equipment;  9. Human resources/occupational health and safety; 10. Environmental cleaning; 11. Reprocessing of reusable medical equipment/devices; 12. Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)

Click here for the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment for Primary Care, Specialty and Walk-in Clinics during COVID-19 Checklist [PDF]

Shard by the Ontario Hospital Association

Shared on October 14, 2020

This October, let’s commit to protecting our family, friends and community by taking the pledge to #flattenthecurve and ask others to do the same. It hasn’t been easy. But we made it this far because we always find the strength to do the right thing.

Take the pledge to #StopTheSpread and encourage others by telling them how you’re doing your part:

1. Take the pledge and commit to doing your part to keep everyone safe.
2. SHARE! Tell others how or why you’re stopping the spread of COVID-19, and who you’re doing it for

Communications toolkit is available here [PDF]

Because of COVID-19, there has been a decrease in non-urgent, face-to-face, routine medical visits, including those for routine vaccinations. But unfortunately, postponing or canceling routine vaccinations for children and adults leaves individuals vulnerable to becoming infected with vaccine-preventable diseases and increases the risk of vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks. One way to ensure that people continue to receive needed vaccines is to set up a curbside or drive-through vaccination clinic.

This is CDC document, updated July 2020, lists Considerations for Planning Curbside/Drive-Through Vaccination Clinics.