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Flu Season is Here!
Mask or Immunization?
The American Hospital Association endorses mandatory influenza vaccination in health care settings. Staff who refuse immunization are required to wear masks. The goal is to have 100% vaccination rate compliance. Detailed information on how the campaign evolved and frequently asked questions can be viewed here.
National Influenza Update
Last month the Chief Medical Officer of Health shared new information on two novel Influenza A viruses – Influenza A (H3N2) (S-OtrH3N2) and Influenza A (H1N2), as well as the ministry's response to date and recommended responses for public health units and other health system partners.
International Influenza Update
The article, published in the WHO Publication Weekly Epidemiology Record, 21 OCTOBER 2011, 86th year, No. 43, 2011, 86,469-480, discusses "the development of representative candidate influenza vaccine viruses, coordinated by WHO, remains an essential component of the overall global strategy for pandemic preparedness.”
Resources
Here are some additional resources and information on influenza.
Outlook Tips and Tricks
On December 15, Virginia and Stefanie delivered a lunch and learn session on Outbreak Tips and Tricks. Lessons learned from field experience were shared on what to consider before, during, and after an outbreak. We have taken these tips and tricks and put them into a checklist that we hope you will find useful. Remember these tips and tricks are meant to be considered only after you have reviewed the PIDAC best practice guidelines, and MOHLTC guidelines. They can be used in conjunction with other resources like the CHICA audit tools for enteric and respiratory outbreaks, and JCYH program.
Keep Your Facility Spic and Span
 The Environmental Cleaning Toolkit was created by the RICNs to promote the application of PIDAC's Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning in All Healthcare Settings. All acute care, long term care, and retirement homes within the CSICN area should have at least one toolkit on-site. You may have received a survey regarding this tool mid-December.
CSICN has created a document called "The Technical Guide for Using the Environmental Toolkit.” This document tells you how to access the resources available in each module; we want to make sure a technical issue is not a barrier to you using this great resource. If you have any questions about how to use the toolkit don't hesitate to contact us or for some additional technical assistance download the technical guide.
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