The spread of many infections can be virtually eliminated if EVERYONE washes their hands.

Warnings from the World Health Organization suggest that we will remain on the verge of a pandemic for some time to come. Good planning and preparedness might mitigate the enormous consequences of a pandemic, and this opportunity must not be missed. It is during Infection Control Week that awareness is raised for everyone regarding the infection control strategies at TBRHSC and what each of us can do to help stop the spread of infections. The theme for this years campaign is “Infection Control Professionals - Partners in Prevention”.

The TBRHSC Infection Control Team is a group of healthcare professionals working to provide protection to patients, family and staff at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. The team, in partnership with the Community and Hospital Infection Control Association of Canada and the regional Northwestern Ontario Professionals in Infection Control, offers leadership, guidance and training with respect to infection control measures. The team's responsibilities include the infection control program for TBRHSC, the regional cancer centre, as well as the development of the Pandemic Flu Plan for TBRHSC. In addition, during Infection Control Week, we will be conducting a “Tabletop Exercise” for the pandemic flu plan entitled “The Pandemic has been declared”.

The Infection Control Team at TBRHSC includes:

Medical Director: Dr. G. Gamble
Infection Control Co-ordinator: Kay Cranston
Infection Control Practitioner: Colleen Snelgrove

What we are doing to protect all users of the facility:

• Encouraging frequent HAND WASHING
• Developing a pandemic plan strategy
• Screening admissions for potential infectious organisms
• Providing surveillance during outbreaks
• Ensuring potentially infectious patients are isolated
• Providing counsel during environmental activities that may cause
• dust or water contamination
• Providing policies and procedures for healthcare workers explaining how to control the spread of infectious organisms
• Providing information to the public when an outbreak occurs

What you can do to assist in the prevention of the spread of infections:

• Avoid coming to the Health Sciences Centre to visit if you have a cold or the flu. If you must attend an appointment:
      • report cough or fever to staff
      • put on a mask
      • sit one metre from other patients
• Inform staff that you have a concern about an infection you may have that could be transmitted to others.
• HAND WASHING is the number one activity that will provide protection to all users of TBRHSC. By using either soap and water or the alcohol hand sanitizers provided, you protect yourself and others.

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