Two new Infection Control Precautions for High Threat Pathogens education modules are now available on the PHSA LearningHub.
- Infection Control Precautions for High Threat Pathogens is for Level 1 &2 facilities
- Infection Control Precautions for High Threat Pathogens (PAPR) is for Level 3 facilities
Additional Modules on PHSA LearningHub
- Biocontainment Cleaning of Medical Equipment for High Threat Pathogens
- Biocontainment Cleaning for High Threat Pathogens (EVS/Housekeeping)
Each health authority will communicate to its staff who should complete which module; please contact your supervisor if you have questions about this.
Both modules are hosted on the PHSA Learning Hub, where you can track your courses and print a certificate after completion. Anyone (including healthcare workers not employed by a health authority) can access the modules, but please note, in order for each Health Authority to have records of which of their employees have completed the modules, staff must access the modules as follows:
- PHSA, Vancouver Coastal Health, Northern Health, and Island Health: use the Learning Hub
- Interior Health: staff must use the IH learning platform
- Fraser Health: staff must use the FH learning platform
- Non-health-authority-affiliated: you are welcome to use the LearningHub; see below.
If you work for a facility that is not affiliated with a BC health authority, you can still create an account on the Learning Hub; all you need to provide is your name and an email address. You can find instructions on how to create an account here.
Background: In 2016, in response to training gaps identified during Ebola preparedness in 2014, the Ministry of Health issued a Health Care Worker All Hazard Personal Protection Training Framework. The framework contains five training components. The first three components cover basic training on routine practices, point of care risk assessment, selection and use of personal protective equipment, and application of additional precautions.
These elements of the training framework were addressed by first replacing PICNet’s previous Provincial Infection Control and Hand Hygiene online education module with two new modules in 2017. Following this, two new online modules for Infection Control for High Threat Pathogens were created. These are not intended to be “stand alone” education, but the first step in a series of online and hands-on simulation practices to be completed by health authorities at specific facilities.
If you have any questions about the modules, including which one you should take, you can contact Joanne Archer, PICNet’s Education and Practice Coordinator. Please note: for any issues with your LearningHub account, including creating/updating your account, completing the modules, and/or printing your certificate, you must contact learninghubadmin@phsa.ca, and not PICNet. Thanks!
Browsers and Mobile Apps for viewing the modules
| Flash | Adobe Flash Player 10.3 or later, and one of the following browsers: |
| Browser | For Windows, any of:
For Mac, any of:
|
Course Content
Provincial training standards used in this course include preparedness for responding safely to high threat pathogens. Upon completion of the “Infection Control Precautions for High Threat Pathogens” you will be able to identify the various requirements when caring for patients with rare or emerging pathogens. This includes designated personal protective equipment, special donning and doffing procedures, biocontainment protocols, and more. Note that anyone completing the modules and may be designated to care for a patient either suspected or confirmed to have a high threat pathogen will be required to also participate in hands-on training at their worksite.
This course has been developed for emergency department and other designated physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, phlebotomists, medical imaging technicians and laboratory staff, trained observers and PPE donning / doffing assistants in all hospitals, and BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) staff.