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Respiratory Infections

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BC Policies and Guidelines

Provincial Policies

Policy Communiqué: Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Preventing Viral Respiratory Illness
May 2, 2024
BC Ministry of Health

Provincial Influenza Prevention Policy
Office of the Provincial Health Officer

Viral Respiratory Illness IPC Guidelines

Viral Respiratory Illness setting specific guidance – coming soon!

Respiratory Infection Outbreak Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities
Created By: Provincial Infection Control Network of British Columbia (PICNet)
November 2018

Notice: We are currently in the process of updating the Respiratory Infection Outbreak Guidelines for Health Care Facilities. We will notify our community of practice and partners once the guidelines are revised and approved for publication.

Provincial IPC Guidelines for Portable Fans in Health Care Settings in BC
Created by: PICNet
Updated October 2023

Provincial IPC Guideline for Community Immunization Clinics
Created by: PICNet and BC Ministry of Health
Updated October 2023

Provincial Guidance on Return to Work and Exposure Management for Health Care Workers with Viral Respiratory Illness
Created by: PICNet and BC Ministry of Health
Updated October 2023

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Health Care Settings
Created by: PICNet
Updated: June 2023

Position Statements

COVID-19: Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol Transmission in Health-Care Settings (Archived Sep 27, 2023)
Author: PICNet
The information contained in this document has been archived and is made available for historical referencing only. The content is no longer being updated and therefore, may not reflect current information or recommendations.

Indoor Ventilation Resources

Ventilation is an integral part of an overall strategy to provide acceptable air quality in health-care facilities. Acceptable ventilation helps to reduce the spread of communicable respiratory infectious agents, including respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, when used in combination with other infection prevention and control and public health measures.

The following resources are provided as an adjunct to support health-care facilities and services in optimizing ventilation:

Guidelines from Other Jurisdictions

SARS-CoV-2

Infection prevention and control for coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Interim guidance for acute healthcare settings
Created By: PHAC
2020

MERS-CoV

Tools for Preparedness: Triage, screening and patient management for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infections in acute care settings
Created By: PIDAC
May 2016

Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in Acute Care Settings 
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada
June 2016

Influenza

Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Healthcare Workers in Acute Care and Long-term Care Settings: Seasonal Influenza
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
December 2010

Seasonal Influenza – Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Management in Home Care Settings
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
2012

Prevention and control for health care settings: Canadian Pandemic Influenza Preparedness: Planning Guidance for the Health Sector.
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
April 2021

Pneumonia

Infection Control Guideline for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia
Created By: Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)
May 2010