Researchers from Hamilton’s McMaster University have created a new test that can identify diseases like hepatitis C and C. difficile much earlier than ever before. Dr. Yingfu Li, a biochemistry and biomedical sciences professor, said the test allows doctors to get results in a matter of hours as opposed to days. It can also detect infections in lower concentrations that would otherwise be missed in regular tests. Read the...
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[…] information was sent to PICNet’s Community of Practice on July 14, 2016; you can also download the following information as a PDF. PICNet has also prepared a Q&A that you can view in our previous news post or as a PDF. Background The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Public Health Agency of Canada have recently raised an alert to an emerging...
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[…] and information is subject to change. New details will be posted when available. Date of Release: January 14, 2020 An outbreak of atypical pneumonia in Wuhan, China has been closely monitored by the World Health Organization since late December 2019. The causative agent has been identified as a novel Coronavirus (“nCoV-2019”). To date, there have been 42 laboratory-confirmed cases, including 1 mortality,...
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[…] other about provincial projects and initiatives, and new developments in the field of infection prevention and control Learn about PICNet’s current projects and activities Help set the direction for future endeavours PICNet is involved in World Hand Hygiene Day (every May) and Infection Control Week (every October). Follow the links below to upcoming events, or let us know if you have an infection...
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PICNet’s Gastrointestinal Infection Outbreak Guidelines for Healthcare Facilities have been updated. The changes and additions are summarized below: Evidence has been weighted according to new Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Rating Scale for Strength and Quality of Evidence (inserted as Appendix). A summary of recommendations with evidence weighting was added. Small wording revisions throughout the document to provide better clarity BCCDC laboratory links and processes...
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A University of Saskatchewan research team has discovered a way to prevent bacteria from developing resistance to antibiotics, potentially helping to blunt the edge of a looming threat to public health around the world. The University of Saskatchewan research team, led by biochemist Ron Geyer, looked at the “SOS response,” which happens when bacteria are attacked by antibiotics. The bacterial cell stops its normal cycle...
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[…] development and diseases such as cancer. This effort is as big if not bigger than the Human Genome Project. Today, a collection of 41 coordinated papers have now been published by scientists from around the world, moving global research in the field of epigenomics a major step forward. Scientists from the BC Cancer Agency, UBC and SFU published three of the papers. One...
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Excerpted from Infection Control Today: The recent discovery of E. coli carrying mcr-1 and ndm-5 — genes that make the bacterium immune to last-resort antibiotics — has left clinicians without an effective means of treatment for this bacterium. But in a new study, University at Buffalo researchers have assembled a team of three antibiotics that, together, are capable of eradicating the deadly bacterium. The groundbreaking...
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[…] team pioneered a study, known as the “test-negative design” for monitoring influenza vaccine effectiveness, a cost-effective approach that is used each year in Canada and has since been adopted by approximately 20 countries around the world. Yearly findings based on the test-negative design are submitted to the World Health Organization (WHO) to help decide whether changes to the influenza vaccine are needed. “Last...
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[…] to the WHO, including four cases reported from Taipei, 13 cases reported from Hong Kong, one case reported from Malaysia, and two cases reported from Canada (British Columbia, see: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/22/1/15-1330_article ). A(H5N6) China detected the world’s first human infection with H5N6, which was fatal, in April 2014, followed by a second severe human infection in December 2014. On 9 February 2015, a third human H5N6 infection,...
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[…] from BCCDC on emerging respiratory-borne viruses (ERV), including details related to: Increase in MERS-CoV cases in September and October 2014 primarily in Saudi Arabia and linked to camel contact. Subsequent amplification through human-to-human spread within the nosocomial setting is reminiscent of SARS. Also in October, a travel-related MERS-CoV case has been reported for the first time in Turkey. Several Hajj-associated suspect cases are under investigation elsewhere but...
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The federal government is proposing new rules for veterinary drugs used in livestock as it works to reduce human health risks associated with resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobials. Health Canada says the decreasing effectiveness of antimicrobials is having a significant impact on the government’s ability to protect Canadians from infectious diseases. “The overuse and misuse of antimicrobials in animals is a contributing factor...
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Hotel Information The Empire Landmark Hotel, is located on Robson Street between Broughton and Nicola. The hotel features the Cloud 9 revolving restaurant with its 360 degree view of the city. Empire Landmark Hotel 1400 Robson Street Vancouver, BC V6G 1B9 Tel: (604) 687-0511 Toll free: 1-800-830-6144 http://www.empirelandmarkhotel.com/ For Reservations, please call toll free 1-800-830-6144 or via email at reservations@empirelandmarkhotel.com. Room rates Standard Room (1...
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[…] Communications Toolkit To help you plan your IC Week activities and promotion, you can use PICNet’s downloadable toolkit, which contains a planning/resources template, 20 different activities to choose from, and communications tools such as sample newsletters and social media posts. Download the 2018 Toolkit 2. Posters and banners PICNet has lots of infection control posters you can download and print – including some new ones!...
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[…] trailblazer, and a master of your craft? We’re thrilled to announce that we’re recruiting for a full-time permanent Senior Practice Leader to join our dynamic team! If you or someone you know is interested, check the PICNet website for the posting. Thank you, Dr. Linda Hoang, Provincial Medical Co-Director, PICNet We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Linda Hoang for all her contributions to PICNet. After...
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Page 1 of 2 PICNet PROVINCIAL INFECTION CONTROL NETWORK OF BRITISH COLUMBIA A program of the Provincial Health Services Authority PICNet June Newsletter Debugging Healthcare Together! Issue: #5 June 2013 PICNet Video Contest! Infection Control Week is still months away, but we're announcing our video contest now so that you can get your thinking caps on - and create your videos over the summer, if you...
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[…] to bring change Recognizing the role of Active Resistors and Organizational Constipators in hindering performance can help overcome barriers. Saint et al. Jt Comm J Qual Patient Saf 2009; 35: 239-246 . Communicating Routine Bad News Strategic delivery Can preserve solidarity and teamwork among personnel Can reduce threats to autonomy and competence Assists personnel in moderating actions to improve performance 19 Wagoner & Waldron S Comm...
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[…] Health Sept–Oct 2016 ICPs/Staff profiles PHSA Nov–Dec 2016 Hand Care Island Health Jan–Feb 2017 Soap vs. ABHR Fraser Health • Each health authority decided what kind of campaign they wanted to create • Ideas: posters, newsletters, blog posts, social media, contests • What works best for the topic/theme • What they have the resources for – Time /workload – Staff – Prizes...
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