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2023/10/30

TRANSITIONING COVID-19 IPC RESOURCES

Transitioning COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance and Resources

PICNet and the Ministry of Health have co-led the development of viral respiratory illness (VRI) resources through the Provincial COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Ccntrol/Workplace Health and Safety Working Group, in collaboration with health authority representatives and other partners. These resources cover a range of viral respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This transition aligns with the following announcements and changes:

After BC Ministry of Health approval of revised materials, the COVID-19 information is being removed from the BCCDC COVID-19 Infection Control webpage and updated materials are posted here on the PICNet website to integrate IPC guidance and resources to a single source.  Users are being redirected to the PICNet website when accessing IPC resources on the BCCDC website.

For more information, please contact picnet@phsa.ca.

Updated VRI guidelines can be accessed on the Respiratory Illness webpage, posters can be accessed on the Infection Control Posters webpage, tools and checklists can be accessed on the Tools webpage, and personal protective equipment resources (PPE) can be accessed on the PPE webpage. Please see the table below for revised resources and a summary of changes. Additional resources are being added as they become available.

 

Resource and Link Replaces the Following COVID-19 Resources Summary of Major Changes
Hierarchy of Controls for Infection Prevention and Exposure Measures for Communicable Diseases (Nov 22, 2024) The Hierarchy of Controls for Infection Prevention and Exposure Measures fore Communicable Diseases (Jun 29, 2022)
  • Transitioned pandemic measures to general hierarchy of controls.
COVID-19: Emergency Prioritization in a Pandemic
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Allocation
Framework (Archived)		 COVID-19: Emergency Prioritization in a Pandemic
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Allocation
Framework
  • Archived and moved from BCCDC website to PICNet website
B.C. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply, Assessment, Testing and Distribution Protocol (Archived) B.C. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supply, Assessment, Testing and Distribution Protocol
  • Archived and moved from BCCDC website to PICNet website
Position Statement to Address Double Masking and Mask Modifications for Medical Masks in Health-Care Settings Position Statement to Address Double Masking and Recommendations for Medical Masks in Health-Care Settings (2021)
  • Updated references and reaffirms current provincial position on double masking and mask modifications in health care settings
Respirator donning and doffing instructions New resource developed to provide instructions for the safe use of different styles and models of disposable respirators
Donning instructions for elastomeric half facepiece respirator (EHFR) without an exhalation valve filter COVID-19 Instructions for fitting elastomeric half facepiece (EHFR) that does not have an exhalation valve filter
  • COVID-19 branding removed
How to don PPE COVID-19 The 5 steps to don (put on) personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • COVID-19 branding removed
  • The inclusion of respirator
How to doff PPE COVID-19 The 9 Steps to doff (take off) personal protective equipment (PPE) for droplet and contact precautions
  • COVID-19 branding removed
  • The inclusion of respirator
Environmental cleaning and disinfection in clinic settings quick reference guide COVID-19 Environmental cleaning and disinfection in clinic settings

COVID-19 Information Sheet for Environmental Service Providers in Health Care Settings
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
  • Combined content from two resources into one
Skin protection for PPE use for health-care workers COVID-19 Management of PPE-Related Skin Damage
for Health Care Workers
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
  • Title change
Provincial Guidance on Return to Work
and Exposure Management for Health
Care Workers with Viral Respiratory
Illness		 COVID-19 Interim Guidance on Return to Work for Health-Care Workers with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 and Management of Health-Care Worker Exposures to COVID-19
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
  • Scope expansion to VRI.
  • Removes testing and self-isolation requirements as conditions for HCWs returning to work.
  • Supports return to work following the resolution of fever and improvement of other symptoms.
  • Addition of continuous masking requirement for 10 days following symptom/illness onset when returning to work.
  • Additional considerations added for immune compromised HCWs.
Provincial IPC Guideline for Community Immunization Clinics COVID-19 IPC Guidance for
Community Immunization Clinics
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
  • Scope expansion to VRI.
  • Reflects updated Policy Communiqué: Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Viral Respiratory Illness Season.
Entrance Screening Tool during viral respiratory illness (VRI) season COVID-19 Entrance Screening Tool for Health-Care Facilities (For all staff, visitors and patients/clients/residents)
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
  • Scope expansion to VRI.
  • Reflects updated Policy Communiqué: Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Viral Respiratory Illness Season.
Medical Mask is Required Poster (during viral respiratory illness season) COVID-19 Medical Mask is Required Poster for Staff and Visitors
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
  • Scope expansion to VRI.
  • Reflects updated Policy Communiqué: Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Viral Respiratory Illness Season.
  • Provides patient-specific IPC advice.
How to Wear a Medical Mask COVID-19: How to Wear a Face Mask
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
Viral Respiratory Illness Checklist for Health-care Workers COVID-19 Health-Care Worker Self-Check and Safety Checklist
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
  • Scope expansion to include communicable VRI.
  • COVID-19 specific IPC measures that are no longer relevant have been removed.
Outbreak poster COVID-19 Outbreak in This Facility poster
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
  • Scope expansion to all outbreaks.
  • Additional context provided for visitors and health-care workers.
Appropriate Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for VRI in Health-care Settings poster Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
for COVID-19 in health-care settings
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
  • Scope expansion to include VRI.
Eye and Facial Protection Selection Fit Tool COVID-19: Eye and Facial Protection Selection Fit Tool
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
Prescription Eye Protection Selection Requirements COVID-19: Prescription Eye Protection Selection Requirements
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
Cleaning and Disinfection Instructions for Reusable Eye and Facial Protection COVID-19: Cleaning and Disinfection Instructions for Eye/Facial Protection
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
Viral Respiratory Illness Transmission COVID-19 How is COVID-19 Transmitted poster
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
  • Scope expansion to VRI
Viral Respiratory Illness Chain of Infection COVID-19 Chain of Infection in Health-care Settings
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
  • Scope expansion to VRI
How to Clean Your Hands Poster
  • COVID-19 Hand Hygiene poster
  • COVID-19 branding removed (viral graphics: COVID-19 wording).
Respect Personal Space Poster
  • COVID-19 Respect Personal Space
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
  • Title simplified to “Stop Germs from Spreading”
Entrance Patient Poster
  • COVID-19 Entrance Screening Tool for Health-Care Facilities (For all staff, visitors and patients/clients/residents)
  • COVID-19 Patient Screening Tool for Direct Care Interactions
  • Supports passive patient screening for VRI and other communicable diseases. Signs and symptoms added to support passive screening.
  • Provides patient-specific IPC advice.
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
Entrance Staff and Visitor Poster
  • COVID-19 Entrance Screening Tool for Health-Care Facilities (For all staff, visitors and patients/clients/residents)
  • COVID-19 Entrance Poster: Do not enter if you are sick
  • Support passive visitor and health-care worker screening for VRI and other communicable diseases.
  • Provides IPC advise
  • COVID-19 branding removed.
Point-of-Care Risk Assessment (PCRA)
  • COVID-19 Point-of-Care Risk Assessment (PCRA) February 2, 2022
  • A shift from COVID-19-specific measures to general IPC measures for preventing the spread of viral respiratory illness and other infectious illnesses.
  • To reflect the lifting of the universal masking policy in BC (the universal use of medical masks was included in the PPE selection algorithm from the Feb 2022 document).
  • The PPE decision tool has been updated to an algorithm with yes/no answers, as well as the consideration when to wear a respirator.
  • The COVID-19-specific example scenarios have been removed because they are already covered in steps 1, 2, and 3, and because scope of the tool is no longer specific to the management of COVID-19 only.
COVID-19: Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol Transmission in Health-Care Setting (Archived Sep 27, 2023)
  • COVID-19: Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Aerosol Transmission in Health-Care Setting (Aug 29, 2022)
  • 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.
Provincial Support for Using Reusable Gowns for Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC)
Purposes
  • Provincial support for using reusable gowns for Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) purposes (BCCDC website)
  • No changes. Document moved from BCCDC website to PICNet website
Indoor Ventilation Resources (Oct 5, 2023) Ventilation Resources – BCCDC COVID-19 Infection Control
  • Title changed to Indoor Ventilation Resources to distinguish from patient ventilation.
  • Scope expansion to reduce the risk of transmissible respiratory infectious agents including respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2.
  • Updated references and addition of resources from WorkSafe BC and ASHRAE.
Personal Protective Equipment: Additional Precautions Infection Prevention and Control Audit Tool (Updated Oct 5, 2023)
  • COVID-19: Personal Protective Equipment: Infection Prevention and Control Audit Tool
  • Title changed to remove COVID-19 and addition of infection prevention and control audit tool for additional precautions.
  • Scope expansion to include all categories of additional precautions.
  • Scope expansion to include an environmental assessment for signage and supplies (PPE and hand hygiene).
Provincial IPC Guidelines for Portable Fans in Health Care Settings in BC (Updated Oct 5, 2023)
  • COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Guidance on Portable Fans in
    Health-Care Settings (Aug 4, 2021)
  • Title and branding change to remove COVID-19.
  • Addition of version control table and summary of changes.
  • Scope expansion to include communicable viral respiratory infections and other infectious agents.
  • Removed the statement that there is an increased transmission risk when staff are not wearing masks.
  • Updated references.
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IPAC News for the week of October 23 – 27, 2023
IPAC News for the week of October 30 – November 3, 2023
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PICNet wishes to acknowledge with gratitude that we work and live on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of many B.C. First Nations who have cared and nurtured this land for all time. PICNet’s office in Vancouver is located on the traditional land of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We also acknowledge that there are other Indigenous people that live on these lands that originate from their own respective territories outside of these lands, the Chartered Communities of the Métis Nation B.C., and Inuit.