Category Archives: Infection Control

Reminder – Updated Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) Measures

To:
All Toronto Paramedic Services Staff

From:
Adam Thurston
Commander, Community Safeguard Services

Dr. Russell MacDonald
Medical Director

Screening_poster_May2023

Toronto Paramedic Services updated the Divisional Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) standards in May 2023 to align with the latest public health recommendations from Public Health Ontario. These standards are important to note given the growing numbers of COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases in the community.

The following remain in effect for all staff:

1.    Pre-Screening – Staff and visitors are required to complete a self-screening for common symptoms of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases prior to entering the workplace. A self-screening aid is posted in workplaces and is attached for reference. Staff who fail self-screening must contact their Superintendent or the SSC and must not enter the workplace.

2.    Isolation Period/Return to Work – Staff who have symptoms of any febrile respiratory illness or test positive for COVID-19 or respiratory virus may return to work once their symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (48 hours if gastrointestinal symptoms were experienced) AND are fever free (temperature <38.0°C). Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) kits for COVID-19 are available in all Paramedic stations and are provided upon request in other work locations.

Wearing a medical grade surgical mask is strongly recommended for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

3.    Masking in Patient Care Settings – A Paramedic Services supplied medical grade surgical mask is the minimum level of respiratory protection required for ALL patient care activities, as well as entry into patient care spaces (including hallways where patient care is performed).

An N95 respirator is required in the following circumstances:

  • Known or anticipated performance of an aerosol generating medical Procedure (AGMP)
  • Patient fails the Point-of-Care Risk Assessment

Staff may choose to wear a higher level of personal protective equipment based on their assessment of the situation, at their discretion.

We will continue to monitor guidance from Public Health Ontario and work with our Health and Safety Team and Union partners to ensure a safe and healthy workplace.

Sincerely,
(Original signed by)

Adam Thurston
Dr. Russell MacDonald

 

Mandatory Pre-Shift Self-Screening Compliance


As a reminder, COVID-19 pre-shift screening was implemented in all stations and facilities on March 19, 2020 and remains mandatory for all Toronto Paramedic Services (TPS) staff. Self-screening assessments must be completed at the start of each shift.

The upcoming influenza season, coupled with the identification of the new BQ.1.1 COVID-19 sub variant, reinforces the importance of pre-shift screening as an effective way to minimize risk of exposure to respiratory viruses for both our staff and the people we serve.

If an employee fails the self-screening assessment, they are to contact the Staff Support Centre (SSC) immediately for instructions at 416-338-2700.

If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with your Superintendent.

(Original signed by)
Adam Thurston

Update #2 – Clinical Alert: Monkeypox

Since the beginning of 2022, the World Health Organization has reported spread of the monkeypox virus in 8 countries where it is endemic as well as 28 countries that have newly been affected. To date, there are 110 confirmed cases in Canada, including 18 confirmed cases, nine probable cases and 14 suspected cases under investigation in the City of Toronto.

Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer of Health designated monkeypox to be a Disease of Public Health Significance (DOPHS) under the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA), effective June 16, 2022.

The Point of Care Risk Assessment (PCRA) must be completed by Paramedics before every patient interaction and task to determine whether there is a risk to the Paramedic of being exposed to an infection, such as monkeypox. When performing the PCRA, it is important that Paramedics be aware of travel history to Quebec or other areas where outbreaks have been identified, as well as the signs and symptoms of the virus which include:

A lesion or rash (will often appear within a few days after symptoms begin, starting on the face and spreading to other parts of the body), 

· Fever and/or chills,
· Headache,
· Muscle aches and/or backache,
· Exhaustion, and
· Swollen lymph nodes.

Patients with a confirmed, probable or suspected case of monkeypox should be reverse isolated, if it is tolerated. Paramedics are to wear a fit-tested, seal-checked N95 respirator, eye protection (goggles, face shield, or safety glasses with side protection), gown and gloves when providing direct care to or interacting with a patient with a suspected or confirmed case of monkeypox.

A targeted approach to vaccination and treatment for high-risk groups is being taken at this time. Toronto Public Health began a series of community based vaccination clinics on Sunday, June 12 to help curb the spread of the virus in Toronto.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as needed. More information about monkeypox, is available on the City of Toronto’s Monkeypox webpage, and on the Public Health Agency of Canada’s website.

Take care, and stay safe. 

(Original signed by)
Jennifer Shield