CHICA-Canada Chapter News - Fall 2007
CHICA-ottawa region
Submitted by Donna Baker
Our membership remains steady at 75, with continued half-day meetings held 5 times a year.
The educational components of our meetings included “A Preview of the Core Competency Modules for Acute Care”, something members were pleased to get a look at; a report on the “Hand Hygiene Pilot Project” in progress at The Ottawa Hospital; “Feasibility of Implementing an Influenza Decision Aid to Increase Influenza Immunization Vaccine Among Healthcare Workers” presented by a research assistant from Elisabeth Bruyere Research Institute, a partnership between University of Ottawa and SCO Health Service.
During National Infection Control Week, October 15-19, as different activities were being held at individual facilities, a number of members also had the opportunity to attend a 2-day education conference on “A Healthy Environment in our Health Care Centers: A Challenge” held in Montreal on October 15-16. Very positive feedback was reported back by those who attended.
During Infection Control Week, on October 18th several members had the privilege of participating in the inaugural National Infectious Diseases Day, a collaboration of partners (AMMI Canada, CHICA-Canada, CACMID, ICID and numerous industry representatives) that succeeded in bringing attention to the need for National Strategies to control infectious diseases. Some 60 parliamentary members were met to discuss the issues facing Canada’s health care where our shared commitment to prevent, treat and control infectious diseases was stressed. There were CHICA members from across the country, the majority came from our region, where 10 infection control professionals took time away from their primary duties to assist in ensuring the messages were passed, and the day was a resounding success as per the planners’ feedback.
Many members are partaking in the Ministry and other educational opportunities via videoconferencing through our Regional Infection Control Network (CICN) or through individual institutional access through OTN. Members are very pleased with the increased availability of educational opportunities.
We held a very successful educational symposium on November 1st and 2nd with over 100 attendees at both events. November 1st focused on issues facing health care providers in the community enticing community physicians and care providers from clinics, and as such selected topics included Active and Latent Tuberculosis; Community-associated MRSA, a New Challenge for Health Practitioners; and Facts and Fiction about Influenza. November 2nd was a full day of Infection Prevention and Control topics for the health care provider on “Handling New Challenges in Infection Control” including presentations on Infection Control and Patient Safety: on the Right Track; Clinical Virology for the Front Line Healthcare Professional; Influenza Vaccination in Healthcare Workers; Regional Trends – MRSA/VRE; an interactive presentation “Take the Challenge: Infection Control Core Competencies”; and MDRO vignettes including MDR-TB, MRSA in Long Term Care, and CA-MRSA in a pediatric population. We appreciated having the interest and the support of 15 exhibitors at our full day education event.
Our Chapter has begun another CIC Study Group with 10 participants to write the exam in 2008.
CHICA VANCOUVER ISLAND
Submitted by Cathy Munford
2007 Executive:
| President: |
Cathy Munford |
| President-elect: |
Shelley Sing |
| Secretary/Treasurer: |
Susan Sinclair |
| Geographical area represented: |
Vancouver Island / Gulf Islands |
| Number of members: |
23 |
| Number of meetings per year: |
minimum of 2 meetings per year |
| Format of the meetings: |
Business; education; round table discussions |
Highlights:
- Membership: We continue to be a small but energetic group of
practitioners working to support care providers. We continue
to actively network with those in Community Care and other
non-traditional areas who have a responsibility for Infection
Prevention and Control. Benefits of CHICA membership is encouraged
at each meeting.
- Meeting topics: Meetings consisted of a mix of formal and informal
business. Corresponding members gave formal review of CHICA national
activities and conference highlights. Members were encouraged
to use the web-board section of the members’ only site
to ask questions and share issues.
Three of our members were able to attend the CHICA annual education
conference and meeting this year. A summary review of conference
was presented at the June meeting.
- Other Issues: A number of other issues were discussed at each
meeting including utilization of the Webber Teleconferencing
system, education for IP & CP’s, and outbreak management
in variety of settings including the use of different precautions.
Local issues such as TB clusters were reviewed. All members were
encouraged to share success stories, useful tools, and other
initiatives with each other and the Canadian Journal of Infection
Control. A free membership was awarded again to the chapter with
a draw for the membership given out in the fall.
CHICA MANITOBA
Submitted by Shari Szeremley
Executive 2007
| President: |
Shari Szeremley, RN,
BN |
| President Elect: |
Betty Taylor, RN, BN, MScA |
| Secretary: |
Monique Lariakos, RN, BA, BN |
| Treasurer: |
Maureen Matthews, RN, BN |
Executive 2008
| President: |
Betty Taylor, RN, BN,
MScA |
| President Elect: |
Monique Lariakos, RN, BA, BN |
| Secretary: |
Janice Briggs, RN BA MSN |
| Treasurer: |
Maureen Matthews, RN, BN |
Number of Members: 63. All members belong to CHICA Canada.
Geographic Area Served: Manitoba & Nunavet
Membership:
Rural Manitoba Acute Care facilities: 14
Urban Manitoba Acute Care facilities: 13
Urban LTC facilities: 10
Rural LTC facilities: 8
MB Health/Public Health: 3
Occupational Health: 4
College Instructor: 1
Community Health Clinic: 4
Rehab Centre for Children: 1
Cancer Care MB: 1
Paramedic: 1
Industry rep: 2
Nunavet 1
Meetings:
The Chapter meets the second Tuesday of every month for the
afternoon excluding July and August. At each meeting there is a one
hour educational component followed by a two hour business meeting.
Highlights:
- Ten CHICA Manitoba members worked with facilitator Sheryl Feller
on April 27, 2007 to develop a three year strategic plan for CHICA-Manitoba.
The goal of the workshop was to develop a workable and realistic document
to guide the Chapter into the future. CHICA-Manitoba adopted the same
strategic directions that CHICA-Canada developed but tailored those strategic
directions to fit the Manitoba chapter. A Mission and Vision were also
developed along with ideas for action for each of the 4 strategic priorities.
It was important that this document support CHICA Canada’s directions,
bring rural and city ideas together, and to define our role as a group
to reflect the needs of all generations in our group. The committee is
currently working on 2007/2008 strategic planning goals.
- The Chapter participated in many of the Webber Teleclasses throughout
the year making access available through the Riverview Health Centre.
- During National Infection Control Week, October 15th to 19th,
the Community and Hospital Infection Control Association (CHICA) Manitoba
Chapter, with the support of the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety
launched a provincial campaign to encourage all Manitobans to participate
in achieving safer health care. An Infection Control Week campaign letter
along with a media release, campaign poster, and tent cards were available
through the CHICA-Manitoba website and were also distributed to all members
of CHICA-Manitoba. A letter was submitted by Manitoba Health commending
CHICA-Manitoba and the support of Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety
for working to bring greater awareness to activities health care practitioners
and the public can utilize to help prevent the spread of infections.
CHICA-Manitoba struck a sub-committee to plan next year events for Infection
Control Week 2008. The sub-committee will bring a draft term of reference
to CHICA-Manitoba in January, 2008 for review.
Educational Presentations at Monthly Meetings:
The following presentations were given to the membership:
- "Team Dynamics; To be or Not to be Accountable" by Shirley Layne
- "TB Prevention and Control; New Challenges" from Envision
- "Roberts Rules" - video
- "Blood Stream Infections" BD Lunch and Learn
Retreat Day:
September 21st a “members only” retreat day was held at Niakwa
Country Club. Speakers included Dr. P.Lagace-Wiens, who spoke on “Meningitis
101”, Janis Kennedy who spoke on “Bug Thugs in Hard Hats;
Infection Control and Construction”, Dr. F. Aoki, who spoke on “Herpes
Simplex Virus Explained”, Dr. C. Smith, who spoke on “Understanding
STI’s” and the day was wrapped up with “Pilates for
the Workplace” with Tamara Pound and Sam Manchlenko.
CHICA National Conference:
Members Maureen Matthews, Jen Tomlinson, Karen Retha, Brenda
Dyck, Molly Blake, Genevieve Thompson, Krista Maxwell, Gloria Campbell,
Shari Szeremley, Judi Linden, Monique Liarakos, Janet Dyck, Brenda
Kline, and Rhonda Pfeiffer attended the 2007 CHICA National Conference
in Edmonton, Alberta.
CHICA Manitoba Chapter Conference:
The CHICA Manitoba Chapter one day conference “The Bug Stops
Here! Your Role in Infection Control” was held on June 1 at the
Greenwood Inn & Suites with over 100 participants. Speakers included
Dr. William Libich, who spoke on “Tuberculosis Management”.
Carol Yackichuk & Mary
Bertone,
Oral Health Promotion Specialists who spoke on “Oral Hygiene for
Infection Control”, Dr, Pierre Plourde, MOH, WRHA, spoke on “Small
Round Enteric Virus” Liz Omeniuk, Instructor, Microbiology, RRC,“Interpreting
Microbiology Reports”, and finished the day
with “Isolation Violations”, CHICA MB
“Bug Ladies” ensemble.
Donations:
Membership supported the IFIC Run for Fun held at the CHICA
CA Conference. Three members participated in the run.
CBIC:
The study group lost 2 members and is now down to 6 members.
Two are expecting to write in 2007 with the remainder to write in 2008.
CHICA TPIC
Submitted by Seema Boodoosingh
Geographic Area Served: Greater Toronto Area (GTA) bounded
by Mississauga (West), Barrie (North), and Oshawa (East).
Membership: TPIC continues to support and recruit individuals,
primarily ICPs from acute care, long term care and rehab, community
care, public health and industry. There has been an increase
in industry interest and membership. A needs assessment was
sent out to chapter members to determine how best we can meet
the needs of our members as we do have a diversified group.
The results will be summarized for 2008 and presented to the
membership.
Meetings: Seven meetings were held in 2005:
Jan 16, Feb 20, April 24, June 19 (summer get together/barbecue),
Sept 18, Oct 30 and Dec 4 (including our Christmas social)
Standard meeting format:
Committee Meetings 0900-1000 (Executive, Education, Marketing,
Construction)
Business Meeting 1000-1100 (includes any CHICA committee members
present)
Networking 1100-1200
Lunch (informal networking) 1200-1300
Education Session 1300-1600
2007 Highlights
2007 was a busy year for the Chapter and an especially rewarding
year for TPIC. Chapter members have been actively involved
in many hospital, local, regional and provincial initiatives.
At the hospital level members have been involved in the implementation
of the Safer Health Care Now!. Many facilities are still trying
to incorporate all the processes involved. In order to facilitate
members supporting each other and sharing ideas, a portion
of the networking time is dedicated to questions and discussion
regarding these bundles. TPIC members were asked to present
at a variety education days that were in part also organized
by chapter members. At the local level several members participated
in a coordinated effort between academic teaching institutions
to work together to develop a pandemic influenza plan. Members
continue to provide instruction and mentorship to the Centennial
College Infection Control course and a couple of TPIC members
participate in the Registered Nurses Foundation of Ontario’s
selection panel for the SARS Fund. TPIC’s LTC interest
group in conjunction with Toronto Public Health and the Ministry
of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) held its annual Long
Term Care Infection Control Education Day to continued success.
TPIC voted to donate a CHICA/TPIC membership as a raffle prize
at this year’s education day. One of the most engaging
initiatives this year has been the Regional Infection Control
Networks (RICN). Many members have been actively involved
in the planning committees and continuing to work within the
Steering Committees of several RICN in the Southern Ontario
area. A few of the TPIC members have taken the Network Coordinator
positions and some members have been working with the RICN
as Regional Educator. The planning coordinators of the Central
Regional Infection Control Network specifically requested
TPIC’s involvement, especially the LTC interest group.
The application for funding has been awarded but there is
still no decision with respect to posting the position for
the Toronto RICN coordinator. At the provincial level TPIC
members continue to participate in the Provincial Infectious
Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) and work within the MOHLTC
providing input on many best practice guidelines. Many members
have been involved in setting up venues for Core Competency
Workshops in Infection Control offered by the MOH. A few members
of TPIC are involved at the places of employment in a new
MOHLTC Hand Hygiene pilot program. A member of TPIC also provides
input through Infection Control Ontario on Ontario Hospital
Association education days. TPIC has a member that represents
CHICA at the International Federation of Infection Control
(IFIC) as well as the International Advisory Committee for
the 26th of Chemotherapy and Infection.
This year was rewarding for TPIC because at the CHICA Conference
TPIC was awarded the CIBC Chapter Award. There were quite a
few members able to attend this year conference in Edmonton,
Alberta. It was very rewarding for our TPIC members this year
as one member won 1st place for best poster at APIC and another
member representing both CHICA and TPIC won 2nd prize at the
IFIC conference in Budapest.
Interest Group Reports
Education
| DATE & TIME |
TOPIC |
PRESENTERS |
January 16
1300 -1500
Project Coordinator: Farah Kassam |
Toronto Public
Health Hot Topics |
Anna
Miranda,
Manager, Communicable
Disease Liaison
Unit, TPH |
February 20
1300 - 1500
Project Coordinators:
B.J MacDonald
Susanne Parker |
Community
Acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) |
Dr.
Weese,
Pet
Therapy at Healthcare setting
|
April 24
14:00 - 15:00
Project Coordinator:
Rebecca Yu
|
Financial
Implications of Additional Precautions in Health
Care Institutions |
M/B
Dr. Michael Gardam,
Director of Infection
Prevention and Control, UHN
|
June 19
11:00 - 14:00
Project Coordinator:
Alexis Silverman
|
B.B.Q
How
to talk to Media |
Larry Roberts,
PR/Media Relations for Trillium
Health Network in Mississauga |
September 18
13:00 - 15:30
Project Coordinator:
Alexis Silverman
|
Poster
presentation |
Triumphant CHICA speakers
Terry Ryback-Anisko, Diane Weinwurm, Pam Siddall,
Trillium;
Vicki Williams, Manal Tadros, Sunnybrook;
Terri Murduff,
Joanne Burt, Lakeridge Health Oshawa;
Sharon O’Grady,
Bridgepoint
|
October 30
13:00 - 15:30
Project Coordinator:
Alexis Silverman
|
The
cultural underpinnings of pandemic flu |
Ann Herring,
Professor of
Anthropology, McMaster University
|
December 4
11:00 - 14:00
Project Coordinators:
Darlene Fawcett
Betty-Jean MacDonald
|
CHRISMAS
LUNCHEON
TBA “a more fun spirited education day” |
Meg Sopher |
CHICA-TPIC Healthcare Facility Design and Construction
Interest Group 2006 Update
October 29, 2007
Co-Chairs – Karen Stockton and Barbara Shea
Toronto and Area Practitioners in Infection Control (TPIC)
Summary of events in the Construction interest Group for 2007:
1. Maja McGuire compiled the results of her Construction Interest
Group survey distributed in 2006. Results were presented at
the June 2007 meeting in Edmonton (Maja to send separately to
CHICA with minutes of the June meeting).
2. A large group attended the June meeting in Edmonton and
a great deal of interest was expressed by the group in developing
a toolkit for infection control professionals who have not had
the opportunity to learn a great deal about construction. The
Construction interest group will be working to develop this
toolkit over the next year.
3. The TPIC chapter with the help of the Construction Committee
and other chapters of CHICA have drafted a position statement
on Healthcare Facility Design and Construction and will be submitting
it to the Standards and Guidelines Committee for review in November
2007.
4. At the June meeting in Edmonton, Maja McGuire (past Chair
of the Construction Interest Group) passed on her position to
two people to co-chair for the next 2 year term. Karen Stockton
and Barbara Shea will be co-chairing the committee for the next
two years.
5. Canadian Standards Association has embarked on the development
of a standard for Design and Construction of Canadian Healthcare
Facilities. CHICA has put forward two members as representatives
on this committee: Karen Stockton (Toronto) and Sharon Wilson
(Edmonton). It is anticipated that this document will take 3
years to complete. Please see the report from the CHICA representatives
for further information on this standard. Next meeting for CSA
technical subcommittee is in February 2008.
CHICA TPIC Marketing Committee Activity Report for 2007:
1. Chair responsibility has been divided into two co-chairs
- Jayvee Guerrero and Teri Murduff
2. Ongoing review and update of committee policies and responsibilities
3. Ongoing Web Portal review for changes to content, server
and site sponsorship
4. Exploring other committee and membership needs for web portal-look
and content-questions submitted to Executive to be sent as part
of chapter needs assessment
5. Participated in organizing industry sponsorship for the
North York LTC Education Day Oct 11-invitationletters sent to
16 industry reps with 4 industries participating with information
booths
6. Explored various ways to promote Infection Control Week-contacted
radio station in Toronto however response not received. Suggestions
for Hospital News and other media venues with the assistance
of Public Health media contacts unrealized for this year however
have been recognized as potential sources for next year.
7. New member package being reviewed focusing on the challenges
of recruitment of LTC ICPs and what CHICA and TPIC can offer
to them.
Long Term Care Group
The LTC Group meets four times a year using teleconference.
This method has allowed some sites to include several participants
in the discussions. Topics covered are outbreaks, AROs, and
influenza
vaccination for staff and patients. Members use the meetings
to network and get feedback on any other issues.
|