CHICA-Canada Chapter News

	Chapter News
	Fall 2007 Ottawa Region Vancouver Island Manitoba TPIC Spring 2007 BC Eastern Ontario HANDIC Winter 2006 Eastern Ontario HANDIC Northern Alberta Ottawa Region

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:

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

Executive 2008

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

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.

Spring 2007

CHICA-BC

Submitted by Mary McNaughton

April 24, 2007

CHICA-BC members would like to thank the 2006 executive for their dedication and commitment: Linda Adam, President, Jim Curtin, Past President, Rhonda Anslow, Treasurer and Jacqueline Hlagi, Secretary, We would like to welcome Tracy Lanier to the position of treasurer for 2007. CHICA-BC members meets approximately six times per year with members also participating by teleconference. Our meetings consist of a business portion followed by an educational portion. The speaker for the January meeting was Dr. Elizabeth Bryce who gave a very informative presentation on “Syndromic surveillance”. The March speaker was Dr. Mark Hull who described “Outbreak of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Vancouver Downtown”. CHICA-BC members have been involved in the planning of the Provincial Infection Control Network (PICNET) educational conference to be held in Vancouver on May 3 and 4. The topics include surveillance of healthcare associated infections, respiratory outbreak prevention and control, antibiotic resistant organisms, and construction/renovations. The working groups will meet to discuss surgical site surveillance, Clostridium difficile surveillance, and bloodstream infection surveillance. CHICA-BC members are planning an education day for the fall focusing on topics of interest to Residential Care. Members have been meeting for study groups to prepare for the CBIC exam. Several CHICA-BC members are planning to attend the CHICA Educational conference in Edmonton, which promises to meet the needs of the novice to the advanced practitioner. See you there!

CHICA EASTERN ONTARIO

Submitted by Jim Gauthier

This year, CHICA-EO established an educational bursary fund for CIC certification and named it after our late member, Lois Rae. The Lois Rae Memorial Fund provides funds to cover the cost of the CIC exam for CHICA-EO members. Several members have achieved their CIC status this year, including Melanie Barbacsy - Hotel Dieu (Kingston), Susan Cooper - SEOICN, Christine Wilkinson – Quinte Healthcare (Belleville), Sally MacInnis – Royal Ottawa Healthcare Group (Brockville/Ottawa), and Dorianne Chesterton – Quinte Healthcare (Belleville). There are more members writing later this spring and summer. Congratulations to all our new CIC members on achieving this awesome standard.

Our quarterly meeting in February was chaired by incoming President, Susan Cooper. Sue is in a new position as the South Eastern Ontario Infection Control Network (SEOICN) Regional Infection Control Consultant, joining member Janet Allen, who is the Network Coordinator. The meeting was well attended, and for our education session we utilized the Webber Teleclass on Best Practice for Hospital Construction, presented by Andrew Streifel. Bonnie Erwin was appointed the chapter representative for the new Community Health Care Interest Group.

The SEOICN is presenting some educational sessions for Long Term Care facilities in Brockville, Kingston and Belleville, utilizing CHICA-EO members.

CHICA-HANDIC

Submitted by Ruth Schertzberg

With the arrival of warmer weather, the membership has shifted into high gear to prepare for our annual educational conference. In the past CHICA HANDIC has sponsored a one-day educational conference for our membership and partners in healthcare across the continuum, public health, non-acute and acute care. This year we have partnered with the local Regional Infection Control Networks to bring what we believe is a better conference to the participants.

The educational conference is being held on Thursday May 31, 2007 at Liuna Station in Hamilton, Ontario. The agenda promises an excellent day with presentations from experts in the field. Further details can be accessed at our chapter website, http://www.chica.org/handic/education.html

Since our last report, two chapter meetings have passed. I am always appreciative of the lively discussion and debate that occurs around current issues in infection control. It is always thought provoking and leads us to re examine our own practice. I want to thank two of our members for their very informative presentations at our chapter meetings, Sandra Comand, Microbiology for ICPs and Michelle Baird, Epidemiology for ICPs.

Once again this year, our chapter is in a position financially to offer support to the membership to attend the CHICA Canada national conference. CHICA HANDIC has awarded financial assistance to eight members to allow them to be present in Edmonton this year. We look forward to their reports from the conference at our meeting in September.

Winter 2006

CHICA Eastern Ontario

Submitted by Amanda Knapp

Our 2006 workshop and educational conference held September 27/28 was a great success. Workshops were very well attended, the CIC preparation session was over booked, and almost all the feedback was positive. On education day there were 138 registrants, 28 exhibitors, 6 speakers, 13 committee members and other volunteers who enjoyed a day full of interesting topics and discussion. As always the chance to network with colleagues and industry experts is an invaluable part of the education day.

We wish to congratulate our 2007 Chapter President Sue Cooper who was the successful candidate for the South Eastern Regional Infection Control Network infection control consultant position. Sue brings many years of experience to the job and we know she will be an excellent resource for our area.

Many of our chapter members are taking part in the Ministry and other educational video conferences as they become available. Having many host sites in this area makes it easy for infection control practioners to participate in these educational events. Thank you to all our host facilities.

On November 9 chapter member Jim Gauthier presented a teleclass through Webber Training entitled “The Physics of Flying Feces – Can We Do Better?” Over 2000 people from around the globe were able to “catch” this training session. Jim reports he has received emails about his presentation from various participants around the world.

We are looking forward to our next meetings speaker – Dr. Scott Weese, Ontario Veterinary College. His topic “Pets and Other Animals in Health Care Settings, and Human Health Implications” is timely as many recent reports have focused on animals in long term care environments.

CHICA-HANDIC

Submitted by Ruth Schertzberg

With the fall here the membership is back hard at work after the summer hiatus. The attendance at our September meeting was outstanding. The room was packed and in the end there was standing room only! The membership participated in a lively review of the revised Ontario Best Practice Manual: Preventing Febrile Respiratory Illnesses and the impacts to their own practice.

Infection control week was well represented by the membership. Many members organized a variety of activities at their organizations including a House of Horrors, games of chance and opportunities to assess handwashing expertise. CHICA HANDIC supported infection control week by making funds available to the members to support planned activities within their organization. Several members and their organizations took advantage of the offer of a fifty-dollar donation from the chapter in support of infection control week activities.

Congratulations to Joanne Laalo a CHICA HANDIC member, who is the successful candidate for the position of Infection Control Consultant for the Central South Infection Control Network. Joanne assumed the position in mid October and is moving forward with plans for the coming months.

Work has begun on our plans for our annual education day. Next year the conference will be held on Thursday May 31, 2007 at The Liuna Station in Hamilton. We look forward to a great day, with exceptional speakers and another successful event! Be sure to mark your calendars.

CHICA NORTHERN ALBERTA

Submitted by Liz Werner

Since the beginning of the year, CHICA - Northern Alberta has had a variety of education presentations including Blood Borne Pathogens, Understanding HAZMAT Response in the Community, a review of the preliminary results of Community Acquired MRSA in Alberta, and various members shared Poster Board Presentations from their places of work,. The June luncheon meeting provided a welcome relief with a session by a laughter therapist. The annual fall joint meeting with CHICA – Southern Alberta was well attended with a key presentation from a local RCMP superintendent on Critical Incident Debriefing, addressing many issues that would apply in the event of Pandemic Influenza. We have been able to provide teleconferencing for one of our meetings to reach those who are unable to attend due to scheduling and distance concerns. Suitable meeting rooms and logistics are still being worked out.   

We continue to look for opportunities to increase awareness in the community. Five members were involved with setting up a booth for IP&C at the NAOSH conference in Edmonton in April, which was very well received.

It has been wonderful to have had 18 new members join the chapter this year. Sadly, we are also having to say goodbye to some who moved away - Karen Clinker and Judy Klein, and others who have retired during the course of  this year  - Terri Kirkland, Marg McKenzie, and Agnes Honish. We give each of them our very best wishes.

We are now very much looking forward to the CHICA - Canada National Education Conference being held in Edmonton, June 2007, and the opportunity to be involved in a new approach to hosting the conference. See you all there!  

CHICA OTTAWA REGION

Submitted by Donna Baker

We have maintained our membership at 76, with many activities going on in different facilities as well as regionally.

Several members of CHICA Ottawa Region are members on the Regional Champlain Infection Control Network Steering Committee. Four subcommittees including Education, Surveillance, Outbreak Management and a Scientific Advisory Group are branching out from this Network on which more members are involved in their development. It is very exciting to be participants of these committee initiatives.

Many members are involved in Pandemic Planning within their institutions and some are also involved in the regional planning.

We are very fortunate to have an ongoing working liaison (since 1996) with a Public Health chaired group referred to as the "Ottawa Infection Control Liaison Group (OICLG)". It is made up of members of Infection Control and Occupational Health specialties as well as Laboratory scientists, Epidemiologists and other interested members of the healthcare community, primarily located in Ottawa. Through this collaboration of groups, a number of important initiatives have been realized over the years, including development of local policies on Management of Group A Streptococcus and Recommendations for Construction/Renovation activities in Health care. In addition, the OICLG and CHICA-Ottawa Region chapter both act as vehicles for communication of important information impacting control of infections throughout this region. Although there are clear similarities in their mandates, these groups complement each other well, offering clear Infection Control expertise through CHICA, ! and local scientific support through OICLG.

12 members were able to attend the excellent CHICA-Canada conference in London Ontario. Our Chapter provided funding assistance for 2 members.

2 of our members have been involved in the development of Infection Prevention & Control Core Competency Education Modules, Marie Andrée Bruneau for Acute Care, and Donna Baker for Continuing Care/Long Term Care.

We have recently updated our Terms of Reference.

We are in the initial stages of planning for an education symposium for fall, 2007.