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CHICA News Archives

May 2012

• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Coordinator is required for the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, Brockville Mental Health Centre in Brockville, Ontario. Apply by June 1, 2012. More information...

April 2012

• Pneumonia Guideline from PHAC: The newly published 'Infection Control Guideline for the Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia' is now available on the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) website. More information...


• CSA Z8000 Live Web-Based Training: What do you need to know about Z8000, the NEW Standard for Design & Construction of Canadian Hospitals & Health Care Facilities? How will this new standard impact hospital construction and renovation in Canada? What does it mean for your organization/facility? To help you answer these questions and more, CSA is organizing timely and topical webinar sessions May 22 and May 29, 2012.
  • More information
  • Registration


• Celebrate World Immunization Week: Help Canada celebrate the world's first World Immunization Week April 21-28, 2012! Share the following links with your colleagues and networks:
  • English video
  • French video
  More information on immunization...

March 2012

• Call for Applications: CHICA-Canada is currently seeking an individual or individuals to instruct Module 2 (Microbiology and Infectious Diseases) and Module 3 (Common Infections) of the CHICA-Canada Novice Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) online course. Apply by May 15, 2012. More information...


• Call for Applications: CHICA-Canada is seeking one (1) additional representative to participate on the Antibiotic Resistance Organims (ARO) Point Prevalence Study Team from May 2012 to completion of the project (anticipated February 2014). Apply by April 30, 2012. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner is required for Baycrest in Toronto, Ontario. More information...


• New Annexes for CHICA's Audit Toolkit: Three new annexes have been added to CHICA-Canada's Audit Toolkit as resources:
  
  • Annex I: Selecting Products Used for Cleaning and Low-level Disinfection
  • Annex J: Selecting Products Used for High-level Disinfection and Sterilization
  • Annex K: Daily IP&C Process Review During Outbreaks or New Cases of HAI
  Go to toolkit...


• Stick It to Hand Hygiene! Stick It to Hand Hygiene! Sticker Design Contest - your chance to vote for your favourite. There have been 31 submissions for the Stick it to Hand Hygiene! sticker design contest from the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. All of the submissions have been posted to CPSIs Facebook page. If you have a Facebook account you can vote for your favourite. Vote here...


• Voices of CHICA Webinar: CHICA-Canada members have a unique opportunity to talk directly to the Board of Directors about current issues and to keep updated on the organization's initiatives. Voices of CHICA will be held on March 20, 2012 at 1:30 pm ET. Agenda and log-in instructions...


• Call for Applications: Applications are being received for membership on CHICA-Canada's Education Core Committee. Positions are available for three experienced ICPs, one novice ICP and one Education Co-Chair (three-year term). Applications must be received no later than April 2, 2012. More information...


• Public Review of CSA Z317.13: CSA Z317.13 (Infection Control during construction, renovation and maintenance of health care facilities) has been posted to CSA's review site. The review will close on April 24th. The following link will take you to the new CSA Public Review web site. Please provide your input as directed on the site. More information...

February 2012

• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Consultant is required for Manitoba Health in Winnipeg, Manitoba. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: A Specialist, Infection Control is required for the Region of Peel in Brampton, Ontario. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Rouge Valley Health Systems in Toronto, Ontario. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practice Leader is required for West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by February 24, 2012. More information...

January 2012

Call for Applications: CHICA-Canada is seeking a representative to serve as a voting member of the Canadian Standards Association Strategic Steering Committee (SSC) on Health Care. This person would bring forth input and suggestions regarding health care standards and related products. In addition, the SSC approves Technical Committee leadership (Chair/Vice-Chair), terms of reference, and the scope of new standards. More information...

November 2011

• Moira Walker Memorial Award for International Service: This Award honors an individual or group that has demonstrated extraordinary efforts to bring about change or improvement related to infection prevention and control in parts of the world that are under developed or under-resourced. The annual award is in honour of Moira Walker RN CIC, a Past President of CHICA-Canada and Past Honourary Secretary of the International Federation of Infection Control. Moira's life was dedicated to enhancing the physical and spiritual health of her many friends and colleagues. More information about the award...


• New Chapter Website - Welcome CHICA-NB/PEI! Congratulations to CHICA New Brunswick/Prince Edward Island on their new chapter website. Visit website...


• Practice Recommendations for Toys: Il nous fait plaisir d'annoncer que la Toys Practice Review de CHICA-Canada vient d'être affichée à www.chica.org. Le but de cette revue des pratiques est d'offrir des recommandations relatives à la prévention des infections pour assurer que les patients, sœurs et frères et familles ont accès au matériel de jeu et aux jouets propres et sécuritaires. Le document est en cours de traduction et la version française sera disponible dès que possible. CHICA-Canada remercie sincèrement le Groupe d'intérêt de la pédiatrie et le Comité des normes et des guides pour leurs délibérations minutieuses qui ont mené à ce document attendu depuis longtemps.
  
  We are pleased to announce that the CHICA-Canada Toys Practice Review has now been posted to www.chica.org. The purpose of this practice review is to provide infection control recommendations to ensure that patients, siblings, and families have access to clean and safe play equipment and toys. The document is currently in translation and the French document will be available as soon as possible. CHICA-Canada sincerely thanks the Pediatrics Interest Group and the Standards & Guidelines Committee for their diligent deliberation that has resulted in this long-awaited document.
  View and download...


• Z8000 – Canadian Health Care Facilities – Planning, Design and Construction: The design and construction of hospitals, medical offices and other health care facilities is a critical element in the delivery of quality health care in Canada. The sophisticated technology, systems, and spaces within these facilities must combine to support safe and effective health care, and there has long been a need for a common and consistent standard. The new CSA Z8000 standard provides a nationally recognized baseline for the design and construction of hospitals and other care facilities. Learn more...

October 2011

• 2012 Virox Technologies Scholarship: Online application is now available. Click here to learn more and apply.


• CHICA-Canada's Election Results: Congratulations to Bruce Gamage, CHICA-Canada's President-Elect for 2012.


• Employment Opportunity: An Infectious Disease Consultant is required for Correctional Centres throughout BC. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, Ontario. More information...


• Happy Infection Control Week! October 17-21 is International Infection Control Week (IIPW). This year marks the 25th anniversary of IIPW. As an IIPW partner, CHICA members receive free access to IIPW webinars being organized by APIC. CHICA-Canada wishes you a successful Infection Control Week!
  • More information
  • Schedule of Webinars
  • CHICA-Canada's Resources for Infection Control Week


• Request for Proposals: The National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases is pleased to extend a request for proposals for a comprehensive review of Canadian programs involved in the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the monitoring of antimicrobial use and recommendations to achieve optimal programs. The deadline for proposals is October 31, 2011.
  • English RFP
  • French RFP


• Employment Opportunity: A Director, Infection Prevention and Control is required for the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) in Victoria, BC. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: An Occupational Health Nurse/Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner is required for Orillia Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ontario. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: A Health Compliance Officer is required for Alberta Health and Wellness in Edmonton, Alberta. More information...

September 2011

• New Chapter Website - Welcome CHICA-BC! Congratulations to CHICA-BC on their new chapter website. Visit website...


• Call for Applications - CHICA CHAT and Facebook Manager: A CHICA CHAT and Facebook Manager is required to oversee the smooth operation of CHICA-Canada's discussion board, provide user support to CHICA CHAT, coordinate the interactions of groups as required for secure and unsecured real-time discussions, and maintain statistical information regarding the use of CHICA CHAT. The Manager will also be required to maintain the Facebook page with timely and appropriate information. Position details and information...


• STOP Infections Now Collaborative: The Canadian Patient Safety Institute's Safer Healthcare Now! program invites you to participate in the STOP Infections Now Collaborative. If you work in acute or long term care, or anyone who wants to help her/his institution reduce health care-associated infections, click here for more information...Call to Action...Invitation à agir


• Hand Hygiene Adherence Survey from CNISP: The ICP/Epi Working Group of the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) is pleased to launch its on-line '2011 Survey of Practices Used for Measuring Hand Hygiene Adherence Among Canadian Acute Care Facilities'.  The purpose of this CNISP survey is to inform infection control professionals on practices used for measuring hand hygiene adherence in acute care facilities across Canada.  Any Canadian acute care hospital is eligible to participate in this survey.
  
  Please find below the link for the English and French version of the survey.  The survey will be active September 19th to October 14th.
• English survey
• French survey


• Unlicensed HIV Home Test Kit - Public Advisory: Following information that a private company has been advertising HIV home test kits for sale via their website, Health Canada would like to remind Canadians that there are currently no HIV test kits that have been authorized for home use in Canada. More information...


• Voices of CHICA Teleclass: The next "Voices of CHICA" teleclass will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 1:30 pm ET. This is a great opportunity for CHICA-Canada members to hear updates directly from the CHICA-Canada Board of Directors and Committee/Interest Groups and to ask questions about any issues of concern. Register here...


• Call for Nominees to the PHAC Steering Committee on IP&C Guidelines: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is seeking to fill four voluntary positions on the Steering Committee on Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines; one Infectious Diseases Physician, and three Infection Control Professionals – one currently working in an Acute Care Setting, one currently working in Public Health, and one currently working as a generalist in infection prevention and control.
• Information - English
• Information - français


• Media Release - National Infection Control Week (NICW): National Infection Control Week is October 17-21, 2011. CHICA-Canada's press release highlights this year's theme:  Infection Control - Are you IN?  Get INvolved, provide INput, INitiate change! CHICA-Canada would like to thank CHICA Eastern Ontario for hosting this year's NICW event: the poster contest and the media release. We also sincerely congratulate the Infection Prevention and Control Team at Credit Valley Hospital, Mississauga for their creative efforts that resulted in the winning poster. Download media release...go to CHICA's NICW website...


• Call for SOGC Advisory Group Member: The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) are seeking an RN to fulfill a position on the Clinical Practice - Infectious Diseases national committee. This is not an official CHICA-Canada representative position. Terms of Reference and Application Information...

August 2011

• Influenza Posters Available from CCIAP: The Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion has launched its 2011 influenza awareness campaign with information and posters in English and French. More information...


• Call for ESBL Working Group Members: CHICA-Canada is seeking two CHICA-Canada members to participate on a Working Group to Review and Redevelop the ESBL Toolkit. Applications are due August 15, 2011. More Information...


• Free! CRE Webinar from Public Health Ontario:  Public Health Ontario presents "Management of CREs in Al Health Care Settings", a free webinar presented by Dr. Mary Vearncombe, medical director, Infection Prevention and Control at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and chair of PIDAC-IPC. Dr. Vearncombe will provide an overview of PIDAC's CRE updates and answer questions on the management of CREs. Webinar sessions are being held on August 23, 2011, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. and August 30, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Information...Register...
• CHICA-Canada Call for Board Nominations:  Nominations are invited for the following Board positions: President-elect (1 year term), Director, Finance(3 year term), Physician Director (3 year term). These terms commence January 1, 2012. Position descriptions and nomination forms are found in the CHICA-Canada Policy and Procedure Manual, or may be obtained from the Membership Services Office. Deadline for nominations: August 15, 2011. Information...

July 2011

• PIDAC Recommendations for CRE:  Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) had revised two best practice guides to include recommendations for screening and managing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Information...
• Offres d'emploi:  L'Hôpital Montfort, située dans la ville d'Ottawa, a besoin d'un(e) Infirmier(ère) autorisé(e) Prévention des infections. Information...
• New Guideline from the CDC: Guide to Infection Prevention for Outpatient Settings: Minimum Expectations for Safe Care is now available from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
• Employment Opportunities: CHICA-Canada is offering job opportunities for the novice Infection Prevention and Control Distance Education Course. Applications close August 15, 2011.
• Practicum Coordinator
• Module Instructor: Outbreaks and Occupational Health
• Module Discussion Forum Facilitator


• Call for ESBL Working Group Members: CHICA-Canada is seeking two CHICA-Canada members to participate on a Working Group to Review and Redevelop the ESBL Toolkit. Applications are due August 15, 2011. More Information...


• Employment Opportunity: A Manager of Infection Control and Occupational Health (Manager, Organizational Safety) is required for Toronto East General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. More Information...


• PHAC Needs Assessment:  The Healthcare Associated Infections and Infections Prevention and Control Section of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is conducting a needs assessment survey of healthcare professionals involved in the prevention, control, management and treatment of tuberculosis (TB) to identify priority focus areas, scope and format for revisions to PHAC's TB guideline. More information...

June 2011

• Call for Applications:  CHICA-Canada is seeking a representative to the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) for a three-year renewable term. Apply by July 8, 2011. More information...


• 2011 Poster Bulk Orders Now Available:  Bulk orders of the 2011 poster ('Infection Control - Are you IN? Get INvolved, provide INput, INitiate change!') are now available. Orders must be received by July 15, 2011. View poster...bulk order form...


• Endoscopy Guidelines from PHAC: New from the Public Health Agency of Canada:
• 'Infection Prevention and Control Guideline for Flexible Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Flexible Bronchoscopy'
• 'Lignes directrices pour la prévention et le contrôle des infections transmises par les appareils souples d'endoscopie digestive et de bronchoscopie'

May 2011

• 2011 IFIC Run Photos:  View photos from the 2011 IFIC run, held at the CHICA-Canada conference (courtesy of Deb Canada).


• 2011 3M Chapter Achievement Award Winner:  Congratulations to CHICA Eastern Ontario on their winning entry in the 2011 3M chapter achievement contest!
• 2011 Ecolab Poster Contest Winner:  Congratulations to the Infection Prevention and Control Team of the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario on their winning poster in the 2011 Ecolab poster contest! View and download the winning poster...


• 2010 Annual Report Now Available:  The 2010 CHICA-Canada annual report is now available for download. More information...


• New Audit Tools Now Available for CHICA Members! CHICA-Canada presents new audit tools for members:
  
  • Laundry and Linen
  • Respiratory Therapy
  Use your member password to download these tools from our online Audit Toolkit...


• Call for Applications - CJIC Editorial Board:  The Canadian Journal of Infection Control (CJIC) is seeking four candidates to complete the current CJIC Editorial Board. More information...


• 2011-2012 Member & Source Guide:  The 2011-2012 Member and Source Guide is now available for CHICA-Canada members in the Members area of the website. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention and Control Consultant is required for the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP) in Mississauga Halton, Ontario. Apply by May 19, 2011. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention and Control Consultant (full time temporary) is required for the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP) in Cambridge, Ontario. Apply by May 19, 2011. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by May 25, 2011. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Specialist is required for North York General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by May 13, 2011. More information...


• Recalled Health Products:  The Triad Group has initiated a voluntary recall of health products (skin prep products, lubricating jelly) due to possible contamination with Bacillus cereus or Elizabethkingia meningoseptica. More information...

April 2011

• Employment Opportunity:  A Manager, Infection Prevention and Control is required for North York General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by May 13, 2011. More information...


• CHICA-Canada's On-line Novice IP&C Course:  In September 2011, CHICA-Canada will be offering its online Novice Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) course. This interactive, online course is for the Novice practitioner with less than 2 years experience who is currently working in or exploring working in IP&C. The course will run from September 12th 2011 – June 30th 2012. More information...Application form...


• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Mt. Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by May 13, 2011. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  Infection Preventionists are required for Riyadh Military Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Apply by July 30, 2011. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  A Program Support Partner - Analyst/Auditor is required for Peterborough Regional Health Centre in Peterborough, Ontario. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner/Director is required for Norfolk General Hospital in Simcoe, Ontario. Apply by April 22, 2011. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  Infection Control Professionals are required for the Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. More information...


• CHICA Novice Course - Course Coordinator:  CHICA-Canada is currently seeking an individual to coordinate the CHICA-Canada Novice Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) on-line course. This course is comprised of 6 modules and a practicum, and runs from mid-September to the end of June. The work of the Course Coordinator will commence on June 1st 2011 in preparation for the delivery of the 2011 fall modules. The position will require 6-8 hours per week to a maximum of 40 hours per month. It should be anticipated that there will be variation in the amount of time required per week and that the workload will differ depending on the time of year and the session schedule. More information...


• Updated BSI Prevention Guidelines:  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) have released updated guidelines that outline steps to eliminate bloodstream infections (BSI) in patients with intravenous catheters. View guideline...

March 2011

• Employment Opportunity:  A Full Time Program Support Partner - Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Peterborough Regional Health Centre in Peterborough, Ontario. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  A Manager, Infection Prevention and Control is required for Kingston General Hospital in Kingston, Ontario. Apply by March 31, 2011. More information...


• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention and Control Consultant is required for the Agency for Health Protection and Promotion, to be based in Brampton, Ontario. Apply by March 30, 2011. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Occupational Health & Safety and Infection Control is required for Toronto East General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: PHAC has vacancies for nurses with Infection Control / Public Health experience. Apply by March 23, 2011.
  
  • English information
  • French information


• STOP! Clean Your Hands Day 2011: Registration is now live for this event. Help make STOP! Clean Your Hands Day 2011 a resounding success! To register:
  
  • English registration
  • French registration


• CPSI Announces New Organizational Structure: CPSI has a new organizational structure and new mandate: Safe care...accepting no less. To bridge CPSI activities with the flagship program – Safer Healthcare Now! (SHN), four regional leads have been appointed. The Canadian Patient Safety Week, Canada's Virtual Forum on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement, The Improving Care Search Centre and the Improving Care Library will continue. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practice Leader is required for West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto, Ontario. More information...


• Voices of CHICA: The next "Voices of CHICA" (free) teleclass will be held on Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 1:30 pm. This is a great opportunity for CHICA-Canada members to hear updates directly from the CHICA-Canada Board of Directors and Committees/Interest Groups and to ask questions about any issues of concern. This teleclass features special guest Dr. Judith Richards, Chair of the International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC). Register here...


• New Audit Tools Now Available for CHICA Members! CHICA-Canada presents two new audit tools for members:
  
  • Animal Visitation and Pet Therapy
  • Central Reprocessing Department - use this tool to audit your sterilization processes
  Use your member password to download these tools from our online Audit Toolkit...


• Virox Sponsors Audit Toolkit: Virox Technologies Inc. has generously provided a $10,000 sponsorship to be used for the development and maintenance of the CHICA-Canada Audit Tools. Virox has been a long-time supporter of CHICA-Canada and its members. It is an original Corporate Member and assists CHICA with many projects. Virox is prominent as the provider of conference scholarships and sponsorship of the bi-annual Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization Day at CHICA-Canada Conferences. CHICA-Canada thanks Virox for its support and for providing funding to assist with the development and maintenance of the audit tools which have become recognized as integral tools of practice. The audit tools can be found in the Members Area of the CHICA-Canada website at: http://www.chica.org/AuditToolkit/toolkithome.html.


• Survey Closed: The Paediatric MRSA Infection Control On-line Survey is now closed. On behalf of the Paediatric MRSA Working Group of the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) we would like to thank all the hospitals across Canada who took the time to participate in this survey and CHICA-Canada for posting the link to the survey on their website.
  Le sondage du contrôle des infections pédiatriques à SARM en ligne est désormais fermée. Au nom du groupe de travail sur le SARM pédiatrique du Programme Canadienne de Surveillance des Infections Nosocomiales (PCSIN), nous tenons à remercier tous les hôpitaux Canadiens qui ont pris le temps de participer à ce sondage, ainsi que CHICA-Canada pour l'affichage du lien du sondage sur leur site internet.

February 2011

• Health Canada Recall: Health Canada has announced a voluntary recall of sterile lubricating jelly, found either as a single sterile product or as part of a kit. Lubricating jelly is used to lubricate medical devices, such as catheters, for insertion into body orifices. More information...


• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Woodstock Hospital in Woodstock, Ontario. More information...


• 2012 Conference Survey:  Virox Technologies Inc. is looking forward to sponsoring the 2nd bi-annual Disinfection and Sterilization Day at the 2012 CHICA-Canada National Education conference (Saskatoon, June 16-21, 2012). In order to ensure the topics covered are relevant and of interest to the Infection Control Community we are hoping you will take a few minutes to answer this questionnaire. Choose one of the two formats below. Return survey by March 15, 2011.
  • Survey (Word format - print, complete and fax or email)
  • Survey (PDF form - complete electronically, save and email or print and mail)
  
  
• Call for Applications for 2013 Scientific Program Committee: The CHICA-Canada 2013 Scientific Program Committee is a national committee whose mandate is to plan, develop and ensure completion of the scientific program for the 2013 National Education Conference. The 2013 National Education Conference will take place in Ottawa (June 1-6, 2013). CHICA-Canada is seeking candidates to fill the positions of:
  • 2013 Scientific Program Chair (will become Scientific Chair in 2014)
  • Acute Care Representative (for 2013 and 2014 conferences)
  • Long Term Care Representative (for 2013 and 2014 conferences)
  • Medical Microbiology/Infectious Disease Physician Representative (for 2013 and 2014 conferences)
More information...


• Launch of Global Patient Safety Alerts: WHO Patient Safety has partnered with the Canadian Patient Safety Institute in the development and the launch of Global Patient Safety Alerts, a publicly available web-based platform that gives frontline health-care providers and organizations around the world access to information on patient safety incidents, from causes to recommendations and solutions. Access here...


• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner is required for Baycrest in Toronto, Ontario. More information...

January 2011

• 3M Social Marketing Conferences Cancelled: Please note that the Social Marketing conferences and workshops scheduled to take place in Toronto, Montreal and Halifax have been cancelled due to low registration. 3M Canada regrets this decision and looks forward to providing other educational opportunities for Infection Prevention and Control Professionals at a future time.


• Upcoming Deadlines: Please note that January 31st is the closing date for receipt of submissions to the 2011 Ecolab Poster Contest and the 2011 Virox Scholarship. Click on the links for more information.


• SHEA Position Paper on Mandatory Influenza Vaccination: The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) has updated their 2005 position paper on influenza vaccination of health care personnel, and are now recommending mandatory annual influenza vaccination. More information...


• Request for Proposal:  Health Canada invites a request for proposal (RFP) for an Infection Prevention and Control Environmental Scan and Strategic Plan - Ontario Region. Apply by February 11, 2011.
  • Request for Proposal (RFP)
  • Screening, Consent and Authorization Form (English)
  • Formulaire d'autorisation de sécurité (Français)
  
  
• Paediatric MRSA Survey from CNISP: The Paediatric MRSA Working Group of the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) is pleased to launch its on-line '2011 Survey of MRSA Infection Control Practices at Canadian Healthcare Facilities Providing Care for Children and Youth'. The purpose of this CNISP survey is to determine infection control practices used for children cared for in ambulatory and inpatient paediatric healthcare settings across Canada. Any hospital that provides care to children is eligible to participate in this survey.
  • SURVEY CLOSED


• 2011 Champions of Infection Prevention and Control: Applications are being accepted for the 2011 Champions of Infection Prevention and Control Award. This award will acknowledge the extraordinary accomplishments of the front line Champions of Infection Prevention and Control. The Award will recognize CHICA-Canada members who work beyond what is expected as part of their employment, tirelessly, and creatively, to reduce infection, raise awareness, and improve the health of Canadians. Deadline for nominations: March 1, 2011. More information


• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practice Leader is required for West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by February 18, 2011. More information...


• Urgent Recall: Health Canada is advising about an urgent recall of alcohol swabs from the Canadian market. More information...


• Social Marketing and Training in the Audit Toolkit: 3M and CHICA-Canada announce a series of events on the use of Social Marketing when planning Hand Hygiene campaigns. Included in the day's education events will be a review by the CHICA-Canada Audit Toolkit committee on the benefits of utilizing the CHICA-Canada audit tools and a 'walk' through the use of the tools.
  • Montreal, February 15, 2011 (English only)
  • Halifax, February 22, 2011
  • Toronto, February 23, 2011


• Members Required for PHAC IPC Guidelines Steering Committee: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has an opening for two voluntary positions on the Steering Committee on Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines. These positions are for an nfectious diseases paediatric physician and an ICP currently working in long-term care. If you believe you have the qualifications, or know of a colleague interested in being considered for an appointed position to this committee, information is provided below. Deadline for applications: January 18, 2011.
  • Call Out Notice (English)  (French)
  • Steering Committee Terms of Reference


• Happy New Year - New Audit Tools! CHICA-Canada presents three new audit tools for members:
  
  • Hydrotherapy Tubs and Equipment
  • Reprocessing Noncritical, Electronic and Transport Equipment
  • Infection Prevention and Control in Hospice Settings
  Use your member password to download these tools from our online Audit Toolkit...

December 2010

• New Emergency Management Papers from APIC: APIC has provided a number of documents and position papers dealing with infection prevention and control issues during disasters and emergency situations, now available on CHICA-Canada's webpage for Disaster Related Infections. More information...


• PHAC Review of 2009 H1N1 Pandemic: The H1N1 pandemic was a major public health challenge during 2009-10. Over the past few months, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and Health Canada undertook an internal review of the federal Health Portfolio's response to the H1N1 pandemic. The report, Lessons Learned Review: Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada Response to the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic, is now available on the internet along with a Management Response and Action Plan outlining initiatives to address the recommendations of the review. Both documents can be accessed here...


• Employment Opportunity: Two Infection Control Practitioners are required for Alberta Health Services in Lethbridge, AB. Apply by January 28, 2011. More information...


• 2011 Ecolab Poster Contest:  You are invited to design a poster that will be used for Infection Control Week 2011 using the following theme: INfection Control - Are you IN? Get INvolved, Provide INput, INitiate Change! The winner receives waived registration to the 2011 CHICA-Canada conference or $500. More information...poster contest flyer...2011 Infection Control Week...


• Patient Safety in Primary Care paper released:  The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) partnered with the BC Patient Safety & Quality Council (BCPSQC) to commission a research report on the current state of knowledge of patient safety in primary care with the goal of identifying the key issues, priorities, opportunities and strategies for advancing patient safety in primary care in Canada. Read the report...


• Request for Proposal:  Health Canada invites a request for proposal (RFP) for an Infection Prevention and Control Environmental Scan and Strategic Plan - Ontario Region. Apply by December 30, 2010.
  • Request for Proposal (RFP)
  • Screening, Consent and Authorization Form (English)
  • Formulaire d'autorisation de sécurité (Français)
  
  
• New PHAC Guidance Document:  The guidance document "Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Healthcare Workers in Acute Care and Long-term Care Settings - Seasonal Influenza" has been released by the Public Health Agency of Canada.
  
  • English version
  • French version
• Call for Membership:  Safer Healthcare Now! is seeking individuals in the areas of patient safety, hand hygiene and/or infection control, to apply to become members of an emerging pan-Canadian Hand Hygiene Faculty. Deadline for applications: December 23, 2010. More information...


• New Course:  The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) and the Canadian Healthcare Association (CHA) are partnering to deliver an updated Canadian Patient Safety Officer Course in 2011. The course is scheduled from April 12-15 inclusive, at the Château Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario. More information...


• Update - ESBL Survey of ICPs: Please note that due to popular request, this study has now been expanded to include all ICPs throughout Canada. The rise of antibiotic-resistant infections in health care settings is of growing interest to Canadian Infection Control Professionals (ICPs) and researchers. We are conducting a survey of ICPs and would like to invite you to participate in this study. This survey consists of questions regarding infection rates and infection control practices in your healthcare setting. The survey will close on January 15, 2011. More information...

November 2010

• New PHAC Guidance Document:  The guidance document "Infection Prevention and Control Measures for Healthcare Workers in All Healthcare Settings: Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative Bacilli" has been posted on the Public Health Agency of Canada website and can also be accessed through the Antibiotic Awareness Day website.
• Postponement of IP&C Conference from Accreditation Canada/ CSA: This event is experiencing lower than anticipated registration numbers. The organizers are mindful of this and are striving to ensure that the conference will be as successful as possible for everyone involved. As a result, the organizers have made a strategic decision to reschedule this IPC conference and align it with Accreditation Canada's annual Medical Device Reprocessing Forum. The IPC conference will be scheduled for October 6th and 7th, 2011 following the two day Medical Device Reprocessing Forum on October 4th and 5th. The organizers sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause for you. However, the topics are complementary to one another and will draw a similar audience base who will benefit from the value and expertise of both industries.
• November 18: Antibiotic Awareness Day in Canada! Antibiotic resistance is an issue health practitioners around the world face daily. Numerous health-related organizations have partnered to mark tomorrow as the first Canadian Antibiotic Awareness Day in an effort to promote prudent use of antibiotics and fight the threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. More information...
• Le 18 novembre: Journée de sensibilisation aux antibiotiques du Canada! La résistance aux antibiotiques est une question à laquelle s'affrontent quotidiennement les praticiens du milieu de la santé du monde entier. De nombreux organismes liés au domaine de la santé ont agi de concert pour marquer la première Journée de sensibilisation aux antibiotiques du Canada prévue pour demain dans le but de promouvoir l'utilisation mesurée des antibiotiques et de lutter contre la menace représentée par les bactéries résistantes aux antibiotiques. Information...
• New Audit Tools Now Available for CHICA Members! CHICA-Canada presents new audit tools for members:
  
  • Self-Audit Tool for Infection Prevention and Control Professionals - audit your own practice!
  • Dentistry (IP&C practices, reprocessing dental equipment)
  Use your member password to download these tools from our online Audit Toolkit...
• Employment Opportunity: A Network Coordinator is required for the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP). Apply by November 20, 2010. More information...
• CHICA Survey: As part of its strategic plan, CHICA-Canada is exploring strategies for providing additional continuing education for infection prevention and control professionals (ICPs), as well as strategies whereby ICPs can share their educational tools and programs.
  Please take a few minutes to complete the CHICA Education Survey and help us identify high-priority learning needs, preferences for learning, and suggestions regarding sharing tools and programs. Participation is voluntary and your name will not be recorded. The survey will close on November 19, 2010 Results will be disseminated through CHICA-Canada later this year.. Go to survey...
• Attention! Members from the Western Provinces: The rise of antibiotic-resistant infections in health care settings is of growing interest to Canadian Infection Control Professionals (ICPs) and researchers. We are conducting a survey of ICPs in Western Canada and would like to invite you to participate in this study. This survey consists of questions regarding infection rates and infection control practices in your healthcare setting. The survey will close on January 15, 2011. More information...
• Vernacare Lecture : CHICA–CANADA, in partnership with Vernacare, is pleased to announce it will present the first Vernacare Lecture at the CHICA-Canada National Education Conference (Toronto, May 29-June 2, 2011). On June 2, 2011, the Vernacare Lecture will feature Dr. Michael Gardam, CHICA-Canada Physician Director, presenting Hot Topics. The content will be announced at a later date. More information...
• Save the Date: Canadian experts will discuss the latest information on antibiotic resistance and public health during 15-minute webcast presentations on Antibiotic Awareness Day, November 18, 2010. Topics will include community education and prevention, antibiotic use and resistance in hospitals, and current Canadian programs and surveillance data. More information...
• PHAC Discussion Paper on IPAC Resources: The document 'Essential Resources for Effective Infection Prevention and Control Programs: A Matter of Patient Safety - A Discussion Paper (2010)' has been posted on the PHAC website.

October 2010

• CHICA-Canada Election Results: Congratulations to Jim Gauthier, elected President-elect for 2011. Other new/returning positions are Marilyn Weinmaster (Secretary/Membership Director) and Donna Moralejo (Director of Education). Profiles of each will be published in the winter 2010 edition of the CJIC.
• Employment Opportunity: An Education Specialist is required for the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP). More information...
• Live Webcast Launches Int'nl Infection Control Week: International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), October 17-23, is just around the corner! This special week highlights the infection prevention profession and its work in educating healthcare professionals and administrators, legislators, and consumers about the importance of reducing infection. CHICA members are invited to join APIC members and association partners across the globe as IIPW kicks off at 1 pm Eastern Time on Thursday, October 14 with a commemorative ceremony at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. This hour-long event will be webcast live and is freely accessible to anyone interested. Details...
  
  

September 2010

• Accreditation Canada's 2010 national report on health care in Canada, which explores the connection between quality of worklife and patient safety in health organizations, has been released. More info here... Download report in English / French
• Canada's 2010 Forum on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement was a huge success and the Canadian Patient Safety Institute has been looking for ways to build on this momentum. Learn more about their four upcoming "expos".
• Voices of CHICA Teleclass - September 28:  The next 'Voices of CHICA' Teleclass will be held September 28, 2010 at 1:30 pm EST. This teleclass, which is free to CHICA-Canada members, will feature updates on the 2011 conference, the CHICA audit toolkit, and more. Register here...
• National Infection Control Week
  (October 18-22, 2010)
  CHICA-Canada's theme for the week is "Infection Control - It's Simple!".
  
  More information:
  CHICA-Canada's Infection Control Week website
  Download Press release / Le communiqué de presse
  Download English poster / French poster
  
  

• International Infection Prevention Week: October 17-23, 2010 has been designated International Infection Prevention Week. IP&C professionals around the world will host educational activities and events to spread the word about infection prevention and control.
  International Infection Prevention Week website
  
  
  
  

• 2011 Champions of Infection Prevention and Control: In collaboration with 3M Canada, CHICA-Canada has developed the prestigious Champions of Infection Prevention and Control Award. The first recipient of the award was Dr. Mary Vearncombe who was presented with the honour at the 2010 conference. Applications are being accepted for the 2011 Champions of Infection Prevention and Control Award. This award will acknowledge the extraordinary accomplishments of the front line Champions of Infection Prevention and Control. The Award will recognize CHICA-Canada members who work beyond what is expected as part of their employment, tirelessly, and creatively, to reduce infection, raise awareness, and improve the health of Canadians. Awards will be presented at the 2011 National Education Conference in Toronto. The deadline for the 2011 nominations is March 1, 2011
• Award Criteria
• Nomination Form

August 2010

• Risk of Transmitting Bloodborne Pathogens with Fingerstick Devices: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration reminds health care workers in Primary Care, Nursing and Laboratory to never use fingerstick devices on more than one person due to risks of transmitting bloodborne pathogens. More information...
• CHICA-Canada Online Novice IP&C Course: Beginning September 13, 2010 CHICA-Canada will offer an online, 6-module Novice Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) course. Membership in CHICA-Canada is not required to take this course. Deadline for submission of applications is August 27, 2010. More information...
• Revised Web Page: NDM-1 Resources: CHICA-Canada's webpage on antibiotic-resistant organisms has been revised to include information on New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM-1). More information...
• Survey - PHAC guidelines H1N1: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) invites you to participate in a survey on the use of PHAC Infection Prevention and Control guidance documents for pandemic H1N1 influenza by Canadian health care facilities and organizations. Deadline for survey completion: September 20, 2010.
  
  • More information
  • PHAC H1N1 Guidelines Survey
  • ASPC Sondage H1N1
• New Best Practice Annexes from PIDAC: Annexes to Ontario's 'Routine Practices and Additional Precautions' best practices include:
  
  • Annex A: Antibiotic-Resistant Organisms (AROs)
  • Annex B: Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI)
  • Annex C: Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI)
• Salmonella Outbreak in Ontario: Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health has announced an outbreak of Salmonella oranienburg in the province, clustered in the Greater Toronto Area. More information...
• 2010 Medical Device Sterilization Forum: The standards offered by CSA and Accreditation Canada can help you improve your processes by integrating infection prevention and control mechanisms into daily sterilization and reprocessing activities. Learn what's new about Accreditation Canada's program for sterilization and review and discuss case studies that will help you learn from the experience of other health care organizations that have used both CSA and Accreditation Canada's standards. Make plans now to have key members of your hospital administration team attend this Forum, where key issues, best practices and lessons learned will be discussed and shared by our panel of experts. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Online Discussion Facilitator is required for CHICA-Canada's new online novice IP&C course. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: Invitation to bid on Consulting services for an environmental review at five long-term care centres in the Region of Peel, Ontario. Deadline for submissions: Tuesday, August 24, 2010. More information...
• 2011 Virox Scholarship Application: The National Education Conference Scholarship provides financial assistance to eligible infection prevention and control practitioners in the form of a scholarship to attend the CHICA-Canada annual national conference. More than one eligible candidate may receive this award, next year it could be you! The deadline for application for next year's award is January 31, 2011. More information and application form...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by August 6, 2010. More information...

July 2010

• Invitation for Nominations – 2010-2012 CPSI Board of Directors: CHICA-Canada has been invited to nominate an individual to be considered for election to the Board of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute for a two-year term (2010-2012). Nominees will be selected by the CPSI Nominating Committee to be on the election slate at their October 22 Annual General Meeting. The deadline for receipt of nomination information is August 6, 2010. More information...English Nomination Form...French Nomination Form
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infection Prevention & Control is required for Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, Ontario. More information...
• Conference Recordings Now Available: Audio recordings (CD, MP3) of the CHICA-Canada 2010 conference held in Vancouver, BC are now available for purchase. More information...
• CHICA Board of Directors Slate for 2011: The Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of CHICA-Canada has put forth the following candidates for the Board positions open January 1, 2011:
  • President-elect: Jim Gauthier MLT CIC, Kingston, Ontario
  • Secretary/Membership Director: Marilyn Weinmaster RN BScN CIC, Regina, Saskatchewan
  • Director of Education (second term): Donna Moralejo PhD, St. John's, Newfoundland/Labrador
  Additional nominations from the membership of CHICA-Canada will be accepted until August 15, 2010. More information and candidate profiles...
• Last Opportunity to Review CSA Draft: CHICA-Canada members are invited to submit a review of Canadian Standards Association draft Z8000, 'Canadian Health Care Facilities'. Submit all comments to chicacanada@mts.net no later than July 6 , 2010. View draft standard ...Comment template...
• Employment Opportunity: Two Infection Prevention and Control Consultants are required for the Ontario Agency for Health Protection and Promotion (OAHPP). One position is based in Ottawa and one in Orillia, Ontario. Applicants for the Ottawa position must be bilingual. Apply by July 23, 2010. More information...

June 2010

• ARO Point-prevalence Survey: CHICA-Canada members in acute care hospitals are invited to participate in this important survey into the status of AROs across Canada. Complimentary 2011 CHICA-Canada memberships will be awarded to three hospitals, drawn from those participating in the survey. More information...
• New DVD! Infection Control for Families and Visitors: Developed by the South Western Ontario Infection Control Network, London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph Health Centre, this 8-minute DVD resource has been designed to assist staff to help educate family members and other visitors about the importance of their role in infection control. Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and effective hand hygiene techniques are demonstrated in an easy-to-understand format while emphasizing the role of the visitor in preventing the spread of infection. Available in English. Order Form...
• Call for Applications: CHICA-Canada is seeking two candidates to fill the positions of Acute Care Representative (for 2012 conference) and Medical Microbiology/Infectious Disease Physician Representative (for 2012 and 2013 conferences). More information...
• Take the Post-Conference Survey and Win! The 2010 Conference Evaluation has now been posted. By completing this survey, not only will you be assisting organizers of future conferences, but you could also win a COMPLIMENTARY REGISTRATION TO THE CHICA-Canada 2011 CONFERENCE (Toronto, May 28-June 2, 2011)! (Does not include PreConference Day or Novice/Advanced Day). Winner will be notified after July 3, 2010. Go to the survey...
• 2010 Ecolab Poster Contest Winner:  Congratulations to Melody Cordoviz of Alberta Health Services for her winning entry in the 2010 Ecolab poster contest, illustrating the theme "Infection Control: It's Simple". View and dowload the winning entry on our poster contest web page. This poster may be ordered in bulk until July 12, 2010 using this order form...

May 2010

• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the William Osler Health Centre in Brampton, ON. More information...
• New Audit Tools! CHICA-Canada presents eight new audit tools for CHICA-Canada members, dealing with construction/renovation and maintenance projects and environmental cleaning. Use your member username and password to download these tools from our online Audit Toolkit...
• Call for Applications: CHICA-Canada invites interested members to apply for a position on the Endorsement Review Committee. This committee will assess basic education courses in Infection Prevention and Control for endorsement in accordance with CHICA-Canada's Policy and Procedure for endorsement. Deadline for applications is June 30, 2010. More information...
• Environmental Cleaning Survey:  Dr. Anne Matlow has requested completion of a survey to assist with her presentation at the 2010 CHICA-Canada Conference. The survey is on monitoring the effectiveness of environmental cleaning through audit and/or the user of markers. The results of the survey will be presented in Dr. Matlow's presentation, Monday, May 31st (PreConference Day, Stream One – Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization). The results will also be of interest to practitioners who cannot attend the symposium and Dr. Matlow plans to present the findings in the Canadian Journal of Infection Control. To ensure that we get an accurate reflection of practices across the country, we would like only one designated practitioner from each institution to fill in the survey. The survey should take only 10 minutes to complete and is available until Tuesday, May 25th. More information...
• Six New Audit Tools Now Available for CHICA Members! CHICA-Canada presents new audit tools for members, designed for conducting audits in specialized departments/areas of the health care setting:
  
  • Foot Care
  • Pharmacy
  • Endoscopy
  • Ambulatory Clinic or Physician's Office (general IP&C practices, reprocessing)
  • Occupational Health and Safety
  Use your member password to download these tools from our online Audit Toolkit...
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infection Prevention & Control is required for Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, Ontario. Apply by June 4, 2010. More information...
• STOP! Clean Your Hands Day : The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI), Accreditation Canada and CHICA-Canada have joined forces to support the practice of optimal hand hygiene in healthcare. The first ever national Stop! Clean Your Hands Day takes place today on May 5, 2010. CPSI is leading the Canadian initiative in conjunction with the World Health Organization's global initiative. More information...
• Revised Best Practices from PIDAC: Ontario's 'Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization in All Health Care Settings', originally published in April 2006, has been revised to incorporate recent revisions from the Canadian Standards Association and the current medical literature. More information...
• Canada's Hand Hygiene Challenge - May 5, 2010: The first ever national "Stop! Clean Your Hands Day" will take place on May 5, 2010! The Canadian Patient Safety Institute is leading the Canadian initiative in conjunction with the World Health Organization's global initiative.  More information...

April 2010

• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Subject Matter Expert is required for RL Solutions in Toronto, Ontario. More information...
• Early Bird Registration Deadline: Friday, April 30 is the deadline for early bird registration for the 2010 CHICA-Canada conference. Register now and save! More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Sales Representative is required for AMG Medical Inc. in Montréal, QC. More information...
• Website of the Month: This month's interesting infection prevention and control website is HealthMap, an up-to-date, global disease alert map based on sentinel and news reports of outbreaks and infectious disease epidemics. Also available in many languages. Check it out...

March 2010

• New Resource Links: New resource links for taking specimens and laboratory education have been added to the non-acute care resources webpage. View links...
• New Audit Tool Now Available for CHICA Members: CHICA-Canada presents a new audit tool for members: Prehospital Care. Use your member password to download this tool from our Audit Toolkit...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster, British Columbia. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC. More information...
• Voices of CHICA Teleclass - March 23:  The next 'Voices of CHICA' Teleclass will be held Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 1:30 pm ET. This teleclass, which is free to CHICA-Canada members, will feature updates on the 2010 conference, the CHICA audit toolkit, the ARO Point Prevalence Study and CSA Guidelines for Disinfection and Sterilization. Register here...
• Web Survey - Prion Disease: CHICA-Canada members are invited to participate in a multi-provincial web survey that examines the perception of risk of medical laboratory workers when handling specimens from patients with potential prion disease. More information...Nous vous invitons à participer à une enquête web pour examiner la perception du risque par le personnel de laboratoire médical associé à l?analyse laboratoire d?échantillons provenant de patients possiblement atteints de maladies à prions. Information...
• New U.S. Guidelines:
  • Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization of Prion-Contaminated Medical Instruments
  • Guideline for Management of Healthcare Workers Who Are Infected with Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and/or Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Employment Opportunity: A Network Coordinator is required for the Waterloo Wellington Infection Control Network (WWICN) in Cambridge, Ontario. Apply by March 31, 2010. More information...
• New Resources from PICNet: The Provincial Infection Control Network of British Columbia (PICNet) presents two new resources for ICPs:
  • Central Venous Catheter (CVC) Care & Maintenance Online Education Module
  • Hand Hygiene Resource Page
• Invitation to Join the Patient Safety Virtual Global Discussion Forum: The World Health Organization (WHO), Department of Human Resources for Health, Reproductive Health and Research, the Health Professionals Global Network (HPGN) and WHO/Patient Safety invite you to join the Patient Safety Virtual Global Discussion Forum, 1 - 12 March, 2010. Contribute to the revision of the WHO Multi-Professional Patient Safety Curriculum Guide by sharing your ideas, experience and opinions. Your contribution to this discussion will inform the revision and use of this document. During this two-week forum you will receive two emails per day: one email to introduce the day's questions, and one daily digest of the contributions. All contributions received will be acknowledged. Register now!

February 2010

• NACI News: The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) has recommended the use of the herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine in a new Statement. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Director, Infection Prevention and Control, is required for the Rouge Valley Health System in Scarborough/Ajax, Ontario. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infection Prevention and Control, is required for the Toronto Rehabilitative Institute in Toronto, Ontario. More information...
• Register Now for SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands: The World Health Organization is still accepting registrations for hand hygiene activities to take place May 5, 2010. The WHO will support your activities with briefing kits, media releases and more. More information...
• Revised Guideline from the CDC: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised the following infection control guideline:
  • Guideline for Prevention of Catheter-associated Urinary Tract Infections
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner is required for Baycrest in Toronto, Ontario. More information...

January 2010

• New Audit Tools Now Available for CHICA Members: CHICA-Canada presents four new audit tools for members: Routine Practices, General Cleaning Practices, OR Environment and Routine Practices, Asepsis and Pre-operative Care in the OR. Use your member password to download these tools from our Audit Toolkit...
• Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning: Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) has published 'Best Practices for Environmental Cleaning for Prevention and Controlof Infections in All Health Care Settings'. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infection Prevention and Control is required for York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill, Ontario More information...
• CHICA-Canada and 3M Canada Announce New Award
  In collaboration with 3M Canada, CHICA-Canada has established the Champions of Infection Prevention and Control Award. This award will acknowledge the accomplishments of the front line Champions of Infection Prevention and Control. The Award will recognize CHICA-Canada members who work tirelessly, and sometimes creatively, to reduce infection, raise awareness, and improve the health of Canadians. Awards will be presented at the 2010 National Education Conference in Vancouver. The deadline for the 2010 nominations will be March 1, 2010. See the following documents for more information:
  Award Information and Criteria for Selection
  Nomination Form
• Drug Recall due to Risk of Infection: Bristol-Myers Squibb Canada has initiated a recall of the BiCNU (carmustine for injection) Combo kit (lot # 8K4218A, vial lot # 148694C), expiry date Dec. 2011. This recall is being conducted as a precautionary measure due to a sterility assurance concern. More information...
• Call for Applications: CHICA-Canada Representative to ARO Point Prevalence Study Team: CHICA-Canada is seeking two representatives to participate on the Antibiotic Resistance Organisms (AROs) Point Prevalence Study Team fro February 2010 to completion of the project. Deadline for application: January 31, 2010. More information...
• Call for Applications: 2012 Scientific Program Committee: CHICA-Canada is seeking three candidates to fill the positions of Scientific Program Co-Chair, Community/Public Health Representative and Medical Microbiology/Infectious Disease Physician Representative for the 2012/13 conferences. More information...
• IFIC Scholarship Applications: The International Federation of Infection Control invites applications from professionals working in Infection Control for a number of IFIC scholarships to the Joint IPCAN-IFIC Conference to be held in Cape Town in August 2010. Closing date for submissions is 31 March 2010. More information...

December 2009

• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Professional is required for Bluewater Health in Sarnia, Ontario. More information...
• Hemodialysis Audit Tools Now Available for CHICA Members: CHICA-Canada presents four new audit tools related to hemodialysis. Use your member password to download these tools from our Audit Toolkit...
• H1N1 Flu Holiday Health Tips from PHAC: Stay safe this holiday season with health tips from the Public Health Agency of Canada...English...Français...
• Request for Songs and Games: The Programs & Projects Committee is requesting ICPs to share songs and games related to infection prevention and control. All entries are eligible for a $100 chapter gift certificate. Deadline: February 28, 2010. A release form is required for each song/game donated. More information...release form...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Educator is required for Baycrest in Toronto, Ontario. More information...
• Web Widget from PHAC: The Public Health Agency of Canada announces its Web widget application. The Web widget is an application that organizations or individuals can install on their web sites. The widget allows the latest content from PHAC, such as press releases, announcements or communications products to be automatically displayed on widget-users' web sites. The widget is a portable chunk of code that can be installed and executed within a web page. HAC's web widget can be found HERE.
  As well, this is a reminder of the other products that can be found on http://www.fightflu.ca. A whole range of information about the H1N1 flu and the flu vaccine is available from this site.
• New CHICA-Canada Chapter: CHICA-Canada congratulates and welcomes its 21st Chapter – CHICA Peel Region. The new chapter encompasses the geographic area of the Peel Region of Ontario: Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. The charter for CHICA Peel Region will be presented at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 National Education Conference (Vancouver, Sunday, May 30th). Chapter contact information...

November 2009

• New IPAC Guidelines from the RCDSO: The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario have released 'Infection Prevention and Control in the Dental Office'. Download guideline...
• New Recommendations on the H1N1 Flu Vaccine from PHAC: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has updated its recommendations on the H1N1 Flu vaccine dosing for children and guidance for the use of the Panvax (TM) H1N1 vaccine (unadjuvanted).
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Runnymede Healthcare Centre (Complex Continuing Care) in Toronto, Ontario. More information...
• New H1N1 Recommendations for Pregnant Women from PHAC: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has released new H1N1 information and recommendations for pregnant and breastfeeding women. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infection Prevention and Control is required for York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill, ON. More information...

October 2009

• Virox National Conference Scholarship Now Open: Applications are now being accepted for the 2010 Virox national conference scholarship, which provides financial assistance to eligible ICPs to attend the CHICA-Canada national conference. More information...
• Stressed About H1N1? The Pandemic Influenza Stress Vaccine course will help you reduce stress, enhance skills and build resilience in the context of an influenza pandemic. More information...Take the course...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the London Health Sciences Centre in London, ON. Apply by November 2, 2009. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Occupational Health and Safety/Infection Control Coordinator is required for the Stanton Territorial Health Authority in Yellowknife, NT. Apply by November 30, 2009. More information...
• Ready...Set...Audit! CHICA-Canada is pleased to announce the launch of 10 Infection Prevention and Control audit tools for CHICA-Canada members as part of National Infection Control Week. These tools are the first of a series that will be released over the next few months. We hope that these audit tools will support you to measure your success at moving best evidence into best practices in your organizations. The full audit toolkit will be available at the 2010 conference. Go to toolkit...
• Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Professionals are required for The Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario. More information...
• International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW): Join your colleagues from around the corner and around the globe for Intn'l Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), October 18-24, 2009. As you celebrate National Infection Control Week this year, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) invites all CHICA-Canada members to join the international infection prevention community as we kick off the 2009 commemoration of International Infection Prevention Week from the National Press Club in Washington, DC on Friday, October 16. Watch the live webcast at 1:00 EST or view the archive at your convenience. More information...
• CHICA-Canada/BD Roadshow for November:  The sixth Roadshow will be the first full-day Roadshow and will offer education and networking that will be of benefit to Infection Prevention and Control Professionals and Healthcare Workers from all settings. The sixth in the Roadshow series will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM in Victoria, BC. More information...

September 2009

• Voices of CHICA Teleclass - September 29:  The next 'Voices of CHICA' Teleclass will be held September 29, 2009 at 1:30 pm EST. This teleclass, which is free to CHICA-Canada members, will feature updates on the 2010 conference, the CHICA audit toolkit, the National Network of Networks and the Canadian perspective on influenza management. Register here...
• PHAC Guidance on H1N1 Flu Vaccine Sequencing:  The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has provided guidance on sequencing for the H1N1 vaccine. More information...
• CPSI announces Funding Competitions:  The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is providing funding for several competitions related to patient safety. More information...
• Ontario Announces Flu Shot Rollout:  Ontario has announced its flu shot rollout for seasonal and H1N1 vaccines. More information...Flu Vaccine Strategy...
• New Resource Web Page for Non-acute Care:  CHICA-Canada's newest web page provides links to infection prevention and control resources that are of interest to the non-acute care sector - prehospital care/EMS, long term care/nursing homes, community care, home care, clinic/ambulatory care, physician/dental offices, mental health and early learning/childcare. Add this to your bookmarks! View web page...
• CHICA Members - Take the Survey:  The Public Health Agency of Canada invites you to participate in a survey on the current preparedness of Canadian healthcare organizations for the management and control of the H1N1 Flu Virus. Participation is voluntary and all responses will remain confidential and anonymous - no tracking of responses will be possible. Your feedback is important to enable the ongoing planning for infection prevention and control guidance for the H1N1 flu virus. More information...
• CNISP Information for ICPs:  CHICA-Canada members may now access surveillance protocols, reports and publications from the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) via a new web page in the Members area of the CHICA-Canada website. See the link on our homepage.

August 2009

• New Best Practices from PIDAC:  Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) has published "Routine Practices and Additional Precautions in All Health Care Settings". More information...
• Voices of CHICA Teleclass:  The next "Voices of CHICA" teleclass for CHICA-Canada members will take place on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 1:30 pm ET. More information...Registration...
• Applicants Required:  CHICA-Canada is seeking five candidates for the Basic Courses for ICPs Endorsement Review Committee - four ICPs with more than 3 years' experience, and one ICP with less than 2 years' experience. Deadline for applications is August 28, 2009. More information...
• Abstract Submissions:  Abstract submissions are now being accepted online for CHICA-Canada's 2010 National Education Conference in Vancouver. Submission deadline is February 26, 2010. More information...
• Salmonella cubana Outbreak:  Several cases of Salmonella cubana in Ontario and Quebec have resulted from ingestion of contaminated sprouts (see Alerts). More information...
• Offres d'emploi:  L'Hôpital Montfort, située dans la ville d'Ottawa, a besoin d'un(e) Coordonnateur(trice) Prévention des infections et un(e) Infirmier(ère) Prévention des infections. Information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Coordinator, Infection Control is required for Windsor Regional Hospital in Windsor, ON. More Information...
• Influenza Immunization Campaign Resources from CCIAP: The Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion CCIAP) announces resources for the Influenza Immunization Awareness Campaign 2009. The entire French-language "Trousse" of resources to increase uptake of influenza immunization amongst health care professionals is available on the ASSTSAS web site. This document is available in French only at this time. Both English and French posters and print ads are also available. The ordering deadline is August 10, 2009. Order forms are available on the above websites.
• New Publication on Patient Safety in Mental Health:  The Ontario Hospital Association and CPSI have collaborated with a team from the BC Mental Health and Addiction Services to prepare a research paper that examines the patient safety issues unique to mental health care in Canada. The publication "Patient Safety in Mental Health" is now available at www.oha.com or www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca.
• Call for Applications CHICA-Canada Endorsement of Basic Education Courses Review Committee  For details click here. Reference is made to Policy 10.8 and 10.81. Apply by August 28, 2009.

July 2009

• Early Release from CDC: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has released "Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines". More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator is required for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, ON. Apply by August 4, 2009. More Information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Professional is required for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario in Ottawa, ON. More Information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Practitioner, Infection Prevention and Control, is required for the Rouge Valley Health System in the Ajax-Pickering area of Ontario. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Clinical Practice Coordinator - Home Care is required for the Regina Qu'Appelle Health Region in Regina, SK. More information...
• New Guidance from PHAC: Three new guidance documents from the Public Health Agency of Canada regarding pandemic (H1N1) 2009 flu virus have been released for prehospital care, acute care and long term care. All documents are available on CHICA-Canada's H1N1 Influenza website.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Consultant/Educator and a Network Coordinator are required for the South Western Ontario Infection Control Network in Stratford, ON. Apply by July 24, 2009. More information...
• New Chapter Website: Congratulations to CHICA SASKPIC on their new chapter website! Special thanks to Michelle Luscombe for all of her hard work gathering information for the site. Visit website...
• Call for Applications - CCPH21 Representative: A CHICA-Canada representative to the Canadian Coalition for Public Health in the 21st Century (CCPH21) is required for a three-year term, effective September 1, 2009. Apply by August 14, 2009. More information...
• Call for Applications - CNISP Representative: A CHICA-Canada representative to the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) is required for a three-year term, effective January 1, 2010. Apply by September 11, 2009. More information...
• Oseltamivir-resistant H1N1 Flu Virus: A case of influenza H1N1 in Hong Kong (imported from California) that is resistant to oseltamivir appears to have been acquired rather than induced. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner is required for the Baycrest Centre in Toronto, ON. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner is required for The Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, ON. More information...
• Ideas for your Influenza Immunization Campaign: The Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion (CCIAP) has provided a series of new posters and resources to help you in your fall influenza immunization efforts. Increased awareness of pneumococcal vaccine is also highlighted in their latest newsletter. More information...

June 2009

• Novel Influenza A(H1N1) Infections in HCWs: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) has published a report on health care provider acquisition of novel influenza A(H1N1) virus linked to inappropriate or non-use of PPE. More information...
• The Canadian PD Project Positive deviance (PD) is an improvement and social change methodology that has been used to change behavior-based problems around the world. PD has been shown to be an effective tool to engage healthcare staff and reduce MRSA rates. Four Canadian hospitals are being recruited to act as PD pilot sites over the next 18 months. Information Webinars will be held June 29 and July 8, 2009. More information...PD Website...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto, ON. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infection Prevention & Control, is required for the William Osler Health Centre in Brampton, ON. More information...
• W.H.O. Releases Hand Hygiene Guidelines: The final version of the World Health Organization's "WHO Guidelines on Hand Hygiene in Health Care" has been published. This is an excellent document covering both the science and practical aspects of hand hygiene. View & download...
• W.H.O. Raises Pandemic Alert to Phase 6: The World Health Organization has raised the level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 5 to phase 6. This designation reflects ongoing community level outbreaks in multiple parts of world, no longer only associated with travel to Mexico or contact with travellers to Mexico, indicating that a global pandemic is underway. There has been no change to the severity of the illness.More information...
• Comparative Analysis of Bedpan Processing Equipment: The Québec Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé has examined the effectiveness and safety of bedpan washers for reusable bedpans as well as organizational, economic and environmental issues. More information...Français...
• Employment Opportunity: A Regional Manager, Infection Control is required for Northern Health in British Columbia. More information...
• Congratulations PHC Vancouver! The infection control team at Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC has received a Judges Special Award in the 2008/2009 Oxoid IC Team of the Year Awards. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Professional is required for the Central East, Regional Infection Control Networks in Whitby, ON. More information...
• An Invitation:  The Art of Taking it to the Next Level: Spread & Sustainability Workshop. July 16th, 2009, in Calgary Alberta. Workshop is facilitated by Dr. David Mador, Division of Urology at the University of Alberta and Alberta Health Services More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Consultant is required for Toronto Central Infection Control Network, Baycrest Hospital, Toronto, ON. More information...

May 2009

• CHICA-CANADA 2010-2015 Strategic Plan: At the 2009 Annual General Meeting, members of CHICA-Canada ratified the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan. The new Strategic Plan will guide the association's membership and strategic growth over the next several years. More information....
• CHICA-Canada seeking candidates for 2011/2012 Scientific Program Committee: CHICA-Canada is seeking candidates to fill 3 positions on the 2011/2012 Scientific Program Committee. This committee is responsible for the development of the education program for CHICA-Canada Conferences. We are seeking:
  1. Scientific Program Co-Chair (will become Scientific Chair for 2012 conference) 2. Acute Care Representative AND 3. Long Term Care Representative. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2009. Download application form.
• Attention Potential Authors: Submit your scientific paper to the Canadian Journal of Infection Control (CJIC) and join those who help to build evidence-based literature for the practice of infection prevention and control in Canada. CJIC papers are peer-reviewed, indexed in PubMed and other medical databases and have wide readership. More information...
• Thank-you CHICA-Canada: After 12 years on the CHICA-Canada Board, Dr. Dick Zoutman bids adieu...
• IFIC-Covidien 2009 Grant Proposal Competition: Making Safe Childbirth a Reality:  The International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) is launching a Grant Proposal Competition aimed at infection control and related practitioners in developing countries. This initiative is made possible through the generous support of one of our Strategic Partners - Covidien. Proposals are being accepted for projects to reduce neonatal infections in hospital and outpatient settings. Apply by July 30, 2009. More information...
• 2009 Poster Contest Winner: Congratulations to Catherine (Kim) Baker (Central West Infection Control Network, Ontario) on designing the 2009 poster with the theme "The Power of One". View English poster...French poster...Use the poster during Infection Control Week, October 19-23, 2009.
• Inaugural Sheela Basrur Centre Symposium: The H1N1 Flu Outbreak presents a number of challenges and opportunities for public health officials, including coordination and communications within public health and with the public. You are invited to an afternoon of dialogue and discussion. More information...
• May E-News from CHICA-Canada: The latest issue of E-news is now available for CHICA-Canada members. View E-news...
• Message from Minister Leona Aglukkaq: "I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing efforts to protect and improve the health of Canadians. You have played a key role in planning for public health emergencies and your continued collaboration in helping to address the H1N1 flu virus in Canada is both needed and appreciated." More...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Professional is required for St. Michael's hospital in Toronto, ON. More information...
• IFIC Congress: The 10th Congress of the International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) will be held October 8-11, 2009 in Vilnius, Lithuania. More information...
• The CHICA-Canada Conference is On! The 2009 CHICA-Canada conference is proceeding as planned. The Scientific Program Committee is adding a session on the H1N1 Influenza that will provide discussion opportunities with key experts from across Canada. This is tentatively scheduled for 10:00 am on Thursday, May 14th. More information...
• Information from the SAVE LIVES Clean Your Hands Project : In many countries around the world, hospitals and healthcare facilities will be highlighting the importance of hand hygiene on 5 May 2009. Now is a real opportunity to press home the message that good hand hygiene saves lives. The next steps for SAVE LIVES Clean Your Hands will be mapped out in coming weeks. More information...

April 2009

• W.H.O. Raises Current Phase of Pandemic Alert to Five: The current W.H.O. phase of pandemic alert is 5, indicating widespread human infection and imminent pandemic. More information...
• Media Release on Swine Influenza from CHICA-Canada: Infection prevention and control guidance relating to swine influenza has been released by CHICA-Canada. More information...
• W.H.O. Raises Current Phase of Pandemic Alert: The current W.H.O. phase of pandemic alert is 4, indicating sustained human-to-human transmission. More information...
• Severe Respiratory Illness Alert: An epidemic of severe respiratory illness in Mexico, including several deaths, has prompted the Public Health Agency of Canada to alert the provinces and laboratory networks, requesting vigilance in screening and reporting of unusual influenza-like illnesses, particularly in travellers returning from Mexico.
  • More information - CHICA-Canada's Influenza web page
• New Hand Hygiene Report: "Measuring Hand Hygiene Adherence: Overcoming the Challenges" - monograph available from The Joint Commission (U.S.). Download...
• CHICA-Canada Members: Revisions are being made to CHICA-Can
• Salmonella carrau Outbreak: Canadian and U.S. authorities are investigating a potential North American gastrointestinal outbreak of Salmonella carrau. More information...
• Reminder: Strategic Planning Member Survey: Final reminder to make your voice heard as the CHICA-Canada Board and Chapter Presidents plan the future of the organization. Take the survey...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner full-time) is required for Bridgepoint Hospital in Toronto, ON. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Professional is required for Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, ON. More information...
• Register now for CR-BSI Webinar: The next webinar in the CR-BSI series will be held on Tuesday, May 26, 2009. Information and registration...
• Employment Opportunity: A Health Care Epidemiologist is required for Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC. More information...
• Tickets available: Additional tickets are now available for the "Rally in the Alley" event to be held on May 13 at the CHICA-Canada conference. More information...
• Call for Abstracts: You are invited to submit an abstract for the 70th Annual Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) Educational Conference by April 30, 2009. More information...

March 2009

• Webinar Cancellation: The CR-BSI Webinar scheduled for April 7, 2009 has been postponed. An announcement will be made when the webinar is re-scheduled. CHICA-Canada regrets this inconvenience.
• New from CDC: New information and guidance for dealing with carbapenem-resistant/carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae is now available from the CDC. More information...Guideline...
• Health Canada Alert: Health Canada is advising Canadians who use blood lancing devices not to use devices meant for personal use in more than one person due to the risk of transmitting blood-borne viruses, such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV. More information...For more alerts, visit CHICA-Canada's Alerts Webpage...
• Register Now! Registrations are currently being accepted for Queen's University's Online Basic Infection Control course, to begin April 1, 2009. More information...
• Voices of CHICA Teleclass: The next 'Voices of CHICA' teleclass will take place on Tuesday, March 24, 2009. This is a great opportunity for CHICA-Canada members to hear updates directly from the CHICA-Canada Board of Directors and Committee/Interest Groups and to ask questions about any issues of concern. More information...
• CHICA-Canada Member Survey: CHICA-Canada has initiated a strategic planning process to review our mission and identify future directions and priorities. We need your input! As members of CHICA-Canada, your ideas are a valuable part of this planning process. Complete the online questionnaire by Friday, April 10, 2009 by clicking on the survey button to the right. More information...Go to survey...
• CR-BSI Webinar: The next webinar in the CR-BSI series will be held on Tuesday, April 7, 2009. More information...
• CBIC Survey - Request for Input:The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) is conducting a critical review of its strategic initiatives and future direction. In order to better understand the current issues, motivators and driving forces related to certification for the Infection Preventionist (IP), CBIC is requesting IPs from all types of facilities, regardless of your current certification status, to complete a brief (9 question) survey (link attached). Your input is critical in helping CBIC maintain a strong and viable IP certification program that meets the needs of our changing profession. Go to survey...
• New Web Page for CHICA Members: CHICA E-News broadcasts will now be archived in the Members area of the CHICA-Canada website. Use your member password to access E-News. Go to E-News webpage...
• Employment Opportunity: A Network Coordinator is required for the Waterloo Wellington Infection Control Network (WWICN) in Cambridge, ON. Apply by March 20, 2009. More information...
• Be a Good Visitor to a Healthcare Facility: In conjunction with Patient Safety Awareness Week, APIC has issued a consumer guide on how to be a good visitor to a healthcare facility. View information...
• You are invited... You are invited to participate in the Pan-Canadian Consultations on Antimicrobial Resistance on May 14, 2009 immediately following the CHICA-Canada conference. More information...

February 2009

• MRSA Skin Infections Initiative: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently issued new MRSA materials for patients and health care providers. Materials include brochures, fact sheets, posters, Web graphics and a treatment algorithm. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infection Control is required for The Scarborough Hospital in Scarborough, ON. More information...
• Got Games? The CHICA-Canada Programs & Projects Committee is seeking donations of Infection Prevention & Control games utilized by ICPs as an education tool. Information and Release Form
• Employment Opportunity: A Health Services Manager - Infection Control is required for the Capital District Health Authority in Halifax, NS. Apply by March 8, 2009. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Director, Provincial Centre for Infection Prevention Control is required for the Department of Health in Halifax, NS. Apply by March 3, 2009. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Officer is required for Capital District Health Authority in Halifax, NS. Apply by February 23, 2009. More information...
• Call for Applications: The CHICA-Canada 2011 Scientific Program Committee is a national committee whose mandate is to plan, develop and ensure completion of the scientific program committee for the 2011 National Education Conference which will take place in Toronto. CHICA-Canada is seeking three candidates, to fill the positions of Scientific Program Co-Chair, Acute Care Representative and Long Term Care Representative. More information...
• CHICA-Canada Representative Required for CCIAP: A CHICA-Canada representative is required for the Canadian Coalition for Immunization Awareness & Promotion (CCIAP). More information...
• CHICA-Canada Conference Overflow Hotels: A number of alternate hotels are available close to the conference venue in St. John's, NL. More information...
• Upcoming MRSA Travelling Roadshows: The fourth in the Roadshow series will be held on February 20, 2009 in Halifax. More information...

January 2009

• CHICA-Canada Launches Online Conference Registration: CHICA-Canada is pleased to announce that online conference registration is now available HERE...
• January 31 is the deadline! Send in your application now for the 2009 Ecolab Poster Contest and Virox Technologies Scholarship. You could win your ticket to the annual conference in St. John's, Newfoundland!
• CPSI Forum Registration Now Open: Registration is now open for Canada's Forum on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement, being held April 28-30 in Toronto. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Senior Infection Prevention and Control Professional is required for the Agency for Health Protection and Promotion in Toronto, Ontario. More information...
• CIC Chapter Achievement Award: CHICA-Canada is pleased to announce that it is providing an annual award in acknowledgement of the CHICA-Canada Chapter that has the largest increase of eligible members who have been certified. The presentation will be made at the annual CHICA-Canada conference. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2009. More information and application...
• 26th Int'nl Congress of Chemotherapy & Infection Call for Abstracts: You are invited to submit abstracts related to all aspects of clinical microbiology and infectious disease including epidemiological, diagnostic, environmental, medical and basic sciences. Abstracts related to education in microbiology and infectious diseases are also welcome. Extended abstract deadline: January 29, 2009. Submission information...

December 2008

• Attention Ontario ICPs: The Registered Nurses' Foundation of Ontario (RNFOO) is proud to announce the 2009 Awards and Scholarship Application Process is now open. This program is for Ontario healthcare professionals. Please view the awards and scholarships table online and should you wish to apply for any you must submit an online application and provide the required documents. Please note the deadline to submit an application is February 13th, 2009 at 4:30pm. View awards & scholarships...view instructions for submitting application...
• 2009 Roadshows: CHICA–CANADA and BD (Becton Dickinson) have hosted a successful series of "MRSA Road Show Seminars". In 2008, Roadshows were held in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto. The "Road Show Seminars" are designed to educate healthcare professionals and healthcare administrators on decreasing the rate of healthcare-associated infections with the focus on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C. difficile). The fourth in the Roadshow series will be held on February 20, 2009 in Halifax, NS. More information...
• IFIC Scholarships for 10th IFIC Congress: The International Federation of Infection Control will facilitate attendance at its annual conference to be held in Lithuania October 8-11, 2009. More information...
• CHICA-Canada Position Statement on Facility Design: CHICA-Canada's Healthcare Facility Design & Construction Interest Group and the CHICA-Canada Board are pleased to present a position statement regarding facility design.
• CBC Radio One Broadcast December 15:  Listen to CBC Radio One at 11:30 am ET on Monday, December 15, 2008 for an interview with Dr. Dick Zoutman on the 'White Coat Black Art' program, discussing hand hygiene and antibacterial hand washes. You can also listen online at CBC.ca.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, ON. Deadline for applications is December 22, 2008. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Occupational Health Nurse Consultant is required for the Infection Prevention and Control Program of the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). Deadline for applications is 11 December, 2008. More information...

November 2008

• 2008-2009 Oxoid Awards: Oxoid announces that the 2008-2009 Infection Control Team of the Year awards are now open for entry. Deadline for applications is 13 February, 2009. More information...
• Launch of Pandemic Preparedness Portal: A Queen's-led research group in partnership with the Ontario Hospital Association (OHA) is launching a new web portal in response to worldwide concerns about the threat of an influenza pandemic. More information...Go to portal...
• New Chapter Website! Congratulations to CHICA-Southwestern Ontario on the development of their chapter website! View website...
• We Need Your Help: CHICA-Canada members are invited to assist the organization with an updated Infection Control Audit Toolkit as well as photos of ICPs at work for new CHICA booth banners.
  • More information
  • Consent form for photo
  • Consent form for use of audit tool
• 2009 CHICA-Canada Board:  CHICA-Canada is pleased to announce the slate of Officers and Directors for 2009. More information...
• New Guideline from CDC:  The Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2008 has been posted on the CDC website. This guideline will be published in the MMWR at a later date.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Toronto Rehabilitation Institute in Toronto, ON. More information...
• CPSI Forum on Patient Safety:  With the increasing national and international focus on patient safety, the need for a broad forum for learning has been identified. Canada's Forum on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement will provide multiple learning streams with a national and international flavour. The program for the forum will provide opportunity for a variety of professionals to participate, including, but not limited to, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, health care providers, educators, leaders, researchers, and board members. More information...Deadline for submitting abstracts is December 1, 2008. Abstract information...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Best Practice Specialist - Infection Prevention and Control is required for The Good Samaritan Society in Lethbridge, Alberta. More information...

October 2008

• New MRSA Road Show:  The third in the MRSA Roadshow series will be held on Tuesday, October 28 in Toronto, ON following a TPIC Chapter meeting. More information...
• CPSI Call for Posters:  The Canadian Patient Safety Institute invites you to submit a poster abstract for Canada's Forum on Patient Safety and Quality Improvement being hosted in Toronto, Ontario on April 28-30, 2009. More information...
• REISS Competition Funding now Available:  The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is pleased to partner with the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation (CHSRF) to provide funding for a patient safety program as part of the CHSRF 2009 Research, Exchange, and Impact for System Support (REISS) competition. The purpose of this competition is to fund programs that will have substantial impact on health system decision-making in patient safety. More information...
• OAHPP Leadership Appointments:  Ontario's new Agency for Health Protection and Promotion announces recent appointments to their senior management team. More information...
• A Senior Epidemiologist is required for the Public Health Agency of Canada, in Ottawa, Ontario. More information.

September 2008

• BATTLE WE CAN WIN: Reducing Healthcare Associated Infections by 50%:  The infectious diseases crisis in Canada's hospitals isn't yet on the election agenda but CHICA-Canada and the National Infectious Diseases Coalition aim to change that. Learn more...
• Paediatric Member Required for PIDAC:  Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) requires a paediatric Infection Prevention and Control professional to serve up to a 2-year term on the Subcommittee on Infection Prevention and Control. More information...
• Infection Control Week Media Release:  Infection Control Week is October 20-24, 2008. CHICA-Canada provides a media release to assist you with promotion of your week. We encourage all ICPs to circulate this media release to media in their area. Add your own contact name to the bottom of the release.
• 2008 CPSI Research Competitition:  The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is pleased to announce its 4th Research Competition in patient safety. Research funded will have patient safety as a primary focus. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Infection Control Coordinator is required for Prairie Health Region based in North Battleford, SK. More information...
• Voices of CHICA:  The next 'Voices of CHICA' teleclass will be held on September 23, 2008 at 1:30 pm (EST). Register for this free teleclass at: http://www.webbertraining.com. This is your chance to speak with the CHICA-Canada Board and voice your comments or concerns, and to keep up with what is happening in the organization.
• Employment Opportunity:  A Manager, Infection Prevention & Control is required for the University Health Network in Toronto, Ontario. More information...
• Take the Survey!  How are we doing? Please take a moment to complete our website survey, to assist us in defining needs and new directions for the CHICA-Canada website. The survey is located HERE...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Safety and Improvement Advisor is required for the Western Node of Safer Healthcare Now! More information...
• New Best Practices from PIDAC:  Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) has published "Best Practices for Infection Prevention and Control Programs in Ontario in All Health Care Settings". This document provides recommendations for resource allocation for IPAC programs across the continuum of health care delivery as well as recommended activities for IPAC programs. An exceptional resource for all ICP's!

August 2008

• Listeria Outbreak in Canada:  As many as 12 deaths may be linked to an outbreak of food poisoning caused by Listeria, which has been linked to deli meats prepared in a Toronto plant. Product recalls are in place across the country. More information and product recalls...
• CPSI Request for Proposals: The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) partnered with the EMSCC and Calgary EMS Foundation announce the following Request for Proposals: "Patient Safety in Emergency Medical Services". Apply by August 31, 2008. More information... Download RFP
• Paediatric Member Required for PIDAC:  Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) requires a paediatric Infection Preventio and Control professional to serve up to a 2-year term on the Subcommittee on Infection Prevention and Control. More information...
• New ACIP Recommendations :  Recent publications: Prevention and Control of Influenza, Prevention of Pertussis, Tetanus and Diphtheria Among Pregnant and Postpartum Women and their Infants, Human Rabies Prevention.

July 2008

• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the Central West Infection Control Network (CWICN) in Brampton, ON. Apply by August 15, 2008. Position Information
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practice Leader is required for West Park Healthcare Centre in Toronto, ON. Apply by August 22, 2008.
  Position Information
• Request for Proposals:   The WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety has small research project grants available for research in patient safety. Apply by September 30, 2008. More information...
• Call for Applications:   A CHICA-Canada representative to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is required. Apply by September 5, 2008. More information...
• Call for Applications:   CHICA-Canada is seeking three candidates to participate on the 2010 Scientific Program Committee. Apply by September 5, 2008. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:   An Infection Control Practitioner (full time) is required for St. Peter's Hospital in Hamilton, ON.
  Position Information
• Employment Opportunity:   An Infection Control Practitioner (part time) is required for St. Peter's Hospital in Hamilton, ON.
  Position Information
• Employment Opportunity:  A Health Care Epidemiologist is required for Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC. Position Information...
• 2008 Conference Recordings Now Available:  Recordings from the CHICA-Canada 2008 conference in Montreal may now be ordered. Download order form OR order online.
• NCCID Request for Proposals:  The National Collaborating Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCCID) is extending a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a comprehensive review in the area of population level interventions to reduce the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and/or the spread of antimicrobial-resistant organisms (ARO) in the community setting. More information...
• Updated Hand Hygiene Position Statement:  CHICA-Canada's position statement regarding Hand Hygiene has now been posted. View hand hygiene position statement. View all position statements.

June 2008

• Fifth WHO Public Health Pre-Deployment Course:  Applications are being received for the 5th WHO Public Health Pre-Deployment Course to be held in Ontario, Canada from 16-29 November 2008. The course prepares public health professionals with profiles that suit health emergency competencies defined by WHO and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Global Health Cluster. The deadline for applications is 31 August 2008. More information...
• C.difficile Proceedings and Recommendations:  Final recommendations are now available from the 2007 Global Consensus Conference on Clostridium difficile, sponsored by the International Infection Control Council. View proceedings and recommendations...
• Updated Professional Practice Standards:  APIC and CHICA-Canada present updated Professional and Practice Standards for infection prevention and control professionals. View standards...en français...
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for David Thompson Health Region in Wetaskiwin, AB. Apply by July 10, 2008.  More information...
• 2008 Ecolab Poster Contest Winner:  Congratulations to Ellen Otterbein of the Waterloo Wellington Infection Control Network (Ontario) for her winning entry in the 2008 Ecolab poster contest, illustrating the theme "Antibiotic Resistant Organisms (AROs): A Call to Action!". View and dowload the winning entry on our poster contest web page.
• CHICA-Canada remembers Sheela Basrur:  A tribute to former Ontario MOH Sheela Basrur was delivered at the 2008 CHICA-Canada conference for her passion and her committment to infection prevention and control. Our thoughts are with her family.

May 2008

• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Clinician is required for Halton Healthcare Services in Oakville, ON. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention and Control Consultant is required for the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, AB. Apply by June 9, 2008. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Manager, Infection Control is required for Northern Health in Prince George, BC. Apply by June 3, 2008. More information...
• 2007 CHICA-Canada Annual Report:  The CHICA-Canada 2007 Annual Report is available to download here. The 2007 Audited Financial Statements will be posted shortly. As there will be limited copies of the annual report and financial statements at the CHICA AGM (Thursday, June 5, Palais des Congrès, Montréal), we encourage you to download the print copies to bring with you to the AGM. Download annual report.
• Recent MMWR Publication:  Acute Hepatitis C virus infections attributed to unsafe injection practices at an endoscopy clinic in Nevada in 2007. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Epidemiologist is required for the North York General Hospital in Toronto, ON. Apply by May 30, 2008. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the Central South Infection Control Network in Dundas, ON. Apply by May 21, 2008. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the Central South Infection Control Network in Dundas, ON. More information...
• CBIC FAQs:  Questions and answers are provided by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) regarding the CIC exam. View FAQs...
• Hand Hygiene Train the Trainer Sessions:  The Canadian Patient Safety Institute is sponsoring a series of Hand Hygiene Train the Trainer Sessions. Overview and Registration Information - English, Français
• Best Practices for Hand Hygiene: Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC) has published "Best Practices for Hand Hygiene in All Health Care Settings". View document...
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager Infection Control is required for the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton, AB. Apply by May 26, 2008. Position information.
• An Important Message From CHICA-Canada: Please be advised that due to low registration and difficulties in securing speakers for the event, we have unfortunately had to cancel the June 5th MRSA Roadshow in Montreal. The Roadshow was to take place immediately following the close of the CHICA/AIPI 2008 Education Conference at the Palais des Congrès. We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused registrants.
  
  Please watch our website for information on an additional webinar on the topic of Environmental Cleaning and a new MRSA road show in September of 2008 at a location to be announced. These details will be posted to the website as soon as possible. We thank you for your understanding.
• National Call for Action on MRSA: Safer Healthcare Now! presents a national teleconference to introduce "How Do We Know if We Have a Problem? : MRSA Getting Started Kit" on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. View schedule and dial-in information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Regional Medical Coordinator is required for the South Western Ontario Infection Control Network based in Stratford, ON. Position information.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Northeast Infection Prevention and Control Program in Dawson Creek, BC. Position information.
• Health Hazard Alert: Ground beef products sold across Canada have been found to harbour E.coli 0157:H7. For more information about this alert and others, visit our Alerts webpage.

April 2008

• Canadian Patient Safety Institute - Online Communities The Antibiotic-Resistant Organism: MRSA, Community of Practice is up and running! Have a look around, post articles, links to interesting sites, ask questions or add comments. View website...
• Employment Opportunity: An Executive Director is required for the Canadian Committee on Antibiotic Resistance. Apply by May 15, 2008. Position information and Job description.
• C.difficile Concensus Conference Recommendations: In August 2007, the International Infection Control Council (CHICA, APIC, ICNA), in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Ontario Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Council, the Public Health Agency of Canada and with an unrestricted grant from Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, organized a C. difficile Consensus Conference in Toronto. The recommendations from that conference can be found in the Position Statements section of this website. The proceedings from the conference will be posted at a later date.
• IP&C Conference 2008 : Register now for CHICA Manitoba Chapter's 2008 conference, "Practice & Participate " to be held in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 20, 2008. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Nurse IV (Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner/Staff Health) is required for the Boundary Trails Health Centre in Morden/Winkler, Manitoba.
• CBIC Representative - Call for Applications: The Certification Board of Infection Control (CBIC) has invited nominations for a Canadian representative on the CBIC Board of Directors. Information and application form...
• Education Seminar: Register now for CHICA-SA's 2008 education seminar for healthcare providers, professionals and leaders, "Under the Microscope: Infection Control in Health Care" to be held in Red Deer, Alberta September 11 & 12, 2008. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Coordinator is required for the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.
• IFIC scholarship: The International Federation of Infection Control is accepting applications for scholarships for the Ninth Congress of the International Federation of Infection Control. The conference will be held in Santiago, Chile, 14-17 October 2008. Deadline for submissions is 15 May 2008. For more information and application guidelines, see www.theific.org.

March 2008

• New Patron Member: CHICA-Canada is pleased to announce that Ethicon, a Division of Johnson & Johnson, have joined as Patron Members. "J&J" have been extremely supportive of CHICA-Canada throughout the years and we welcome our newest Patron Member!
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Educator/Consultant is required for the Provincial Infection Control Network, British Columbia.
• New Chapter Website! Congratulations to CHICA-Northern Alberta on the development of their chapter website! View website...
• Canadian Disclosure Guidelines now available: The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) has released the Canadian Disclosure Guidelines to assist and support healthcare providers, inter-professional teams, organizations and regulators in developing and implementing disclosure policies, practices and training methods. They represent a commitment to the patient's right to be informed if they are involved in an adverse event, by promoting a clear and consistent approach to disclosure, emphasizing inter-professional teamwork and supporting learning from adverse events. The guidelines are available from the CPSI Website.
• Safer Healthcare Now! Phase II: Sign up now to participate in SHN's Phase II interventions which include preventing harm from antibiotic-resistant organisms, specifically MRSA. More information...
• Ontario's Hand Hygiene Program: The Ontario Ministry of Health has launched its hand hygiene campaign, "Just Clean Your Hands", for Ontario hospitals. This website contains all the materials needed to promote hand hygiene in your facility, including interactive training videos, observation and evaluation tools, posters etc.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Providence Care in Kingston, Ontario.
• Ontario ICPs: "Got Books?" If you have used books or other resource materials dealing with infection prevention and control, HIV/AIDS, maternal/child health, infectious diseases, public health or other medical or nursing subjects, you may donate them to the Cameroon Book Project to assist ICPs in Cameroon, West Africa to build their infection control program. Share information and a poster within your facility or health care library today!

February 2008

• Employment Opportunity: A Coordinator - International Epidemiology is required for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
• Congratulations CNA! CHICA-Canada congratulates the Canadian Nursing Association on 100 years of service to Canadian healthcare. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner Senior is required for the Population Health Unit in La Ronge, Saskatchewan. Applications must be received by February 22, 2008.
• Buffet Busters: PHAC has launched an interactive website for teachers and students aimed at school-related infectious illnesses. Take a peek...

January 2008

• Employment Opportunity: An Associate Director - Public Health, TB Prevention & Control Program is required for Public Health in Toronto, Ontario. Applications must be received by February 12, 2008.
• Now Online...Member & Source Guide: The CHICA-Canada Member & Source Guide is now online in the Members Area of the CHICA-Canada website. Check it out...
• Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infection Control is required for Lakeridge Health in Oshawa, Ontario.
• Register Now! Safer Healthcare Now! National Learning Series V, to be held in Winnipeg, MB on April 1 & 2, 2008, is now open for online registration.
• New from CDC: New FDA releases: Real-Time Test for Respiratory Viruses and Quick Blood Test for Drug-Resistant Staph
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator is required for Women's College Hospital in Toronto, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Specialist is required for the Region of Peel in Brampton, Ontario.
• New Online Course: The Michener Institute is accepting registrations for "Infection Control & Epidemiology", an online course for ICPs, public health investigators, professionals in communicable disease and others interested in infection prevention and control. Course outline and registration information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Leader, Infection Prevention and Control and Risk Management and Patient Safety is required for Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC.
• MRSA Road Shows and Webinars: CHICA–CANADA and BD (Becton Dickinson) will host a series of "MRSA Road Show Seminars" and "MRSA Webinars" starting in February 2008. The "Road Show Seminars" and "Webinars" are designed to educate healthcare professionals and healthcare administrators on decreasing the rate of healthcare-associated infections with the focus on Methicillin- Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the antibiotic-resistant superbug impacting millions of patients worldwide. Registration for the Roadshows and Webinars is free! Session dates, locations and registration...
• 2008 Poster Contest: Applications are now being accepted for the 2008 Ecolab poster contest. Apply by January 31, 2008. More information...

December 2007

• MMWR Update: Updated information has been published regarding antiretrovirual agents used as HIV postexposure prophylaxis for occupational HIV exposures. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator is required for Baycrest in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by January 31, 2008.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator is required for Baycrest in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by January 31, 2008.
• New Online Course in Epidemiology:  The University of Calgary is offering "Research in Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Control", an online course to be held January to April, 2008. The focus of this course will be on healthcare epidemiology with particular emphasis on infection control. The underlying theme for this course will emphasize the research aspects of healthcare epidemiology and how the basic research techniques are applied in the healthcare environment. Topics will include surveillance, quantitative and qualitative methods, sampling, survey research methods, behaviour change, developing and assessing education programs and ethical practice. For more information contact Dr. Betty Ann Henderson or download information sheet.
• PHAC Alert: The Public Health Agency of Canada has been informed of incidents involving the misuse of lancing devices for blood sampling. Inappropriate use of these devices can lead to the transmission of bloodborne pathogens such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Health Canada has recently posted an Information Update on its website to remind all Canadians that lancing devices shuld be used as directed. View update...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Nurse is required for Carewest in Calgary, Alberta.
• New Chapter Website! Congratulations to CHICA-Southern Alberta on the development of their chapter website! View website...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Manager is required for Providence Healthcare in Toronto, Ontario.

November 2007

• New Infectious Diseases Web Portal: The Canadian Public Health Association has launched a new web portal for infectious diseases. View this website...
• Updated PIDAC Best Practices: Ontario's "Best Practices for the Management of Clostridium difficile in all health care settings" has recently be revised. View udpate...
• New Web site:  The Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Health, the Honourable Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food and Minister for the Canadian Wheat Board, and the Honourable Christian Paradis, Secretary of State (Agriculture) launched a user-friendly and centralized Web site database which will allow Canadians to search recalled food and children's products that are unsafe or unhealthy. The new Web site combines recall information from Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency databases, and allows Canadians to search by keyword, date, product or company name, or browse through product recalls dating back to 1995. Visit site...
• Employment Opportunities:  Infection Control Professionals (full time, part time, temporary) are required for The Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity: A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the Erie St. Clair Infection Control Network (ESCICN) in Windsor, Ontario.

October 2007

• New from CDC: "Questions and Answers about Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Schools"
• NIDD: A Call for a Canada-Wide Strategy National Infectious Disease Day (NIDD) takes place during International Infection Prevention Week, an event commemorated around the world and recognized by the World Health Organization. This year, CHICA-Canada in collaboration with partner organizations (AMMI-Canada, CFID, CACMID, ICIC) and industry are calling for a national infectious disease strategy that is a cost-effective investment for the long-term health and well-being of Canadians. More information...
  
  • CIHR, October 3, 2007
  • Globe & Mail, October 19/07
  • National Post, October 18, 2007
• Canada's Hand Hygiene Campaign: The Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is pleased to announce the Getting Ready phase of Canada's Hand Hygiene campaign, aimed at getting organizations ready to adopt and measure hand hygiene practices and compliance within their organizations. More information...
• CPSI Update: The Draft Canadian Guidelines for the Disclosure of Adverse Events will require further revisions before release. Extended target date for release is end of 2007. More information...
• National Infectious Diseases Day: CHICA-Canada is partnering with CFID, AMMI Canada, CACMID and industry partners in a National Infectious Diseases Day to be held in Ottawa, October 18, 2007 with the objective to encourage government to develop a National Infectious Disease Strategy. View briefing note...
• MRSA Road Shows: CHICA-Canada will hold a series of "Road Show Seminars in various provinces throughout the country, starting in November and continuing into 2008. The seminars are designed to educate healthcare professionals and healthcare administrators on decreasing the rate of healthcare-associated infections, with the focus on MRSA. More information...
• Employment Opportunities: A Regional Medical Coordinator and a Regional Infection Control Consultant are required for the Mississauga Halton Infection Control Network (MHICN) in Mississauga, Ontario.
• Online Infection Control Course: Registrations are now being accepted for the Queen's University Online Basic Infection Prevention & Control Course scheduled to begin January, 2008. More information...
• Safer Healthcare Now! eNewsletter: View the Fall edition of the Safer Healthcare Now! eNewsletter here...

September 2007

• Launch of the Infection Prevention Society (IPS):  September 2007 marks the launch of the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) in the U.K., which has developed out of the Infection Control Nurses Association (ICNA). More information...
• CHICA Representative Needed:  The 26th Int'nl Congress of Chemotherapy and Infection (ICCI) will be held in Toronto June 18-21, 2009. A CHICA-Canada representative is required to sit on the Advisory Committee that offers suggestions to the Programme Committee. Apply by October 12, 2007. More information...
• Project Involvement:  CHICA-Canada encourages members to become involved in projects that will further the advancement of infection prevention and control in Canada. Funding is available from CHICA-Canada for approved projects. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Infection Control and Prevention Coordinator is required for The Good Samaritan Society in Kelowna, BC.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner is required for the Royal Victoria Hospital in Barrie, Ontario.

AUGUST 2007

• Input Required for Canada's Hand Hygiene Campaign:  The launch of Canada's Hand Hygiene Campaign is scheduled for Monday, October 15 at the start of National Infection Control Week. Posters are currently being developed for this event and CHICA-Canada members are invited to give suggestions for key messages to be printed on the posters. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Micro/Epitech/Infection Control Practitioner is required for Northern Health in Prince George, BC.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Professional is required for The Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario.
• Silliest Questions:  Remember those "silliest questions" from the 2007 CHICA-Canada Conference? These are now available to CHICA members for downloading in the Members Area of this website. Download here...
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC.
• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Coordinator, Sterile Processing Program is required for Northern Health in Prince George, BC.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention and Control Manager is required for The Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Fort St. John Hospital and Health Centre in BC.

July 2007

• Employment Opportunity:  An RN - Infection Control is required for the Northern Interior Infection Prevention and Control Program in Quesnel, BC.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator is required for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
• Hemodialysis Position Statement:  Congratulations to the Dialysis Interest Group on successfully completing a new CHICA-Canada Position Statement on "Infection Prevention and Control Measures to Prevent Transmission of Hepatitis B Among Hemodialysis Patients". This position statement provides valuable guidance regarding HBV immunization, screening, education and infection prevention and control practices related to hemodialysis. View this position statement...
• Online Infection Control Course:  Register now for the 2007-08 Basic Infection Control course being offered from the University of Calgary. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  A Medical Officer is required for the Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response (EPR)/Biorisk Reduction for Dangerous Pathogens (BDP) unit of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Apply by July 12, 2007.
• New Chapter Website!  Congratulations to CHICA Manitoba on their new chapter website. The website may be viewed here...
• Run for IFIC: The annual Run for IFIC supports the initiative to bring deserving delegates to experience the education and networking of an IFIC conference. The 2nd Annual Run for IFIC, held at CHICA's 2007 conference and this year coordinated by CHICA Northern Alberta, has provided $3,176.00 towards this scholarship. In addition, the Board of CHICA-Canada has authorized a further donation of $1,800 towards this worthy cause. CHICA-Canada thanks CHICA Northern Alberta chapter, the runners and walkers who participate in this fun and memorable but worthy event.

June 2007

• Deadline Reminder! Canada's Hand Hygiene Campaign and its theme – "STOP! Clean Your Hands" – was introduced during the opening ceremonies of the 2007 National Education Conference of CHICA-Canada in Edmonton, and the components of the campaign's toolkits will be tested with select national healthcare institutions during the summer of 2007.
  
  We invite all organizations across Canada interested in participating as a pilot site for Canada's Hand Hygiene Campaign to complete a letter of interest, to be submitted by Friday, June 29, 2007. For more information and an application form, please visit www.handhygiene.ca/news/.
• New Guidelines & Best Practices: 
  • CDC: Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2007
  • CCAR-CCRA: Infection Prevention and Control Best Practices for Long Term Care, Home and Community Care including Health Care Offices and Ambulatory Clinics
• CCHSA Consultation on IP&C Standards:  Comments are invited from CHICA-Canada members on the new CCHSA standards for infection prevention & control. Please provide your feedback by June 22, 2007. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Consultant is required for the Northeastern Ontario Infection Control Network (NEOICN) in Sudbury, Ontario. Apply by July 9, 2007.
• Employment Opportunity:  Extended deadline! An E-Learning Education Coordinator is required for CHICA-Canada. This is a half-time position which may be performed in a home office environment. Apply by July 31, 2007.
• CHICA-Canada 2007 National Education Conference - Conference Evaluation:  Complete the Conference Evaluation Form for your chance to win a complimentary registration to the 2008 conference in Montreal. Deadline July 15th, 2007.
• Poster Contest Winner:  Congratulations to Laurie Boyer from North Bay, Ontario on her winning entry for the 2007 Ecolab Poster Contest. The winning poster may be downloaded for Infection Control Week, 2007.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the BC Cancer Agency in Vancouver, BC.
• Canada's Hand Hygiene Campaign: Canada's Hand Hygiene Campaign and its theme – "STOP! Clean Your Hands" – introduced during the 2007 National Education Conference of the Community and Hospital Infection Control Association-Canada (CHICA-Canada) June 9-14 in Edmonton will be tested with select national healthcare institutions during the summer of 2007. The toolkit will then be refined and the full national campaign will be officially launched during the Canadian Healthcare Safety Symposium (Halifax 7) in Ottawa, October 10-13. More information about becoming a pilot site is available in English and French.
• Employment Opportunity: A Regional Infection Control Educator/Consultant is required for the Central Region Infection Control Network (CRICN) in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by June 22 , 2007. Position description...
• New IP&C Website: The Ontario Regional Infection Control Networks (RICN) have launched a website as a resource for infection prevention and control in Ontario. Visit www.ricn.on.ca today!
• CPSI Evaluation Report: The CPSI has published the report, "Initial Evaluation of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute" on their website. View report...

May 2007

• Infections in Neonatal Nursuries:  A recent outbreak in a Toronto neonatal intensive care unit highlights the ongoing need for good infection control and facility design in Canadian hospitals. More information...
• Advisory from the Public Health Agency of Canada:  Passengers from Czech Airlines flight # 0104 which departed Prague on May 24th and arrived at Montreal International Airport the same day are asked to call 1-866-225-0709, as they might have been exposed to extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB).
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Runnymede Healthcare Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity:  An E-Learning Education Coordinator is required for CHICA-Canada. This is a half-time position which may be performed in a home office environment. Apply by June 1, 2007.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Kingston General Hospital in Kingston, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention & Control Nurse is required for Carewest in Calgary, Alberta.
• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator is required for The Good Samaritan Society in Edmonton, Alberta.
• Compendium & Buyers' Guide Online!  CHICA-Canada members may now access the Compendium of infection prevention and control resources and the Buyers' Guide online, in the Members area of the website. The compendium is full of links to guidelines, websites and other resources for the busy ICP. The Buyers' Guide provides links to companies that specialize in infection prevention and control products and services. Another benefit of membership in CHICA-Canada!
• CBIC News:  The spring edition of CBIC News is now available from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology.
• Hand Hygiene Pilot Project - Ontario:  The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Ontario) has launched a pilot project in designated acute care facilities to target hand hygiene practices. A hand hygiene website has been created to support the "Just Clean Your Hands" project: www.justcleanyourhands.ca
• Extended Deadline for Hand Hygiene Survey: The deadline for completing the national Hand Hygiene survey has been extended to May 25, 2007. Click on the green survey button on this page to complete the survey!
• Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the North Simcoe Muskoka Infection Control Network (NSMICN)in Orillia, Ontario. Apply by May 16, 2007.

April 2007

• Employment Opportunity:  A Manager/Practitioner, Infection Prevention and Control Services is required for Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital in Burlington, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Dep't of Health & Social Services in Iqaluit, Nunavut.
• New updated CDC Website!  Take a virtual tour of the CDC's new updated website, to be launched Thursday, April 19, 2007. You may view the entire site at www.cdc.gov.
• Send us your Silliest Questions!  Send us the silliest question you have ever received on infection prevention and control. The IP&C Vignettes session at the CHICA conference will reveal the "silliest questions" on June 14, 2007. You could have the winning submission and receive a waived registration to the 2008 National Education Conference. Send your questions in by April 16th, 2007 to the Membership Services Office.

March 2007

• Employment Opportunity:  A Region Manager, Infection Prevention & Control is required for the Atlantic Health Sciences Corp. in Saint John, NB.
• Watch "The Agenda" Video on HAIs: Video is now available from The Agenda's program, "Sickness in our Temples of Health", aired March 27, 2007 on TVO. This program deals with infections in hospitals and features Dr. Dick Zoutman, representing CHICA-Canada.
• National Hand Hygiene Campaign!  CPSI, CCHSA, PHAC and CHICA are working together to develop a national hand hygiene campaign, and to improve support to healthcare and public health organizations implementing hand hygiene initiatives across Canada. CHICA-Canada members are asked to complete a survey about hand hygiene in your facility.  Deadline for responses: Friday, May 4, 2007
  • More information about the initiative
  • Take the survey!
• More Superbugs in the News: The ongoing battle between development of antibiotic resistance and cures for antibiotic resistance, with a good timeline of epidemic C.difficile in Canada. The Ottawa Citizen, March 20, 2007.
• Canadian Immunization Guide:  The 7th edition (2006) of the Canadian Immunization Guide is now available.
• New Web Pages!  Visit CHICA-Canada's newest web pages:
  • Funding Opportunities for ICPs to attend conferences, courses etc.
  • Industry-Sponsored Education from our Industry partners
  • Evidence-based Guidelines - quickly find the most current guidelines related to infection prevention & control
• Superbugs In the News:  Recent national stories of interest...accreditation will soon require reporting of MRSA and C.difficile and CA-MRSA in Toronto.
• Online Infection Control:  There is still time to register for "Basic Infection Prevention & Control", an online course for new ICPs that is endorsed by CHICA-Canada. More information...
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Providence Continuing Care Centre in Kingston, Ontario.
• MRSA in Dialysis: New from MMWR: "Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections Among Dialysis Patients - United States, 2005".
• 2007 Conference Abstracts: The deadline for on-line submission of abstracts for the 2007 National Education Conference is Monday, March 12, 2007. To submit your abstract, link from the conference page. If your abstract has been submitted but is incomplete, finalize by March 12, 2007.
• Employment Opportunities:  A Network Coordinator and a Medical Coordinator are required for the Erie St. Clair Infection Control Network in Windsor, Ontario. Apply by March 19, 2007.
• NEW! MRO Best Practices from Ontario: " Best Practices for Infection Prevention and Control of Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococci in All Health Care Settings" is now available from Ontario's Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee.
• New Chapter Name: In keeping with CHICA-Canada's recommendations to standardize chapter names, RCOPIC has changed its name to CHICA Renfrew County.

February 2007

• User Alert: Important alert regarding problems with process monitors for extended steam sterilization. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: A Network Coordinator is required for the South Western Ontario Infection Control Network (SWOICN) in Stratford, Ontario.
• Hand Hygiene Survey: The Joint Commission in conjunction with APIC, CDC, SHEA, NFID, IHI, and WHO is seeking comprehensive, innovative and cost effective hand hygiene measurement methods that address adherence to hand hygiene guidelines to share with health care organizations nationwide and internationally, as part of its Consensus Measurement in Hand Hygiene (CMHH) project.
  To submit information by completing a survey go to: http://www.jointcommission.org/AccreditationPrograms/hand_hygiene.htm
• Employment Opportunity: A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the North Simcoe Muskoka Infection Control Network (NSMICN) in Orillia, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Consultant is required for the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by February 23, 2007.
• Employment Opportunity: A Senior Manager, Communicable Disease is required for Alberta Health and Wellness in Edmonton, Alberta.
• Voices of CHICA Teleclass: The next "Voices of CHICA" Teleclass will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2007 at 1:30 pm EST. This teleclass is your opportunity to dialogue with the CHICA-Canada Board and to discuss IP&C issues internationally. More information...
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Consultant is required for the Provincial Infection Control Network of British Columbia in Vancouver, BC.
• Employment Opportunity: A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the Central East Infection Control Network (CEICN) in Whitby, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC.
• Member input needed: CHICA-Canada's Physician Director requests input from CHICA members on sterilization procedures in your facility.
• Humidifier Warning: Vapotherm, Inc. has reintroduced the 2000i [Respiratory Gas Humidifier] System. This system was recalled in 2005 due to possible contamination with Ralstonia spp. cultures. Before using this reintroduced device, certain precautions should be taken. View the FDA recommendations...
• Employment Opportunity: A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the Waterloo Wellington Infection Control Network in Cambridge, Ontario.

January 2007

• Discounted CIC Exam Rate: The Certification Board of Infection Control & Epidemiology is offering attendees of the 2007 CHICA Canada Conference who have never been certified a discounted examination rate! More information...
• New Patron Member: CHICA-Canada welcomes Maxill as its newest Patron Member! We look forward to our new relationship with Maxill.
• IFIC Newsletter: The second issue of the IFIC (International Federation of Infection Control) e-newsletter is available HERE. Keep updated on the state of global infection control issues!
• Employment Opportunity:  A Communicable Disease/Immunization Coordinator is required for the Population Health Unit in La Ronge, Saskatchewan.
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Kingston General Hospital in Kingston, Ontario.
• Time is Running Out! The 2006/2007 Infection Control Team of the Year Awards from Oxoid, a patron member of the International Federation of Infection Control, are still open for entry. The winning team will receive a cheque for £5,000 in recognition of the improvements that they have made to infection control within their hospital; 2nd and 3rd prize winners will receive £1,000 and £500 respectively. In order to enter, applicants only need to summarise (in 2000 words or less) the infection control challenges faced in their hospital, the communication methods they have used to respond to these challenges, the work undertaken, outcomes and improvements made, and finally say why they think that their team should win this prestigious award. The Awards closing date is 31 January 2007. More information
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital in Tillsonburg, Ontario.
• Campbell Report on SARS:  The final report of the independent SARS Commission was released on January 9, 2007. Among final recommendations were more involvement in health care by the Ministry of Labour and the use of N95 masks. The full report may be viewed here.
• Niagara and Kirkland Lake: Observers are still required by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care in the Niagara and Kirkland Lake areas of Ontario, to observe hand hygiene compliance in several hospitals in the province as part of a provincial Hand Hygiene pilot program.
• Travel Notice:  Cases of malaria have been identified in Kingston, Jamaica. Travellers are advised to protect themselves against mosquito bites and to take prophylactic antimalarial medication. More information...
• Chapter Presidents:  Don't forget the Chapter Presidents Teleclass to be held on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 (1:30 pm ET).
• Get Well Soon:  CHICA-Canada wishes Dr. Sheela Basrur, former Chief Medical Officer of Health for Ontario, a speedy recovery. Letter from CHICA-Canada President...response from Dr. Basrur.

December 2006

• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Clinician is required for Halton Healthcare in Oakville/Milton/Georgetown, Ontario.
• IFIC Scholarships and Bursaries : The International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) is making available a number of scholarships to facilitate attendance at their annual Congress. Find out more...
• Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the North Simcoe Hospital Alliance in Penetanguishene, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity: Observers are required for the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care in Ontario, to observe hand hygiene compliance as part of a provincial Hand Hygiene pilot program.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC.
• Virox Scholarship Deadline Jan. 30, 2007: The deadline for the 2007 Virox Technologies Conference Scholarship is January 30, 2007. Download application form...
• New Interest Group! Welcome to CHICA-Canada's newest interest group: Community Health Care Interest Group. If you are a CHICA-Canada member and would like to join this group, see contact information on the group web page.
• Register for 2007! CHICA-Canada Membership forms for 2007 are now available for downloading. Send yours in today!
• Updated Strategic Plan: CHICA-Canada's Strategic Plan for 2006 to 2009 has been updated and may be viewed by members in the Members Area of this website.

November 2006

• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator is required for Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity: A Medical Coordinator is required for the Central East Infection Control Network in Whitby, Ontario. View position description.
• Chapter News: News items from chapters will no longer be posted in the journal, but may be found on our new Chapter News web page.
• Safety First! Newsletter: The infection control edition of the Safety First! newsletter is now available for downloading here.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Specialist is required for the Region of Peel in Brampton, Ontario. Apply by December 19, 2006.
• CHICA-Canada Members: Visit our newest webpage offering tools for CHICA members: Infection Control Images. Use these images to enhance your presentations, posters, fact sheets and more!
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga, Ontario.
• Team of the Year Award! Oxoid Ltd. is pleased to announce that the 2006/2007 Oxoid Infection Control Team of the Year Awards are open for entry. The winning team will receive a cheque for £5,000 in recognition of the improvements that they have made to infection control within their hospital. Second and third place teams will also receive monetary prizes. The deadline for entries is January 31, 2007. Enter your team today! More information...Last year's winners
• Employment Opportunity: A Health Care Epidemiologist & Surveillance Officer is required for Providence Health Care in Vancouver, BC. Apply by December 31, 2006.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control & Occupational Health Registered Nurse is required for the Manitoulin Health Centre in Little Current, Ontario. Apply by November 24, 2006.
• MRSA Guidelines: Final "Guidelines for the prevention and management of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA)" now available HERE
• We are Growing... CHICA-Canada member numbers continue to rise in 2006! View our membership chart
• Closing Sale! CHICA-Canada 30th anniversary vests and t-shirts are now available at a reduced rate. More information
• Clostridium difficile outbreak: New outbreak of C. difficile in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec has claimed the lives of 10 people. More information

October 2006

• New Chapter Website! Congratulations to CHICA Northwestern Ontario on the successful launch of their chapter website! Thanks to Diane Hunley for all of her work providing the content for this website. View the CHICA Northwestern Ontario website here...
• Employment Opportunity: A Consultant, Regional Infection Control is required for the Champlain Infection Control Network in Ottawa, Ontario.
• Updated MRO Guideline from the CDC: "Management of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms In Healthcare Settings, 2006" is now available from the Centers for Disease Control (U.S.).
• IFIC Newsletter :The first issue of the IFIC (International Federation of Infection Control) e-newsletter is available HERE. Keep updated on the state of global infection control issues!
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Royal Ottawa Hospital in Ottawa, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Whitehorse General Hospital in Whitehorse, Yukon.
• CHICA-Canada Election News: CHICA members - see the Members section of this website for important information about the 2006 CHICA-Canada elections Go to Members Only Area...
• EBM Position Statement: Congratulations to the Paediatric Interest Group on successfully completing a new CHICA-Canada Position Statement on "Expressed Breast Milk". This position statement provides valuable guidance to newborn, intensive care and neonatal nurseries in acute care facilities on infection prevention related to the collection, storage and handling of breast milk. View this position statement...
• Botulism in Toronto: Two cases of botulism have occurred in Toronto related to the ingestion of contaminated carrot juice. See CHICA-Canada's Alerts & Recalls section for more information about tainted carrot juice. Read more about these cases...
• Patient Safety Week: Canadian Patient Safety Week is October 20-27, 2006, with a focus on Hand Hygiene. CHICA-Canada has been part of the Infection Prevention and Control Working Group and had input into the CPSW messaging and the upcoming national hand hygiene campaign. The goal of CPSW is to reinforce existing hand hygiene programs while providing resources for those institutions that currently do not have anything developed. CHICA-Canada membership will be kept updated as to the progress of the proposed national HH promotional campaign. More information...
• Hospital Scourge: The Globe and Mail highlights the problems of antibiotic resistant bacteria in hospitals [30 Sept 2006].
• Take the HFD&C Survey: A Canada-wide survey of infection control resources and practices in healthcare facilities for design, construction and renovation is being conducted by CHICA-Canada's Healthcare Facility Design and Construction Interest Group. If you are the person most responsible for infection control in your facility/home, you may download a survey letter and a survey form.
• CHICA-Canada's 20th Chapter! The Board of Directors of CHICA-Canada is proud to announce the formation of CHICA-Canada's 20th Chapter: CHICA Northeastern Ontario. We welcome the members of this new chapter and look forward to news as the chapter develops its programs.

September 2006

• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention & Control Practitioner is required for the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario.
• MRSA Guidelines: Draft "Guidelines for the prevention and management of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA_MRSA) now available HERE...
• Research Initiatives: A number of exciting research initiatives are now available from the Canadian Health Services Research Foundation. More information...
• C.difficile in infants: If you have seen an increase in diarrhea or GI symptoms in children under 2 years of age who have tested positive for C. difficile over the past year, contact the CDC: hip@cdc.gov.
• New Patron Member: CHICA-Canada welcomes Rubbermaid Canada as its newest Patron Member! We look forward to our new relationaship with Rubbermaid Canada.
• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Trillium Health Centre in Toronto/Mississauga, Ontario.
• UPDATED! Evidence-based Guidelines Web Page: CHICA-Canada members have access to a wealth of direct links to North American infection prevention and control guidelines, standards and reports. Recently updated, these links quickly take you to documents from the Public Health Agency of Canada, CDC, ACIP, SHEA, AIA and more! View the Guidelines web page...
• NEW! Hand Hygiene Web Page: CHICA-Canada presents a new web page featuring hand hygiene resources for ICPs. Take a peek...

August 2006

• Employment Opportunity: An Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator is required for Baycrest Centre in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by September 27, 2006.
• Employment Opportunity: An Administrative Assistant and a Regional Network Coordinator are required for the Mississauga-Halton Infection Control Network in Mississauga, Ontario. Apply by September 30, 2006.
• New Chapter Website! Congratulations to CHICA Nova Scotia on the successful launch of their chapter website! Thanks to Lori Jessome for all of her work providing the content for this website. View the CHICA Nova Scotia website here...
• Employment Opportunity: A Project Coordinator, Regional Infection Prevention and Control is required for Capital Health in Edmonton, Alberta.
• Employment Opportunity: A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the Central South Infection Control Network (CSICN) in Hamilton, Ontario.
• PHAC Steering Committee: The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) will be appointing new physician and infection control and prevention professional members to the Steering Committee on Infection Control Guidelines. Interested persons may find more information here.
• Employment Opportunity: A Consultant, Regional Infection Control is required for the Champlain Infection Control Network, Ontario.
• Employment Opportunity: A Corporate Manager, Infection Prevention and Control is required for Grey Bruce Health Services, Ontario.

August 2006 National Infection Control Week: Infection Control Week 2006 is October 16-20. A press release is now available to use for your function, and be sure to visit CHICA-Canada's Infection Control Week webpage with lots of ideas, samples and suggestions to help you have a successful week!

August 2006 Online Basic Infection Prevention & Control Course: Sign up now for this 90 hour certificate course in infection prevention & control from Queen's University in Kingston. Fall course begins September 12, 2006. More information...

August 2006 Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the North Simcoe Hospital Alliance in Penetanguishene, Ontario.

August 2006 Post Doc Fellowship Opportunity: A post doctorate fellowship opportunity in Microbiology and Public Health is available at the University of Manitoba, focusing on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of Clostridium difficile. Apply by August 21, 2006.

August 2006 Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Communicable Diseases is required for the Region of Peel Public Health in Brampton, Ontario. Apply by August 15, 2006.

July 2006 C.difficile Best Practices: Updated C.difficile Best Practices is now available on the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care PIDAC Website.

July 2006 IJIC Vol1 No1: NEW! The first issue of the International Journal of Infection Control (IJIC) is available in hard copy or electronic version from the IFIC website. Have a look!

July 2006 Online Epidemiology Course:New from the University of Calgary! Online "Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases" to be offered from September to December, 2006. Apply by August 18, 2006.

July 2006 Employment Opportunities: A Medical Coordinator and a Network Steering Committee Chair Person are required for the North Simcoe Muskoka Infection Control Network in Orillia, ON. Apply by July 14, 2006.

July 2006 On-line IC Course: On-line Basic Infection Control course for ICPs will be offered starting in September, 2006 from the University of Calgary. Apply today! More information...

July 2006 Design the 2007 Poster: Submissions are being accepted for the 2007 Infection Control Week poster, using the theme "Infection Prevention and Control - Practice and Participate". More information...

July 2006 Attention Travellers: Health Canada is informing air travellers with compromised immune systems that they should avoid drinking any tap water on aircraft, including tea, or coffee from the galley or using water from the lavatory faucets for brushing teeth. More information...

June 2006 Ontario Hospitals: The Ontario MOHLTC encourages hospitals to apply to be pilot sites to test and evaluate a multi-faceted hand hygiene program aimed at improving hand hygiene compliance. Apply by July 13, 2006. Details:

• Memo to Hospital CEOs
• Background
• Letter of Intent Requirement
• Project Co-ordinator Role

June 2006 Employment Opportunity: A TTI-CTO Manager is required for the Public Health Agency of Canada. Apply by July 6, 2006.

June 2006 Employment Opportunity: A Regional Network Coordinator and a Medical Coordinator are required for the Central LHIN and Regional Infection Control Network in Toronto, Ontario. Apply by July 17, 2006.

June 2006 Employment Opportunity: A Regional Network Coordinator is required for the Central South Infection Control Network (CSICN) in Hamilton, Ontario. Apply by July 5, 2006.

June 2006 AMMI Position Statement: AMMI Canada has released a position statement on "Public Reporting and Inter-hospital Comparison of Health Care-Acquired Infections", which has been endorsed by CHICA-Canada.

June 2006 BCCDC Discovery Newsletter: BC Centre for Disease Control is pleased to announce publication of the second annual Discovery newsletter. Discovery features the exciting public health research being conducted at the BCCDC. Inside you will find articles on protecting our health from environmental hazards, waterborne pathogens and a new vaccine program to prevent cervical cancer. Online copies are available HERE.

June 2006 Evaluations Complete: The conference evaluation deadline has been reached and the evaluation period is closed. Thanks to everyone who submitted their evaluation. The winner of the evaluation draw is Maja McGuire of Sunnybrook Health Centre in Toronto. See you next year in Edmonton!

June 2006 Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group.

June 2006 CDC News: Updated Interim Guidance for Laboratory Testing of Persons with Suspected Infection with Avian Influenza A (H1N1) Virus in the U.S.

June 2006 Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Capital Health in Edmonton, Alberta. Apply by July 14, 2006.

June 2006 New Name for the Discussion Board - Thanks to everyone who sent in a suggestion for a name for our member's discussion board. The winning entry is "CHICA Connections", submitted by Cynthia Hubbard and Esther Giesbrecht. Congratulations!

June 2006 Welcome to the new CHICA-Canada Website! You are invited to "take a walk" through our new website. CHICA-Canada members may continue their journey through the updated Members Area and chat with colleagues on our new Discussion Board. Enjoy your journey!

May 2006 Employment Opportunity: A Regional Infection Control Consultant is required for the Northwestern Ontario Infection Control Network (NWOICN). Apply by June 16, 2006.

May 2006 Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Registered Nurse is required for the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance in Stratford, Ontario.

May 2006 Employment Opportunity: A Manager, Infectious Disease Control is required for the Middlesex-London Health Unit in London, Ontario.

May 2006 Petition for Stephen Lewis: If you enjoyed hearing Stephen Lewis speak at the 2006 CHICA-Canada conference, here is your opportunity to nominate him for the Nobel Prize. More information...

May 2006 Employment Opportunity: A Regional Network Coordinatoris required for the Central East Regional Infection Control Network in Lindsay, Ontario.

May 2006 Research Grant: The Canadian Patient Safety Institute has launched its second research grants competition. More Information...

May 2006 MMWR News: Multistate outbreak of mumps (U.S.), Multistate occurence of Fusarium keratitis (U.S.)

May 2006 Did you attend the 2006 CHICA-Canada Conference? Please complete the conference evaluation form. You could win a waived registration to the 2007 CHICA-Canada Conference. Click here to complete evaluation.

May 2006 Address by Stephen Lewis to the 2006 National Education Conference -
May 8, 2006
Part I (mp3-25MB)
Part II (mp3-16MB)

Apr.2006 IFIC Representative: The International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) has invited nominations for a position on the IFIC Board of Directors. Deadline for applications: May 19, 2006. Download application information.

Apr.2006 Long-Term Care Survey: A Canada-wide survey of infection control resources in long-term care facilities is being conducted. If you are the person most responsible for infection control in your facility/home, you may download a survey letter and a survey form. Aussi disponible en français: la lettre et le sondage.

Apr. 2006 Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Specialist is required for North York General Hospital in Toronto, Ontario.

Apr.2006 Revised Best Practices Document: The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has published a revision to "Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization in All Health Care Settings".

Apr.2006 Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Nurse is required for Windsor Regional Hospital in Windsor, Ontario.

Apr.2006 Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Coordinator is required for the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Kingston, Ontario. Apply by May 2006.

Apr.2006 Acute Care Survey: A followup survey of Resources for Infection Control in Hospitals (RICH) is being conducted in acute care hospitals in Canada with >80 acute care beds. If your hospital qualifies, you may download information, a survey letter and a survey form. Aussi disponible en français: la lettre et le sondage.

Apr.2006 CA-MRSA: MMWR reports Community-associated MRSA in healthy newborns.

Mar.2006 Employment Opportunity: A Regional Network Coordinator is required for the North Simcoe Muskoka Infection Control Network in Orillia, Ontario.

Mar.2006 Employment Opportunity: A Regional Network Coordinator is required for the Central East Regional Infection Control Network in Lindsay, Ontario.

Mar.2006 Best Practices Guideline: The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has published"Best Practices for Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization" on the PIDAC Website.

Mar.2006 Voices of CHICA: If you missed the "Voices of CHICA" teleclass on March 2, 2006 you can download the handout here.

Mar.2006 The Institut national de santé publique Québec advises that two new reports have been added to their website. The documents are in the French language. The newest documents are on Norovirus and Burkholderia. Interested persons can see these and other reports at www.inspq.qc.ca

Mar.2006 Employment Opportunity: Physician Manager, Communicable Diseases/Physician Manager, Infection
Control & Infectious Diseases required for Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Toronto.

Mar.2006 Employment Opportunities:Senior Medical Consultants are required for Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, Toronto.

Mar.2006 Employment Opportunity:A Manager, Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee & Infectious Diseases Research is required for Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care, Toronto.

Feb. 2006 Employment Opportunity:  A Network Coordinator is required for Cambridge Memorial Hospital in Cambridge, Ontario.

Feb. 2006 Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Coordinator - Infection Prevention and Control is required for the Palliser Health Region in Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Feb. 2006 New Patron Member:  CHICA-Canada is pleased to announce that Bayer Healthcare has joined CHICA-Canada as a 2006 patron Member. We are very happy to have this continued support from Bayer Healthcare.

Feb. 2006 Employment Opportunity:  A Quality Leader/Infection Control Practitioner is required for Soldiers' Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ontario.

Feb. 2006 Employment Opportunity:  A Program Manager, Infection Prevention & Control is required for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa.

Feb. 2006 Take the TB Survey:  The Public Health Agency of Canada is conducting a national needs assessment on TB training. Respond by: Feb. 28/06.
English information...
French information.

Jan. 2006 Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto. Deadline for applications: Feb. 7/06.

Jan. 2006 CDC Guidelines:  Preventing Transmission of M.tuberculosis in Health-Care Settings, 2005; Management of influenza in long-term care settings; Interim guidelines for the use of antiviral medications for influenza.

Jan. 2006 Team of the Year Award!  The Oxoid Infection Control Team of the Year Awards competition closes on 31 January, 2006. Enter your team today to win $10,000!

Jan. 2006 Employment Opportunity:  An Analyst, Communicable Diseases Research & Policy (Public Health) is required for the Region of Peel, Ontario.

Jan. 2006 Employment Opportunity:  A Director of Infection Control and Occupational Health is required for the Huron Perth Healthcare Alliance (HPHA), Ontario.

Jan. 2006 ESBL Toolkit:  The International Infection Control Council (CHICA, APIC, ICNA) has developed a toolkit for ESBLs, to be launced for purchase at the CHICA-Canada conference in London, Ontario. More Information...

Jan. 2006 New Patron Member!  Vernacare has joined CHICA-Canada as a 2006 Patron Member. We thank them for their long-time support of CHICA-Canada and its membership.

2005

Dec. 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A half-time Infection Control Practitioner is required for Whitehorse General Hospital.

Dec. 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A Health Care Inspector is required for the Ontario Ministry of Labour.

Dec. 2005 Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner is required for Kelowna, B.C.

Dec. 2005 MMWR: Severe CDAD in low risk populations; Neonatal GBS Disease

Nov. 2005 3M Research Grant:  Applications are now available for the 2006 3M research grant. Deadline for applications: 1 March 2006. More information...

Nov. 2005 CSA Position:  The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) requires a volunteer to join two construction subcommittees. More information...

Nov. 2005 Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Coordinator is required for the Credit Valley Hospital in Mississauga, Ontario.

Nov. 2005 Employment Opportunity:  An Analyst, Communicable Diseases Research & Policy is required for the Region of Peel, Ontario.

Nov. 2005 Virox Scholarship:  Deadline for application for the 2006 Virox Scholarship is Jan. 31, 2006. Download application form.

Nov. 2005 Take the CBIC survey and enter to win a draw for the fee for certification or recertification.

Nov. 2005 Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Fraser Health, B.C.

Nov. 2005 Teleclass Education:  Teleclasses this month:
Nov. 10: "Infection Control in Doctors' Offices"
Nov. 15: "ESBL - The Gram Negative Threat"
Nov. 17: "Best Practices in Bloodborne Pathogen Control"
Obtain Information...

Nov. 2005 Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Coordinator is required for St. Peter's Hospital (chronic care) in Hamilton, Ontario.

Oct. 2005 New from CHICA-Canada!  Celebrate CHICA-Canada's 30th anniversay with designer clothing...order yours today!

Oct. 2005 Influenza Self Care:  Alberta Health and Wellness presents the Influenza Self-Care Strategy. Materials may be accessed through their website.

Oct. 2005 Ontario Public Health Agency Report:  The Ontario MOHLTC Agency Implementation Task Force has delived its first report on the Ontario Public Health Agency. Download report (2 MB).

Oct. 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A Manager, Infection Control/Control of Infectious Disease is required for the City of Toronto. Apply by November 7, 2005.

Oct. 2005 Register Early:  Registrations are now being accepted for the online Infection Control Course now offered at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. Next session to begin in January, 2006. Information and Registration

Oct. 2005  New from Environment Canada:  "Guidelines for the Reduction of Ethylene Oxide Releases from Sterilization Applications". English version / Version français.
Q&A English / Q&A en français

Oct. 2005 CPSI & CHICA: CHICA-Canada has been accepted as a voting member of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. Details...

Sep. 2005 FRI Best Practices Manual:  New from Ontario's Ministry of Health and Longterm Care, this document replaces many of the SARS documents of 2003 and 2004 for hospitals, longterm care and community care in Ontario.

Sep 2005 FREE Teleclass:  Join us on Sept. 29, 2005 at 1:30 pm EST for Voices of CHICA", a free teleclass from your Board of Directors. Here is your opportunity to speak directly to Board members. See you there!

Sep 2005 MMWR July 13, 2005: ACIP Recommendations for the Prevention and Control of Influenza

Sep 2005 2006 Poster Contest  You are invited to design a poster that will be used for Infection Control Week 2006. Details...

Sep 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A full time Infection Control Practitioner is required for William Osler Health Centre in Brampton, Ontario.

Sep 2005 Hurricane Recovery Efforts:  Help our neighbouring ICPs who have been hard hit by Hurricane Katrina and who face immense challenges as a healthcare system is rebuilt. Send your donation to the Canadian Red Cross [Phone: 1-800-418-1111] today! Information Letter

Aug 2005 Extended Deadline:  Due to logistical concerns the deadline for submitting applications for the CHICA-Canada Research Fund has been extended to Friday September 16, 2005. Please submit your application by mail to "CHICA-Canada Research Fund, c/o CHICA-Canada MSO PO Box 46125 RPO Westdale, Winnipeg MB R3R 3S3. If you wish to courier your application the address is 67 Bergman Crescent, Winnipeg MB R3R 1Y9.

Aug 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A coordinator and 4 ICPs are required for Capital Health in northern Alberta.

Aug 2005 We Are Over The Top!  CHICA-Canada has surpassed its membership goal for 2005. Details

Aug 2005 IFIC Update:  The International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) presents its mid year update.

Aug 2005 Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Control Nurse is required for Providence Health Care in British Columbia. View Website.

Aug 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A Nurse Consultant is required for the Public Health Agency of Canada. View Website and Qualifications. Apply by August 16, 2005.

Aug 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A Manager Infection Control & Patient Safety is required for St. Joseph's General Hospital in Comox, BC.

Aug 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A Manager Infection Prevention & Control is required for St. Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto, Ontario.

July 2005 Employment Opportunity:  An Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner is required for Penticton Regional Hospital in Penticton, B.C.

July 2005 ACIP recommendations:  Prevention and Control of Influenza for 2005-06.

July 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Infection Control Network Medical Coordinator is required for the Northwestern Ontario Regional Infection Control Network. Apply by August 2, 2005. Download job description.

July 2005 Professional Practice Standards:
Professional Practice Standards for Infection Control were developed in 1999 by CHICA–Canada in association with APIC. These standards are now available on this website, under Human Resources for ICPs.

July 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Network Coordinator is required for the Hamilton/Niagara Health Network.

July 2005 Poster Contest:  The annual poster contest has been renamed the "Ecolab Poster Contest" to acknowledge the ongoing support of Ecolab Healthcare for our annual poster contest. View information here...

July 2005 Employment Opportunity:  The Southeastern Ontario Regional IC Network has immediate openings for the positions of Regional Coordinator and Medical Coordinator .Apply by August 5, 2005.

July 2005 IFIC Scholarship Award:  Apply by July 15, 2005 for a scholarship award from the International Federation of Infection Control to attend this year's IFIC conference in Istanbul.

July 2005 Employment Opportunity:  Infection Control Practitioner required for the Chinook Health Region, Alberta.

June 2005 New Chapter Website!  The Toronto Professionals in Infection Control (TPIC) now have a chapter website. Visit TPIC today!

June 2005 Employment Opportunity:  A Regional Coordinator Infection Control is required for the Care Providers of Northwestern Ontario. Apply by June 24, 2005.

June 2005 2006 Elections:  The Board of Directors of CHICA-Canada is seeking nominations for Board positions in 2006. More information.

June 2005 Employment Opportunity:  The Saskatoon Health Region requires a Manager Infection Control. Apply by July 11, 2005.

June 2005 Project Funding Available:  CHICA-Canada encourages members to apply for funding for projects in infection prevention and control. More Information.

June 2005 Basic Infection Control Online Course:  The University of Calgary presents On-Line Infection Control I & II. Limit 25 students, on a first-come basis. Apply by June 24, 2005.

June 2005 Global Infection Control:  CHICA-Canada is proud to present our Global Infection Control Website in conjuction with the International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC). Visit this site for a calendar of international conferences, educational courses and certification programs in infection control.

June 2005 Research Opportunity:  New from CHICA–Canada, a research fund available to members to support research projects. Download introductory letter and application form.

June 2005 Employment Opportunity:  Regional Network Coordinator required for the Champlain District in eastern Ontario. Apply by June 19, 2005.

June 2005 Employment Opportunity:  Supervisor, Tuberculosis Control required for the City of Toronto. Apply by June 20, 2005.

June 2005 Employment Opportunity:  Manager, Tuberculosis Control required for the City of Toronto. Apply by June 8, 2005.

June 2005 Employment Opportunity:  Infection Control Specialists required for Long Term Care facilities in the Peel Region of Ontario. Apply by June 14, 2005.
Posting #1
Posting #2

May 2005 Infection Control Audit Toolkit:  Use these pre-designed audit templates to assess risk in your facility. Deadline extension – order before June 30, 2005 to receive the special conference rate. Information and order form.

May 2005 Patient Safety Funding Opportunity:  Up to $100,000 is available to fund research projects focusing on patient safety from the Canadian Patient Safety Institute. Register your project by June 17, 2005.

May 2005 Employment Opportunity:  Regional Manager, Infection Prevention & Control required for Prince George, B.C.

May 2005  Employment Opportunity:  Infection Control Practitioner (full-time) required for Providence Continuing Care in Kingston, Ontario.

May 2005  Congratulations to Lori Jessome of Halifax on her winning poster for 2005 Infection Control Week!

May 2005 2005 Conference Handouts:  Download handouts for the 2005 conference before you go. Limited availability at the conference.

Apr. 2005 2005 AGM:
Documents are now available in the Members Only section of the website for the 2005 AGM in Winnipeg.

Apr. 2005 Have You Registered?
The deadline for earlybird registration for the 2005 CHICA Canada conference is fast approaching. Register by April 15 and save!.

Apr. 2005 Employment Opportunity:
Infection Control Practitioner required for Kingston General Hospital in Kingston, Ontario. Deadline for applications extended to April 18, 2005.

Apr. 2005 CBIC Award Extended Deadline:
Deadline for chapters to submit an application for Chapter of the Year has been extended to April 15, 2005. Download an application today!

Mar. 2005 Satellite Broadcast:
Antimicrobial Resistance: Old Bugs, New Threats, and the Public Health Response. Register now for this April 8 broadcast.

Mar. 2005 Employment Opportunity: Nurse Consultant in Communicable Disease Prevention and Control for Halifax, NS. Apply by April 12, 2005.

Mar. 2005 MMWR: Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Among Persons Undergoing Blood Glucose Monitoring in LTC Facilities 2003-2004.

Mar. 2005 2006 Logo Contest: Design a logo for CHICA's 30th Anniversary and win full registration to the 2006 conference! Deadline April 15.

Mar. 2005. Employment Opportunity: Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners required for the interior of B.C.

Mar. 2005 Employment Opportunity: Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner required for Penticton, BC.

Mar. 2005CHICA Members: Visit the updated guidelines section of the Members - Tools site...many new links to evidence-based guidelines!

Mar. 2005 Online Infection Control Course now being offered at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. First session to begin in April, 2005. Information and Registration.

Mar. 2005 Free Teleclass! Join us March 31, 2005 for a free teleclass from Webber Training. Voices of CHICA is co-sponsored by Virox Technologies and Deb Medical Hand Hygiene.

Mar. 2005 New Chapter Website!: Congratulations to HANDIC Chapter on publishing their website. Visit HANDIC...

Feb. 2005 CHICA Canada Interest Groups: Meetings to take place at this year's national conference. View information sheet and committees schedule.

Feb. 2005 News from CBIC: Apply for the CBIC Chapter of the Year Award!   Recertifying? Learn more about online certification.

Feb. 2005 Education Grant Opportunities: Funds are available to ICPs in Ontario for continuing education, CIC certification or attendance at the annual CHICA conference. Apply today!

Feb. 2005 Employment Opportunity: An Infection Control Practitioner is required for Fraser Health, B.C.

Feb. 2005 Employment Opportunity: There is an immediate opportunity for a Technology Fellow, Infection Control for a midwest firm.

Feb. 2005 Going to the Conference? The deadline for abstracts has been extended to Feb. 11, 2005.

Feb. 2005 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Coordinator required in Fort McMurray, Alberta.

Feb. 2005 Employment Opportunity: TB Supervisor required for City of Toronto by February 10, 2005.

Jan. 2005 Employment Opportunity: Provincial Infection Control Consultant (Halifax) required by February 8, 2005.

Jan. 2005 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Specialist for the Region of Peel (Mississauga, Ontario).

Jan. 2005 IFIC Scholarship Fund for ICPs in tsunami-affected areas. Give generously to help our colleagues!

Jan. 2005 Now Online! The Canadian Journal of Infection Control is now online for CHICA members. Log into the Members Only section of this website and follow the CJIC link.

Jan. 2005 We are growing! See the membership numbers from 1999-2004. Renewal packages for 2005 have been mailed. If you have not received yours, please contact the Membership Services Office.

Jan. 2005 Visit Canada's new Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Website, formerly Population and Public Health Branch of Health Canada.

Jan. 2005 Response to Tsunami Disaster
CHICA Canada fully supports and will take it's lead from IFIC in coordinating support to those countries affected by the tsunami disaster. We will continue to update our membership as to how that role may evolve.
CHICA-IFIC Response
How You Can Help
CHICA's disaster website

Remaining headlines are available for information only. Documents and links may no longer be active.

2004

Dec. 2004 CDC updated influenza vaccination recommendations, draft TB prevention guideline for healthcare facilities for comment by Feb. 4/05.

Dec. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Nurse for Providence Health Care, Vancouver BC.

Dec. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Prevention & Control Coordinator for Sunnybrook & Women's College Health Sciences Centre, Toronto.

Dec. 2004 Visit Ontario's new Provincial Infectious Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC)website, home of the province's Best Practice Manual for preventing and controlling transmission of infections in Healthcare Facilities. First installment: Clostridium difficile.

Dec. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Manager for Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, Toronto.

Nov. 2004 Global Public Health Intelligence NetworkLaunched in North America

Nov. 2004 Conference on C. difficile to be held in Montreal, PQ December 9. English and French information and registration available.

Nov. 2004 2005 Poster Contest:
Design the 2005 poster for Infection Control Week and win! Deadline January 14, 2005. More information...

Nov. 2004 Employment opportunity: Manager Infection Control/Control of Infectious Disease for the City of Toronto.

Nov. 2004 Research funds available for thePartnerships for Health System Improvement initiative, through the CIHR.

Nov. 2004 NAME CHANGE...NAPIC and SAPIC have recently had their chapter names changed to CHICA Northern Alberta Chapter and CHICA Southern Alberta Chapter.

Nov. 2004 New from the CDC: Updated influenza web site, list of recent influenza documents, Educational products and PPE for Influenza, poster for patients

Oct. 2004 NEW WEBPAGE! CHICA–Canada's Paediatric Interest Group has its own webpage! Available to members in the Members Only section of the website.

Oct. 2004 Shortage of Influenza vaccine in U.S.

Oct. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Practitioner for Kingston General Hospital

Oct. 2004 Deadline for submission of designs for 2005 poster contest: January 14, 2005.

Sep. 2004 NEW! CSA Standard on Blood and Blood Components – From Vein to Vein

Sep. 2004 FREE TELECLASS! Join us for the Voices of CHICA Teleclass on Sept. 29 at 1:30 pm to hear presentations from the CHICA Canada Interest Groups (Long Term Care, Dialysis, Oncology & Pediatric).  Register today! Thanks to sponsors: Deb, FACT, SCA, Sterillium, Steris, 3M, Virox & Webber Training

Sep. 2004 Boil Water Advisories: What to do in Hemodialysis (CDC)

Sep. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Professional for The Ottawa Hospital.

Sep. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Practitioner for Alvarado Hospital Medical Center in Tenet, California.

Sep. 2004 Apply for funding for next year's conference: 2005 Virox Scholarship application form now online!

Sep. 2004 CHICA Canada welcomes our newest patron member, Boston Scientific!

Sep. 2004 SARSStock donation to fund Centennial College online Infection Control course.

Sep. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Prevention and Control Coordinator for Sunnybrook & Women's College, Toronto.

Sep. 2004 Dialysis-related infection control: complete this survey if you are a Canadian ICP involved with your dialysis unit. Introductory letter here. Also available in the Dialysis section of Members Only. Deadline: October 8/04.

Aug. 2004 Ontario Ministry of Health Surveillance Recommendations for Avian Influenza

Aug. 2004 On-line courses on surveillance starting in Sept/04. More Information

Aug. 2004 For ICPs doing their certification this year: CIC international computer testing sites

Aug. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Practitioners for Fraser Health, B.C.

Aug. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Practitioners (full time and part time). Apply by August 22, 2004.

Aug. 2004 Webber Teleclasses:FREE to CHICA members! Teleclass Aug. 19/04, "Infectious Disease in Space " and Aug. 26/04, "Inside the International Federation of Infection Control ". Register today!

Jul. 2004 MMWR report on Rabies infection from Organ Transplants

Jul. 2004 NOTE TO CHICA MEMBERS: Due to technical difficulties, our "broadcast email" service to members has been temporarily suspended. Broadcast emails will be forwarded to your chapter president for distribution to members until the problems are remedied. Broadcast emails are also available at any time to members in the "Members Only" section of this website.

Jun. 2004 Ontario announces action plan to prevent threats and promote health - Operation Health Protection

Jun. 2004 CDC draft Guideline for Isolation Precautions for review

Jun. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Infection Control Specialist, Region of Peel, Ontario. Two openings available. Apply by June 25, 2004.

Jun. 2004 Outbreak of C. difficile in Montreal, Quebec.

Jun. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Health Care Epidemiologist, Providence Health Care, Vancouver BC. Apply by June 21, 2004.

May 2004 Outbreak of Norovirus in British Columbia

May 2004 CHICA Canada elections notice...deadline for nominations for 2005 positions August 16, 2004

May 2004 CHICA-Canada and Webber Training Inc. have partnered to market teleclass CDs through CHICA. Click here for information and order form.

May 2004 The Baker-Norton Canadian Adverse Events Study.

May 2004 Release of the Change Foundation's "Protecting the Faces of Health Care Workers". In a step towards protecting healthcare workers from future SARS-like outbreaks, the Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare (OHSAH) in BC has released this inter-agency report.

May 2004 Congratulations to SAPIC and SASKPIC chapters for membership increases! Each chapter has won a 2005 CHICA-Canada membership (value $100) for increasing their membership between June 2003 and April 2004 by 35% and 20% respectively.

Apr. 2004 SARS Expert Panel Calls on Province to Move Swiftly to Strengthen Infection Control and Public Health: FULL REPORT

Apr. 2004 SARS in China: New Cases

Apr. 2004 Health Canada Notice to Hospitals: Inadequate Cleaning/Sterilization of Acetabular Reamers

Apr. 2004 Vancomycin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) in New York

Apr. 2004 Ontario Publishes Expert Panel Report on SARS

Apr. 2004 Ontario Publishes Campbell Commission Report on SARS

Apr. 2004 Contaminated Orthopedic Equipment: Health Canada risk assessment for acetabular reamers

Apr. 2004 Ontario Releases Non-outbreak Respiratory Standards

Apr. 2004 Guidelines for Preventing Health-Care-Associated Pneumonia (CDC)

Apr. 2004 Employment Opportunity: West Park Healthcare Centre, Toronto Ont. – Infection Control Coordinator

Mar. 2004 NEW PATRON MEMBER! CHICA – Canada is pleased to welcome Tyco Healthcare Canada as a Patron Member. Contact information is available here. Be sure to visit their booth in Calgary!

Mar. 2004 FREE TELECLASS! Join us for the Voices of CHICA Teleclass on March 24 at 1:30 pm to discuss Education and the CIC exam.  Register today! Thanks to sponsors: Deb, FACT, Remington, SCA, Sterillium, Steris, 3M, Virox & Webber Training

Mar. 2004 Employment Opportunity: Royal Victoria Hospital, Barrie Ont. – Infection Control Coordinator

Mar. 2004 Guideline for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities (CDC)

Mar. 2004 Letter to Ministers of Health regarding CHICA-Canada's education initiative.

Mar. 2004 Ontario Hospital Association position statement on Reuse of SUMeDs

Feb. 2004 Deadline extended to April 1, 2004 for 3M research grant. Apply today!

Feb. 2004 Get Certified! Deadline for applying to write the CBIC exam in Calgary on April 28, 2004 is Feb. 13.

Feb. 2004 Teleclasses from Webber Training

Feb. 2004 Health Canada Website on Avian Influenza

Jan. 2004 NEW! CHICA Membership map

Jan. 2004 CHICA MEMBERS NOTE: Chapter fees are now paid through CHICA–Canada...More info

Jan. 2004 WHO Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza.

Jan. 2004 Avian influenza confirmed in humans in Viet Nam.

Jan. 2004 Deadline for Virox Conference Fund extended to Jan. 23, 2004. Apply today!

Jan. 2004 New! SARS Website from Mt.Sinai, Toronto

Jan. 2004 Review of education, 2003...Where Are We Now?

 

2003

Dec. 2003 CHICA–Canada position statement on medical gels

Dec. 2003 Suspected SARS in Guangdong, China

Dec. 2003 Ontario MOH SARS Webcast on Febrile Respiratory Illness (FRI) - Jan. 9/03

Dec. 2003 Media Release: Inadequate Infection Control Resources in Many Ontario Hospitals & LTC Facilities

Dec. 2003 Forum on SARS: CDs and Binder available at a special rate for CHICA members! Order yours today!

Dec. 2003 Walker Panel Report on SARS Response in Ontario: Complete Report... Infection Control Recommendations

Dec. 2003 SARS in Taiwan laboratory worker

Dec. 2003 Influenza Epidemic is Spreading...update from the WHO

Dec. 2003 Avian influenza in Hong Kong

Dec. 2003 Guideline for Environmental Infection Control in Health-Care Facilities from CDC (259 pages)

Nov. 2003 Ontario's Bill 105 requires blood testing to protect victims of crime, emergency care and others.

Nov. 2003 NEW! CHICA–Canada's new Influenza & Pandemic Influenza Web Page!

Nov. 2003 "Cover Your Cough" poster, brochure and FAQs from Minnesota Dep't of Health

Nov. 2003 Infection Control and Emergency Care - Jan. 27-28, 2004. Download Registration form...

Nov. 2003 CIC Exam - Wed. April 28 at the Calgary Hyatt Regency prior to the 2004 conference. Register today!

Nov. 2003 Employment Opportunity: Ontario Ministry of Health - ICPs and PHNs for the Surveillance and Outbreak Management Services

Oct. 2003 The 2004 Virox Scholarship Application is still available! Deadline for applications is January 23, 2004.

Oct. 2003 Employment Opportunity: Hamilton Health Sciences - Manager Infection Control

Oct. 2003 NEW...CHICA–Canada Values Statements – defining what we do.

Oct. 2003 Forum on SARS– Dec. 8 & 9, 2003 in Toronto (50% discount for CHICA–Canada members if you register  before Nov. 18, 2003!)

Sep. 2003  NEW! Infection Control Week Web Page

Sep. 2003  Changes to the Quarantine Act - consultations taking place now...

Sep. 2003  CDC Web Broadcast: Preparing for the Return of SARS: Are We Ready?

Sep. 2003  CDC Update: Alcohol-based Hand Rubs and Fire Safety

Sep. 2003  CBC Report: Handwashing Survey

Sep. 2003  SARS: Singapore

Sep. 2003  Cochrane Hot Topic: Preventing Influenza (link no longer available)

Aug. 2003  Employment Opportunity: The Scarborough Hospital - IC Manager, IC Practitioner

Aug. 2003 CHICA–Canada Education Fund - Can You Meet the Challenge?

Aug. 2003 Canadian Press: Report on RICH Study

Aug. 2003 Deadline for CBIC exam application: Aug. 22/03. Exam is Sep. 27 in Ottawa.

Aug. 2003 RICH Survey - Assessing IC Resources in Canadian Hospitals

Aug. 2003 CHICA–Canada brief to NACSPH (National Advisory Committee on SARS and Public Health)

Aug. 2003 Employment Opportunity at Credit Valley

Jul. 2003 SHEA training course in Healthcare Epidemiology - San Diego Oct. 25-28, 2003

Jul. 2003 Voices of CHICA Teleclass - FREE! Oct. 16, 2003

Jul. 2003 NEW PATRON MEMBER! Steris Corp. is CHICA–Canada's newest Patron Member. CHICA–Canada welcomes Steris to this prestigious group and looks forward to developing a strong working relationship.

Jul. 2003 What Will We Tell Our Grandchildren?

Jul. 2003 Thanks Thunder Bay!

Jul. 2003 Conjoint Conference in Alberta 2004!

Jun. 2003 ICPs needed! A plea for help...

May 2003 OHA Conference on West Nile Virus, June 16, 2003 (Hamilton)

May 2003 NEW! CHICA–Canada West Nile Virus Information Site

Mar. 2003 "The Changing Profile of Food- and Waterborne Pathogens: The Environmental and Hygiene Connections."

Mar. 2003  NEW! CHICA–Canada SARS Information Site

Mar. 2003  WHO Bulletin:Outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Case Definition, Infection Control Precautions

Feb. 2003  Hep C Nursing Guide (Canadian Nurses Association)

2002

Nov. 2002  Flu Preparedness in HealthCare

Oct. 2002  Hand Hygiene Guideline (HICPAC)

Oct. 2002  IDLinx.com

Sep. 2002  The Cochrane Library

Aug. 2002  New! National Conference Scholarship Fund - Virox

Aug. 2002  WNV Updates - Health Canada

Jun. 2002  CHICA–Canada's 3 Strategic Directions

Jun. 2002 Pandemic & Disaster Tool Kit

Jun. 102 New CHICA Chapter!

Apr.2002 Survey Results – Antiseptic Handrubs

Apr.2002 The 12 Step Program (Against Antibiotic Resistance)

Mar.2002 TPIC Tidbits

Mar.2002 Kudos from Minister of Health.

Feb.2002 Survey Antiseptic Handrubs by Feb 28!

Feb.2002 Mediscover - Infectious Disease portal site.

Jan.2002 Health Canada's Draft Lab. Biosafety Guidelines

2001

Oct.2001 Construction Guidelines PPHB

Aug.2001 3M Research Grant- Deadline Sept. 30/01

July 2001 "Can you just have a look at this rash?......." Dermatology Online Atlas