November 2017

Volume 22 ∙ Number 11
For Your Information
News for Health Care Providers
Ontario Prepares for the Flu
In advance of the expected annual increase in health system demand due to the approaching influenza season, the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) has provided an overview of actions they are taking to help partners mitigate and prepare for health system pressures. They are currently in the process of developing a Health System Action Plan for this season expected to be released by end of November. The plan will include sector specific resources, planning considerations/expectations and best practices. This document will also include an overview of response actions the health system can expect from the Health System Emergency Management Branch (HSEMB) throughout the influenza season.

The MOHLTC plans to rely on existing data sources to monitor health system pressures. In addition to using laboratory data from Public Health Ontario and the Canadian Institute for Health Information to track the severity of the influenza season, three surveillance systems will be used to monitor system pressures throughout the influenza season including:
  • Acute Care Enhanced Surveillance Application
  • Provincial Health Resource System
  • Daily Bed Census Data 

Check out the latest clinical updates:
UPDATE: Mumps Activity in Ontario
Ontario is currently experiencing increased mumps activity; between January 1 and September 30, 2017, a total of 209 cases of mumps were reported in Ontario.

TRAVEL HEALTH ALERT: Plague in Madagascar
The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to monitor the outbreak of plague in Madagascar . Approximately 70% of cases are pneumonic plague with known human to human transmission. As well, the current outbreak is affecting many regions, including the major urban centres of Antananarivo (the capital) and Toamasina (the port city). Although there have been no confirmed travel related cases outside of Madagascar, travel related spread remains a concern. On October 10, 2017, Madagascar implemented exit screening at the international airport in Antananarivo to reduce the risk of international transmission.

Advice to travellers can be found on the Government of Canada’s website .
Ontarians can protect themselves from Zika virus infection by following travel advisories, taking specific precautions when they travel and after they return, and consulting with their health care providers if they are pregnant or planning a pregnancy and plan to travel to a Zika-affected country. 
Hepatitis A Vaccine Recommendations
Current situation: In Ontario, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care is monitoring a recent increase in cases of hepatitis A in men who have sex with men (MSM). Some recent cases have also reported experiencing homelessness and/or use of illicit drugs. Travel history for Ontarians is also an important consideration as there are currently several large international outbreaks of hepatitis A in MSM in Europe, New York City, Chile and Brazil. As well, outbreaks in homeless individuals and/or those who use illicit drugs are being reported in the United States. Click here for hepatitis A vaccine recommendations.
Infection Prevention and Control in Clinical Office Practice Settings
Providers of clinical office care have a responsibility to have systems in place with established policies and procedures that protect the health and safety of workers in their workplace. Preventing transmission of microorganisms to other patients is a patient safety issue, and preventing transmission to staff is an occupational health and safety issue. Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, it shall be inspected at least once a month (no matter how small the practice is). Refer to the Infection Prevention and Control for Clinical Office Practice for the details and the Clinical Office Practice Monthly Checklist.
EVENTS For Health Care Providers
The Peterborough Drug Strategy (PDS) Training

December 6-7
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Skills and Tools will explore ways that health care providers and other professionals can integrate DBT skills into their workplace and practice (two-day interactive training).

November 20 OR December 14
First Stage Trauma Treatment workshop will offer tools for integrating trauma informed practice into work, and share safety and stabilization techniques that can be used with clients (one day training). 

For more information, or to register for upcoming workshops visit the Question of Care Training Calendar.
Find the complete, printable version of this issue and past editions of the FYI Newsletter
on the Health Care Professionals section of our website .