Why is it important?
- Infection control facilitates an environment that endeavors to prevent the transmission of disease to protect the health and safety of each resident, family, visitor and staff.
- Infection Control is integral to safe nursing practice.
- Residents of long term care facilities are at increased risk for developing infections due to immune and other body systems related to the aging process.
Purpose of Infection Control - To promote wellness through education and immunization
- To prevent infections and the spread of communicable conditions to each resident, family member and volunteer.
- To manage infections and disease through daily surveillance of existing conditions.
- To enhance the infection control program by complying with current ministry standards.
The immunization program for residents of Copper Terrace includes:
- Tuberculosis (Mantoux) screening within 14 days of admission
- Annual flu vaccine
- Pneumococcal Vaccine
The immunization program for Copper Terrace personnel includes: - Tuberculosis (Mantoux) screening of volunteers and newly hired staff.
- Annual flu vaccine.
INFECTION CONTROL IS EVERYONE’S BUSINESS! - Hand washing is the cornerstone of infection control.
- Hand washing is the most effective method of controlling infection and disease.
- All departments within the facility are supportive of and play an important role in the infection control program.
- Copper Terrace has an Outbreak Management Team which oversees the care of our residents during a respiratory or enteric outbreak. They liaise with the Chatham-Kent Health Unit and the Ministry of Health during any outbreak.
To protect our residents and staff from contracting potentially contagious illnesses such as colds or gastro type illnesses, we suggest visitors refrain from visiting if feeling unwell. If they are suffering from cold-like symptoms, they should wait 3-5 days before visiting. If they have a gastrointestinal illness, they should wait at least 48 hours from onset of their symptoms before visiting.
Copper Terrace continues to work on their Pandemic Planning in conjunction with the Ministry of Health Guidelines.
Education - An important component of the Infection Control Program is the ongoing education of residents, volunteers and staff.
- Awareness of the mode of infection transmission is paramount to the prevention and control of such conditions.
- Copper Terrace offers scheduled and impromptu educational opportunities for staff and volunteers.
The home’s Infection Control Committee meets quarterly to review infection statistics, review and revise policy procedure and make recommendations related to infection control.
External Liaisons - Ministry of Health
- APANS Health Services
- Chatham-Kent Public Health Unit
- Community and Hospital Control Associations of Southwestern Ontario
- Chatham-Kent Infection Control Committee
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