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Injury Prevention Resources for Health Care - Infectious Diseases and Respiratory Illnesses

Musculoskeletal Injuries (MSI) and Ergonomics | Ceiling Lift Resources | Violence | Needlestick Injuries | Infectious Diseases | Latex Allergies | Home Care | Cytotoxic Drugs | General Resources

The following links list tools, publications, and other resources to help prevent the most common injuries and illnesses in the health care industry. These resources may not meet all the requirements for health and safety in British Columbia. Please check the Workers Compensation Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, and related materials for specific WorkSafeBC requirements.

Influenza Transmission and the Role of Personal Protective Respiratory Equipment: An Assessment of the Evidence new item

This report represents the consensus findings of the Expert Panel (including Bob Janssen of WorkSafeBC) on Influenza and Personal Protective Respiratory Equipment.
Source: Council of Canadian Academies (Report in Focus, December 19, 2007)
* PDF (244 KB)

Proposed policy amendments: preventive measures for infectious diseases new item

The Board of Directors has approved the release of a discussion paper regarding the circumstances in which workers are entitled to compensation for preventive measures following occupational exposure to infectious diseases. Stakeholders are invited to comment.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
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Pandemic Influenza: OHS Guideline G6.34-6 Exposure control plan

This guideline defines the obligations of employers to ensure workplace exposure control plans are in place in the event of an influenza pandemic. It provides information on the nature of pandemic influenza, routes of transmission, risk assessment and risk controls - including engineering controls, work procedures, and personal protective equipment - including respiratory protection. (Dated February 8, 2007)
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* OHS Guideline G6.34-6

Wash your hands (Poster)

This poster is a quick reminder about the importance of washing your hands to help prevent the spread of infectious disease.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (204 KB)
(June 2007)

Stop the Spread (WorkSafe Magazine)

This article illustrates how simple precautions help workers protect themselves -- and others -- from infectious disease.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (1 MB)
(June 2007)

Washing Hands Saves Lives

Corrina Hellens, Occupational Health Nurse, demonstrates how to wash your hands properly to prevent the spread of infection in this slideshow
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* Slideshow (2 min 29 s)

Pandemic Planning

"This web site has helpful documents and tools to enable people to plan and be better prepared for an influenza pandemic. The information is organized by topics,resource types and audience to make it easy for people to find what they need."
Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre Occupational Health and Safety)
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SARS: General Guide on Applying the OHS Regulation

This document provides general information on SARS, and also describes the application of WorkSafeBC's regulatory requirements to SARS. (Dated March 2003)
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (195 KB)

HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis B and C: Preventing Exposure at Work BK38

"For employers and workers who are not expected to come in contact with blood and body fluids at their workplaces but who could have contact with these fluids in rare, isolated incidents that can't be foreseen. It explains how HIV and the hepatitis B and C viruses are - and are not - spread, describes their health effects, and provides information on the basic precautions that should be taken if harmful contact with infected blood and body fluids occurs. It also answers other common questions about HIV and the hepatitis B and C viruses and provides examples of safe work practices."
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (827 KB)
Updated: March 2006
* Available in print from Publications, Videos and Forms Distribution.

Adjudication of HIV & Hepatitis B and C Exposure Claims - Backgrounder

"When a worker is stuck or cut by a medical sharp (i.e., needle, scalpel) the claim is adjudicated under Section 5 of the Act because the worker has sustained a personal injury. All needle stick and medical sharp injury claims are accepted if the injury occurred while the worker was working."
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (40 KB)

Respirator Fit Testing Still Required by Jurisdictions in North America

Clarification on the requirements for respirator fit-testing required by jurisdictions in North America.
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC
* PDF (12 KB)

Protecting the Faces of Health Care Workers

"The objective of this document is to summarize findings in an analysis of the key domains identified as pertinent to improving the effectiveness of facial protective equipment (FPE). It was not our goal to define what specific policies are needed to protect workers from infectious diseases such as SARS, but to identify what is already known about SARS and other respiratory tract nosocomial infections with regards to worker safety and to identify areas where further research should be directed." (Dated April 2004)
Source: WorkSafeBC WorkSafeBC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
* PDF (428 KB)

Protecting Health Care Workers from Infectious Diseases: A Self-Assessment Tool

"This assessment tool was developed to assist HCO's identify strengths and to provide opportunities for the enhancement of their occupational health program with respect to infection control. The goal of this tool is the protection of health care workers from the transmission of infectious diseases in the workplace. This tool does not address infection control issues related to patient safety."
Source: Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare
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Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in the Physician's Office - Highlights (2004)

Highlights from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in the Physician's Office.
Source: B.C. Centre for Disease Control
* PDF (45 KB)

Guidelines for Infection Prevention and Control in the Physician's Office

"Over the last 10 years several new viral pathogens have appeared in human populations both here in BC and abroad (Avian Influenza H5N1 and SARS-CoV). We have also seen the re-emergence of other well known infectious diseases such as measles and TB. It is time to reassess our current practice patterns and commit to a 'NEW STANDARD' for infection prevention and control in the outpatient setting." (Dated October 2004)
Source: B.C. Centre for Disease Control
* PDF (339 KB)

Protecting Healthcare Workers from Airborne and Droplet-Spread Transmission of Infectious Diseases

In collaboration with WorkSafeBC, the BC SARS Science Committee, and other provincial healthcare stakeholders, OHSAH has developed a training module: Protecting Healthcare Workers from Airborne and Droplet-Spread Transmission of Infectious Diseases.
Source: OHSAH (Occupational Health and Safety Agency for Healthcare)
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Health care workers eligible to receive varicella (Chickenpox) vaccine

As of July 1, 2004, susceptible health care workers are eligible to receive two doses of publicly funded varicella vaccine. A varicella-susceptible individual is defined as any person with one of the following:
  • no or uncertain history of chickenpox or herpes zoster
  • negative serology (VZV IgG negative)

The vaccine which is being used for the targeted Varicella Immunization Program in BC is Varivax ® III, distributed by Merck Frosst Canada. Varivax vaccine was licensed in Canada in December 1998.

Your occupational health nurse can provide you with information about varicella disease, varicella vaccine, vaccine side effects, duration of protection, and why it is important for you to be immunized to protect yourself, your family and your patients.

For more information go to the varicella page on the Health Canada web site.

An Integrated Protocol to Manage Health Care Workers Exposed to Bloodborne Pathogens

"The current document presents integrated recommendations for the management and follow-up of the health care worker with a potential occupational exposure to HBV, HCV, [hepatitis B and C] or HIV."
Source: Health Canada, Population and Public Health Branch
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Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Tuberculosis in Canadian Health Care Facilities and Other Institutional Settings

"This document has been prepared to assist Canadian health care facilities and health care workers (HCWs) to develop and implement effective programs within their institutions to minimize transmission of the organisms that cause tuberculosis (TB)."
Source: Health Canada, Population and Public Health Branch
* HTML

Hand Washing, Cleaning, Disinfection and Sterilization in Health Care

"Presents an overview and provides recommendations to assist in preventing the transmission of infection in health care facilities." (Dated December 1998)
Source: Health Canada, Population and Public Health Branch
* PDF (361 KB)

Hand Hygiene: Spread Protection, Not Infection

"For hundreds of years, evidence has linked hand washing to the prevention of the spread of disease. Poor hand washing can result in gastrointestinal illnesses, shigella, Hepatitis A, etc. Many germs are found under fingernails, artificial fingernails, nail polish and rings. Germs that may transmit disease may be found in any of the body fluids of any person, including apparently healthy people, and on any surface these fluids contact (e.g., bedding, trays, instruments, phones, light switches)."
Source: Ontario Safety Association for Community & Healthcare
* PDF (161 KB)

Infected Health Care Worker: Risk of Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens

"The 1996 Consensus Conference on Infected Health Care Workers: Risk For Transmission of Bloodborne Pathogens was held to gain current understanding of how bloodborne pathogens are transmitted from infected health care workers (HCWs) to patients, and then to revise, where necessary, the 1992 Recommendations to reduce the likelihood of transmission."
Source: Health Canada, Population and Public Health Branch
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Protect Yourself Against Tuberculosis: A Respiratory Protection Guide for Health Care Workers

"The use of respirators in health care is a relatively new but important step in the efforts to prevent the transmission of TB. This booklet is designed to serve as a quick reference for health care workers employed in a variety of settings and with varied educational backgrounds. It should be regarded as a complement to, not a substitute for, the required respiratory protection program."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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TB Respiratory Protection Program in Health Care Facilities: Administrator's Guide

"This manual is designed to serve as a practical guide for those individuals responsible for initiating and running a TB respiratory protection program in health care facilities." Sample operating procedures are provided, as well as a step-by-step approach to developing a respiratory protection program. (Dated September 1999)
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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The Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet)

"The Exposure Prevention Information Network (EPINet) was developed by Janine Jagger, M.P.H., Ph.D., and colleagues to provide standardized methods for recording percutaneous injuries and blood and body fluid contacts, in order to assist hospitals in complying with the OSHA record keeping requirements of the December 1991 Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. Hospitals can use the EPINet system to compare and share information and identify successful prevention measures."
Source: BD
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Training for Development of Innovative Control Technologies (TDICT) Project

"A collaborative effort of line healthcare workers, product designers, and industrial hygienists dedicated to preventing exposure to blood through better design and evaluation of medical devices and equipment. TDICT is based at San Francisco General Hospital."
Source: TDICT
* HTML

Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings - 2003

"This report consolidates recommendations for preventing and controlling infectious diseases and managing personnel health and safety concerns related to infection control in dental settings."
Source: Division of Oral Health, CDC
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Control of Nitrous Oxide in Dental Operations

Includes step-by-step approach for controlling nitrous oxide, as well as sampling methods for the gas.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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Control of Nitrous Oxide During Cryosurgery

"NIOSH studies have shown that airborne concentrations of N2O from cryosurgical units can be effectively controlled by ventilation and equipment maintenance, and if this is not possible, through substitution with a less hazardous cryogenic gas."
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
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Control of Smoke from Laser/Electric Surgical Procedures

Describes how to control the smoke byproduct from thermal destruction of tissue, which can contain toxic gases and vapours.
Source: NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
* HTML

Office Air: A Worker's Guide to Air Quality

A guide to air quality in offices, schools and hospitals.
Source: Health Canada
* PDF (3 MB)

Respirator Selection

Describes how respiratory hazards are controlled, what you should know before selecting a respirator, the different types of respirators, and how to select the right respirator.
Source: CCOHS (Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety)
* HTML

General Information about the West Nile Virus

Below are links to general information, workplace precautions, and the daily update of reported cases of West Nile Virus in Washington State.

General information:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/
http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/pho/wnv.html
http://www.bccdc.org/topic.php?item=110

Workplace precautions:
http://www.osha.gov/dts/shib/shib082903b.html
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/prevention_info.htm

Daily update of reported cases in Washington State:
http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/Zoo/WNV/WNV.html



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