Infection Prevention & Control
Preventing infection is a shared responsibility, and we all play an important role in keeping one another healthy. Our infection prevention practices focus on hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, outbreak precautions, and proper use of personal protective equipment.
Hand hygiene
The most important thing we can all do to prevent infection is to clean our hands regularly. Wall-mounted hand sanitizer pumps are available throughout the hospital. In addition, inpatient units and therapy spaces are equipped with hand hygiene sinks. Do not pour any fluids other than soap and water into these sinks. By keeping them clean, we are preventing the growth of organisms which may contaminate you when washing your hands.
Clean your hands every time you:
Enter and exit the hospital, an inpatient unit or an inpatient room
Enter and exit a washroom
Blow your nose, cough or sneeze
Get ready to eat or drink
Finish eating or drinking
Handle potentially contaminated items (e.g. call bell, phone, remote)
Come in contact with another person, particularly if they are ill
Respiratory Etiquette
Every time you cough or sneeze you release small droplets through your mouth and nose. Infectious particles in the droplets of a cough/sneeze can make people sick.
- If you are not wearing a mask, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing/sneezing
- If a tissue is not available, cough/sneeze into the bend of your arm, not your hands
- Wash your hands every time you touch your nose or mouth
Outbreaks
An outbreak may be declared when there is an increase in illness on a unit. In these situations, the Infection Prevention and Control team works with the care teams to support the recovery of ill patients and prevent further spread of the infection.
If an outbreak is declared, patients may be asked to stay on their unit or in their room.
Help stop the spread of germs
- Wash your hands frequently
Ask family and friends NOT to visit if they are ill - Get vaccinated*
* Vaccinations such as influenza and COVID-19 may be available on-site to patients and clients. Visitors are encouraged to get their vaccinations where they are available in the community.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Anyone entering the room of a person on additional precautions is required to wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (e.g. masks, gowns, gloves) for infection control purposes. Speak to a member of the care team before entering the room. They can show you where the personal protective equipment is and how to put it on properly.
