Infection Prevention and Control
Infection Prevention and Control
Infection Control is the practice by which the home prevents and manages infections. Infection control principles are included in all aspects of providing care for all residents. Hand washing is the best method to prevent infections. In order to protect residents from infections, staff wash their hands often. We encourage residents and visitors to do the same.
It is sometimes necessary to take additional measures, gloves, gown and masks may be worn to protect the resident and caregiver from potential infection;
Family members and visitors may be asked to not visit the home during an infectious disease outbreak when residents in the home are ill. The purpose is to protect you and your family from the illness. Family members and visitors should also not visit if they have colds, fever or vomiting and diarrhoea. Children exposed to chickenpox are advised not to visit. The residents can catch these infections easily.
Immunization is important for all seniors. It is especially important for individuals who are frequent visitors in a long-term care home. It is recommended that seniors receive:
Grace Villa continues to work on their pandemic plan in conjunction with the Ministry of Long Term Care guidelines.
INFECTION CONTROL IS EVERYONE‘S BUSINESS!
Visitor Restrictions
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. For further visitors’ information, please download a PDF copy of our Visitors Pamphlet.
Education
The Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) addresses unresolved concerns and provides direction and recommendations to ensure that resident and family needs and expectations are met.
External Liaisons
It is sometimes necessary to take additional measures, gloves, gown and masks may be worn to protect the resident and caregiver from potential infection;
Family members and visitors may be asked to not visit the home during an infectious disease outbreak when residents in the home are ill. The purpose is to protect you and your family from the illness. Family members and visitors should also not visit if they have colds, fever or vomiting and diarrhoea. Children exposed to chickenpox are advised not to visit. The residents can catch these infections easily.
Immunization is important for all seniors. It is especially important for individuals who are frequent visitors in a long-term care home. It is recommended that seniors receive:
- A single dose of tetanus and diphtheria booster every ten years
- A single dose of pneumococcal vaccine at the age of 65 years or over
- A flu shot for influenza every year
Grace Villa continues to work on their pandemic plan in conjunction with the Ministry of Long Term Care guidelines.
INFECTION CONTROL IS EVERYONE‘S BUSINESS!
Visitor Restrictions
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. For further visitors’ information, please download a PDF copy of our Visitors Pamphlet.
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
- Grace Villa offers scheduled and impromptu educational opportunities for staff and volunteers
The Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) addresses unresolved concerns and provides direction and recommendations to ensure that resident and family needs and expectations are met.
External Liaisons
- Ministry of Long Term Care
- APANS Health Services
- District Health Council
- Hamilton-Wentworth Social and Public Health Unit
- Community and Hospital Infection Control Association (CHICA)
- Hamilton-Wentworth Regional
- Infection Control Program