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The Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (IDPC) department at Public Health Ontario (PHO) is responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and programs for the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The department primarily focuses on health care–associated infections and infections of public health importance.
Working closely with other program areas within the organization, the IDPC team embraces the core functions of PHO—policy guidance, evidence-based guideline development, research and evaluation, education, field support and strengthening of central and field capacity.
The IDPC department includes the following roles and functions:
Regional Infection Control Networks (RICNs)
Located across Ontario, PHO’s RICNs:
- coordinate infection prevention and control activities;
- promote standardization in health care facilities;
- facilitate knowledge transfer and information sharing on infection prevention and control practices; and
- provide stakeholders with continuing education and access to a wealth of expertise.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Program (ASP)
Antimicrobial stewardship programs promote the appropriate selection, dose, route and duration of antimicrobial therapy. These programs have proven to be effective in optimizing clinical outcomes while minimizing the unintended consequences of antimicrobial use.
In partnership with the Ontario Hospital Association, Public Health Ontario’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Program will
- work collaboratively with experts in hospital pharmacy, as well as physicians and infection control practitioners, to establish a province-wide, tailored, sustainable stewardship program; and
- develop tools and resources that support acute and community care organizations in evaluating and measuring antimicrobial use.
Just Clean Your Hands (JCYH)
- Ontario is committed to improving patient, resident and staff safety and reducing infection by creating practical tools guided by evidence-based science.
- This program is being transitioned to PHO from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
- JCYH aims to promote and implement hand hygiene best practices in acute care, long-term care and retirement home settings.
For more information, contact handhygiene@oahpp.ca.
Infection Control Resource Teams
- Infection Control Resource Teams at Public Health Ontario provide on-site assistance with outbreak investigation and management in hospitals.
- Teams comprising health care professionals specializing in microbiology, public health and infection control are deployed by the request of the institution or public health unit during outbreak situations.
- The teams work with the local public health unit and the hospital to assist in the management of the outbreak.
For more information, contact icrt@oahpp.ca.
Provincial Infectious Disease Advisory Committee (PIDAC)
- A group of advisory committees within PHO that draw on the dedication of health care practitioners with expertise in infectious disease, infection prevention and control, immunization, veterinary medicine, epidemiology, occupational health and safety and public health.
- The four committees aim to provide advice to PHO on matters related to
- communicable diseases,
- infection prevention and control,
- immunization, and
- surveillance.
For more information, contact pidac@oahpp.ca
Core Competency Modules
The Infection Prevention and Control Core Competency Education Program was transferred to PHO from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care in April 2010.
- Aims to provide front-line healthcare providers in acute care, non-acute care and community health settings with the necessary knowledge to protect themselves, as well as their clients, patients and residents, from risk of infection.
- The modules will be released in an interactive e-learning format, with the first being launched in late Spring 2012.
Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases
The Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases team was transferred from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care to Public Health Ontario in July 2011, and provides the following services:
- Scientific and technical advice, risk assessment and specialist support to health units.
- Active vector surveillance for both mosquito and tick vectors, including compilation of the data, analysis and advisory support to the Ministry
Enteric Diseases
The Enteric Diseases team transferred to Public Health Ontario in July 2011 as part of the Public Health Architecture move. The team
- works closely with the PHO Laboratories and the Surveillance and Epidemiology team to monitor and investigate multi-jurisdictional outbreaks and advise on outbreak control measures;
- provides support to health units on single jurisdictional outbreaks when requested; and
- carries out projects to improve the quality and effectiveness of the enteric diseases program.
The IDPC department also provides consultation and support for local public health units and community stakeholders. Team members are in regular contact with staff from all 36 local public health units to provide consultation and guidance regarding best evidence-supported infection prevention and control practices in a wide variety of community settings, including child care, elder care and personal services. Staff members also contribute to the development of guidance documents released as Ontario Public Health Standards and Protocols .
For general inquiries about the Infectious Disease Prevention and Control department at Public Health Ontario, email idpc@oahpp.ca.
Brochure: Infectious Disease Prevention and Control (November 2011; 2 pages, PDF, 100Kb)
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