Emerging Issues

Infection Prevention & Control

As new infections and disease emerge in our healthcare settings, changes to standard Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices may be required. These current and past issues highlight the IPC resources created to manage these special cases.

Jump to topic:

• Hantavirus Andes (ANDV) Strain
• MPox
• Measles
• SARI - Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (MERS-CoV)
• IPC Tools for Disaster Management
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) / Ebola

Hantavirus Andes (ANDV) Strain

• IPC Interim Recommendation Hantavirus Andes (ANDV) Strain

MPox

IPC measures are based on currently available scientific evidence and guidelines and are subject to review and change as new information becomes available.

• IPC Diseases and Conditions Table – Recommendations for Management of Patients Acute Care
• AHS IPC Algorithm for Suspect/Probable MPox
• MPox (Monkeypox) - Health Topic

Additional Information

• Contact and Droplet Precautions Info Sheet
• Contact and Droplet Precautions
• Airborne Precautions
• Airborne Precautions Sign
• CDC MPox Information

Measles

• EMS IPC Recommendations for Measles
• IPC Recommendations for Measles
• Management of Patients Requiring Airborne Precautions for Suspect or Confirmed Measles
• Measles Information for Public
• Patient Symptoms Alert Poster
• Perinatal 
  • Perinatal IPC Recommendations for Measles
  • Perinatal Measles IPC Management and Additional Precautions
• Suspect Measles (Rubeola) Info Sheet
• Temporary Isolation Rooms
  • Creation of Temporary Airborne Isolation Rooms
  • Temporary Airborne Isolation Room Signage

SARI - Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (MERS-CoV)

SARI related IPC measures are based on currently available scientific evidence and guidelines and are subject to review and change as new information becomes available.

• Contact and Droplet Precautions Info Sheet
• Contact and Droplet Precautions
• IPC Resource Manual - Acute Care
• Laboratory Guidance on Testing for Emerging Respiratory Viruses at ProvLab in Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI)
• Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) Emerging Respiratory Pathogens and SARI information
• World Health Organization (WHO) Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

IPC Tools for Disaster Management

• Post Disaster Recommissioning of Healthcare Facilities Checklist
• IPC Commissioning of Portable Isolation Containment Systems Checklist
• IPC Considerations for Establishing an Evacuation Centre
• Communicable Disease Assessment Centre Checklist

Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) / Ebola

For general information visit our VHF / Ebola webpage. Ebola related IPC measures are based on currently available scientific evidence and guidelines and are subject to review and change as new information becomes available.

• Emergency Department & Urgent Care Centre VHF Triage Protocol (Screening & Rapid Assessment at presentation to ED/UCC)
• Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) & Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Ebola Virus Disease (Ebola) Guidance for Acute Care Settings
• Contact and Droplet Precautions Suspect/Confirmed Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF)
• PPE Requirements for Suspect/Confirmed Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF)
• Room Entry Log
• VHF Donning and Doffing Area Setup

PPE Sequences

• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Suspected or Confirmed Personal Protective Equipment Donning COVERALLS
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Suspected or Confirmed Personal Protective Equipment Doffing COVERALLS
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Suspected or Confirmed Personal Protective Equipment Donning FLUID IMPERVIOUS GOWN
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Suspected or Confirmed Personal Protective Equipment Doffing FLUID IMPERVIOUS GOWN
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Personal Protective Equipment Donning for Buddy
• Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Personal Protective Equipment Doffing for Buddy

PPE Checklists

• CHECKLIST VHF Suspected or Confirmed PPE Donning COVERALLS
• CHECKLIST VHF Suspected or Confirmed PPE Doffing COVERALLS
• CHECKLIST VHF Suspected or Confirmed PPE Donning FLUID IMPERVIOUS GOWN
• CHECKLIST VHF Suspected or Confirmed PPE Doffing FLUID IMPERVIOUS GOWN
• CHECKLIST VHF Suspected or Confirmed PPE Donning BUDDY
• CHECKLIST VHF Suspected or Confirmed PPE Doffing BUDDY

Cleaning & Waste Management

• Environmental Services Cleaning Process: ES-CLN-37 Patient Room/Space - Occupied (Isolation) - see AHS Intranet
• Environmental Services Cleaning Process: ES-CLN-18 Patient Room/Space - Discharge/Transfer - see AHS Intranet
• Ebola Waste Management Recommendations
• Ebola Waste Removal - POSTER

Human Factors

• Human Factors Evaluation of Simulated Ebola Virus Disease Patient

Training options for Viral Hemorrhagic Fever (VHF) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

VHF PPE training modules are available on MyLearningLink for AHS employees. These modules are also available for non-AHS employees on the IPC Personal Protective Equipment page.

The online modules are designed for tailored use to accommodate clinical department training needs, this includes ES, Lab or other staff supporting patient care.

Training Requirements: Designated VHF Sites

Designated sites include: South Health Campus, Alberta Children’s Hospital, University of Alberta Hospital, Stollery Children’s Hospital

These sites must implement the full VHF training program. Designated VHF staff (Emergency Department, Critical Care, Alta Paramedic Health, Respiratory, Pharmacy, Lab, etc.) must complete:

• Four online VHF modules once, then every two years
  • Module 1 – Introduction and Overview
  • Module 2 – Buddy PPE
  • Module 3 – Healthcare worker coverall PPE
  • Module 4 – Healthcare worker gown PPE
• Specialized VHF PPE donning/doffing practice * at hire, plus annual refreshers
• One (1) in person simulation or tabletop exercise each year

Training Requirements: Non-Designated VHF Sites

Non designated sites include all rural, regional, and tertiary sites except the four designated hospitals. Staff identified as part of the VHF response (ED, Critical Care, Respiratory, Pharmacy, Lab, etc.) must complete:

• The VHF Introduction & Overview online module at least once, ideally at the time of onboarding
• “Just in time” PPE practice during Emergency Disaster Management (EDM) led simulations or when there is a potential VHF risk

Training Requirements: ALTA Paramedic Health

The Incident Response Paramedic (IRP) team train annually following the Designated VHF site direction.

The rest of APH should follow the non-designated VHF site direction.