Our values, vision, and mission together with your well-being and the well-being of people who use our services continue to be our top priority during the current pandemic.
This week, look for the following updates:
- The COVID-19 Weekly Preparedness Checklist has been updated for the week of December 10th to December 16th 2020.
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As we continue to experience surges of COVID-19 cases in some communities, support locations in these communities are now subject to additional restrictions. The following table helps to show which activities are no longer permitted within these communities:
Further Clarification on N95 Mask Requirements
- After using an N95 mask, it should be inspected, if the mask is not visibly soiled or structurally damaged it should be stored with other used N95 masks in a biohazard bag that can be sent out for sterilization.
- For an N95 mask to provide protection it needs to form an airtight seal around the mouth and nose. To do so it is important for facial hair to not interfere with the contact between the N95 mask and the face of the person wearing the mask. Therefor, anyone using an N95 mask must be clean shaven.
- N95 guidelines have been updated to give more specific instruction around use. Updated resources include:
An Update on COVID-19 Visiting Record in the ODB
Thank you to everyone for your continued feedback to help improve the COVID-19 Visiting Record. In response, we have updated the Visiting Record in the ODB. Among the improvements made are:
- The form has been streamlined into 3 main sections (Identifying Information, Visit Details, and Employee Sign Off and Supervisor Approval)
- Additional fields have been added to the Summary Page (e.g., Date of Visit, Name of Visitors)
- A locked field for Manager only Sign Off
The updated COVID-19 Visiting Record will be available in the ODB on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:00 AM. An updated Instruction document, which is linked to the Visiting Record, will also be available in the ODB at that time.
A reminder that all Ontario locations are required to document visits in ODB using this Visiting Record. A Word version is available to be used when the ODB is down. Please transfer all information to the ODB once it is back up and running.
THANK YOU again for your ongoing diligence in this documentation.
LEARNING FROM YOU
Screening Protocol and Symptom Self Check Poster Update
- The self-screening checklist has been reviewed and updated as per the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) recommended screening questions.
- The screening protocol for all locations has been updated to help streamline entry to all locations
- Direct Support Locations will also need to ask the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services (MCCSS) screening questions, one additional questions for everyone entering the home (including employees) and two additional questions for employees only.
- The additional questions for direct support locations apply to Saskatchewan based homes as well. The questions are recommended in the Saskatchewan Governments Toolkit guide.
- With the holiday season fast approaching it is possible that the screening questions will see changes. Updates will be made as changes occur:
- COVID-19 Screening Protocol
- COVID-19 Symptom Self Check Poster
A THANK YOU
- On March 11th, 2020 it was announced that students would have an extended March break with two additional weeks off in order to prevent additional spread of Covid-19
- On March 16th, 2020 it was announced that publicly funded schools in Saskatchewan would be closing on March 20th to prevent the spread of Covid-19
For many of us this is likely the first memories that have shaped our experience for the past 10 months. During the course of the pandemic everyone has made significant changes to the way they work, with the concern of a potential outbreak occurring at one of our homes always a concern.
This week Janet Noel-Annable CEO had the opportunity to include Lydia Grant PM in Peel and Lisa Tritton AM in PEEL in her weekly video and discuss what it is like working in an outbreak location, if you have not had the opportunity to watch it we strongly recommend that you do to hear first hand what working in an outbreak location is like.
To everyone, thank you for your continued diligence and care in providing a safe environment for the people we support and each other. With a vaccine on the horizon it is important that we continue to be prepared and work closely together, especially during the holiday season.