Infection Prevention & Control

Nationally recognized for its leadership in infection control, The Ottawa Hospital’s Infection Prevention and Control Program is an essential component of quality patient care. The program’s evidence-based guidance and recommendations help reduce the risk of infection for patients, staff and visitors.

The program helps ensure the protection of patients, health-care workers, staff and visitors from preventable hospital acquired disease through surveillance, education, consultation, outbreak investigation, research and the development of policies and procedures.

Hospital-Acquired Infection

A hospital-acquired infection is one that was not present or incubating prior to the patient being admitted to the hospital, but occurred within 48-72 hours after admittance to the hospital.

TOH monitors infection rates very closely. Despite our best efforts, hospital acquired cases of MRSA, and C difficile are on the rise in hospitals across Canada. This increases is due to a number of reasons including:

• Today’s hospitalized patients are sicker than ever before;
• The number of patients with weakened immune systems is increasing;
• New devices and procedures with inherent risks are in use;
• Antibiotic use is resulting in the development of resistant bacteria;
• Increased travel allows global spread of bacteria and other pathogens.

To combat this rise in infection rates, TOH has implemented several measures to address infection rates, including:

• Hand hygiene program with increase access to alcohol-based hand rub;
• Screening patients on admission for silent carriage of resistant germs;
• Use of single rooms, gowns, and gloves to control spread;
• Renovations to patient care areas;
• Increased housekeeping resources;
• Education and awareness campaigns for patients and health-care providers.

Learn more about:

• Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
• C difficile
• MRSA
• MERS-CoV

 

Last updated on: January 13th, 2017