Infection Prevention and Control

The Infection Prevention and Control team is the Western region's major resource for the promotion of sound hygiene and sanitization practices of aseptic technique and outbreak management and control. The overall goal of the Infection Prevention and Control program is to prevent and control the spread of diseases and infection.

Infection Control is everyone’s responsibility! Here are some ways you can help reduce the risk of hospital infections:

1. Hand Hygiene

Handwashing (40 to 60 seconds) is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infection. Here is how it is done:

  • Use warm running water and soap.
  • Wet hands, lather and rub together, paying attention to fingernails, cuticles, around rings and under nails
  • Spend at least 10 seconds lathering and washing hands.
  • Rinse thoroughly.
  • Dry with a paper towel and turn off tap with towel.

Or use Alcohol Based Hand Rub (20-30 seconds). Apply a palmful of Alcohol Based Hand Rub in hand and cover all surfaces. 

Always remember to perform hand hygiene between contacts with more than one patient. Never share items from bed to bed as this maybe an ideal way to spread infection. Using Alcohol Based Hand Rub is the preferred method unless your hands are visibly soiled. In that case, hands must be washed with soap and water.

2. Do not visit people in the hospital when you are sick, have a fever, cough, runny nose or when you have diarrhea.

There are times when it is necessary to limit and restrict visitors in an effort to control an outbreak of an infectious disease such as Influenza or Gastrointestinal Illness. At these times, guidelines are established to allow visiting under special circumstances such as for those patients/residents receiving Palliative Care.

3. Reduce Antibiotic Usage:

Many infections in hospitals are resistant to antibiotics. To help ensure germs do not get stronger and more resistant, make sure you and your family only take antibiotics when absolutely necessary. You may discuss this with your doctor.

Here are some ways Western Health is helping to decrease the risk of infections:

  1. The Infection Prevention and Control Team is monitoring the spread of infections in health care facilities, including Methicillin - Resistant Staphylococcus (MRSA). Infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, Meningitis and Influenza are identified in patients and appropriate isolation is implemented.
  2. Educating staff, visitors, patients and the general public on pertinent and current Infection Prevention and Control issues is an important aspect of the Infection Prevention and Control Program.
  3. The Infection Prevention and Control Team members work in collaboration with all staff in the community, hospital and long term care facility to ensure the needs of our patient, residents and staff are met.

 

Regional Infection Prevention and Control Contacts

Western Memorial Regional Hospital: (709) 784-6171 or 784-6170

Corner Brook Long Term Care Home: (709) 784-6179

Sir Thomas Roddick Hospital: (709) 643-5111 Ext. 7293

Bay St. George Long Term Care Centre: (709) 643-5111 ext. 7293 

Dr. Charles L. LeGrow Health Centre: (709) 695-4577

Calder Health Centre: (709) 886-3350 Ext. 4120

Bonne Bay Health Centre: (709) 458-2211 Ext. 213

Rufus Guinchard Health Centre: (709) 861-3139 Ext. 261