The goal of the Infection Prevention & Control team of the Cypress Health Region is to prevent infections and as a result improve patient care and staff health in hospitals, other health care facilities, and the community. This is achieved by promoting and facilitating infection control education for clients, visitors and staff, communicable disease follow-ups and, coordination and management of facility outbreaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Outbreak?
Is the occurrence of more than 2 patients/residents presenting with similar symptoms within 24 hours. A facility will be placed on Outbreak Status by the Medical Health Officer and visitation will be restricted.
Why can I not visit a facility that is on Outbreak?
To help prevent and control the spread of the infectious organism we place the facility on Outbreak status and restrict visitor access until the outbreak has been declared over by the Medical Health Officer.
Are there any special circumstances I can visit a facility during an Outbreak?
The Medical Health Officer may authorize visitation for clients at their end stage of life. If visitation is granted, all visitors must adhere to all precautions put in place including the proper use of personal protective equipment (gloves, gowns, masks, etc).
I have the “Stomach Flu”, should I visit?
Please don’t! To help prevent the spread of any illness to our clients/residents, please stay home and visit once you are better. Please refrain from visiting if you have or have had in the last seven (7) days any of the following symptoms: fever and chills, sore throat, runny nose, cough, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea or open oozing wounds.
Who can I contact for more information?
If you require further information about a facility and its Outbreak status, contact the Infection Control Team at 306.778.5280.
Posters
- Your 4 Moments for Hand Hygiene
- How to Hand Wash
- How to Hand Rub
- Cover Your Cough
- Protect Our Patients
Fact Sheets
- Norovirus Fact Sheet for Patients, Residents, and Visitors
- Influenza
- Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
- Salmonella
- Escherichia coli (E.coli)
- Viral Gastroenteritis
- Clostridium difficile (C.diff)
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
- Respiratory Infections
- Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBL)
- Tuberculosis
- West Nile Virus