A new Infection Prevention and Control Strategy is being developed to strengthen the Department of Health's ability to deal effectively with current and emerging diseases. The strategy will be implemented on an integrated basis in a variety of health care facilities across Prince Edward Island.
“We have seen outbreaks of SARS in Toronto, E.coli in Walkerton, and resistant strains of C.difficile in Quebec,” said Minister of Health, Doug Currie. “Because of this, we saw the need to develop a coordinated approach that will address prevention and control of infectious diseases and protect the health and safety of Islanders.”
The Department of Health will hire 2.6 permanent, full-time-equivalent, infection prevention and control professionals, doubling the current resources in this area. These experts will have specialized training in the identification, investigation, prevention, and control of disease and infection as well as outbreak management. A temporary, full-time coordinator will also be hired to lead in the development of the strategy.
The Infection Prevention and Control Strategy will focus on five areas:
• Strengthening the health system’s infection prevention and control capacity;
• Creating clear lines of accountability, roles and responsibilities;
• Developing and monitoring provincial standards for infection prevention and control;
• Creating opportunities for education and training;
• Enhancing provincial coordination of infection prevention and control activities.
“This strategy will allow us to develop and monitor consistent standards of infection prevention and control across the health system,” said Chief Health Officer, Dr. Heather Morrison. “The strategy is important for patients, staff, and the public to help reduce the burden of illness and death related to serious infections.”
The strategy will take between 18 and 24 months to develop. It will improve the surveillance and reporting practices across the province, helping Island health care facilities meet national accreditation standards.