IPC Update

Dec. 3, 2020 | Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator

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Dear Staff, Faculty and Students,

It’s hard to believe that we are only two weeks away from the end of term. Both Ronna and I are extremely happy with how safe you are keeping each other.  Although there is always room for improvement as complacency is non-negotiable, we recognize you are trying your best.  This week we have a few updates on ‘fit for work’ questionnaire, face shields, scrubs and AGPs.  

Fit for Work Screening – Multiple Sessions

All students, faculty and staff participating in in-person activities on campus must complete one "Fit for Work” questionnaire prior to the start of their scheduled session whether this be in the morning, afternoon, and/or after 5 pm). If you are participating in multiple sessions in one day i.e., morning AND afternoon, then one questionnaire must be submitted per session. This includes those participating in activities in KEC Oral health Clinic, Sim Labs and all external rotations.

AHS Notification on Face Shields 

AHS recently issued a face shield directive for all of KEC staff in response to an increase in COVID case numbers. The directive is that face shields are to be worn in addition to masks and prescription eyewear if you wear them. Other points to clarify regarding the new PPE requirement are below:

• Continuous face shield wear MUST always be observed when you will, may be, or are, within 2 meters of any patients within KEC.

• All face shields (if they are reusable and disinfectable) MUST be washed and disinfected each time they are removed and before the next use. If your face shield is not reusable and disinfectable, then you will need to change your face shield. Examples of face shields that are not reusable and disinfectable are those with sponges in the forehead. 

• If you wear prescription eyeglasses or loupes you MUST wear a full face shield over the glasses when engaged in patient care or supervision of patient care. Your loupes provider may have reusable and disinfectable face shields that are compatible with your loupes. We suggest that you contact them as soon as possible to purchase your own and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly disinfect their face shield.

• In lab spaces, safety glasses or face shields are required at all times. If you wear prescription eyeglasses you MUST wear safety glasses or face shield over your prescription glasses. As an alternative, you could purchase prescription safety glasses to wear at work and/or school.

• If you have a plexiglass shield at your desk you do not need to wear a face shield in addition to your mask when a patient is at your workstation.

We have a supply of disposable face shields that we can offer for use until you can purchase your own reusable, disinfectable face shield. Please see WHO Keri? to obtain one.

Changing Scrubs is Mandatory

It is mandatory to change out of your scrubs if you have been involved in patient care in KEC OHC. Scrubs cannot be worn outside the practice areas in KEC, which means that if you are involved in a session in the Sim Lab after your patient care, then you have to change your scrubs prior to leaving KEC facilities and entering the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Health Research Institute.  This is an important IPC safety measure because it will prevent any microbes that may have deposited on your scrubs from being carried outside of the clinical area. This includes any viruses that could have deposited on them, then cause an infection through fomite transmission.

*Please note the exception to the rule here:

Scrubs can be worn outside of the KEC OHC patient care areas if covered by a lab coat when moving to break spaces (i.e., student lounge, Kipnes classrooms, KEC 8th floor meeting rooms, etc.). This is only if you are returning to OHC patient care areas after their break and not leaving to go to the Sim Lab as an example.

Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs) in Adjacent Operatories

We recently had some questions regarding AGPs in adjacent operatories and its proximity, which we would like to address.

Since July, we have been conducting tests using particulate counters to test the particulate sizes generated during dental procedures. This was done using ultrasonic scalers. The testing constituted of a single operator in an empty area with the least level of air changes per hour in the dental school using multiple configurations. This testing follows a series of very detailed steps, which we won’t outline here, but what we found is that there is no scientific evidence of aerosol spread across different operatories when high volume suction is used. Please be reassured that all of the IPC standards and safety measures including measures for AGPs are in place to best protect our staff, faculty, students and patients, or anyone who enters our clinic space. 

Holiday Break and Gatherings

Soon we'll be breaking for the holidays and we cannot stress enough how important it is that you keep yourself safe and avoid gatherings as per the new provincial restrictions. We want to continue delivering in-person learning, research activities, and patient care so please be very careful with any activities you undertake while not on campus.

Have IPC Questions, Concerns or Positive Comments? Email dentIPC@ualberta.ca.

Sincerely,
Dr. Khaled Altabtbaei, IPC Officer
Ronna Richardson-Lozano, IPC Coordinator