IPC Update

Dec. 7, 2020 | Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator

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Dear Staff, Faculty and Students,

GP in the clinics concerns

We have had several concerns regarding aerosol generating procedures (AGPs) being done in adjacent chairs. We hear your concern! We want to assure you that we have no evidence of aerosol spread across different operatories when high volume suction is used. As such, we believe that your safety is well preserved, which is our most important concern.

SoD COVID-19 Incident Tracking Map Has Changed

A segment of the Incident tracking map that shows the steps for our graduate students has been omitted from the document we sent earlier this week. Please find that attached to this email.

International travelers update

Recently, we have had some patients come to KEC and report that they have just returned from travel but they were part of the Calgary International Airport International Border Testing Pilot Program being enacted in Canada. This program utilizes rapid COVID19 testing and a shortened quarantine plan. Participants in this pilot cannot work at or visit any setting where health care services are provided for 14 days. We will not see these patients until after their 14 day quarantine is complete.

Fit for Work screening changes

All students/faculty/staff participating in in-person activities on campus must complete one "fit for work” questionnaire prior to the start of their scheduled session (morning, afternoon, and/or after 5 pm). As such, if participating in multiple sessions (eg: AM, PM), then one questionnaire must be submitted per session. This includes those participating in activities in Oral health clinic, simlabs, and all rotations.

Continuous wear of full face shields in KEC

Last week, AHS issued a Face Shield directive for all of KEC in response to an increase in case numbers in the province. Please read the following to clarify the new PPE requirement:

• • Face Shields are to be worn in addition to masks, and prescription eyewear if you wear them.

  • 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 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 advise you to contact them as soon as possible to purchase your own. Follow the manufacturers 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/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 work station

  • We have a supply of disposable face shields that we can offer for use until you can purchase your own reusable, disinfectable face shield

Scrubs changing during your visit to campus

Please note that it is mandatory to change out of your scrubs if you have been involved in patient care in KEC. Scrubs cannot be worn outside the practice area in KEC. This means that if you are involved in a session in the simlabs after your patient care, then you have to change your scrubs prior to leaving KEC and entering Kipnes.

Be safe away from campus too

We are learning a lot from our contact tracing data that our people are interacting with the world outside of the premises in the university in ways that are less optimal. Please follow the provincial guidelines. Do not gather indoors with people outside of your household. Wear masks. Maintain distance from others. Wash your hands diligently.

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

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