IPC Update

Jan. 18, 2021 | Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator

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Dear Staff, Faculty and Students,

COVID-19 and all its complications are now part of our way of life. This means that we must remain vigilant. Remember to:

• • Complete the Fit for Work screening form prior to leaving your home each and everyday you will be on campus. 

  • Remain distanced from others as much as possible when not wearing full PPE

  • Wear a mask at all times when on campus

  • Wear a full face shield &/or safety glasses when in the SimLab and KEC

  • Travel smart and safe - if you are using public transport or carpooling with others - clean your hands before & after travelling and wear a mask for the entire trip

Eye Protection Reminders

• • Eye protection MUST be worn at all times when you will be in close contact (2m) with patients. This applies to all spaces and all staff, faculty and students. 

  • Eye protection in the form of plano safety glasses, over-the-glasses safety glasses or a full face shield must be worn at all times in the student lab, the ortho lab, the prosth lab, the SimLab wet lab - this directive is from the UofA EHS and must be complied with for OHS and COVID-19 safety 

  • For those students/staff who wear a face shield that flips up away from their face, the shield must remain down in front of the face for the entire patient appointment. The user MUST NOT flip up the shield while they are in the operatory with a patient. 

  • touching the shield with contaminated hands/gloves presents additional risks for contamination and is not acceptable

  • Instructors who are in patient care areas must also have eye protection on at all times. Either safety glasses or over-the-glasses protection when not in an operatory with a student/patient or a full face shield that is worn constantly while you are supervising students. Even if you wear safety glasses, you must still wear a full face shield when you are in the operatory with the patient.

Are you planning to travel during reading week?

Many of us would like to take a break from campus life and Edmonton’s long winter by travelling to a warm sunny beach. Please remember, that you will be required to quarantine for a full 14 days upon your return to Canada. Healthcare workers who work with vulnerable populations and/or in high risk workplaces are not eligible for the International Border Pilot Project which might allow some travellers a shorter quarantine time. 

For the details of the program please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/international-border-pilot-project.aspx

Have you watched all of the IPC / PPE modules, completed the quiz successfully and submitted your attestation to your Team Lead / Supervisor?

Need details to support this here. Add in updated links to the course.

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

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