IPC Update

May 18, 2023 | Health, Safety & Environment Coordinator

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Dear Students, Faculty & Staff,

Spring has sprung and we are into long days with sunny evenings. Thank goodness!

Clinical Attire & PPE Requirements

With the coming of warmer weather, we tend to loosen up a bit, but we need our clinical IPC to remain tight. To mitigate cross-contamination & injury risks within the OHC the following are still required:

• Scrubs

• Head Cover

• Closed toe & closed heel shoes

• Gown

• Mask

• Safety Glasses must be worn at all times when in OHC patient care areas unless they are removed and replaced by a face shield

• Face Shield must be worn whenever you are performing an aerosol generating procedure, such as those using the following instruments:

  • Air-Water syringe

  • Any hand piece

  • Ultrasonic scalers

  • Microabrasion systems

Changes to the OHC Infection Prevention & Control Processes

Alberta Health Services has begun the slow process of winding back pandemic related mandates. While we are still required to continuously mask in all areas where we may encounter patients and/or visitors, there are some smaller changes happening. 

• Continuous mask wear is no longer required in those areas that are restricted to staff only. *  Mask wear is still required in all public & clinical areas. 

  • Administrative areas B & C

  • Meeting rooms within the OHC 

  • Work area in behind the wall in patient services 

  • Stores

  • Prosthodontic Lab when not required for the task being performed 

  • MMC when not required for the task being performed 

  • Staff Lounge 

  • Staff Hallway

• OHC meeting rooms & the staff lounge have already been, or are in the process of being reconfigured back to the pre-pandemic layouts. Chairs that were removed from meeting rooms, will be gathered from various locations and replaced in their original locations. Pandemic occupancy limits for these areas have also been removed. If you have or know of any extra chairs in your area(s), please take the extras to the staff lounge or email dentIPC@ualberta.ca with the location for pick-up.

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

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