Introduction to Website Materials
A 2007 review of Ontario Level III NICUs guided by the Specialized Paediatric Coordinating Council (SPCC) identified a number of areas where lack of access to specific local services negatively impacted capacity in tertiary perinatal and neonatal facilities. One central issue was the closure or restriction of NICUs due to infection control issues. This resulted in increased out-of-province and out-of-country transfers. Another significant concern was a lack of consistency in infection prevention and control policies and procedures within and between maternal and neonatal units in Ontario, leading to variations in outcome and causing confusion for families and staff who transitioned between units.
Under the leadership of the Provincial Council for Maternal and Child Health (PCMCH), an Infection Prevention and Control Work Group was formed to develop best practices that could provide consistency when dealing with infection prevention and control within and between maternal and newborn units. This work group was comprised of content experts in the area of infection prevention and control and maternal and newborn care.
The consensus-based policies developed by the work group are available to those providing maternal-newborn services across Ontario. These recommendations are in alignment with the various best practice documents developed by Provincial Infectious Disease Advisory Committee (PIDAC). The Regional Infection Control Networks (RICN) have agreed to assist PCMCH with the dissemination of this material. Each perinatal program is encouraged to:
a) Identify a “Champion(s)” to lead and oversee the implementation of the posted provincial infection control and prevention policies in your organization.
b) Provide the name of the “champion(s)” to Isabelle Langman by January 11, 2010.
If you have any question related to this project, you can contact Isabelle Langman, Project Lead at ilangman@hrsrh.on.ca or by dialing 1-866-469-0822 ext. 4960.
If you would like a Word document without logos for any of the following policies, send your request to:
marcia.chevalier-george@pcmch.on.ca