Comparison of VRE infection rates in Ontario hospitals
This paper was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on April 4, 2017 (vol.5 no.2 E273-E280) Abstract Background: Some Ontario hospitals have discontinued active screening and isolation programs for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). The aim of this study was to determine whether this practice change is associated with a change in the rate of rise of VRE-positive blood cultures. Methods: All Ontario hospitals are mandated to report VRE bacteremia. Using this publicly...
CIPHI Annual Education Conference 2017
83rd CIPHI Annual Education Conference - Honouring Traditions, Inspiring Innovation November 5 - 8, 2017 | Richmond, BC, Canada The Canadian Institute of Public Health Inspectors (CIPHI) - BC Branch and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority will jointly host the 83rd CIPHI Annual Education Conference on November 5 – 8, 2017 at the Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel in Richmond, BC, Canada. This education conference will focus on current and emerging environmental public health...
New Bugs & Drugs website
The Bugs & Drugs® resource is now available in a website format for BC users at the following link: www.bugsanddrugs.org. The website is available to users accessing the website from an IP address that is from anywhere in British Columbia. Users can access the website from their personal or work devices as long as they have internet connectivity. Bugs & Drugs® is the recommended reference for management of infectious diseases and appropriate antimicrobial...
Stop! Clean Your Hands day: CPSI video competition
This year, the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI) is hosting a video competition for Stop! Clean Your Hands Day (also known as World Hand Hygiene Day). CPSI is looking for creative and original video submissions featuring the important questions you ask yourself to make sure the care you provide is the safest possible. Every video they receive will be uploaded to CPSI's YouTube channel. STOP! Clean Your Hands Day takes place May 5,...
Angus the C. diff dog guest stars at PICNet conference; and will soon have a canine colleague
Attendees at the PICNet 2017 Educational Conference were treated to a visit by a special guest...
Yellow fever outbreak in Brazil
Several news stories and epidemiological updates on the yellow fever outbreak in Brazil: Brazil orders 11.5 million yellow fever vaccines amid worst outbreak in years From Straitstimes.com: Rio de Janeiro said on Saturday (March 11) it plans to vaccinate the state's entire population against yellow fever in response to an outbreak that has killed at least 113 people around Brazil. Although Rio has not registered any cases, it is close to where the disease...
BCCDC Emerging Respiratory Virus (ERV) Bulletin
The substantial increase in human cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) in China, to which BCCDC alerted you earlier this year, continues. Highlights: During this fifth wave beginning in October 2016, the number of human A(H7N9) cases reported in China has surpassed the number of cases reported in any of the four prior waves since the virus was first identified in February 2013 (see Figure below). As of March 1, 2017, a cumulative total of...