No images? Click here In This Issue - July 2020
PHYSICIANS' CORNERNEW! Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Service’s Medical Officer of Health and Associate Medical Officers of Health will be sharing monthly virtual updates for physicians and other primary care providers. The Physicians' Corner will answer some of your burning questions and will share information as it relates to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and Niagara’s response. These virtual updates will be pre-recorded but will be based on what you want to hear from us! The first Physicians’ Corner will be shared in the next edition of the Physicians’ Newsletter (end of August). Don’t forget we regularly update the COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions page for health care providers. Please be sure to check this list regularly for important information. At this time, we would like to invite you to submit questions or topic suggestions that you and/or your office may have or find helpful to HCPengagement@niagararegion.ca. We look forward to virtually connecting with you soon! UPDATE: Niagara's Face Covering By-lawOn Thursday, July 23, Niagara Regional Council passed a temporary face covering by-law (By-law 2020-46) to require residents to wear mandatory face coverings in enclosed public places, and on Regional and Municipal transit during the COVID-19 pandemic. The by-law comes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on July 31, 2020 and will remain in effect until Oct. 1, 2020, unless extended by Regional Council. More information related to the face covering bylaw can be found here. For those with questions about school reopening, we are very hopeful that the Ministry of Education will provide further guidance for schools, face covering requirements, etc. soon, to help with continued local planning. UPDATE: Vision Screening Recommendations for Infants & Young ChildrenEye problems that go undetected and untreated may permanently affect a child's vision. As children and their parents are often unaware of their vision problems, screenings allow for early detection of disorders which may otherwise go unnoticed. The Canadian Paediatric Society provides recommendations for vision screening at infant and well-child visits, and guidelines highlight that this is a critical role for primary care providers, especially for children under age 5. Each year, Public Health offers a Vision Screening Program to all senior kindergarten students in Niagara. Due to COVID-19, plans for this program for the 2020/2021 school year are yet to be determined. Updates will be available on the Vision Screening Program webpage. Vision screening is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination by an optometrist. Eye examinations are covered under OHIP once every 12 months for anyone under 20. Patients looking for an optometrist can visit findaneyedoctor.ca to find one in their community. Thank you for considering your current practice around ensuring vision screening at infant and well-child visits. UPDATE: Oral Health Care for SeniorsThe Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) is continuing to expand within the Niagara region.
If you or your patients have any questions regarding OSDCP applications, services, or treatment locations please call the Dental Health Line at 905-688-8248 ext. 7399. UPDATE: Mental Health & Addictions Services in NiagaraIn Niagara there are three information hubs available to help patients navigate the system of mental health and addiction services and supports. The mental health and addictions service agencies update the information available through the hubs frequently during COVID-19 to provide the most current information regarding service delivery changes. The three information hubs for Niagara are:
Contact Niagara and Access Line will support in identifying an appropriate service, making a referral and ensuring the patient connects with the agency. To ensure patients are able to seamlessly access service information and support, please consider connecting them with the most appropriate information hub. -------- Please note: Niagara Health’s Children’s Clinic has capacity to conduct psychiatric assessments for children and youth under the age of 18. Appointments will be scheduled within 3 business days. To access services fax a referral to Contact Niagara at 905-684-2728. If you have any questions, please contact the children’s clinic directly at 905-378-4647 ext. 46573. REVIEW: Public Health Service Closures & DisruptionsDue to COVID-19, Public Health offices remain closed to the public with the exception of the St. Catharines Sexual Health Centre (277 Welland Ave.), with the following adjustments:
Public Health has suspended vaccination clinics. Niagara residents are being asked to contact their health care provider to discuss their vaccination needs. Many Public Health clinics and classes have been cancelled, postponed or have transitioned to virtual delivery. Please check online for a comprehensive list on our service closures and disruptions. REVIEW: Foodborne Illness InvestigationsSummertime activities bring a spike in reports of suspected food borne gastro-intestinal illnesses. Public Health investigates incidences of suspect and confirmed gastro-intestinal illnesses related to consumption of food from restaurants, special events and other food premises. As part of the investigation, Public Health distributes stool kits to those who are symptomatic. Symptoms of foodborne illness can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps. If you have a patient presenting with GI illness symptoms who you suspect may have a food borne illness, please have them contact Niagara Region Public Health and Emergency Services directly at 905-688-8248 ext. 7590 Foodborne illness is a reportable disease – to report confirmed cases, please call 905-688-8248 ext. 7330. REVIEW: Environmental Cleaning & Disinfection as Relates to Novel Respiratory InfectionsRoutine effective thorough cleaning and disinfection of surfaces, items and equipment is an essential activity that helps to protect clients, patients, residents, staff and visitors from infection. Please find below best practice information about environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures. Best Practice Information on Cleaning and Disinfection of High Risk Equipment and General Public Areas in Hospitals/ Health Care Professional Offices / Long-Term Care Homes/Retirement Homes:
For additional information on Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection, refer to:
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITYTobacco Cessation Training Opportunities available through the TEACH Program The Training Enhancement in Applied Counselling and Health (TEACH) Project is an initiative that builds capacity in evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions among healthcare providers across diverse health and social service settings. TEACH offers several online courses which range from Tobacco Cessation Interventions, Motivational Interviewing, Treating Tobacco and Cannabis Use Disorder, and many more. Registration is currently open for the following online courses:
To learn more about TEACH, and to register for any of the upcoming courses, please visit the TEACH Website. Are your patients looking for free and local support to quit smoking? Refer them to the Tobacco Hotline - 905-688-8248 ext. 7393. MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS JULY 2020 Receive medical advisories and memos electronically from Niagara Region Public Health - subscribe here. |