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In This Issue - July 2023
- UPDATE:
- Updated Tuberculosis Resources for Health Care Providers Available Now
- REVIEW:
Tips on Keeping your Vaccine Refrigerator Secure
World Hepatitis Day
CBT Postpartum Depression program for New Mothers
- MEDICAL ADVISORIES AND MEMOS
- EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
- FREE TRAINING: Breastfeeding “Making a Difference” Level 2
- FREE ACCREDITED ONLINE COURSE: Sexually Transmitted and Blood-borne Infections (STBBI): Barriers to Screening
UPDATE: Updated Tuberculosis Resources for Health Care Providers Available Now
Niagara Region Public Health has recently updated the following tuberculosis resources for health care providers
- Tuberculosis Skin Test Guidelines - Provides guidance on conducting a tuberculosis skin test and interpreting the result
- Treatment of Latent Tuberculosis Infection (LTBI) Pathway - Provides guidance on treating LTBI and patient management
Updates made to both resources reflect best practice guidance and evidence from the Canadian Tuberculosis Standards - 8th edition.
Order these resources for free by visiting our Order Clinical and Patient Resources webpage under the Infectious Diseases dropdown.
Please discard any older versions of these resources that you may have.
REVIEW: Tips on Keeping your Vaccine Refrigerator Secure
A good practice to prevent a cold chain excursion is to consider the security of the vaccine refrigerator itself. If your vaccine fridge is accessible to patients (e.g. stored in a clinic room or waiting area), ensure that the refrigerator door is locked after each use.
An even better practice is to have the vaccine refrigerator in a secure room that is inaccessible to patients and is locked at the end of each day. This would further minimize the risk of:
- Unauthorized access
- Unnecessary door openings
- Power being switched off at the power point
- Tampering with vaccine
Learn more about vaccine storage and handling.
REVIEW: World Hepatitis Day
World Hepatitis Day is recognized on July 28 every year to bring the world together and raise awareness of viral hepatitis, encourage individuals to get tested and vaccinated, as well as support those who are living with hepatitis. This year the theme for World Hepatitis Day, “We’re not waiting,” calls on people around the world to take action because Hepatitis can’t wait.
Hepatitis cases are reportable to Public Health. As a reminder, confirmed or suspected hepatitis A cases must be reported immediately by calling Niagara Region Public Health’s Infectious Disease Program at 905-688-8248 ext. 7330.
More Information
- Learn more about hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C
- Niagara Health’s Hepatitis C Care Clinic provides testing, treatment, case management, counselling and support, and education and workshops
- Current hepatitis statistics for Niagara
REVIEW: CBT Postpartum Depression Program for New Parents
Postpartum depression (PPD) affects one in five people who have recently given birth, but only 15 percent can access evidence-based treatment due to long waitlists and lack of availability of affordable care. Current clinical practice guidelines recommend evidence-based psychotherapies, like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), as first-line treatments for the vast majority of parents with PPD.
Public Health Nurse-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) shows reductions in postpartum depression and anxiety among new parents who have given birth. This study is the first to show that Public Health Nurses, with no prior psychiatric training, can deliver cost-effective group psychotherapy for parents with PPD.
Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) now offers this intervention as a Prenatal/Postpartum Depression Group (nine-week intervention) for
- pregnant people, or people who have given birth in the last 18 months
- who are feeling depressed, down or anxious
There are series being offered virtually starting in August, and in-person starting in September
Patients who are expecting, or who have recently had a baby and are experiencing any depressive symptoms can be referred to this program by having them contact Niagara Parents. They can also sign up online. Join us in helping new and expecting parents access treatment for postpartum depression.
FREE TRAINING: Breastfeeding “Making a Difference” Level 2
Niagara Region Public Health is hosting a 2-day virtual (LIVE) workshop series for community health care professionals and hospital staff practicing in Niagara who currently work with expectant or new parents and families.
When:
This series will take place over Zoom on November 7th and November 14th, 2023 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Keynote Speaker:
Kathleen O’Grady is a registered nurse and an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Please see: Breastfeeding: Making a Difference Level 2 Workshop - Niagara Region, Ontario, for her additional credentials.
Key Topics
- Effective assessment and management skills by applying current research, using complex case studies and group problem solving to formulate care plans to deal with challenging situations
- Effective breastfeeding promotion in a multi-cultural society
- Infant-parent attachment
- Ethics
- Evaluating research, training materials and research
Requirements:
- Have completed the Breastfeeding Level 1 training (or an equivalent) within the past 3 years
- Must be a health care practitioner practicing in the Niagara region
Note: Participants must attend both session dates and may be eligible to receive IBLCE CERPS (Continuing Education Recognition Points).
The event is live for registration on the Professional Development Opportunities Page .
Registration Deadline: October 31, 2023
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FREE ACCREDITED ONLINE COURSE: Sexually Transmitted and Blood-borne Infections (STBBI): Barriers to Screening
When: Complete at your own pace
Where: Virtual
Time Commitment: 1.5 hours
Credits: 1.5 MainPro+/MOC Section 3/CNA
At the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- Explain why STBBI screening for sexually active individuals should be offered as part of routine care
- Describe barriers to STBBI screening
- Apply strategies to overcome barriers and increase access to STBBI screening
- Locate Public Health Agency of Canada guidance and resources to support STBBI screening
MEDICAL ADVISORIES AND MEMOS
