No images? Click here In This Issue - December 2021
Physicians' CornerWelcome back to our last physicians' corner of 2021! I want to thank all of you for once again rising to the challenges of this year and being such a key partner to us in helping to support the residents of Niagara. Over the past 21 months, we have seen many step up to offer COVID-19 testing, support the mass immunization efforts in the community and administer thousands of COVID-19 vaccines to patients in-office. While the news about Omicron variant is worrisome, the past 21 months of pandemic have readied us to face this rapidly spreading variant. Almost 76% of Niagara residents are fully vaccinated and it is reassuring that vaccinated persons continue to have very good protection against severe illness. Unfortunately, there are still many unvaccinated people in our community who can become infected and develop severe illness. While we continue to work to provide first and second doses to children 5-11 and booster doses to those 50 years of age and older we need to encourage everyone to continue to practice public health measures and have conversations with those who are hesitant to understand the benefits of vaccination. As we approach the holiday's it will be critical that we keep our gatherings small (no more than 10 people), all fully vaccinated if age 12 or over, and with one dose of vaccine if age 5-11. And we need to redouble diligence around wearing well-fitting masks, keeping distance, and getting tested if any symptoms of illness. Wishing you all a safe and healthy holiday season! View the dedicated COVID-19 Information for Health Care Professionals webpage. Here you will find statistics, vaccine information, testing options and a link to our FAQ page for health care professionals. Don't see the response to your question on the FAQ page? Call our COVID-19 Health Care Professionals information line Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. at 905-688-8248, press 7 then press 1. UPDATE: Infant Feeding Surveillance in NiagaraBreastfeeding has benefits beyond optimal nutrition and immunological protection: promoting infant attachment, elevating food security, and improving equity. While breastfeeding intention rates have remained high in the Niagara region (84%), breastfeeding initiation, and exclusivity rates have been declining in recent years with 52% of families exclusively breastfeeding at hospital discharge. Beginning January 2022, Niagara Region Public Health (NRPH) will implement infant feeding surveillance. NRPH is committed to protecting, promoting, and supporting breastfeeding, and recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months with the introduction of solid foods and continued breastfeeding to two years. Families with six-month old infants who had been seen by the Healthy Babies Healthy Children nurse during postpartum hospital screening and consented to follow-up will be surveyed about their infant feeding experience from birth to six months. Results from this infant feeding surveillance project will be shared once available. The results will provide valuable insights for health care providers regarding the infant feeding experiences and challenges of new families in Niagara. More Information Visit the Niagara Region Public Health website for more information about breastfeeding support and/or infant feeding statistics in Niagara. UPDATE: Vaccine Preventable Disease Program
More Information
REVIEW: Respiratory SurveillanceSurveillance Update: Influenza Activity Low
Data source: Public Health Ontario’s Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin. Last refreshed: December 10, 2021. Please refer to Niagara Region’s Flu Activity page for up-to-date local influenza data, updated every Tuesday. REVIEW: Welcome New Doctors to Niagara!Niagara Region Public Health would like to welcome the following physicians to Niagara! Looking for for education and professional development opportunities? Several opportunities are available to support health professionals in Niagara. Clinician-Client Communication to Enhance Health OutcomesEffective clinician-client communication underlies successful medical care. Students and clinicians in active practice in all specialty areas are invited to join us Jan. 12 from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. This half-day, online interactive training session will help to improve the awareness of the clinician’s role regarding the importance of communication as an essential aspect of healthcare. Participants will gain an understanding of the four communication skills: Engage, Empathize, Educate, and Enlist. There is no cost to attend, but registration is limited. Visit our registration page for more information. Breastfeeding - Making a difference Level 1Public Health is once again hosting a 3-day virtual (live) workshop series for healthcare providers in Niagara who currently work with expectant or new parents as well as their families. This series will take place on February 23, March 2, and March 9, 2022. Keynote Speaker: Kathy O’Grady Venter, RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, BFI Assessor for the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada, and Educator for Quintessence Foundation Spots fill up fast! If interested, please register online. Note: Participants must attend all three session dates and may be eligible to receive IBLCE CERPS (Continuing Education Recognition Points). MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS
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