No images? Click here In This Issue - December 2020
Physicians' CornerWelcome back to our last physicians' corner of 2020! I want to thank all of you again for really rising to the challenge of 2020 and being such a key partner to us in helping to support the population this year. I know it has been really overwhelming navigating all of the new information, new guidance, changing environment, and all of the uncertainty of this year. It has been a trying year and I thank you for your continued partnership and for rising to the challenge of supporting the people of Niagara. We hope you will take a few minutes to watch this short video recording and consider sharing with us the type of content or questions you would like to see addressed in this platform moving into 2021. Get in touch through our health care provider engagement account. ____ If you have any questions, please review our FAQs for health care professionals or call our COVID-19 Health Care Professionals information line at 905-688-8248, press 7 then press 1. Note: Having trouble viewing the video? Right click on the top of the email and select "download pictures" or view the email in your web browser. UPDATE: IPAC Checklist for Clinics During the COVID-19 PandemicPublic Health Ontario’s Infection Prevention and Control Assessment for Primary Care, Specialty and Walk-in Clinics during COVID-19 checklist provides guidance, supports and resources for:
For more information:
UPDATE: Mailed Smoking Cessation Programs with Free NRTMonths into the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals are experiencing increased levels of stress, anxiety and boredom, which has a direct impact on their smoking. Recognizing this, it is important that improving access to smoking cessation programs and services remain a key priority for Public Health and for primary care providers in our community. Important changes have been made to provincial smoking cessation programs to help all individuals in Ontario in making a quit attempt during these difficult times. Two new programs have been created offering patients 6 weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) mailed directly to their home. Any healthcare provider can promote these new programs to their patients, even those who are not registered with existing STOP programs. Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation (Telephone Program)
STOP on the NET (Online Program)
Patients can self-refer to either of these programs. If you have any questions, please contact the Tobacco Hotline at 905-688-8248 ext. 7393 or visit Public Health's Quitting Smoking webpage. UPDATE: New High Intensity Supports at Home, Community Paramedicine ProgramHospitals and long-term care homes have reduced capacity to serve alternate level of care (ALC) patients in order to maintain infection control and prepare for COVID/flu surges. Patients with highest level of urgency for long-term care placement who need high intensity support at home will be referred by the LHIN to EMS for additional support. This includes:
These individuals can be cared for at home as long as possible through the new High Intensity Supports at Home (HISH), Community Paramedicine program. Community Paramedic support is available 12 hours/day and 7 days/week. How to refer: Niagara EMS will receive HISH patient referrals from a LHIN Care Coordinator. The HISH Community Paramedic will then review the referral and schedule an initial home visit. To discuss referring one of your patients to this program please contact LHIN Home & Community Care at 905-684-9441. REVIEW: Respiratory SurveillanceSurveillance Update: Influenza Activity Low
For more detail or the most recent data, please visit Public Health Ontario’s page for the Ontario Respiratory Pathogen Bulletin. FREE CME TRAINING: Connecting to Hope - Addressing Suicide with Your Patients Family physicians and allied health professionals are invited to attend this virtual (Zoom) event! Feb. 24, 2021 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. In Niagara, someone dies by suicide approximately every 9 days. Health care providers can play an integral role by actively addressing suicide with patients. Join Niagara Region Public Health to learn from keynote speakers Dr. Paul Links and Dr. Kelly Posner on assessing and managing suicide risk in primary care settings and using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale with patients. Learning objectives:
Register online or call 905-688-8248 or 1-888-505-6074 ext. 7192 by Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021. This Group Learning program has been certified by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Ontario Chapter for up to 1.75 Mainpro+ credits. MEDICAL ADVISORIES & MEMOS December 2020 Receive medical advisories and memos electronically from Niagara Region Public Health - subscribe here. |