Toolkits for Infectious Diseases

Outbreak Guidelines

Outbreak Cleaning Procedures
Outbreak Measures Poster (8.5x11)
Outbreak Measures Poster (11x17)

C.difficile Toolkit

Many people carry Clostridium difficile without having any symptoms.  However, those with C.difficile illness may experience abdominal pain and tenderness, fever, loss of appetite, nausea and diarrhea in varying degrees of severity. 

C.difficile produces spores that can be spread in the environment in large numbers when a person has diarrhea. These spores can survive for a long time in the environment and can be transported on the hands of people who have direct contact with infected people or with contaminated surfaces.

C. difficile Care Plan for Acute and Residential Sites 
Bristol Stool Chart 
Room Placement for Patients with Diarrhea 
Stool Collection Algorithm

Norovirus Toolkit

Norovirus is a common virus that is passed from person to person and causes diarrhea, nausea and vomiting in the community and in hospitals. Most infections and outbreaks are seen during winter months and they can spread very quickly.

Norovirus affects people of all ages and since it is easily spread in areas where there are large numbers of people together for several days, hospitals are ideal environments for the virus.

The following PDF documents are informational tools for the treatment and management of GI Norovirus.

Norovirus information
Diarrhea and Vomiting Care Plan 
Bristol Stool Chart 
Room Placement for Patients with Diarrhea 
HealthLink BC - Norovirus
GI Noro Tracking List

NORO-LIKE ILLNESS ALGORITHMS

GI-1 Suspected Noro-Like Illness (NLI) All Health Facilities
GI-2 Gastroenteritis or Noro-Like Illness (NLI) Enhanced Measures Island Health
GI-3 Gastroenteritis or Noro-Like Illness (NLI) Outbreak in Island Health
GI-NLI Staff Reporting Process and Return to Work Restrictions

Influenza and Influenza-like Illness Toolkit

Influenza, while often confused with other influenza-like illnesses (ILI), especially the common cold, is a more severe disease caused by a different type of virus. 

The most common symptoms of influenza and ILI are chills, fever, sore throat, muscle pains, severe headache, coughing, weakness/fatigue and general discomfort.

The following PDF documents are informational tools for use during an outbreak of Influenza or Influenza-like Illness.

Influenza Information Sheet for Patients and Visitors
Did you know...Influenza 
Recommendations for Booking Entertainment in Residential Care 
Influenza Vaccination & Prophylaxis Tracking Sheet 
VRI Patient Tracking List (PDF document)
VRI Patient Tracking List (fillable Word doc)
Residential Services Influenza Screening Tool Protocol
Creatinine Results on LTC Residents

Viral Respiratory Illness (VRI) Algorithms

VRI-1 Suspected Viral Respiratory Illness
VRI-2 Enhanced Measures in Island Health Facilities
VRI-3 VRI Outbreak Declared 
VRI Staff Reporting Process and Return to Work Restrictions

Documents for LTC Affiliates and Private Facilities

VRI Outbreak Declared (Affiliate and Private LTC sites)
Excel Patient tracking list LTC Surveillance Tracking Tool (Affiliate and Private sites)
Respiratory Illness Checklist
Outbreak Management: GI or Noro-Like Illness Outbreak in Island Health Long Term Care Affiliate & Private Facility

MRSA Toolkit

Staphylococcus aureus are bacteria that commonly live in the nose, on skin and in moist areas of the body. However, Staphylococcus aureus can cause infections such as boils and abscesses. In the hospital it can cause serious infections in the blood, lungs or other areas for a person who is already ill or has had surgery.

The following PDF documents are informational tools for the management of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

MRSA Patient Management
Teaching handout

CPO Toolkit

Multiple antibiotic-resistant gram-negative bacilli are becoming increasingly common due both to selective antibiotic pressure as well as the movement of persons who have had medical care in other countries with endemic resistance patterns.

The following PDF documents are informational tools for the management of Carbapenemase Producing Organisms (CPO)

ARO Screening Questionnaire for Acute Care Admissions
CPO Procedure

News & Events

First monkeypox case confirmed in Island Health, risk to the general public is very low

First monkeypox case confirmed in Island Health, risk to the general public is very low

One case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Island Health through laboratory testing at the BC Centre for Disease Control. The person resides in the south island. Island Health public health teams are conducting follow-up. The risk to the general public is very low. 

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parking sign

Pay parking resumes March 4, 2022

Effective March 4, 2022, pay parking will resume at all Island Health sites that previously had pay parking in place. 

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Caring for the Vulnerable

Caring for the Vulnerable

Healthcare professionals provide care in many settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools and people’s homes, but for those individuals who don’t have a fixed address and require care, some community health services staff go to them. 

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