Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) Surveillance Working Group
Lead: Ellie Sheng
In June 2009, the CDI Surveillance System went live, as the Health Authorities began uploading data into the PICNet database. PICNet received data on healthcare associated CDI cases from all six participating Health Authorities and four affiliated facilities. Surveillance reports for fiscal year 2008/2009 (April 1, 2008 to March 31, 2009) and for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009/2010 (April 1, 2009 to June 25, 2009) were published to the PICNet website (www.picnetbc.ca) in March 2010. PICNet continues to receive data submissions from all Health Authorities in BC. CDI surveillance updates will be published quarterly.
Communications Leadership Group
Lead: Lucy Truong
The purpose of the Communications Leadership Group (CLG) is to advise and oversee communications strategies to enhance infection prevention, surveillance and control in British Columbia. With emphasis on surveillance, education/training and practice across the continuum of care, the Communications Leadership Group works with the PICNet Management Office to provide leadership and guide communications policy development. The 2010/11 PICNet Calendar was completed and distributed during the next CHICA National Educational Conference in May 2010. The CLG is looking to expand our network to include communications leaders in BC.
Gastrointestinal Infections Outbreak Guidelines
Lead: Joanne Archer
The Gastrointestinal Infections (GI) Outbreak Guidelines have now been released and are accessible through our website. The GI Outbreak Guidelines have also been included in the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control’s Communicable Disease Manual. PICNet would like to thank everyone who was involved with this project for their hard work in completing this project.
Infection Control in Long Term Care Settings in BC: A Needs Assessment
Lead: Bruce Gamage
An online survey assessing infection prevention and control in long tern care settings was sent to 150 different facilities within five health authorities. The report is currently being developed, to be released during the summer 2010, and will allow the Health Authorities to identify areas of need for infection prevention and control resources. The report will also assist PICNet with creating an accurate business case towards attaining additional funding to develop infection prevention and control programs in long term care settings.
Surveillance Steering Committee
Leads: Ellie Sheng/Bruce Gamage
The Surveillance Steering Committee was created to address BC’s need for a Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) surveillance program, which will include MRSA, VRE, SSI, and VAP. The committee includes individuals from each Health Authority, who voluntarily contribute to the development and expansion of the province-wide surveillance program. This group originated from the successful implementation of the CDI Surveillance System.
The group has already held several meetings to discuss the MRSA surveillance module. Case definitions and a minimum data set have been established and technical development is currently underway.
Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Working Group
Lead: Joanne Archer
In 2008, an outbreak of mumps occurred in BC, mainly in the Fraser Health region. This group developed guidelines for what constitutes the adequate immunity and recommendations for managing healthcare workers who, through their work or in the community, are exposed to cases of mumps. Following on their success with developing the mumps protocol, this working group is currently reforming and preliminary work is underway to develop similar guidelines for measles and rubella.
