During this pandemic infection prevention and control has undergone significant changes to protect patients, families, caregivers, staff and physicians.
With combined threats of health care associated infections and COVID-19 we have had to implement stricter measures that follow the Public Health Agency of Canada’s evidence-based guidelines.
This pandemic has had a devastating effect on our health care system but has also provided us with valuable lessons for future planning and preparation.
The biggest change I experienced was the widespread use of personal protective equipment. In the early days of the pandemic this equipment was scarce, and we needed to be creative in our solutions but also responsible. Everyone’s safety was on the line.
It has been difficult to see so many more patients be isolated. We have always had strict isolation practices, but the volumes of isolated patients have significantly increased. This has put additional pressure on many teams; from nursing staff needing to do more at the bedside to spiritual care providers filling in gaps and even my team identifying if they are infectious and at higher risk to transmit the virus.
My hope is that everyone who can get vaccinated does. We can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this virus and as a community eliminate it all together.