Our staff and physicians have had many questions about how prepared we are as an organization to safely and effectively treat patients with Ebola virus disease (EVD). We’ve tried to answer as many of these as possible through VCH News, Up for Discussion, staff forums and other face-to-face venues, and through the stellar work of our infection control and quality and safety teams. However, I am aware there continue to be many concerns, and suggestions have been made for improving communications and staff supports.

Mary Ackenhusen, President & CEO

Please know your concern for ensuring patient and staff safety is shared by the Senior Executive Team and leaders across VCH who are supporting our preparedness efforts. Although the likelihood of a true case of Ebola virus disease presenting in one of our facilities is remote, I fully support the need for all VCH sites and programs to have a plan in place for the management of cases of Ebola.

Measures are in place

Without diminishing the severity of the matter overall, it is important to remember that there have been no Ebola cases in Canada and the risk of an imported case remains very low.  With new federal Quarantine protocols established last week, all returning travellers from affected countries – regardless of any contact with Ebola cases – are  being identified at airports of entry and followed for 21 days by public health authorities.  With these measures now in place, the risk of an unexpected case appearing in hospital Emergency Departments or family physician offices is exceedingly low. As well, Surrey Memorial Hospital has been named the Lower Mainland’s designated hospital to assess and treat adult Ebola cases.  BC Children’s Hospital has been designated for similar pediatric cases.

Nonetheless, readying ourselves to ensure healthcare workers can safely and effectively care for patients is essential. Preparedness relies on clear algorithms and clinical processes, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) supply and deployment, and appropriate awareness and training for staff in both the processes and equipment.

New guidelines

With this in mind, I want to take this opportunity to update you on our latest preparations for EVD and share new information on developments that will provide further safeguards for frontline staff and physicians.

Yesterday, the BC Ministry of Health released new guidelines related to infection control measures and the use of personal protective equipment in the event of possible or confirmed EVD. These EVD Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) guidelines are aligned with the new guidelines released by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The development of training modules is underway and will be available as soon as possible. I’ve included a link to the new guidelines for your reference and they are available on VCH Connect.  Please note these guidelines are current as of the effective date on the document and will be updated as new evidence emerges.

Training

Training in appropriate infection control and personal protective equipment continues for staff in all VCH Emergency Departments, and for ICU teams at dedicated Ebola hospitals.  Videos, posters, algorithms and other educational materials to support staff training are being developed at the provincial level to ensure consistency and will be made available as soon as possible.

A significant amount of Ebola preparedness planning has been underway for months and activities are continuing, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Training of high-risk staff on the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Fit testing for N95 masks in high-risk areas.
• An Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) has been established to plan for any Ebola cases that may arrive in the region.  The EOC brings together leaders from a wide range of disciplines from across VCH and will be meeting regularly to implement protocols, share updates and discuss common concerns.
• Involving Emergency Department and Intensive Care Unit leadership in key aspects of Ebola preparedness planning.
• Dealing with site-specific issues.

All programs, staff, and physicians/medical staff are reminded that decisions around infrastructure needs, ordering of Ebola preparedness supplies and infection prevention protocols are to continue to be done provincially – that means, led and coordinated by the Provincial Ebola Task Force.

Coordinated approach

VCH is continuing to work closely with the Ministry of Health, and other health authorities to coordinate our actions and to ensure that all hospitals and care sites are prepared and making adjustments as required.

Thank you once again for your contributions toward our organizational response and to ensuring patient-centred care and safety for all.

Mary Ackenhusen
President and CEO
Vancouver Coastal Health